Going Green Laundry Efforts

[ttpadilla]

Oh my aching hands, shoulders, and arms...

Tried out my new mobile washer and wringer today, and did 2 loads of laundry. I totally recommend the mobile washer, as it did a great job agitating the clothes for wash and rinse "cycles."

I do not recommend the wringer though, which breaks my little heart as I've wanted one for so long. There's just no way to securely mount it in the motor home. It's too wide for a bucket, and the brackets aren't quite wide enough to accommodate kitchen sink/countertop lip, doesn't work on the tub, as the gigantic handle needs to hang over empty space in order to turn. I was able to sort of mount it in the kitchen, using only one bracket, but starting the clothes through the wringer, turning the handle, and holding the wringer in place all at the same time is really difficult, and thoroughly exhausting. It does remove water pretty well, from lightweight items like yoga pants, shirts, undergarments, socks, flannel pajama bottoms, hand towels and washcloths. Doesn't work so well on heavy duty bath towels, large sweaters or sweatshirts, or blue jeans.

I guess I'll go ahead and get more 5 gal buckets, and try the "sit and squeeze" method of wringing water from the clothes.

Anybody want to buy a brand new wringer?

 

[LeeRevell]

Could the wringer be mounted on a small or folding table, for outdoors use?

 

[gypsychic]

Craigslist is your friend. Highlight that it won't fit in your motorhome, not that you found it hard to use and you should get 75-80% for it. I'd b interested in it eventually as I detest laundry mats but I have a place I can do my laundry locally until I start traveling. Traveling won't be for a year or more @ this point. Good luck selling it & finding a buyer.

I was taught to wrap clothes in a towel and twist to wring them out. I was thinking of trying that with the travel towels that gave so much capacity to hold water & dry fast. When I do that, I'll let u know my results.

 

[ttpadilla]

Could the wringer be mounted on a small or folding table, for outdoors use?

With some modification, perhaps. The mounting brackets are vertical, directly beneath it. I guess I could buy a larger washtub, to attach it to, but then I'd have to haul that around, too.

Here's a link to it: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OAPW6GM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[surfer]

Tried to post but photos didn't show in window so I didn't continue. Had I continued would they show in final post?

 

[Almost There]

Tried to post but photos didn't show in window so I  didn't continue. Had I  continued would they show in final post?

Yes, when you're done setting up the pics, click on 'preview'. They'll show up there and again when you hit post.

I had to learn the hard way on that one too!!

 

[surfer]

Mine don't show in preview. If I continue, will they show after hitting Post Reply?

 

[compassrose]

I used to use a Wonder Washer and a vintage wringer. I mounted the one I had to an extra folding sawhorse that we had (the same model as in the link). Two 2X4's was mounted to the top of the saw horse (making an "L" shape that the wringer could attach to). I have written instructions (got tired of posting them all the time so they are now on a webpage) and I generally suggest that folks who use this type of washer may find a bucket wringer for mops to be a better solution than a crank wringer. The "squeezin's" can then be easily disposed of in what ever manner you choose.

Please note, I am not advocating that you buy from Home Depot. I am just using that website for links so you know what I am talking about. I work there, know the products and it's easier for me to link there for pics than to search the internet for some place that will not offend everyone.

BTW, sold the Wonder Washer. Sold the vintage wringer. I now have a top load washer and an LP dryer in the bus. Much easier on me since I work fulltime.

 

[surfer]

If his post doesn't include photos I'll try again later.

Ideas to barrow or buy...

Here's a couple attached to the outside of campers







A wringer stand
http://www.northernautoparts.com/part/dy-bl44

Or wall mount (same site)


Maybe it could be jerry rigged  like this?


Hung off the back of folding chair or step stool?

 

[SoulRaven]

I am going to the green laundry next Monday.

$3.25 for the large industrial washing machines and $1.50 for the small ones per load.

 

[SoulRaven]

A friend uses a mop bucket wringer successfully, I prefer laundromats.

 

[surfer]

Since the photos didn't past into my post I went back & found each photo referenced & copied the link to it. The repost will have links to the photos instead of the photos.

Ideas to barrow or buy...

Here's a couple attached to the outside of campers
http://au.picclick.com/Vehicle-Parts-Accessories/Caravan-Parts-Accessories/?q=wringer+mangle
http://www.around-oz.com/newbies_mh/washing.htm
http://www.around-oz.com/newbies_mh/washing.htm

A wringer stand
http://www.northernautoparts.com/part/dy-bl44

Or wall mount 
http://www.northernautoparts.com/part/dy-bl44

Maybe it could be jerry rigged  like this?
http://themonkeysfist.blogspot.ca/2013/01/laundry-on-a-boat-cruisers-wardrobe.html

Hung off the back of folding chair or step stool?
http://www.retonthenet.co.uk/vintag...oldaway-mangle-wringer-circa-1950s-4554-p.asp

 

[ttpadilla]

Since the photos didn't past into my post I went back & found each photo referenced & copied the link to it. The repost will have links to the photos instead of the photos.

