I've owned a portable washer and spin dryer for about two years now, but I have yet to really figure out how to use it. Every time I tried, things didn't come out the way I'd hoped, and I was unsure if my loads were being thoroughly washed.
I figure that lots of people on this subreddit use portable washers for their laundry, so I thought this would be as good a place to ask as any other. In case it makes any difference, the product that I use is a Pyle Portable Washer and Spin Dryer.
So here are my questions:
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I set my machine up so that it's placed on top of a sturdy foldable table in my bathtub, as you can see here. This is the only way for me to wash my clothes without needing a separate container for water drainage. My plan is to use some sort of pipe extension and a makeshift funnel to prevent the dirty water from leaving a layer of grime in my tub. Is there anything I should take into consideration in using this setup?
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Assuming I turn the dial only once, the maximum wash cycle duration is 15 minutes. Would this be a sufficient amount of time to thoroughly wash my clothes? Or would I need to run multiple cycles for the same load? If so, how much time would you recommend I have them in for?
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I've found that oftentimes, when I remove clothes from the washer, they tend to have white streaks on them. Is this because I'm using too much detergent? How much should I be using per load? Is there a detergent-to-water ratio that I need to take into consideration? I currently use Purex liquid detergent.
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While we're on the subject of water, this is how much I add per individual cycle. I always make sure to use cold water, and I pour it in using a bucket. I also usually add the clothes first, then the detergent, and then the water. Is there anything about this method that I should consider changing?
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I own a queen-sized bed, so you'll be surprised to learn that I use—gasp—queen-sized bed clothes! I think I can compress the sheets enough for me to run them through one at a time, but my comforters are simply too big to fit into the machine. What could I do to clean them? Would investing in a duvet resolve this issue?
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When filling the washing machine with clothes, I usually only go about halfway up, like so. I try to pack multiple shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, etc. into a single load, but not so many that they don't move around when the washer is on. How many clothes would you recommend putting in for one cycle? Is what I have in my photo a reasonable load, or is it too much?
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One thing I want to avoid is having my clothes develop any kind of mildewy scent. For this, my plan is to use Downy Unstopables scent boosters. Will these work in a portable washer? How much would I need to use per cycle, and how long will it take for the pellets to dissolve thoroughly in the water?
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The machine has a "delicates" setting. Even so, are there certain fabrics that I should never put in a portable washer? Can I use it for wool, silk, rayon, or any other type of fabric on that setting? If so, what else would I need to change between a cycle for regular clothes and one for delicates?
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Washing and drying my jeans has generally been a nightmare for me. They often remain damp long after going through the wash/dry cycle, and that leads me to worry if I'm doing it right. When it comes to jeans, should I be giving them special attention? For instance, should I wash and dry jeans in a separate cycle from everything else? How many pairs should I run through at a time?
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I'm thinking about using this machine for pantyhose, which I normally wash by hand. To make sure that they don't snag on anything, I plan on putting them into a mesh bag (sent to me along with an order of Sheertex in 2019), which holds up to three pairs at once. While I concede that handwashing is still the ideal method, would this still be an effective and non-hazardous means of washing hosiery? Could I run three pairs through at a time?
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I don't currently have a balcony, so a regular drying rack wouldn't do anything for me. To compensate for this, I purchased an electric drying rack that uses heat to get the job done. Does anyone here use anything similar? If so, what methods do you find work best when using an electric drying rack (e.g. amount of time, maximum number of clothes, should certain fabrics be dried separately from others, does it need to be in a well-ventilated area)?
Don't worry if you are unable to answer all of my questions! Any input is appreciated, no matter how limited or insignificant it may seem. I'll take whatever advice I can get! :)
February 23, 2021 at 10:49PM
