When our full-sized washer died (actually, murdered by a family member), we decided to get a long overdue adjustment to our basement floor done, that was difficult to do with a commercial sized washer in place. However, I also knew this would extend the timeline of getting a replacement machine. I got this washing machine as a temporary fix until we replaced our full size washing machine.
When considering this purchase, I did not want to spend more than the cost of 2 - 3 trips to the laundry mat. Also, I wanted a reasonably-sized load. At the 14 lb limit, this does about half of a medium-sized (for my commercial washer) load at a time. I found that it also handles tiny loads, like 4 school uniform polos, really well. I would normally hold tiny loads like that until I had enough similar items or wash those items by hand.
In the end, I am very pleased with this washer for what it is. It takes more physical effort, however, its still a lot less effort than hand washing and wringing everything. It’s also a lot less time, stress, and money than packing and hauling weekly family laundry (and the family) to a laundry mat, finding parking, finding seats, waiting for open machines, then hauling all home again. I am pleased enough with this washer that this temporary fix will most likely become a permanent supplement to our laundry facilities.
I decided to write this extended review because, while this washing machine matches the vendor provided images, it does match NOT the written description. Also, it does not match many of the reviews. I’m pretty sure many of the reviews and even answers to community questions are not for this particular product model.
If you read through the reviews and check the user images, you will see that many reviews are for the smaller 2-chamber Della “tabletop” washing machine, where one side washes and the other has a permanent spin/wringer basket. That would explain why the question “Does this washing machine have a pump?” had 2 answers. One was “No,” the other was “Yes.”… The Della tabletop washer does not have a pump. This one does.
Other inaccuracies I have found between the description and the actual product are:
• There is no MULTIFUNCTIONAL CONTROL PANEL.
There is a manual “WASH TIMER” dial, that can be set for up tp 15 minutes, and a “WASH SELECTOR” dial with 3 modes:
- “DRAIN” which is the “spin” cycle
- “NORMAL” which is the agitate cycle
- “STOP” which activates the pump
• There’s no “WATER LEVEL CONTROL”…
I mean, other whatever mental facilities the user has. No buttons to push. The instructions actually say to connect the hose and “let water into the the tub according to the amount of clothes to be washed (the marks H.M.L. in the inner tub are are high, mid and low water level).” The water level marks are embossed into the light green vents on the tub interior. They’re difficult to see. You may have to feel for them. I did.
• There is no “DELAY FUNCTION,” unless you consider the end of any cycle, where the machine just stops, to be a “function.” There is just the timer dial. You can tell how long is left in the cycle in the same way you can tell how much time is left on any manual timer… because that is what it is.
• There is no “CHILD LOCK FUNCTION.”
• There is no “AUTOMATIC IMBALANCE ADJUSTMENT.” There are no alarms. Nothing is automatically adjusted. If my clothes are imbalanced and the machine vibrates violently, I automatically adjust my clothes.
The Pros:
• It’s wash/rinse cycle has a 3-15 minute timer: you choose the length of cycle.
• You can add extra wash and rinse cycles easily.
• It uses standard resources you see in most houses or apartments.
• It’s light weight and easy to store. It’s about the size of a tall kitchen garbage can.
• While the labels are confusing at first, it’s simple to use. (I re-labelled mine to help the family.)
• It washes about 10-14 lbs of laundry at one time.
• It wrings laundry well with the spin cycle, so laundry that dries flat or hangs dries quickly.
• It has a built in lint trap, to keep excess lint of clothing. Many portable washer lack one.
• The pump works well.
• It allows you to do small loads quickly.
• It’s a time and cost efficient option to get clean laundry conveniently, at home.
The Cons:
• It take more physical work than a fully automatic washing machine, especially if you need to fill it with bucket instead of the supplied hose.
• The supply and discharge hoses are short. If there is more than 3 ft between your water supply and the drain you will use, you will have to move a heavy, full washer.
• The supply hose is narrow. Filling the tub with it is SUPER SLOW.
• The faucet end of the supply hose is an odd size that will not fit many standard US faucets. You may have to hold the hose while filling. Again, filling with the hose is SLOW. If you want to fill it faster you will need to use a bucket.
• There is only one wash/rinse setting: normal. There is no “gentle” cycle, just more or less time.
• You have to place wet laundry in a separate container to use the wring/spin cycle.
• You cannot wring a single load in one set. You can only wring about 5 lbs at a time: a 14 lb load will take 3 wring cycles.
• You often have to physically stabilize (hold) the washer during the wring cycle to prevent minor imbalances from wobbling the spin basket loose.
• Some clothing (shirts, leggings, jeans/pants) gets tangled during the wash/rinse cycle.
