Anyone ever use portable washing machines?

Kinja'd!!! "Slant6" (slant-6)
07/22/2019 at 18:03 • Filed to: None

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I’m living in an apartment for the first time out of school, where I lived in a residence hall for 4 years (they always said being an RA for 3 years wouldn’t prepare me for the real world. They were wrong, laundry machine shopping is universally frustrating) and didn’t have to worry about laundry. I have no desire to go to a laundromat or use a service, I want to have my own washer and dryer and clean my clothes at my own leisure. I’ve been considering a portable washing machine, which for those unaware is just a small washer, 2 cu ft, compared to a typical 3 or 4 cu ft washer. Like this one:

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This seems pretty appealing at $250. I’m one guy, I’m sure the capacity is there at 2 cubic feet. Similar sized dryers are similarly affordable.

It would be about $500 for a washer and a dryer and a stand for the two of them. Also means I would be able to fit my bicycles in my laundry room and not have to keep car rying them up the stairs.

I could buy a used set, but that makes things complicated with delivery and what I do with them if I move. I also feel like laundry machines could easily have issues or just be nasty. I feel like the smaller one would be movable by myself and perhaps an easier sell if I have to leave here eventually. I could also get a cheap new washer and dryer but that would be at least $800 and while I could probably swing it I just don’t feel comfortable doing that right now.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I’m leaning towards the small one, but the full size is starting to look better.


DISCUSSION (16)


Kinja'd!!! benjrblant > Slant6
07/22/2019 at 18:26

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I’d verify that your lease allows additional appliances . Many specifically forbid it- i know mine does.

That’s about all the useful that i can add.


Kinja'd!!! DarkMinun > Slant6
07/22/2019 at 18:34

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Might be tricky fitting sheets in there.

Also figure out who’s insuranc e covers it i f it leaks and wrecks stuff elsewhere in the building.


Kinja'd!!! Discerning > Slant6
07/22/2019 at 18:34

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I've used one. They aren't as good as a normal washer but they don't suck as bad as going to a laundromat. Mine was reliable and just fine for one person's load of laundry


Kinja'd!!! AestheticsInMotion > Slant6
07/22/2019 at 18:35

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Make sure that would fit everything you regularly need to wash. I regret not getting full size appliances, because I can only wash one sheet at a time, and I basically have to split towel loads in two


Kinja'd!!! CompactLuxuryFan > Slant6
07/22/2019 at 18:38

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You’re renting and have a laundry room but there are no appliances in there? Something’s fishy. Like benjrblant said, I would double-check everything and even reach out to the land lord to see if they don’t want to install and own the appliances. It’s pretty weird for a renter to own the washer and drier I feel.


Kinja'd!!! Slant6 > benjrblant
07/22/2019 at 18:38

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It has washer dryer hook ups


Kinja'd!!! BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Slant6
07/22/2019 at 18:38

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Did you read: http://nymag.com/strategist/amp/article/portable-washing-machines-accessories.html

The washer will be fine, especially if you don’t have large sheets or incredibly dirty stuff. Portable dryers are kinda terrible, but unless you want a clothesline in your house, probably the best you can do.

I agree, it sounds like in your specific situation, the new portable is better than preowned normal sized, especially since space is at a premium. Just don’t get one of the tiny stackable ones, they’re the worst of all worlds. 


Kinja'd!!! Slant6 > CompactLuxuryFan
07/22/2019 at 18:40

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When I was looking there seemed to be a lot of units that just had hook ups. My complex used to include washers and dryers but started phasing them out. 


Kinja'd!!! If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Slant6
07/22/2019 at 18:43

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If you want to spend a bit more they make all-in-one washer-dryers. It might not be that portable but it’s only one machine to have to move instead of two.

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https://www.walmart.com/ip/Magic-Chef-2-7-cu-ft-Washer-Dryer-Combo-White/709310000?athcpid=709310000&athpgid=athenaItemPage&athcgid=null&athznid=tic&athieid=v0&athstid=CS020&athguid=a7d386f9-b94-16c1bd8f2fb29e&athena=true


Kinja'd!!! BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > CompactLuxuryFan
07/22/2019 at 18:46

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I used to live in a place like that. You could bring your own washer/dryer, or the rent for one of the complex’s in your apartment for  like $30/mth.


Kinja'd!!! Kiltedpadre > CompactLuxuryFan
07/22/2019 at 18:58

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In my area having washer and dryer hookups but not supplying the appliances is the norm. If the landlord supplies the units they’re responsible for any maintenance required, cleaning the vent ductwork, and cleaning them between tenants.


Kinja'd!!! facw > CompactLuxuryFan
07/22/2019 at 19:30

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Not a bad idea to check, but I’ve lived in a place with hookups only. I bought a pair, sold them at a steep discount when I moved less than a year later, and still consider it a huge no brainer. So much more convenient to have in unit equipment vs. having to go downstairs or all the way to a laundromat.  


Kinja'd!!! Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Slant6
07/23/2019 at 07:51

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Yep, had one just like this:

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Turned out to be the biggest mistake of our lives.


Kinja'd!!! ateamfan42 > Slant6
07/23/2019 at 08:40

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I lived in an apartment with two bathrooms but no washer/dryer hookup. We go one of these portable units and put it in the unused shower stall in the second bathroom. It is a Haier unit that I ordered from Walmart; I think it was a bit over $100. Used it for years and it was pretty great. The unit looks small, but there is no agitator in the middle, so the drum actually holds a decent amount of clothes— about 3/4 of a normal washer I’d estimate.

I actually still have the unit. It’s been sitting in my shed since I bought my house (which came with a nice front-loading setup). I didn’t get any bites on my last yard sale, so I need to get it up on the Craigslist or similar....


Kinja'd!!! Shamoononon drives like a farmer > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/23/2019 at 16:23

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I had something like that at an apartment some 10 years ago.  I’m sure they’ve changed since then but I remember it took all night to complete one small load.


Kinja'd!!! itranthelasttimeiparkedit > Slant6
10/22/2019 at 10:03

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I got a small stacked unit when I first got an apartment. It was like $200 used on CL, got a buddy with a truck and it was a piece of cake for 2 people to move. Cheap enough that I just CL’d it again when I moved out