ypsi~dixit

Y. is very excited by this object. I'll have to do a bit more research to find out from other sources if it really works. If it does, bye bye noisy bangy washing machine! Sorry, DTE!

PLUS, my electric washer sits in a cubby that can be converted into a fridge area or shelved pantry! I can store at least two year's worth of lentils in there. Easily. Combine that with the solar cooker, and we're talking some fearsome self-reliance. Yay!

Hello, I'm interested in ordering the hand-crank $42 Wonderwash. May I
order one by writing you a check? If so, would you please tell me the
correct payment address? Also, what would be the total price for
shipment to Michigan?
Thank you,
Laura Bien

[Y. is trying to keep her credit card charges to the absolute minimum]

Dear Laura,

Yes, you may. Checks can be made payable to The Laundry Alternative. The
total price, including shipping, comes to $49.90 ($42.95 for the unit, plus
$6.95 for shipping). Our mailing address is:
The Laundry Alternative
P.O. Box 1013
Middletown Springs, VT 05757

Please make sure to include a note with your address, contact information
and state that you want to order one Wonderwash.

Customer Service
The Laundry Alternative, Inc.
http://www.laundry-alternative.com
Tel. 888.813.9559

Y'know, you could mount this on a bike and create a mobile drop-in in-home laundry service for people with disabilities or shut-ins or those in homes with no personal washers. Dizzying possibilities are opening up as I contemplate this marvelous invention!

And my rates are very reasonable.

Note: Y.'s post-apocalyptic bike laundry will not be servicing gun turrets.

Let's look at the big picture for a moment. Essentially, the washing machine is merely an electrified version of old-fashioned washing tubs, such as the one in the barn attic at Cobblestone Farm. It's an extremely primitive concept. This shows a lack of imagination.

This hand-crank washer, however, inventively uses principles borrowed from pressure cookers to power out stains. It's an admirable rethinking of the problem!

Boy, I can't shut up about this marvel. Heat the wash water in the solar cooker, and afterwards put the greywater in the garden, and man, O man, we're talking major sustainability!

Thinking of the towering piles of laundry gracing my basement floor at this very moment, I have to wonder, where's the vat-sized model?

I don't know about this. I really believe an automatic washer and dryer are some of the best inventions of all time (did I mention my dishwasher too?). I guess I am just an electricity junkie. Though I did enjoy being w/out while camping, and we did hand-wash just a bit on the trip...

Lisa: Me too. I go through a ton of clothes because of biking. I plan to adjust my habits so that I do a quick load or two every day in the hand-crank, instead of two a week.

Two a week in the electric, I meant.

Hey Laura,

I haven't commented in a while, but as someone who just moved back from Germany to the U.S. and is looking at buying some sort of washing machine, and as someone who wanted to go green but was balking at the $800 prices on the green washing machine models -- I can't tell you how timely your post is.

I'm almost definitely going to order one.

Please let us know if you hear any "consumer reports" in the next few days, good or bad.

I understand about the cc's too -- I'm doing the same so was glad to hear about the check option.

The price on shipping seems a lot lower, though, than the one quoted online. I guess that could vary by state, though (I'm in SC, now).

Daniel

Hmmm. I cant see totally replacing my electric washing machine and dryer but I could totally see buying something like that to suppliment it. I hope you let us know how well it works. Because if it works well, I might buy one to use in the backyard in the summer time. I hate doing laundry in the summer time because I have to spend so much time in the basement but doing laundry out in the backyard would be fun!

Daniel: that is terrific! I'm glad the info was useful! I will let you know if I find some "consumer reviews."

Yeah, I'm leery of credit cards. The only thing I have on mine is my ISP, paid off each month.

Lynne: Having one in the backyard over the summer is a terrific idea. Right by the laundry-line. Handy! And you can just drain it onto the ground: handy-dandy.

calling all typewriters...

the big ole black Remingtons, of course

Ah, yes anon, a "fuller" laundry experience would be had by all...

You can also peruse the laundry section over at the Lehman's catalog. They handle a selection of Amish (i.e., non-electrical) lifestyle household items and appliances. Their website offers a good deal of offerings but not everything that's in their mail order catalog.

www.lehmans.com

I have bookmarked this page and will order soon. I plan on ordering this and then sending it overseas to a division of Marines that my husband and I support with care packages. They're out in the middle of nowhere in the desert, and this will really come in handy! Great invention!

Julie: What a fantastic idea! I never thought of that application. I'm sure the Marines will find it tremendously useful.

I myself have not ordered this, because, frankly, I was keeping it as a reserve individual monthly project for the sustainability group in case I ran out of other ideas. This month's is window-film. But it's on my list, to be sure.

Another thing that occurs to me is that with this system, it's easy to harvest and use the greywater. In my case, I only use organic soaps, which are fine in the garden and in fact have surfectants, like all soaps, which make the water "wetter" and more easily absorbed by plants. I've long wondered how to harvest the water from my electric washer, and went so far as getting a special hose to somehow snake outside, but it's really not easily feasible.

You say your washer uses pressure to force water and soap into clothes. How?
The washer can be hooked up to a stationary bike. How?
I can understand patent rights but I just need more information.