apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I am thinking about purchasing a portable washer and the comments on this page have been more helpful to me than the last 30 minutes spent searching "portable washers" Thanks!!!

A fair warning though, my friend said she had to ring out most of her clothes which over time became too much of a hassle for her.

There are many portable washers available, most in what might be considered a normal (yet compact) size -- I doubt the tiny countertop models are worth the trouble. I have a Malber (discussed a few weeks ago here) which I initally used as a portable and later made permanent. Years ago I had a Sanyo top-loader. I recommend getting a front-loader, however -- they use much less water and detergent, and do a better job. I have seen several stores on the upper west side that sell one by Haier -- they look pretty decent. Even the major chains in Manhattan (eg PC Richards, Best Buy) carry portable washers. Happy laundering!

PS -- the Rent Stabilization board just passed a new ruling allowing landlords to charge a $13/month fee for tenants using a washer in their apartments . . . will the greed ever end!

I have a "portable" washer as described in the question. It's perfect- just a little smaller than a regular washer. Has a matching dryer, which is just a little smaller than a regular dryer. The washer fits under the counter (I guess where the dishwasher would be) and wheels out, connecting to the sink for filling and emptying. We've only had a couple of debacles (when we were silly enough to leave a rag in the sink and it got a little clogged up, spilling water everywhere). I love it!

has anyone tried one of the countertop dishwashers? If so, I'd love to know what you think of them...the good, the bad, and the ugly!
I can't begin to describe how much I dislike washing dishes.

I do a lot of handwashing in my tub, so I've actually thought about buying this... Anyone here actually have an eco-egg?

we have a cheap chinese toploader that hooks up to the sink. it's a Haier, and we got it used from a friend. it takes up space--as does everything--and you have to wheel it over to the sink to connect it to the faucet. it ain't pretty. but it sure beats the laundromat.

we have no dryer, so we hang everything on a rack in euro-style. and when it's warm and we use our clothesline, our clothes smell like windy sun!

I've got a portable washer. It's a Whirlpool sold under the Crosley name. It rolls over to the sink, you attach the hose to the faucet and wash away. I've seen the egg. It's cute, but that's about it. You can fit about 3 socks in there. Even the biggest portable is a relatively small load, so get the biggest one you can fit.

A great portable, and electricity-free, countertop clothes washer can be found on-line at www.gaiam.com
The Eco Egg only holds 2# of clothing butthe Wonder Clean holds 5#! Sturdy, few moving parts, just turn the handle and voila! Clean underwear! Oh, yeah, it's only $49.

>will the greed ever end!

Not until all the artists and low and moderate income families are gone, replaced with people who make 6-7 figure salaries only. NYC will be one dull metropolis in the near future.

After 3 years of great service, the heating element on my malber WD-1000 conked out. The Malber service man showed up early this morning as promised, called before he came (which is nice considering it was a pre-8am service call.)
He pulled the unit out, fixed it and re-installed it. 195$ cash which is a little painful, but worth every penny since I don't have to go to a laundromat (nearest one is 4 ave. blocks away)
He also gave me a sheet of instructions for the machine, told me to follow those, not the owner's manual and told me to use a tablespoon of detergent per load.
Not great having to have something fixed, but as far as service goes it was good.

Is it possible that Frank, who made the comment about the $13/month fee ok'd by the Rent Stabilization Board, could post the source of this info. There is a major to-do in this co-op about laundry room fees vs. no-charge to shareholders with laundry equipment in their apartments. Neither water nor gas utilities are separately metered. Thanks in advance.

The article about raised fees in rent-stabilized units ($13/month for washers, $3something for dishwashers) was in the Sunday Times real estate section about 4 weeks ago. Not sure how it would relate to a coop, which will set its own rules. There was nothing "quantitative" about the fees (at least not presented in the news-clipping), and quite frankly, I doubt that was a consideration. Clearly a front loader or a low-water-usage dishwasher has less impact on a building's use of water than a more wasteful machine. Then again, there's no way to judge a tenant's use of water showering etc. Just more random crap in favor of the "poor" landlords! As far as your coop goes, the ethical thing (to my mind) is that the board require low-water usage appliances and everyone carries the cost, jsut as they do for all other common charge items. It is a "coop" after all!

