Twin Tubs

The_Biff

Was I dreaming or did I recently see an ad for a top loading twin tub?
How did these compare with todays front loaders in performance terms?

Ticklemouse

I assume you mean the washer in one side and the spinner in the other?

I had one of these a long time ago - donated from MIL, because we couldn't afford a washing machine. Apart from the fact you can't go out when your washing is on, you have to rinse it all separately and spin it etc etc. The only advantage is that you can wash for as long or as short a time as is needed and rinse as much as you want. I'll stick to my automatic thanks. Can't believe people still want them.

Magentasue

I used one as a student and I seem to remember they were considered more efficient and reliable than automatics. I think they were quicker if you had loads of washing because you could start with your not so dirty clothes and delicates, give them a wash, hoik them out, add your next lot and so on. But you did have to stand over it, lift all the wet washing out into the spinner, keep filling up ...

I can't imagine many people would choose them over an automatic if they'd used both.

Austin_Allegro

Another advantage is that they are portable and don't need to be plumbed in, so if you don't have room for a washing machine in your kitchen, you can keep it elsewhere and wheel it to the sink on washdays.

MATH

I have a machine very similar but without the seperate spinner, the one tub does it all. It is considered less energy efficient cos it uses 3 times as much water as a normal machine, however I'm not on a water metre and the wash capacity is 22lbs so I'm not bothered. Mine doesn't have a water heater so providing I have hot water available my wash temps are cold, warm and hot.

Most things can be washed sucessfully on a 6-10 minute wash which is where the main benefit lies. If your washer is running 24/7 and you are constantly having to re-charge it with the next batch and it's ruining your social life then consider getting a top-loader. I did and I wouldn't go back.

Obviously a 10 minute wash is not going to be as good as one that takes an hour so you will see a difference when washing whites or heavy stained items compared to your tumbler type which churns away for hours. I get round this by turning the machine on to a soak cycle late at night and leave them to tread water until the morning. On dark colours and regular soil I have noticed no difference at all.

Some say the agitator type machines are tough on clothes although I have not noticed any extra wear 'n' tear even on Mrs MATH's less robust items:o

Spin speeds are very low (mine is 600rpm) although I think it persforms as well as my old 1000rpm front loader. It may be something to dso with the x & y axis

The main benefit for me is when I return from 2 weeks away after Easter I will be able to plough through a fortnights washing for a family of five including bedding and towels in one morning:j HTH

greenlogo

I remember my Mum using one when I was wee - hoiking the washing out with wooden tongs and the kitchen getting very very steamy in the process. Eep, I can't see why someone would choose one in preference to an automatic. I'd be nice to get opinions from someone who's used one though

tiff

My automatic has a 29 minute cycle, which I use for nearly everything apart from mucky whites. I found it brilliant when you get back from hols, like Math said. It used to take a few days to catch up when I had my old machine.

Ticklemouse

oh, it brings it all back now. On saturday mornings, when OH was working, I'd drag machine over to sink, begin first load, longest wash was 12 minutes, so that's how long I would have to do something else, then back in to start pulling wet washing out, into spinner, spin, fill with rinse water, spin, rinse, spin, rinse etc etc whilst another load was agitating. I remember steamy kitchen windows, water everywhere if the pipes came off/unhooked from sink, not being able to get on with anything properly if you wanted to get through a week's worth of washing. Oh, of course they were better than the modern front loading machines - NOT.:p After about 12 months, we had a new litchen fitted and bought an automatic. Sold twin-tub to another young couple who's mum used to use one. Wonder how long that lasted

OK, is there a happy twin-tub user out there?

Js_Other_Half

I used a twin tub for several years when I was renting a house - never again. Yes, I appreciated the extra worktop space (the twin tub had a laminate lid), but not enough to keep it once we moved!

If I had really mucky clothes I took them to the laundrette.

I love my automatic washer

Austin_Allegro

I also remember the noise of the spinner as being incredibly loud - you could hear it about three doors away!

Since I live in a tiny flat with no room for a washing machine I have a little Hinari counter top washing machine (£75 from Amazon) and a spin dryer (£89 from Curry's). They both work really well, cost little and are definitely a good alternative to a launderette. I hang everything on an airer in the bathroom or put it in the garden on nice days. You can keep yer automatics and tumble dryers!

divadee

mr divadee's gran had one until she died a couple of years ago. we actually went out and bought her a new washing machine and tumble dryer, she used it about 4 times, and then complained thet she preferred her twin tub so mr divadees mum and dad had to buy her a new twin tub and they had the washing machine and tumble dryer.

she used to swear by them, but it looked a lot of hassle to me.