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Mark

The machine in your first post is an entry level "starter" washer with spin tub.

For about $110 on ebay you can have it shipped to you and that includes shipping.

I tried this back in 2020 for a bit. Not having a pump is a sticking point, though they make some models with a pump.

I'm particular about wanting to do a wash (sometimess even a pre-wash), then a spin-out, then back to the wash tub for the rinse, then the final spin-out WITH spray rinse. I used a 2" hole saw and put a hole in the top lid so I could use the kitchen spray hose to do the spray rinse.

I used it on top of a counter where I could easily drop the hose into a sink to get drainage. Eventually I used it on the floor with a dishpan to catch the drain hose and a fountain pump in the dishpan to pump out the dishpan.

The spinner works great.


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If you're looking for compact, affordable, light weight, easy to move but certainly capable machines, try this pair.

The washer is a topload tumble washer. Washes just like my WP Duet. And you can wash a full size load in this.

Automatically it fills(cold water or single valve only. You can use an external mixing valve or hose), it goes through cycles, it washes, it dispenses fabric conditioner in the final wash, and it drains.
The only thing it doesn't do is spin out.

That's what the spinner is for. Again, I put a 2" hole in the lid so I can spray rinse with a separate spray hose.

When I use it I spin out after the long first wash, then put the clothes back in the washer to complete the cycle, then do a final spin out with no spray rinse.




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I watched those TT videos...and also the Haier video... I would choose that Haier in a nano second...I think I'd rather deal with tangling than draining/spin/rinse/drain/spin.. Back when I had my Kenmore that basically did the same thing as the Haier, except it had a dual action agitator.. I'm trying to remember having any loads off balanced.. I think some loads would spin a little louder than others but I don't remember having to run to stop it or anything.. I guess if price is an issue you would get an entry TT for much cheaper...but I wonder if the people that buy these TT even know that there are better/easier portable machines? Also... I'm sure these wash plate portables hold more than my Kenmore did simply because of its agitator

Another thing that occurred to me... How much $ does a typical laundromat cost? Makes me wonder if that alone paid for my Duet in the last 18 years
 
Oh crap... I forgot to comment on that Niagra...wow...that looks even better than the Haier...I wonder if it works well? I can't believe the price on it as well
 
Correct, no spin.

 

This drastically lessons the cost of the washer and makes it very light weight as no suspension, balance ring, counterweight, or high speed drive mech is required.

 

I've long advocated for more washers like this just to increase the number of automatic portables in apartments.
 
Re: #22

If the machine doesn’t spin then you’ll need to either have a separate spinner, hand crank wringer or wring the laundry out by hand.  This doesn’t sound like a convenient machine at all for an apartment dweller.  Nor is there anything automatic about a machine like this.  A twin tub would be way more practical.

 

Eddie
 
Not only that... but the mere fact that it doesn't spin means things may not get rinsed well... You really need to spin between wash/rinse... I mean, I guess if you have a spinner you can do the dance of washing, taking out, spinning yourself, returning to washer to rinse, then spin again. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
 
Just like with "full-size" washers and dryers one needs to consider the capacity of various compact washer AND spin drier models as well. Just saying "compact" doesn't cut it.

The separate spin dryer shown above by Laundry alternative has a larger capacity than the spin tub in the $110 twin tub model

I've no doubt that the old hoover and maytag twin tubs had larger capacity wash tubs and perhaps spinner than the $110 model up above, as well.

Any Twin tub is not convenient because it's two appliances crammed together into one wide bodied appliance. If one part of the machine breaks you're still stuck lugging around the whole machine so you can use the part that still works.

Having the machines in separate cabinets makes them easier to store, easier to move, and easier to modify if need be.

The Niagara washer is BIG capacity. I have washed two bed sheets, two towels, two pillow cases, and other miscl whites all in one load. And that was not over loading it. I've even washed a bed comforter in it.

Lets put it this way, it washes so much that when you wash as much as I just pointed out, one has to divide the stuff in half and do two loads in the spinner.

Yet the Niagara is only about 18" wide and maybe 15" deep by about 30" tall (the height of a bathroom vanity). It's very easy to pick up and move if needed. When empty you can even lay it on it's side without damaging it.

The spin dryer is even more compact at only about 12" x 12" x 28" tall.

