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Traveler's Washing Machine: Pipe Dream or Reality?
If you slosh your clothes in a sink or a bucket to get them clean while you travel, and can't quite wring them out enough to not drip puddles on the floor, perhaps you might consider a portable washing machine. One of these options may not exist. Others look promising.
The Astone Traveller was touted last year as coming out soon. I have found nothing written about it after March 2006. Given the size and one critique I came across, it might have been only big enough for underwear, a pair of socks and a T-shirt. The design looks neat though. Made to be inflatable, once your clothes are clean you can fold it up and pack it right in a suitcase. But, again, did it ever hit the markets?
Intrigued by this portable washer notion, I looked further. There is the Wonder Washer which is one of those gadgets "As Seen on TV." I've never seen it on TV. Have you? It looks like a trash pail with controls. According to a review, it comes in handy for small washes but doesn't have a rinse cycle. You have to dump the soapy water to put in fresh. This one is on Amazon.com, but it is listed as not being available. Did they fly off the shelves and the supply can't keep up with the demand, or is this another gadget gone bust? It is featured as a Taylor Gifts offering. Talor Gifts seems to specialize in "As Seen on TV" items.
There's another portable washer. This one involves cranking. Maybe it's like a big centrifuge. If it could double as a portable ice-cream maker or a salad mixer, I'd say we're onto something. And here's a link to a supplier with two portable washers. One is just for shoes. They're made in China.
Maybe portable washers you can use why you travel are really just the fantasyland of someone's imagination. Back in 1952, a traveling washing machine was patented and is listed as a "Totally Absurd Invention." This one was designed to bring your car into the laundry business. Somehow the idea is that you attach the washing machine to your car and drive about 20 miles an hour while it cleans your clothes. Read the description. It's pretty amusing.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ellepenguin Jul 12th 2009 2:54PM
I live in a large urban city in a cozy duplex and do not have onsite laundry facility. I have the Wonder Wash which I nicknamed my "amish washer" because it is similar to one sold at Lehmans. This model is superior because it has a drainage valve. I use it mainly for cloth diapers and handwash items. It does about 5 lbs of clothes. Very handy. As with any laundry, you have to pretreat stains. It definitely beats hand scrubbing clothes over the sink or tub for 10 minutes! I am ready though now for an electric portable washer like they have in Europe.
Edwina Murray May 14th 2007 8:09AM
Another way to do this....take a large Tupperware container with you. Put soap, water and the dirty items in the container and leave in the car for a couple hours drive. The jostling around does the same thing as the washer, tosses the clothes around and gets the dirt out! When you stop put in clean water and do the same for a rinse! A couple hours driving will get your clothes clean, rinsed and ready to hang up when you arrive at your destination. Or if it is very warm outside, the inside of the car is even warmer! While you are parked your clothes will dry! Been there and have done that!
Jamie Rhein May 13th 2007 11:44PM
Now, that's a great idea. Sure makes another reason for taking a road trip.
Jacinda Carter May 14th 2007 7:40AM
Was interested to find out more info on this product so called Astone in Sydney. The original inflatable product has not been released, They did further testing on the plastic and found that it leaked when in cold weather. They have redesigned the product to be made of collapsible plastic and it's a much better product and still compact. It's due for release around August 07 and should be sold in K-Mart (in Australia) not sure where overseas but will be available worldwide. Was told to keep an eye out for it on the website from July www.astone.com.au. I love the idea about the tupperware container, will try this instead as we are leaving for trip before the portable washer comes out.