Ideas to barrow or buy...

Here's a couple attached to the outside of campers
http://au.picclick.com/Vehicle-Parts-Accessories/Caravan-Parts-Accessories/?q=wringer+mangle
http://www.around-oz.com/newbies_mh/washing.htm
http://www.around-oz.com/newbies_mh/washing.htm

A wringer stand
http://www.northernautoparts.com/part/dy-bl44

Or wall mount 
http://www.northernautoparts.com/part/dy-bl44

Maybe it could be jerry rigged  like this?
http://themonkeysfist.blogspot.ca/2013/01/laundry-on-a-boat-cruisers-wardrobe.html

Hung off the back of folding chair or step stool?
http://www.retonthenet.co.uk/vintag...oldaway-mangle-wringer-circa-1950s-4554-p.asp

Thank you so much, Surfer! All great ideas. Guess I'll hang onto that wringer after all! :idea:

 

[surfer]

GREAT! Which idea do you think you will work best?

 

[surfer]

After looking @ the photo & seeing the thumb knob on top it made me think that it was what I used 30+ years ago to adjust &/or release the rollers so I had to read the verbage. Several things it said made me think that it does tighten/loosen the rollers: "... tighten the rollers", "... tension screw knob on top", " A single, adjustable screw at the top of the wringer applies pressure evenly to a tempered steel spring so pressure is balanced over length of wringing roller." Hope this helps getting the thicker clothes wrung out.

If twisting this thumb knob doesn't tighten & loosen the rollers correctly it also said "Backed by our 100% Satisfaction or Your Money Back Guarantee".  

 

[ttpadilla]

GREAT! Which idea do you think you will work best?

I was thinking of a stand, but I realized that I have an ice chest that I could probably clamp it to, and wash in, as well! Haven't tried it yet, but I'll post how it works.

 

[ttpadilla]

After looking @ the photo & seeing the thumb knob on top it made me think that it was what I used 30+ years ago to adjust &/or release the rollers so I had to read the verbage. Several things it said made me think that it does tighten/loosen the rollers: "... tighten the rollers", "... tension screw knob on top", " A single, adjustable screw at the top of the wringer applies pressure evenly to a tempered steel spring so pressure is balanced over length of wringing roller." Hope this helps getting the thicker clothes wrung out.

If twisting this thumb knob doesn't tighten & loosen the rollers correctly it also said "Backed by our 100% Satisfaction or Your Money Back Guarantee".  

Yep, I did plenty of turning, and it does tighten and loosen, but the larger, thicker clothes are just too big and awkward. Maybe when it's securely mounted, but the struggle to hold securely, manage the tightening/loosening, feed the clothes, and turn the handle is more than these two hands could do more than a few times.

 

[LeeRevell]

Y'all got me to thinking, there has to be an American source for laundry wringers. Hey, don't Amish use non-electric stuff? IDEA! The Lehman's Amish Catalog!
They have this hand wringer, that looks like it has clamps for a 2X4 or similar.....

https://www.lehmans.com/p-2399-lehmans-best-hand-wringer.aspx

And the price is better than others sourced elsewhere.

 

[cdiggy]

A super easy and super cheap ringer? Take two 5 gallon buckets. Drill small holes all over the one bucket. That is your basket. Use the second bucket as the plunger for wringing out. Extra force for wringing? Sit on the bucket. Only thing you need is a tray to catch the water that spills out the drain holes in the bucket. I think I just trademarked this wringer. I call it "The Ass Wringer".. And the beauty of the setup is it easily stacks and you can store your dirty clothes in the bucket that doesn't have the holes...

 

[Almost There]

Yep, I did plenty of turning, and it does tighten and loosen, but the larger, thicker clothes are just too big and awkward.  Maybe when it's securely mounted, but the struggle to hold securely, manage the tightening/loosening, feed the clothes, and turn the handle is more than these two hands could do more than a few times.

Once it's securely mounted to something you'll find that you can wring out clothes much better. There's also a few tricks to putting the thick stuff through the wringer to get the maximum water out. It still won't get as much water out as the spin cycle of a modern washing machine but it's better than hand wringing.

Towels and stuff you have to deliberately spread them out over as much of the full width of the wringer. With blue jeans must make sure that you're not catching the button at an angle....did a few of them in back when...

Me, I still have the scars on my hand from catching it in the wringer of an electric wringer washer. Sported burn bandages and a sling for about 6 weeks....I was washing new flannelette diapers...he just turned 46! I'll stick to the Laundromat, TYVM.