Frank - Thanks! With your help, I got a copy of the article from the NYTimes.

Carolyn,
Can you tell me what the instructions were for the Malber or how I can get them. I am buying one this week and would like to avoid as many problems as possible.
Thank you
alexandra

I have a portable washing machine which I roll over to the sink for use. I was curious if there might be a longer inlet water/drain hose commercially available or that could be rigged with the current connectors so that I don't have to move half of the apartment to get the machine over by the sink where there is no room to park it.

I have a portable dishwasher (GE) & a portable washing machine (Whirlpool). Both are great items and hook up easily to the sink faucet. The washer spins water out perfectly. I live in a small apartment complex and hated going out to do laundry. My portable dishwasher saves me time from hand washing the dishes.

I recently purchased the Haier HLP21E Portable Washer, which has a 6 1/2 lb capacity, for around $240 including taxes and shipping. It was the best investment I could have made, and I'm absolutely thrilled with the cleaning results. Best of all, it has eliminated trips to the laundromat for weekly laundry needs. The model I have can easily handle an entire fullsize set of bed linens at one time or four luxury size towels and washcloths -- not to mention a simple load consisting of two pairs of jeans, two shirts, socks and a tee shirt. You can see a list of places that sell Haier products at Bizrate.com.

Good Luck!

Carolyn,
Can you tell me what the instructions were for the Malber or how I can get them. I got one used with no instructions and would like to avoid as many problems as possible.
Thank you, Tom

Do these portable washing machines spin dry the clothes? Thanks

I have a Malber P-18 front loader washing machine and it is missing its dial. Does anyone know where I can get one?

I have a Malber WD 1000 and I love it ! I would recommned this mahine to anyone, it takes a little getting used to, and it requires a little planning because we can't use the kitchen sink for an hour or two while a load is in. It does a great job and you can see that the quality of the machine is FAR better than the flimsy Haiers sold in appliance stores.
Malber actually has a service department in NYC that you can call for repair, and if you buy a new one, they will come to your apartment and hook it up for free. The number is 718 -767 7396. They also gave me an instruction sheet which is far more clear than the horrible manual that came with the machine.
Also, as a reply to the posts about the ECO egg, my friend has one and it is basically useless, you can only wash socks and underwear in it because it is so small, and you have to wring everything out.

I used a Wonder Clean - or a version of it - for about two years, until a Fiance demanded a real washer and dryer. Did pants shirts, undies, and so on, including jeans.

Never a problem, once you realize you have to crank that thing. Worked great for me. Now I'm looking to buy a new one. That's what I will find!

The Landlords at my apartment are very greedy when it comes to the bare necessities of washing your clothes. The prices for a wash and dry are a phenomenal 3.25 for a single load, the small size of the washtubs in the machines and if your on a limited income good luck in washing your clothes in the kitchen sink..we have to pay for water too! Any suggestions/advice on portable washing machines that really work?

We have had a Malber washer-dryer for some years now, and are generally very happy with it.

Someone asked about a longer outlet hose. For a few months we manipulated the washer closer to the sink when we used it, and then back in its place. One day I came home to find a mechanical-minded friend had bought from Home Depot

a six-foot length of flexible translucent plastic with a criss-cross pattern of internal reinforcing threads (I'm trying to make this simple for people like me), about one inch diameter and

two hose clamps, I suppose they're called, which are metal bands with a bolthead affair that enables them to be tightened with a wrench around a hose.

He had slipped one end of the new tubing over the outlet end of the one on the washer, slipped a hoseclamp over the overlap, and tightened the clamp to the maximum.

The other hose-clamp we attached about 8 inches from the outlet end of the tubing as an attachment for an affair I rigged from a piece of clotheshanger bent to form a giant safety pin, about six inches long. The safety pin is closed over our sink spout to hold the hose in place so the water goes in the sink, not all over the kitchen floor.

Now, our one problem, which brought me to this site. The intake hose is fastened to the sink outlet by an adapter that screws into the spout and stays there. The hose has a snap-on fitting that is pressed up onto the adapter until it snaps in place.

