Neat Electricity free washing machine

[Das Sheep]

http://gizmodo.com/a-portable-washing-m ... +%28Gizmodo%29

Modern foot powered washing machine, looks very neat for situations where you don't have power.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Great thread here: viewtopic.php?f=39&t=95862

I've personally used a hand-pump well, washtub, and brush for several months at a time with good effect.

[zero11010]

Save the money. Just use a washboard and a little bit of water. I keep mine handy!

[ineffableone]

I like the foot power concept, it would allow you to also work on some other project with your hands while you do your wash.

Big thing I don't like is the plastic design, this means it is not built to last. It will likely break after a couple years of use, if not sooner. I would love to see one of these built with longer lasting parts. When I get my homestead land I could see myself buying one of these just to pull it apart and build a version with better quality parts. Or just using the concept to inspire building something like it.

*edit to add, something else to note. This is meant for delicates. So would likely not be very functional for heavier weight items like a pair of jeans.

[majorhavoc]

I imagine it would get heavier weight clothing 'clean' after a fashion. Just not 'automated washing machine' clean. One thing I've noticed camping in the back country, or traveling in the third world: one's personal definitions of concepts like 'clean', 'comfortable' and 'private' become remarkably flexible.

I agree with the concern over longevity however; this thing looks too plasticky. A good prototype for a heavier duty metal version however. In any case, this concept isn't new, even here at ZS.

http://www.off-grid.net/water/diy-washi ... undry-soap

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=95862

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=98207

[Mikeyboy]

I almost want to like it, but looking at the website, I really can't see the advantage of using this over just washing your clothes in a sink or a bucket. The only real useful part of this is if you lack a decent sized clean sink, like at a car camping site, or with an RV, but that is about it.

I also wonder, like others have said, how it would work washing a few pair of adult men's jeans. I think the weight would make the pedaling suck or it could break.

On a side note the same rotating ball and foot pedal design, with a pedal powered fan and a small coil heater to dry your clothes. That might be better than just hanging wet stuff on a line and it would cut on wait time. That would be interesting....wait its my idea...PATENT PENDING!!