-----

Those old Kenmore and Whirlpool compacts were fun to play with years ago. Of course they no longer make the metal compacts with a transmission like they did in the 60s-00s. I had several of those over the years.

The truth about them was they had the same motor, timer, switches, transmission, pump and valves that the full size models had, and were only a few inches smaller in each dimension and not much lighter. Yet one could only wash a fraction of what one could in the full size models.
 
"I mean, I guess if you have a spinner you can do the dance of washing, taking out, spinning yourself, returning to washer to rinse, then spin again. "

You would be doing this if you had a twin tub ANYWAY, but the capacity isn't there.

Twin tub you still need to wash, move to spin out, move back over to rinse, move over for final spin out.

Plus with the twin tub you have to manually fill, empty and rinse the wash tub.

With the niagara it fills itself and pumps out. It also has a cycle timer which the twin tub doesn't. The Niagara fills, does up to a 20 minute wash, drains and does THREE rinses after that all automatically.

I spin out after the wash, but one doesn't have to. Three rinses all done automatically takes out quite a bit of wash water.

-----

Just curious, are you buying this for kids going off to college in a couple weeks?
 
The Haier one piece will probably do it all in one but I would be concerned about how well it cleans.

Just depends on what you're looking for.

Do you know the RPMs of spin tub in that?
 
btw- the cost of doing a standard double load in a FL commercial washer is about $4

There are like 4 different machines, each about twice the capacity of the previous

A 4 load washer is about $7
A 6 load washer is about $11
and a 9 load washer is about $15

Then there is the use of the dryer if you so choose. Seems like it's about $1.25 for 10 minutes.
If you're lucky you may find a 'mat that takes debit cards directly in the machine.

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Member ThomasOrtega is a designer/engineer for The Laundry Alternative.  He has discussed that ability to spin entails engineering/design changes, safety requirements, and both manufacturing and shipping cost increases which pushes the product's price higher than target consumer market will accept.
 
Ohhhhhh! So the Niagra is Thomas Ortega? I remember him... In fact, now that I think about it, I remember him posting about this a long time ago.

I guess if it does 3 rinses that would be ok... It would be interesting to see how the Ninja spinner thing works... I can't believe the RPM's are that high..
 
I just found a video of someone who bought the Niagra and then the Ninja spinner...That thing sounds like it washes amazingly well...by the time the 3rd rinse was done - the water was clear...then he used the ninja to spin the entire load...This looks so much better than the TT's...because the washing/rinsing is automatic...then you just spin everything.. Less steps.

It would be so cool to see what's actually going on inside while it's doing it's thing... but that's impossible.
 
If you have a WP Duet.... it's got a SS tub too. No sharp edges.

Put the clothes in from the top instead of the front.
Put detergent on the top of the drum(not too much),
put vinegar (or whatever you want to use for the rinse agent) in the dispenser on the left side, close the lid, turn the dial,

the water valve activates and adds about 2 1/4 gallons of water,
then it turns the tub several revolutions(I'd say about five), stops,
reverses several revolutions, stops,
reverses again...... (repeat for all wash and rinse phases)
this is how it washes so the clothes don't get tangled. Just like a front load washer should do.

When done washing the tub stops, the drain pump comes on and it stays on extra long so it gets water that's dripping out of the clothes.

Then it fills with rinse water,
starts tumbling (and repeating above)
It does this for about 3-4 minutes for all three rinses
then it drains as above.

The only difference on the final rinse is the water is diverted into the dispenser which dilutes the rinse agent and adds it to the tub. Just like it would in a fully automatic front loader.

I don't think I've ever had problems with tangles.
I've washed shoes in mine, I will often prewash sheets and whites. Sometime I will reset the timer to add more wash time. I've never had issues with buttons coming off or tears.

------

Now on the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">twin tub</span>, it was kind of rough. There I started noticing tears in clothes and I lost a couple of buttons. There you have the laundry coming into direct contact with the wash plate that frankly has to spin quite rapidly. When I washed shoes I devised a rack to protect the shoes coming in contact with the impeller. I think the best way to use a wash plate washer is with some type of mesh screen over the blade to protect items ones washing but that's discussion for elsewhere.
 
