A mobile washing machine
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (373810)
Rockingham, Australia
February 10, 2025 9:59pm CST
The photo shows what’s described as a Power Wash ‘n Dry Clean Machine. It was another interesting item that we saw in the Collie Museum. Someone had used it when they were caravanning. It doesn’t say how old it is but I think these are still around or at least a newer version of them is.
It looks like you turn the handle which rotates the drum and agitates the contents much like a modern washing machine. These would be very handy if you were living in a caravan or motor-home long term.
28 people like this
30 responses
@FourWalls (83757)
• United States
11 Feb 25
Yes, they are still made and sold. The company in America that sells them is called the Laundry Alternative.
5 people like this
@Dreamerby (9980)
• Calcutta, India
11 Feb 25
oh really? Wow I though they were extinct.
5 people like this
@vandana7 (102601)
• India
11 Feb 25
@Dreamerby I recently rejected an old age home because they had no option for washing clothes separately. I wanted a small washing machine in the bathroom, and their bathroom was not big enough for the contemporary units.
4 people like this
@Dreamerby (9980)
• Calcutta, India
11 Feb 25
@vandana7 Oh I see. You want to stay in the old age home?
4 people like this
@Dreamerby (9980)
• Calcutta, India
11 Feb 25
Considering this is an exhibit in a museum, I think it's not available anymore. A portable washing machine would be a great relief though. I can carry it to my hostel
3 people like this
@id_peace (16893)
• Singapore
11 Feb 25
We have one of those. It ended up being a white elephant for us because we already have the washing machine. Originally we want to buy it to wash our socks. But somehow it wasted a lot of water just for socks so we decided not to go with it.
3 people like this
@yukimori (10183)
• United States
11 Feb 25
I had one of these a bit more than 10 years ago, although it was the Laundry Alternative's Wonder Wash. At the time we were living in an apartment where we didn't have on-site laundry, so we'd have to go to the laundromat. We ended up buying it after I had our oldest because it was easier to do small loads of the baby's clothes at home than go to the laundromat more often. Think I first heard about it from someone here, too... 
4 people like this
@yukimori (10183)
• United States
13 Feb 25
@JudyEv It was perfect for little loads like I was doing back then. The one downside was having to wring out everything by hand after draining it, but we ended up getting the little spin dryer that they sold and that made the air-drying a lot faster!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (373810)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Feb 25
@FourWalls said they're still available. I can imaagine in your circumstances it would have been very handy.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (95134)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Feb 25
That is interesting. I have never seen this kind,
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (89095)
• United States
11 Feb 25
That pretty interesting. Certainly give someone a handy dandy way to clean their clothes if they were living in a caravan.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (89095)
• United States
12 Feb 25
@JudyEv it probably wouldn't be big enough for large loads of laundry but would come in handy for the essentials. It would probably be even convenient in a small apartment.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (373810)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Feb 25
@Marilynda1225 Yes, in some instances it would be very handy.
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (17185)
• Torrington, Connecticut
12 Feb 25
@JudyEv Really? I wonder for how much they sell for. Doesnt look like you can fit much clothe in their though
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (373810)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Feb 25
@BACONSTRIPSXXX They'd only take a small amount of clothing.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (204123)
• United States
11 Feb 25
Have to admit, I never saw anything like that before.
2 people like this
@Orson_Kart (7995)
• United Kingdom
12 Feb 25
I’d question the terms “Power wash” and “Pressure wash”
I’ve never seen such a thing, but I guess it could work ok if your clothes are only lightly soiled. Lots of rinsing and ringing out though I bet?
I’ve never seen such a thing, but I guess it could work ok if your clothes are only lightly soiled. Lots of rinsing and ringing out though I bet?1 person likes this
@JudyEv (373810)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Feb 25
I think you're right on all counts but you can still buy these.
@Tampa_girl7 (54356)
• United States
11 Feb 25
I’ve never seen a washer like this before.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (373810)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Feb 25
It seems they're still available so that's interesting. They must work surely to still be being manufactured.
@MarieCoyle (55747)
•
12 Feb 25
I know a lady who lives in a studio apartment that has one of those. She loves it, she still has to take bedding, etc. to another regular washer and dryer, but the little agitator washer saves her a lot of money.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55747)
•
13 Feb 25
@JudyEv
Some people have little campers and they use them, too.
1 person likes this