• The pump does not work during the wring/spin cycle.
• You cannot place the washer in a traditional tub to ease washing/draining/wringing:
- The engine and vents are near the bottom of the unit. When I start the pump, my tub quickly fills with 3-4 inches of water before draining.
- Also, most tubs are not level: this will cause an imbalanced the spin cycle.
• You must fully drain the washer after use by lowering the discharge hose lower than the base of the washer. If you do not, the washer will develop a rancid odor. If you do not have a walk in shower, draining requires lifting the washer to balance it on a tub rim to facilitate draining.
I do not know how long this washer will last. Certainly not as long as a standard washer. But for the price it is a cost effective option.
Don't get me wrong, I love my washer. I love it enough to give it five stars for bringing out the 50's housewife in me, despite the fact that, when draining the water, it occasionally slows down to the speed of a urinating rodent.
But! Don't let that deter you! Because, if your washer stops draining, there's something you can do.
First you'll want to remove the back panel. This'll be hard, and require a lot of sliding it up and down and wiggling it. Yes, getting it back on is going to be equally difficult. Best not to think about that. Set the two screws aside in a safe place and stare apprehensively into the tangle of wires and PVC. Make sure your hands are dry.
Now, you see that blue thing in the picture, with my finger behind it? That cord runs all the way up to the middle knob, the one you twist to drain the water. If you give it a little pull, you'll be able to see the shadow of a valve opening inside the pipe. That's the thing that lets the water out. Make sure your drainage hose is pointing towards an actual drain, and that you have water in your machine, and that your knob is set to drain, and then yank that blue cord as high as it'll go. And watch as a clump of thread/lint/accidentally laundered kleenex comes flying out of the hose.
Now you get to put the panel back on. You'll want to slide the middle clips under the plastic edge first, then push it up and down to get the top and bottom ones under. Yes, this part sucks. Yes, it's okay to cry. I'm fairly certain they didn't intend for the consumer to perform any maintenance on the machine.
I love this machine. I love it enough to haul it down off the kitchen counter and start unscrewing bits of it experimentally when the internet can't tell me how to fix it. I love it enough to tell the internet how to fix it, so you can keep loving your machine.
Got this about two months ago, in order to save myself disproportionately large laundry bills. Paid for itself in the first month. Many people complain that the spin dryer is too loud, but if it is loaded properly (only about halfway up) then it finds it's center after about 30 seconds and gets on with just a low whir and little vibration. The washer does make some noise, but it's a washing machine. They make noise. I usually put mine in the bathtub when I use it and just leave the hose down for simplicity's sake, and in a convex bathtub bottom it's surprisingly stable and doesn't move about if you pay attention to the water fill lines and load sizes. The plastic is thick and sturdy, the construction is so dead simple that I'm reasonably confident that if it stops working I can fix it myself (each side is essentially an egg timer connected to a motor, and the drain is a latching seal. Someone complained that the soft and normal wash settings are the same, and given that you can feel the *Chunk* when you open and close the drain I really have no idea what the soft setting is supposed to do or how the switch could affect that motor).
Biggest problems I have with it are lint, which is always going to be an issue with a spin dryer and a gravity-drain washer, and making sure I remember to switch it back from drain to normal after use. Bathtub solves the latter problem and a lint brush helps with the former, although I'm going to look into a lint trap and am strongly considering picking up one of the small heated dryers that are available that handle wash loads about this size and can deal with lint.
One final consideration that others may not have thought of: if you run this unit (or any similarly sized small washer) on the floor with a properly balanced load, it will be as near to silent as you can hope for, but you will have to pick it up to allow the gravity drain to get rid of the water, and while it's fairly lightweight when empty, a full wash load is quite heavy for anyone with a bad back or various other physical considerations. For a general idea, it weighs roughly as much as a large plastic bucket of the type you'd find in custodial or construction situations when full. I wouludn't recommend it to my grandparents, essentially.
Please view these pictures if the spin tub does not stay attached when spinning. I cut away this nub from a mold injection point and now it works perfectly. I'm sure that there are many others with this defect but it's easy to fix yourself and save the hassle of a return. Before I removed this nub the spin insert would detach at the moment it started but now the little tabs line up and it works great. Just make sure you cut the nub away entirely.
I have been using my washer for a little over six months and still love it. Sure it's annoying doing tiny loads to keep up with a family of three, but it's still much better than dragging everyone to the dirty laundromat and putting up with all the whining. I simply sit mine in the tub, fill with the handheld shower and turn the dial. Drain a few minutes later, rinse, then spin. Clothes come out about 90% dry and will be dry by morning even if I hang them inside. Only downside is I still have to take blankets to the laundromat but that's not this things fault since I opted for the smaller one which is easier to move around.
