In my tiny off-grid cabin, having a full-size washer is out of the question. A dryer would be insane. Both take a ton of electricity to run, plus they are huge appliances. The best alternative was a portable washing machine and so far, it has been amazing. I utilized the nearby village laundromat for the first year or so, but I wanted to do my washing at home. The laundromat is expensive costing $15 at a time. Buying the portable washer paid for itself in six months.
I decided on an RCA model that had great reviews and was affordable at around $350. The slim machine measures 20” wide and did fit into my tiny bathroom. I had no idea if I could hook it up easily, but I remembered there was a faucet on my water tank for draining. I hooked the water input to it and in the rare first-time fix, it fit like a glove. The draining flexible pipe looped over my bathroom sink faucet and only splashed a little when the water first started draining.
The washer holds quite a bit. I can wash two sheets and four pillowcases in one go. It uses very little power so I can run it when my panels are cooking. It only uses cold water, but that is actually better on your clothes. It spins efficiently so my things dry quickly on a collapsible drying rack I found at a thrift shop for $10. In the summer, I hang my washing on a line outside and everything gets that amazing fresh air smell. Nothing is more sanitized or fresh as laundry dried by the sun and wind.
I am so happy with this convenient little appliance. Not to knock homesteader methods, but let’s be honest, who wants to wash clothes in an outdoor tub and use a hand-wringer?
The one issue I have is my well water. The groundwater around here is loaded with iron, and although safe, as my cousin pointedly remarked, it looks like pee. And boy, does it do a number on whites. I don’t use bleach as it isn’t good for septic tanks, upsets the balance down there. Solution? Switch out those white towels, sheets, and shirts for darker colors. As a former devotee of white linens, I am learning to embrace some color, one towel at a time. The old white ones, which are now a yucky shade of orangey rust are only good to dry off wet dogs. Sigh. I really liked the white linens.
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