Using the spinner

So I put it right next to the washer so I can take clothing out and maneuver them over and into the tub without dripping on the floor.  

try and keep them loose as possible so they can move around.  don't just throw balled up clothes in there. 

Then push the mass down and make sure the top is level.  If you can feel empty spots in the top of the mass it will not spin correct so reorganize the clothes now.  

 

Close the lid and turn the dial.  I hold the top of the machine to get it started with one hand.  It has thick rubber feet so it can sway a bit.

If you've loaded it correctly the tub will slowly start but then quickly speed up and the water will come gushing out the bottom into your pan.  Once it's going you just let it spin a few minutes.  It is self balancing.

 

I usually step away and do something else.

 

Then turn the knob to turn off the motor and let it coast to a stop or near stop.  Then use the knob to activate the brake, open the lid and remove the clothes.  

 

It extracts so much water, it doesn't take much time for clothes to dry.
 
"Not only that... but the mere fact that it doesn't spin means things may not get rinsed well... You really need to spin between wash/rinse... I mean, I guess if you have a spinner you can do the dance of washing, taking out, spinning yourself, returning to washer to rinse, then spin again. I'm exhausted just thinking about it."

No, not exactly....

Have said this before and am doing so again, washers back in day were just that far as industrial/commercial H-axis machines were concerned. That is they washed and rinsed only. Sopping wet laundry was then moved to an extractor for water removal.





Braun came out with first high volume washer/extractor in 1946 and it was off to races. By 1954 EDRO and others also followed introducing their own washer/extractors. https://www.edrocorp.com/history.html

Even after washer/extractors became the norm for industrial laundries there was (and still is) considerable debate regarding extraction after wash or even rinses.

Some laundrymen feel extracting after main wash and or before a few rinses pulls dirty water through wash. Thus textiles being laundered will act as a filter for said dirty water.

Indeed even well into 1980's and bit beyond h-axis washers sold in Europe or elsewhere for domestic use did not spin after main wash, nor until after two or three rinses (Normal/Cottons/Linens cycle). My Miele W1070 does not spin until after third rinse and even then it's only a short pulse.

Rinsing is a process of dilution. Differences between extracting after main wash and between rinses versus not largely come down to water usage. By not forcing out soapy/dirty water after wash or between rinses you need more rinsing to dilute said soils/muck/detergent etc...

Older front loaders from Miele, Asko, Bosch, and rest of European washers often had four, five or more changes of rinse baths with nary a full or perhaps just a pulse spin after first few, then a good extraction spin before final rinse.

By not extracting water between wash and subsequent cycles laundry will absorb less water at each next fill because it is already saturated. Modern domestic front loaders now often spin after main wash and subsequent rinse cycles (in some cases violently), but they use less water at rinse fills. More so if machine is using jet spray recirculation systems to saturate and help move water through load.

You can see from these videos washers that don't spin after main wash and or between rinses are perfectly capable of delivering acceptable results. Long as washer isn't overloaded and or too much chemicals are used in wash.





Laundry Alternative's "Niagara" washer teamed with a spin drier is just a new take on something old. Instead of a twin tub with teamed washer and extractor you've got two separate appliances. Washer that doesn't extract replaces doing job by hand then having to haul wet laundry to a spin drier.

 
Came across a few NIB Niagara washers over past few years (fleaPay, CL...), but never pulled the trigger.

Having Maytag wringer plus two vintage German wash possers and assorted wash tubs or buckets there wasn't anything yet another semi-automatic washer would do that one couldn't do already. Have two spin dryers, two mangles/wringers and of course the spin side of Hoover twin tub.



If machine had extraction capability that would have been something, but then the AEG Lavamat toplader dropped into my lap and that was that.
 
With me having an H axis Machine where I have to move

Everything from the machine into a spin dryer/extractor when it’s done, I’ll admit I don’t mind it as I can see that the water is coming out clear with a gentle hint of fabric softener, and that’s even using American-style detergents that can have lots of suds, I just try to make sure that they’re not reaching 3/4 up the drum or coming out of the overflow pipe, just recently i used my nova wash with its “overflow rinse“ and after letting that run for 15 minutes(Three rinses from leaving the tap running continuously), there was not a trace of soap left on so continuous draining and filling can do a pretty good job of rinsing
 

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