Decent inexpensive portable washers?

[dustin92]

Ok, so here we go... I am looking for a portable washer that is decent sized and fairly easy to use. I stay at my Girlfriend's apartment a few days a week and of course we both generate dirty laundry. I have a small (really small functionally) Haier portable washer I took over so we wouldn't have to use the laundry room (at $1.50 to wash and $1.50 to dry, and 2 washers 2 dryers for 8 apartments) and wouldn't have to spend our Sundays at my house doing laundry all day. It does work, but is actually a pain to use because it has a few issues, and holds very little (0.9 cf tub). I was hoping she would be able to move it, hook it up, and use it, but that just isn't happening (because of issues it needs near constant attention) and it doesn't have wheels, which makes hauling it from the closet to the bathroom a pain even for me.
I'm looking for something easy to move (preferably on wheels), must be relatively quiet as we aren't sure if we are allowed to have it, and needs to fit in her front closet (which I can get the dimensions of, honestly a full size washer may fit but wouldn't work for the situation). I would love to be able to wash a set of full size lightweight sheets in one load! Water use doesn't matter, we don't pay for water, but must be fully automatic or very straightforward. Looking to spend as little as possible and still get clean clothes! If it wasn't for the noise I'd look for a 24" Whirlpool direct drive, add a faucet adapter and some locking wheels and call it a good day! But, we do have a grouchy old man behind us and we share both bathroom and kitchen walls, and I guarantee he would be the first to complain if we got a noisy washer. This may not happen right away, but taxes are coming back soon, and if I have enough left after bills get caught up, I'd like to make it happen! We have a small folding drying rack, or we can use the laundry room dryers. Portable dryer would be nice but probably not happening as we don't have anywhere to put it.

 

[yogitunes]

as if size never matters.....

you got the right machine.....but wrong size

seems all of these portable are built the same, just under a different name....Avanti, MagicChef, RCA, Midea, Haier, etc....

I have an Avanti 1.7...and a MagicChef 2.1.......portable goes up to 2.5.....permanent hookup is available in a 3.0 size.....

the 1.7 is a 12lb machine....the same as a GE V12's capacity....which will handle a queen size sheet set, and then some...

I like the Avanti for its flexibility on cycles...yet the MC offers an AirDry high speed spin for up to 90 minutes....

never have to monitor it as long as you load it properly...but just the same, would never let a machine operate into a sink without at least being near by...

most can hook up to a bathroom sink or shower....

 

[thomasortega]

I have a Magic Chef 1.6 Cu Ft and I love, love, love that washer.

Super decent water levels, nothing comes out of it dirty, it is delicate with the clothes, the lint filter really works and it comes ready for temporary (faucet adapter) and permanent installation.

THe spin speed is also very acceptable and it has the air dry, that makes a good difference.

It is also very silent, nobody would notice it.

 

[dustin92]

I thought I'd post an update at least, hopefully it works out, if not we shall continue with what we have. I'm planning on taking a 24" direct drive Whirlpool or Kenmore, adding sound insulation on all sides and the bottom of the cabinet, adding 4 heavy duty locking wheels in place of the legs, and a unicoupler from a portable washer/dishwasher. Seems like the easiest/most inexpensive solution to do what we want to do with it. It should be quiet enough with insulation, we are luckily on the first floor and the grouchy old man behind us is supposedly moving in june. The wheels will allow it to be easily rolled from the front closet to the bathroom. We will likely either have to purchase another drying rack or just use the dryers in the laundry room. Now to hunt down a 24" Whirlpool/Kenmore!
Thanks to all for the advice but hopefully this will be a better solution!

 

[thomasortega]

Have you considered the model SCAW2GEN by The Laundry Alternative Inc.?

100% designed in the USA (I'm sure about it because I designed it), and the capacity is quite impressive for the size.

Among the bells and whistles, it has a germicidal light, soft close tempered glass lid and touch control panel.

 

[speedqueen]

Widen your search to include looking for a 24" belt-drive too, soft "woo-woo" instead if the dreaded "clunka-clunka-clunka".

 

[ea56]

Dustin,

I know most people want an automatic, but for an apartment a twin tub can be perfect. I used a Maytag A50 twin tub for about 5 years when I lived in apartments. They are convenient, fairly quite, really spin the clothes out pretty dry, and have a good sized capacity. I had a double bed at the time and used old fashioned chennill bedspreads and I could wash these in the A50 with no problem. I could wash both the top and bottom sheets, with the pillowcases in one load easily.

I lived in a couple of upstairs apartments, and none of the neighbors ever complained about noise. And best part, I could wash a weeks laundry in about an hour. I had a Whirlpool portable dryer that I could plug into regular household current and I used a flexible vent hose and vented it out the kitchen window.

Just a thought.
Eddie

 

[dustin92]

Well, hadn't even thought about a Twin tub, but, I found one for sale on Facebook about 40 minutes away and I'm most likely going monday to look at it/ purchase it. All I know is it's older and a Hoover. I will try to copy a picture and post it. Does it seem like a decent machine and fair price? The seller says it's in working condition.

 

[ea56]

I ‘ve no experience with a Hoover Twin Tub, but they were very popular for a long time so there must be something good about them. And if it is indeed in good working condition for $65.00 I’d say its a good deal.

I believe it was Launderess who mentioned that the Hoover Twin Tub has a tendency to tangle a lot. It might be due to the fact that they have only one larger impeller, instead of the two smaller impellers that the Maytag A50 uses. And the A50 impellers reverse every 30 secs., or so and I don’t recall that tangleing was ever an issue.

If it was me, I’d check it out. Be sure that there are no leaks and that the spinner worls well. Ideally, you could give it a short test run.

HTH

Good luck Dustin
Eddie

 

[thomasortega]

I know that a member in Long Beach CA has one and I'm deperate to sneak into his house and take his Hoover (and his Maytag A50) for a ride followed by endless vacations in my laundry room.

 

[dustin92]

Well, they all seem to come at once... I also messaged about a Magic Chef portable that was posted shortly after my last update, will see if I get a reply. That one is listed for $50 and is closer, and honestly more what I was looking for.

 

[dustin92]

I'm the proud owner of a 2.1 cf Magic Chef portable washer in excellent condition! I haven't taken it to my Girlfriend's yet, but I did run a load in it at home last night, and it works GREAT! I think it's quieter than the toy Haier, and doesn't need any attention to run through the cycle. Also washes very well! Hopefully this will fit what we need it to do. I think it will. Thanks for the help and advice!

 

[ea56]

Congratulations Dustin! Looks like you made a good deal.
Eddie

 

[thomasortega]

Congratulations!

Thos Magic CHef washers are very well engineered and built.