Feature Product
- Compact Design - The washer is great for dorms, apartments, condos, motor homes, RV's, camping and more
- Washer Load - Features a large 14 pound load capacity for doing light to medium laundry loads. washing machine makes its completely portable and perfect for compact environments
- Top Load - Allows you to simply put in your load of clothes, fill with water, set the timer and start washing
- Spin Basket - Spin Dry with the included basket helps to remove excess water only, will not completely dry clothings
- Ideal Clothes Type - This machine is ideal for doing small loads of delicate clothing like under garments, socks, towels and printed T-shirts
Description
Our portable compact washing machine is perfect solution for doing laundry in a compact environment.
Features:
Compact Design - The washer is great for dorms, apartments, condos, motor homes, RV's, camping and more
Washer Load - Features a large 14 pound load capacity for doing light to medium laundry loads.
Top Load - Allows you to simply put in your load of clothes, fill with water, set the timer and start washing
Spin Basket - Spin Dry with the included basket helps to remove excess water only, will not completely dry clothings
Timer Function - Washing machine up to 15 minutes with the control timer
Simple to Operate - Easy to operate, and powerful
Easy to Monitor - Clear Blue Lid allows you to see the wash cycle and monitor the water condition
Please understand it's not a fully automatic washer, you may need a little more work after wash
Specifications:
Color: White / Blue
Power: 250 Watts
Voltage: 115V
Wash Timer: 0-15
Load Type: Top Load
Drain System: Gravity Drain
Load Capacity: 6.5Kg (14 Pounds)
Waterproof Rating: IPX4
Overall Dimension: 16-1/2"(W) x 17-1/4"(L) x 27-3/4"(H)
Package Include:
1 x 6.5Kg Electric Compact Washing Machine
1 x Drainage Tube
1 x Inlet Hose
Drain hose must reach a height of at least (10inch) for best results. Please place drain hose over side of sink, bathtub etc.
Please note: Spin basket not for permanent installation. Best for light loads. Does more functions, more efficient
UPDATE: Having porblems with lint, hair etc, here is the item to get. See pictures, works like a charm..you can buy them right here at AMAZON COM...TheBigGuy
Awesome, works as claimed,, I live in a 33 foot Travel Trailer and I can do some small loads now and again and save going to the Laundry mat... I just hang things out on the clothes line for the fresh aIir smell. Thanks. TheBigGuy
This is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love how great it cleans. How easy it is to operate and how dry the things i wash come out ive even washed a queen size thin duvet cover from ikea in this and it came out ckean and fresh. I have to pay for laundry in my apart and since ive gotten this i havent needed to yet. Ill still need to wash big items loke comforters and towels in the regular machine but this helps will small things like my work uniform and underwear and socks small towels and wash cloths and the towels i use to clean my car. I hesitated a lot about buying one but its the best choice i ever made. The only thing is the water inlet hose could be better but other than that its a champ . Im real person that was not paid for my opinion its just that good.
Overall great product, live in a washing machine not allowed apartment so its sooo small i dont call it a washing machine i call it a washing bucket. Washes great and the spin cycle practically leaves ypur clothes dry. Only downfall is it doesnt competely drain the dirty wash water entirely.
Have a similar, but much larger, Danby washer/spinner, but the drain hose kept cracking, and now the plastic piece leading to drain hose cracked too. We got it used from my step-mom, so the price was right.
Researched smaller models that could be used in my tub. I live in an upstairs apartment, and needed to be able to move it around easily, in & out of our bath as needed by my husband, daughter, and I. This fits the bill.
We've been using this machine for at least a dozen loads since we got last night. Would appreciate a Lint Trap and a LONGER, STURDY, fill hose. Also, there is no difference between the two wash settings. Would be lovely if the gentle cycle worked.
I've noticed many reviewers have an issue with the spinner. As long as the items are evenly distributed and balanced, you can fill it to the top. Just need to leave enough room to be able to get the spin guard in & out. I lay a piece in press it flat, repeat until full. That's what we did in the much larger Danby, and it's easier in this bitty thing. Items that are "moisture wicking" are almost ready to wear after the spin, other items are dry soon enough on hangers on the extra tension rod over our tub.
I would give it 5 stars but it's not perfect. I needed to make a few adjustments to get the best results;
#1 I place this machine in the tub
#2 I use a small bath matt to keep machine still and help keep away the water as it drains out.
#3 I use a bucket to fill the machine for cycles. ( the hose that is sent with this is way too small for American faucets)
If you take a few try's to figure out the best way to use this machine in your own apartment, you will be very satisfied!
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