Problem: after a few weeks, the snap-on fitting won't stay snapped on. When the washer stops taking in water, the fitting pops off and water goes everywhere (tip: we drape a kitchen towel over the spout to block the water spraying out). The hose then has to be snapped on again, which lasts until a new intake stops and the backpressure forces the fitting off.

Maybe our water pressure is stronger than most. Has anyone else had this problem, and solved it?

Thanks in advance,

Michael Bates
Edgewater, NJ

I have an eco egg and it is fine - IF you accept the fact that it is only what they advertise it is - a "hand washer".
It is useful for underwear/lingerie or sweaters that require hand washing, or if you have to get a stain out of something before it sets.
The thing is it has NO spin cycle so all items must be hand wrung and "drip dry".
Cannot replace all trips to the laundry

The Wonder Clean from www.gaiam.com is a cheap knock off of the Wonder Wash from Laundry Alternative (about the same price). It has no drain in the bottom, and the lid seal is poorly manufactured. You will immediately want the bottom drain.

The Wonder Wash works. The little suction cup feet will break off, because there's just 3/16" plastic loops securing them. My crank handle cracked, and they were good enough to send a free replacement, yet the cracked handle keeps on working. Don't overtighten the lid, or you may break some lubricant seal in the screw mechanism, that will eventually lead to failure of the lid. I'd like to see an upgrade with sturdier components.

The Wonder Wash with a Spin X Spin dryer (an incredible 3300 rpms) has kept me out of the laundromat for 8 months until failure of the washer lid.

can someone send me the malber instructions too? i just bought one and am a bit confused - it leaked water on the floor first time i ran it using the instruction book it came with.

Laundry Alternative has improved their Wonder Wash! I bought a second, after failure of the first. Now there is a brass fitting on the lid, and a much improved handle. A very pleasant surprise! A good way to do small loads (5lbs). You need a wringing or spinning solution.

I purchased a used eco egg (home pride) this week. It looks brand new. It has no instructions. Even though it looked self explanitory, I'm having a few problems. It keeps washing and rinsing over and over. I finaly turned the faucet off and unpluged it.
Anyone have any instructions? I can't even find a home pride web site. It looks like an avanti, but says, "home pride" thanks.....gayle

Carolyn:

Just moved into an apt with a Malber, but no one seems to know how to work it. Could you tell me how to get the instruction sheet your service man gave you.

Thanks

Does anyone know of a smaller alternative to the Spin X Spin dryer? I looked it up after reading a strong recommendation of it on this site, but it is too large for my studio apt.

If there was a countertop spin dryer that anyone could recommend, I'd love to hear about it - I'll be using a small 5 lb capacity washer, so don't need it to be too big. Fifth floor walkup and it takes 2 buses to get to the nearest laundromat, so I'm sure you feel my pain!

Thanks

Does anybody know about hooking up a regular washing machine(not portable) to the sink? I have inherited a washing machine but my apartment doe not have hook ups.

In response to Lisa, we have a Mini Countertop Spin Dryer which can be viewed at http://www.laundry-alternative.com/drying.htm

I have a Haier portable washer-dryer. It's quite heavy and I had to hire people to bring it up the stairs when I moved the fourth floor. I use it for most of my and my husband's clothes washing. Of course, I'm always a few loads behind. A whole cycle takes a good three hours, and I don't like to leave the apt. while it's going, at least not for long, for fear of leaks. The clothes come out damp and have to be hung up, which is a drawback. All the same I'm quite happy with it; it's a solid machine. I can't compare it to other portables because this is the only one I've used.

Washerwoman,
Yes, you can hook up a regular washing machine (not portable) to the sink. We did it years ago in a second floor apartment and it worked fine. All you need is some simple parts from Home Depot (or any store like that), they can help you find exactly what you need. You have to hook into the water pipes under the sink, use short lengths of flexible water line and T's with shutoff knobs. I suspect it will be a lot easier for you to do than it was for us 40 years ago! (I just replaced a bathroom sink and toilet and was amazed at how simple it now is with all the homeowner friendly parts available!)
We hooked up the washing machine right next to the kitchen sink, (didn't have any counters) and it drained into the sink. Took a little adjusting to make sure it would hit the drain and not fly off the sink or overflow, takes a little watching at first.

