Avoid using GAS and ELECTRIC !

Gigervamp

unixgirluk wrote: »

Don't Lakeland/Kleeneze/Betterware do a hand turned spin dryer? They're not that big, enough for a duvet cover if I remember correctly. Can't remember which one does it but my great aunt bought one for them to use at the caravan. You load it up and turn a crank-handle and the water drains out the bottom.

I've seen hand operated washing machines like that, but I'd have thought you'd have to crank it really fast to spin dry it. (And wear your arms out!)

Uniscots97

Gigervamp wrote: »

I've seen hand operated washing machines like that, but I'd have thought you'd have to crank it really fast to spin dry it. (And wear your arms out!)

My great auntie (who's in her 80's) uses it and I've never seen her turn it fast and the stuff comes out pretty dry. A lot drier than with the spin cycle on the washing machine.

Gigervamp

Ok, I'll have a look out for one. Thanks!

gizmocoe

Wow this site is amazing!
Have been browsing it for a while, but have just broken my wrist so am signed off for 6 weeks!!! The silver lining is that I have had the time to go (one-handed) through some of these threads from start to finish - you guys are wonderful!
Have found a few helpful ideas that we don't already practice - I'm embracing the 'power/fuel reduction' challenge whole heartedly but my lot don't seem quite so keen
Thank you - I shan't be bored now - keep up the good work please.
Gizmo

bootsalebabe

Hi all, some great ideas on here, its amazing how inventive people can be!
During the ten years we have been in this house we have had a coal fire, which i loved but had to be removed due to problems within the chimney breast and we went for one of those modern electric jobbies with false flames and a fan heater for warmth. I hated it and missed the look of a real fire so we purchased a cast iron calor gas heater which has the appearance of a woodburning stove., and REAL FLAMES. Its great and i have taken to heating up beans, soup and keeping things warm on the top of it , although the price of gas has increased dramatically we only use it for a couple of hours each evening and i have just found a site that will give me free delivery and cut the price down from £18 to £14 for a gas bottle just by me changing the regulator ( i do have a spare in the drawer).At the moment i am managing to keep the gas central heating off but its getting more difficult as this wet weather makes everyone cold and miserable, not been made any easier by having DD and her OH sitting upstairs moaning about the cold. I think they see me as this "moaning minnie" but they are looking to rent their first house so we will see how quickly they learn, when their first bills come in!

eve13_2

I got my twin tub 2 months ago and will never go back to an automatic again. Yes, you have to be with it for half an hour, but in that time it washes, dries and you can hang out washing. The only problem is its made in China so don't expect it to last as long as the one I used to have 15 years ago. Blurb now says it is ideal for the elderly or disabled as it is top loaded, saving on bending down for front loaders. My sons clothes get heavily soiled and it cleans them effortlessly at a cold wash. I also keep a tight rein on the amount of water I use and for lightly soiled clothes I use the water straight on the garden. So enviromentally and financially friendly:T

ka7e

I remember having a second-hand twin tub when I first set up home. The great thing was that you could do a cool wash for your delicates, then crank the temperature up and do the whites and then the mucky stuff (OH a builder) in the same water. The spin dryer was brilliant, too.

The downside was the spin cycle with an uneven load would sometimes move the whole thing away from the sink and the overflow would empty over the floor! You really had to set aside a wodge of time to sit and watch over the process

sammyjig

I've just seen on GMTV that two OAP's get up at 11pm and do all there cooking, washing, ironing, hoovering etc as they are on a lower rate at night.

oldMcDonald

eve13 wrote: »

I got my twin tub 2 months ago and will never go back to an automatic again. Yes, you have to be with it for half an hour, but in that time it washes, dries and you can hang out washing. The only problem is its made in China so don't expect it to last as long as the one I used to have 15 years ago. Blurb now says it is ideal for the elderly or disabled as it is top loaded, saving on bending down for front loaders. My sons clothes get heavily soiled and it cleans them effortlessly at a cold wash. I also keep a tight rein on the amount of water I use and for lightly soiled clothes I use the water straight on the garden. So enviromentally and financially friendly:T

Do you mind my asking where you got it from, eve13? When we had to replace the last washing machine I looked everywhere for a twin tub, I was really disappointed that Hoover no longer made them:( Our washing machine will probably need replacing again soon ( I get through them at a horrendous rate, I have at least 3 or 4 washloads every day) and I would love to be able to get hold of a twin tub.

Primrose

I guess you'd have to be pretty desperate to reduce your fuel costs to turn your life upside down and live a perfmanent night shift. But when I look out of the window every day and see it pouring with rain, on second thoughts, being awake during the daytime is sometimes not much fun either! However, if the pensioners concerned are living in a flat, I wonder what their neighbours think about them thumping about, running a washing machine and vacuuming, just as they're off bed, especially if they have to get up early for work the next morning.