Great Green Find: Wonder Wash Manual Washing Machine Pt. 3

This is the seventh day my family has used the Wonder Wash portable, manual washing machine. Technically it’s a portable, manual clothing washer and not actually a washing machine, but for the sake of familiarity we’ll call it a washing machine. I week ago, when I began experimenting with the Wonder Wash, my goal was to use the Wonder Wash for seven days in order to report from experience on its benefits (or lack thereof) for regular household use. Before we discuss all the reasons I love this little washer and provide a few tips on using it in your own home, let’s talk about how it works

How Does the Wonder Wash Work?
On their website The Laundry Alternative Inc., makers of the Wonder Wash, explain how it works: warm or hot water is placed into the washing container and the pressure lid is put into place and tightened, air inside the container absorbs heat from the water and expands, and the pressure inside the container forces the detergent (diluted in the wash water) through the pores in the fabric effectively cleaning the clothing very quickly.  The Laundry Alternative Inc.’s website doesn’t detail how spinning the container aids in its use, but I assume it helps build pressure inside the container and gently agitates the clothing to assist in getting it clean.

My Findings
I’ve found the Wonder Wash very helpful. With it, I’m able to wash small loads of laundry as they become dirty, which I prefer to washing large loads at the laundromat. However, large items, like blankets, sheets,bath towels, etc., still require a trip to the laundromat. I would probably be able to wash bath towels in the Wonder Wash, but wringing them out might prove to be a challenge.

Things I love about the Wonder Wash:

  • I’m able to wash small loads of laundry as they become dirty so they are less likely to pile up.
  • Wonder Wash requires no electricity and can be used anywhere, including in my yard or on a camping trip.
  • It saves regular trips to the laundromat.
  • I am able to save most of the money my family would spend at the laundromat.
  • Wonder Wash is portable, takes up very little space, and is easy to put away.
  • It’s eco-friendly.
  • It makes washing delicate articles of clothing easier, and they get much cleaner.
  • My six-year-old daughter likes to help wash laundry by spinning the container.
  • Using it is a mini workout.

Here are a few tips I learned this week while testing my Wonder Wash:

  • I soak my laundry in detergent water in the Wonder Wash for a couple of minutes before actually spinning the washer.
  • I always make sure the lid is on tightly before spinning (I learned this tip the hard way).
  • I keep a small towel or sponge available to mop up any spills. Each time I attach and remove my drain hose a small amount of water escapes the container.
  • I allow time for two rinse “cycles”. Most of the loads I washed were a little soapy after just one rinse.
  • I hang clothing outside when possible, as hand wrung clothes tend to drip a little, but hanging them to dry inside is good too.

Several Questions to Ask Yourself Before Purchasing a Wonder Wash

  • How will you remove excess water from newly washed laundry? Will you wring it out or use an electric laundry spinner?
  • Where and how will you dry your laundry? Will you opt for an outdoor clothes line, an indoor rack, or another eco option? If choosing an outdoor option remember to consider the weather.
  • Where will you store you Wonder Wash? It is a very small appliance, but it still takes up some space.

Who is the Wonder Wash Perfect For?
I would recommend the Wonder Wash to anyone, but the following people might find it especially helpful: parents with diapers, bibs, or children’s clothing to wash, apartment dwellers, green enthusiasts, campers, people who live off-the-grid, college students, thrifty folks, and single people.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my review of the Wonder Wash, a Great Green Find.

Wishing you the best of days!
Asante
www.LivingOurBliss.net
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Great Green Find: Wonder Wash Manual Washing Machine Pt. 2

After a week and a half of travel followed by a weekend camping trip for my birthday, this the perfect week to try out a new laundry appliance. Beautifully sorted piles of brights, towels, jeans and delicates, await my attention. So it’s off to my new portable, manual washing machine the Wonder Wash. This is my second day of testing the Wonder Wash and reporting my findings.

Receiving and Assembling My Wonder Wash
I knew the Wonder Wash was light, but when I received my model by UPS I was still surprised at just how light it was. My petite (yet mighty) 6-year-old daughter came in carrying the feather weight box. Last night I assembled my Wonder Wash and set it out on my kitchen counter in anticipation. I was pleased by the ease of assembly, as most of the parts seem to fit together in a logical order. The instructions that accompanied my Wonder Wash explain how to wash clothes with this unique appliance, and they include a small set of pictures that describe how to assemble the model. Although I figured out where everything went, with the assistance of the images, I feel the assembly directions could be a bit more detailed. There are two random pins I’m still not sure about, but I think they are in the right place.

Using My Wonder Wash
After assembling my Wonder Wash I wanted to get a jump on my laundry and test a couple of small loads. I purchased a wooden laundry rack about one month ago, so, even though the weather was rainy, I was prepared to hang my laundry to dry. The Wonder Wash has suction cups in the corners of the bottom of the frame. I found this feature very helpful to keep my Wonder Wash stable on my counter as I turned the handle. The directions include the prescribed amount of water, detergent, and spin time for a quarter load, a half load, three-quarters load, and a full load. I followed the directions and found I had a better result when I let the clothing sit in the detergent water for a minute or two before spinning for the recommended amount of time. I did two small loads of laundry this way, and I’m pleased with the result. They look and smell clean and fresh.

Twisting and Squeezing
The Wonder Wash is a great manual clothes washer, but it does not spin the water from the clothing, so it is necessary to wring each piece of clothing or to invest in a clothing spinner. The Laundry Alternative Inc. has an small electric clothing spinner available, perhaps that’s an idea for another post. Since I don’t have a spinner I was a bit concerned that I wouldn’t be able to wring most of the water from the clothing so that it wouldn’t drip on the floor, but it was no problem twisting and squeezing the clothing before I hung it to dry.

A Lesson Learned
Today I did two more small loads of laundry with my Wonder Wash manual washing machine. While washing the last batch I was a bit distracted and neglected to check that the pressure lid was secure. As I gave my Wonder Wash it’s first spin, several quarts of water gushed onto my kitchen counter and floor. So, with towels soaking up the water in the kitchen, I refilled my Wonder Wash with a lesson learned: always recheck the pressure lid.

All in all, my second day of Wonder Washing went well. I’m enjoying experimenting with this little appliance. In my next post I’ll explore how the Wonder Wash works… stay tuned!

In Joy and Peace,
Asante
www.LivingOurBliss.net
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