How noisy are portable washers? Will the people living in the apartment below be able to hear that you're doing laundry? I'd really like to be able to do laundry in my apt, but without noise complaints. Thanks!

Well, i have just purchased a portable washer and dryer for the low price of $579.00 for both of them. And really. I cant figure the thing out. like i know i hook it up to the sink. but the cold water thing leaks. so i dunno what to do about that. the appliance people where we bought it from RAC are suppose to come fix it. But do you turn off the water tap after it has filled up? Seriously. Clueless.

My Malber WD700 dryer just stopped spinning; has anyone had this happen to them / any guesses as to what's wrong with it?

Hey, my aunt has a regular washing machine that she hooks up to the kitchen sink. She has had it for ten years and loves it! She had her husband build a small box or dolly the same size as the base of the machine, and it was put on casters. She just rolls it across the kitchen and snaps it on the sink connector, and runs the hose into the sink hooked on the edge of the drain, and presses the washer against it to prevent it poppin out during spinning and sending the floods over her counter top! I am looking for one as well, but MOMS who posted above, I am interested in trying to connect it in the way you suggest because that sounds like it would save wear and tear on my new countertop and sink and faucet! I will have to ask at home depot with photos in tow!!! Thanks.

Im doing my research on portable washers/dryers, and would be SO SO thankful to anyone who could give me advice on which ones to purchase. I want something sturdy(no cranking if i dont have to please) and also one that has a bigger capacity...And info on a washer and a dryer would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!

Thanks

I've read many bad reviews for the Haier brand portable washers, but I haven't seen any reviews for the Avanti or Danby brands (other than the Avanti Ego Egg), which are also listed in that link at the top. Anyone have any experience with those brands or know anything about their quality and reliability?

I am trying to decide between a $1400.00 LG washer/dryer combo unit( will spend $$ if I hear its worth it) a portable unit(?sears? I just got a used compact dryer for $30) or a 24" Whirlpool compact unit (2.9cu)that I would want to use as a portable washer(Lowes offers no advice!) Want to do largest load possible without using a ton of water. I like the idea of putting in a load at bedtime and again when going out to work but worry about leaks and having to remove clothes for drying in the LG wash/dryer. Need to dry as well but have to get electrician for 30amp circuit and 220 line, told this is very costly! Need advice on this too. HELP ASAP

Does anyone know about the Koblenz 6.6-lb. Capacity Portable Washer?
Marjorie

I live in Atlanta and I have a small apartment with a galley kitchen that is wide enough for me to put in a compact washer and dryer exceeding no more than 23 or 24 in. in width or depth.

I've been looking at a few machines (Whirlpool, Heig and Danby) that are small enough to put in my kitchen but all the machines while small, don't come ready to attach to the kitchen sink.

Does anyone know if it is possible to purchase a universal faucet adapter for washing machines so that once I purchase a machine, I can put it on rollers and connect it to the kitchen sink?

Tei, yes you can buy a 24" compact washer and attachments to convert for portable use. Go to compactappliance.com and check out the edgestar and LG washer/dryer all in one units and at the bottom they say "consumers also bought" LG has wheels( I'm wondering if they'd fit the Whirlpool 24" machine I want!) Edgestar has a dolly and the adapter kit. Home Depot and Lowes and probably a good plumbing store can help with adapters if they have them in stock. Maytag's 24" machine will fit on the edgesart dolly, but consumer reports says they have a poor need for repair record.( whirlpool is better) I'm pretty sure anyone who has a portable unit can send you or order through a plumbing parts store a replacement unit. My family had to do that years ago for the portable unit we have at our summer house. Try sears? Good luck with this, i'm the one with the dilema over what to buy. I think I'll go with whirlpool's 24" front loader (1200rpm spin will extract alot of water) I'd love to take a chance at the combo LG unit but am afraid it might not be worth the big $$$! FYI, if you are single, consider a portable unit, they work great and spin out alot of water which cuts dryer time down significantly! I used one for years until I moved and wasn't allowed to use it. Once again, good luck. I'll post my results once I make my choice. Try AJMadison.com too
Connie @ hitmanmom1@aol.com

my mini spin dryer from laundry alternative stopped mid-cycle. any clues?

