Wonderwash: according to the press release it is small enough for countertop use, is easy and safe to use, and will cut down on water and electricity usage as well as save money (as much as $150-250 per year because it uses 90% less water and detergent). It's been presented a greener alternative to traditional machines and good for apartment dwellers - what do you think? Too good to be true?
posted originally from: AT:Chicago
The idea behind the process? When warm water is sealed in the airtight drum, the heat causes the air to expand, which builds pressure. The pressure forces the detergent (which is diluted into the water) into & through the fabric about 100 times faster than you could by hand and it requires no electricity.
You can then rinse the clean clothes in the machine by replacing the water with clean, cold water or do the rinse by hand.
The same company also makes a Mini Countertop Spin Dryer that extracts the water from the clothes after washing. It is a 2.2 lb capacity and weighs 11 lbs.
The benefits?
The Wonderwash sells for $42. 95 and the Mini Spin Dryer is $69.95.
We found a few comments on the Wonderwash on this previous AT thread but are wondering if there are any more reviews from readers...is it a thumbs up or down on these countertop laundry machines?
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i had been thinking of this washing system for months but could not remember the name of it! Thank you for posting this.
I remembered seeing an infomercial about it probably 10 years ago and hadn't heard a thing since then...I assumed it was "dead". I'm glad to see it is not!
If I lived alone, this would be PERFECT. If the next place I live in doesn't have a washer, I may very well invest in one of these.
view anang's profile
My mom bought one when we had to move to a very small apartment. We realy couldn't afford to use the washer and dryer, so we used this and a drying rack.
Overall, it works well, it just doesn't do a lot at once. It would be perfect for one or two people. And if you use the right detergent, you can use the runoff to water plants.
view stellato's profile
Oh, I have to add....this is a really good way to wear out children or build up muscle.
view stellato's profile
There were lots of comments yesterday when this item was posted on the Chicago Apartment Therapy. Overall the folks who had actually owned one were not happy with it, due to the extremely small size and also difficulty in using it; I would suggest doing as much research as possible before purchasing.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/cleaning/wonderwash-portable-washing-machine-mini-spin-dryer-073349#comments
I had looked into this myself about three years ago, because it sounded like the perfect option, and decided against, as there were many negative user reviews on various online consumer item review sites, both about the actual machine, and about the company's lack of customer support
view fjorlief's profile
we've had one in our apartment for about a year now.
what i like about it, is that it takes up very little space in our house, no electricity, no water hookups, nothing. we use it in the bathtub and then hang dry our clothes after. for the price there really isnt much else out there to rival it.
the only thing i can say against it, is that i wish the plastic frame was a little more sturdy. the capsule part is great, but the holster for it is a little wobbly. its also a bitch to get all the dirt out of really really dirty clothes without rewashing and rerinsing.
either way, an hour of work while i listen to an audiobook or a lecture and my clothes are done. its pretty good for us.
view atomdari's profile
We have one, not happy with it. It's flimsy and it takes way too much work. If you're near Sunnyvale, Ca and want one for free e-mail me at rielab @ yahoo dot com
view Ariel's profile
Just a note that someone from Apartment Therapy decided to take the wonder wash off our hands. Great community.
view Ariel's profile