Can you recommend a small portable washer suitable for an elderly person?

[auntieem]

I am looking for a small portable washer, and perhaps a spinner to use in the bathroom. The washer needs to be large enough for heavy cotton blankets or quilts.

I do not think I am strong enough to lift a washer into the shower stall, but could certainly attach a drain hose to stay put in the shower stall, and could attach a hose to fill the machine.

I am willing to use a wringer, but cannot wring out towels, sheets or blankets by hand. (I wash my clothes by hand, but the large and heavy bed and bath things are too much for me.)

Need electric, not hand crank.

Would prefer to fill water with hose attached to bathroom sink faucet or shower head. I can change a shower head to attach a Y-split for a hose, if needed.

I wash everything in cold water.

I use laundry racks to dry everything.

If you know of some machines that are reliable and quiet, I would appreciate your recommendations.

Thank you very much.

 

[maytag85]

Only portable machine I can think of are the Kenmore portables from the late 60’s and early 70’s since those were essentially a full size machine but in a compact cabinet. If you want a “portable” washer, keep an eye out for a Kenmore 24” belt drive washer and put waxman casters on it and will have a full size machine that can easily be moved around without the use of a dolly/hand truck.

 

[auntieem]

.

Thanks very much for the Kenmore suggestion. I appreciate it. I will see what is available locally.

 

[rickc]

Niagara washer from Laundry Alternative?

It sounds like a Niagara washing machine might be what you're looking for. I have never used one, so can't comment based on experience, but I hear that they are compact and can wash a queen sized comforter. The biggest issue for you would be that they don't have a fast spin cycle, so you would definitely need a separate spinner. And I am not sure how heavy the quilts, etc, would be as you move them from washer to spinner. Still, it's made for bathroom sink usage, and has a pump (I think), so wouldn't have to sit in the shower.

 

[combo52]

Best Compact Washer That Can Wash Large Items

Get something like a GE or Haier  24"Front Load Washer these are large enough to wash queen sized blankets etc and spin them very dry.

 

There are a number of good inexpensive top load portable washers but they will not handle large blankets etc.

 

John L.

 

[auntieem]

Rick and Combo, thank you very much! I appreciate your help.

 

[pierreandreply4]

there also whirlpool as you can see via this youtube video

there also whirlpool as you can see from the youtube video

 

[chaskelljr2]

@ Sean A806

On the page below, there is a picture of a 1967-73 Sears Kenmore Portable Washer. It is 24” wide, and big enough for a single person.

It can spin out a load of clothes so that she doesn’t gave to do it.

It should be strong enough to handle blankets and quilts for her. It can be permanently installed if she has the space in her kitchen or bathroom.

It comes with 2-Speeds with 3-Cycles, so it could handle any laundering chore she cares to throw at it. This is a Belt-Drive Machine with a Straight-Vane Agitator, so in spite of it being just 24” wide, there should be enough space inside this machine to handle even blankets and quilts.

My only thing is I hope she has someone in her family who is handy enough to keep it running.

There is also a 1994 Version that is a 2-Speed Direct-Drive Machine with a Dual-Action Machine, can be permanently installed, and is large enough and strong enough for most of her needs, but handling blankets and quilts might be a stretch for this machine. Hopefully she has children who have larger stronger that can handle these, or whether or not there’s a laundry room or a laundromat closeby.

—Charles—

 

[chaskelljr2]

@ Sean A806

On the page below, there is a picture of a 1967-73 Sears Kenmore Portable Washer. It is 24” wide, and big enough for a single person.

It can spin out a load of clothes so that she doesn’t have to do it.

It should be strong enough to handle blankets and quilts for her. It can be permanently installed if she has the space in her kitchen or bathroom.

It comes with 2-Speeds with 3-Cycles, so it could handle any laundering chore she cares to throw at it. This is a Belt-Drive Machine with a Straight-Vane Agitator, so in spite of it being just 24” wide, there should be enough room inside this machine to handle even blankets and quilts.

My only thing is I hope she has someone in her family who is handy enough to keep it running.

There is also a 1994 Version that is a 2-Speed Direct-Drive Machine with a Dual-Action Machine, can be permanently installed, and is large enough and strong enough for most of her needs, but handling blankets and quilts might be a stretch for this machine. Hopefully she has children who have larger stronger machines that can handle these, or whether or not there’s a laundry room or a laundromat closeby.

—Charles—

 

[combo52]

Best Compact Washer

I don't think the poster was looking for a 50+ year old machine.

 

John L

 

[seedub]

John, is that Haier equipped for "permanent" hookup to dedicated plumbing? Or, can it use an adapter to connect to a sink faucet? I got the sense that Ms. Emma may not have a laundry facility in her home.

Emma,I found a fully automatic portable unit through Amazon that claims it will handle up to 17.5 pounds. I had never known this brand before. And, The Home Depot will direct ship a fully automatic Magic Chef that measures 3.0 cubic feet. The specifications do not say how large a load that works out to, but that is the largest size available.

Amazon.com

 

[auntieem]

Thank you all for the recommendations and suggestions.

I did accidentally put my question in the vintage part of the forum, rather than for a newer machine.

It does not matter to me how old a machine is as long as it fits my needs. If I happen to find something vintage, that would be alright, as long as it is mechanically and functionally sound, and does not smell of modern detergents and fabric softeners, etc.

I have been looking at reviews at Amazon and the big box stores. The one- and two-star reviews for small, portable washers, ranging from human-powered to fully automatic are not encouraging enough for me to order one. There are dozens of small machines, and I have yet to find a budget-friendly washer set-up that gets few enough actual one- and two-star reviews. (There are often low reviews that are not actually about the function of something.)

In addition to my own physical limitations, almost all my time is required caring for others, -- so I have no time or mental/emotional wherewithal to deal with something that has not proven over and over to work first time, every time, all the time.

The washing machines of yesteryear just kept on going, with good use, care, maintenance and the rare repair.

I need something that reliable. Would prefer portable, something along the lines of what one would put in an RV or camper.

Thank you all for your help. I appreciate it.

 

[chachp]

How much room do you have in your bathroom?

 

<span style="font-family: helvetica;">I haven't seen that as part of the discussion unless I missed it.  That could limit your choices.</span>

 

[maytagbear]

hello, Auntie Em

Everyone has been good....There is one who might be able to help even   more, His name is Thomas Ortega.  He works for the Laundry Solutions company.  I believe he is the chief designer.?

 

 

What the others have said is== is not wrong at all but may not be quite what you need.

 

 

Welcome.

 

Lawrence/Maytagbear