Thanks a lot for all your advises!!
I'm looking for a good portable washing machine and I received great help fron all of you.
Does anyone know about policy for the tenants of the rented apartment?? My building policy says "Residents are not permitted to INSTALL washing machines, dryers, freezers, air conditioners or other major appliances without written consent from the Landolord".
My question is:"the portable washing machine are not supposed be installed....so I can use it?"
Thanks to everyone that wants to help me...I hate, hate and also hate to use the common laundry room in the building. (I live in NYC)

Does anyone have information about the Thor portable washer/dryer combo?

If anyone has new/updated/working instructions for the Malber WD1000, I would greatly appreciate it if you would post them, or a link, or just give me a general idea of how to use this stupid thing. It showed up today, I got the wheels and hoses installed for the portability kit with zero problems (I'm very mechanically inclined). I plug it in, hook it up, turn the water on, make sure all the doors are shut, select the water temperature and cycle settings, and push "start". The red light on the front comes on, indicating it has power, then it sits there doing nothing.

I can fix cars, program almost anything with a microchip in it, and design and/UAVs, but apparently I can't figure out a simple washing machine, even with the help of the instruction manual (yes I really did read it).

This thread has been extremely helpful, thank you everyone who posts here. I am looking for a portable washer/dryer to put in my large but laundry-less apartment. And to those New Yorkers who are complaining about laundry charges, think on this:
In my building's laundry room, it costs...
$2.00 to wash
$1.75 to dry
+$1.75 to dry again because the first 60 minutes weren't nearly enough

Just sharing :)
(oh, and this is in the San Francisco suburbs, where the rent is a breezy $2000/month for a 2 bedroom)

Somebody please post instructions for this thing. The replacement arrived today, and it does the exact same thing. Red light comes on, it sits there mocking me as if I were some kind of slobbering retard.

Come on people, I'm really starting to smell.

I live in an apartment, I want to buy a regular washing machine, not a portable. I want to know if I can put the washer on wheels, and turn it into a portable machine with the faucet kit. Is it ok to put locking casters on a full size washing machine?

Hi everybody,

I moved into an apartment with a Malber FA 960 washer machine inside. I have been facing some problems to get this thing working properly! Now I realized I'm not alone since some people have faced same problems: The machine doesn't stop after the cycles but goes 'around the clock' again and again. In some cycles It just stops with no reason so I have to move the clock manually. Sometimes It doesn't spin the clothes.
Sometimes the dryer works but clothes are not dry because It didn't even spin the clothes first!

So I am lost but I think is a 'Malber' thing, is the way they work ... dunno ...

So, is there any way I can get a guide or manual to operate this thing? Does anyone have it or can give some tips/tricks??? Please help!

i'm looking at compactappliance.com (though i hear they are not the best site customer service and pricewise) and i see a hirundo machine. anyone have one?

also, where can one get a malber in nyc?

I'm dying to buy a portable washer- but my issue has been figuring out the connections to the faucet. I already own a Kenmore portable dishwasher, for which I had to put a new aerator on the tap to use the snap on water outlet. Does anyone have both? Are the water outlet attachments compatible?

My Haier HLP21E does not fill up with water and I cannot get ANYONE from Haier or Circuit City (Where I bought it on-line) to assist me. Do any of you have any ideas? I had it hooked up and the water running for about 10 minutes. No leaks but the tub did not fill.

Anyone own the Thor washer/dryer combo or know anyone with one?

Ryley, if it's not leaking but not filling up, where's the water going? If it's draining as fast as it fills, your drain hose may be too low. For instance if you have it in your bathroom and are draining to the bathtub, that's what it will do. The top of the drain hose has to be higher than the highest water level in the washer. If you are using it at the kitchen sink and it's still draining while it's filling, I don't have any suggestions. I have a small Haier, the 4.9 lb capacity, and it works great.

