Guys
Do any of you use a portable washing machine when touring for a few weeks.I usually use site Facilities however I've seen various models for sale .Just wondering are there any decent ones around that do the job .Rather than paying extortionate prices on certain sites
No! If we need to wash a few smalls we leave them soaking in a bucket overnight then rinse through by hand in the morning.
Any larger items we look for a local launderette away from the site.
i have one, (i use it more in our house to be honest, its handy when you only have a few white things to wash out) i just boil the kettle a few times, it washes well enough in about 15 mins, its then a case of rinsing thing out, trouble is tho you wont have a spinner so things are going to take forever to dry
Friend has a 'camping' twin tub that she uses on her frequent extended stays, she raves over it.
Personally I always take a small container of washing powder and use a bucket (collapsable type) if I ever (rarely) need to wash anything, the 'bulk' of a largely redundant washing machine would be a nuisance to me!
The price of a machine/storage space/no drier needs to be balanced against the convenience of a site laundry where you can choose to dry your laundry outside or in a machine. We do clothes laundry after about 10 days, but go home before we need to do any bedding.
How many times would you need to use the personal machine for laundry before you break even with the cost of using the convenient on site laundry machine? We would be using the on site laundry machine about once a week as basically all we are wearing are T shirts, shorts, socks and smalls.
We wash smalls at the MH. If we’re away for more than one week, we stay on a site with a laundry / washing machine for the bed linen / towels etc. A machine to do this? No: it takes up weight & space that we don’t have spare in our MH.
The first thing we do when booking a site for a 2 week stay is to look where the nearest pub is, 2nd is where the nearest supermarket is in case we run out of vino, 3rd is is there laundry close by.
We are also seeing three machine laundrettes in petrol stations, two washers and a drier. You put your coins/card in and off you go. There is one at a local BP garage.
I have seen some nifty folding washing machines being advertised, usually in the Far East in a tiny flat where there is no room for a full size machine.
I thought they would be good for camping.
And no to having a washing machine in my van as there is no space.
I normally have enough room for 2 weeks' worth of clothes and smalls without having to use a laundrette on site.
I too would prefer to use a bucket and handwash the smalls and hang them up in the bathroom if required.
DK
------------- * Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *
Like others, I’ll use on site washing facilities. But I have invested in Washing leaves that take up no space at all! Not used them for a hand wash yet, but in the machine at home work well, and on low temperature setting.
Bag wash for me...Drop off at any laundrette pick up sometimes same day or day after. Around £10 washed and dried simples.
On another note my youngest lad!! has three ankle biters. ( grandkids) 3-5- and seven year old boys.
He thought he would be better off with a portable washer from Argos around £ 120 I think he paid. He used it one trip, said it was more trouble than what its worth. He too went back to the bag wash method....Its so simple and convenient.
All bedding once per week in one bag......all smalls, teeshirts, shorts in another. Just not worth the hassle his words.
One thing to look out for if you are planning to use an on-site laundry is pet hair in the machine. I had an awful experience several years ago where my clothes came out of the on-site laundry covered in dog hair. This was a nightmare for me as I am severely allergic to dogs. It appears that some inconsiderate dog owners wait until they are on a site to wash their dog blankets so as not to clog up their home washing machines. Since then, I always check inside a machine before I put my clothes in and have found a few more instances of dog hair around the drum. I have noticed a few sites who have put up large signs in their laundry rooms stating that the machines should not be used for washing pet blankets or other pet related items so it must be quite a common problem. It became such a problem at one of our favourite sites that they have installed a washing machine and tumble dryer dedicated to pet blankets etc to stop people from using the regular washing machines for this purpose.
I had considered buying one of those portable washing machines, but in the end, decided against it as we don’t have enough space to store it. I just check the on-site machines carefully before using them.
Quote: Originally posted by morepints on 21/2/2024
Like others, I’ll use on site washing facilities. But I have invested in Washing leaves that take up no space at all! Not used them for a hand wash yet, but in the machine at home work well, and on low temperature setting.
I got these for holidays and now use them all the time at home. They're fine for hand washing (use half a sheet) and dissolve well in a cool wash, unlike some tablets or pods.