Ok iv been reading about these portable washers for apts and stuff, my BIG questions is if you have a small washer you wish use with your kitchen sink (not a portable but small front loader) where on earth do you buy the thing that hooks to you your sink faucet?? I went to Lowes today and the guy thought i was crazy just as much laughed at me , he looked around and asked someone else but that guy laughed to. Iv searched interent and nothingi dont see compactappliance.com selling only these. Help me out!

I've had a Kenmore portable that's served well, requiring only a new timer, new pump and new belt over its 30 years -- all self installable if you also order the repair manual and are handy. But it's begun to leak (I think at the shaft gasket, which looks like a much more involved replacement), so it may be time to replace the whole thing.

Trouble is, all the new portables are too tall. With its flat, metal top, my old washer doubles nicely as a kitchen island, and being only 32.5" high (x 24w x 22d) it stores/hides under a counter (34" clearance), which I require. It does W/R/S at choice of 3 speeds. I calculate a basket volume of about 1.3 cu ft. (tub probably about 1.5).

Can anyone suggest a comparable replacement? Top or front loading okay.

vtecboy asked
> where do you buy the thing that hooks to you your sink faucet??

It may be easier to find mod parts for a Honda than for a washing machine, but they're out there. See if you can identify a machine with the same diameter hose (inside dia. is probably the important one), go to the manufacturer's website and see if you can order the part(s). Hose diameters on portables might be smaller though, since they may discharge more slowly to avoid overflowing an ordinary sink. (Something to consider in your plan to convert.)

If you can't find a suitable part, you can probably cobble up a snap-on faucet fitting with parts and guidance from a real HARDWARE store (Lowes and HD are "home supply") -- if the big boxes haven't put yours out of business already.

I recommend highly the Haier unit and you can get them cheaply at walmart.com. I was checking the prices mentioned here by some posters and when I've checked walmart, it was the best price. These units are perfect for nyc apts. It was small enough where i can sneak it into my apt without anyone noticing. Its not allowed in the apt.

DO NOT BUY FROM THE LAUNDRY ALTERNATIVE INC. They have the worst customer service imaginable and the products are overpriced and overrated. Many complaints have been made against this company with the BBB, yet they are still in operation. PLEASE RESEARCH THE COMPANY FIRST. THERE ARE MANY OTHER ANGRY CUSTOMERS OUT THERE.

Hello, i own a supra washer/dryer in one frontloader machine. i've owned it for about 3 years. So far no complaints. It attatches to the sink. It's almost as big as a regular machine so you can do blankets etc. i paid about $700 for it plus shipping.
i did have a problem when it first arrived with the drum belt being loose, but it was under warrenty and they sent a service man very soon.

I'm about to move to a tiny apartment and you better belive i'm taking my machine!

I am unfortunately very experienced with many varieties of the portable washer - I have had four in four years!
The first was Haier, that broke right away but was cheap.

The second and third were Avanti. Each lasted a little over a year and worked moderately well during this time period. Wrung out well, washed well... but towards the end of their lives - they begin to repeat rinse and drain cycles so that the total cycle was 2-3 hours each! And there was nothing you could do to stop it, even changing the cycle buttons did nothing. The only thing you could do was remove the soaking wet clothing and wring it out by hand - that really sucked when it was jeans and sheets! The third met its death while leaking through the bottom of the machine all over the floor... not great when you live on the second floor.

Now my fourth is the new Whirlpool 2.1. I am so excited to finally get a name brand washer that is also a portable. There might be some accountability if the thing breaks, or at least I can find some kind of replacement parts. The capacity is also much bigger and it looks hi-qual! It's being delivered in a couple days.

Portables are a great idea - but stay away from these weird no name brands. They will break, and you will just throw them out and have to replace them, because there is no way to fix them and customer service with these companies does not exist. The cost of the "real" portable washers like Whirlpool and GE is much more (I got my Whirlpool for $550) but I think it's worth it since you have to buy a cheapo ($200) once a year.

Just my opinion. Hope it helps you all!