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Hand-cranked washing machines

I'm reading this book it's about a young American and his wife who go and live with an Amish-type community for 18 months. They live without electricity or any motorized machinery.

For their laundry they use a hand-cranked washing machine. From the description in the book it sounds like this sort of thing. Apparently you just swing the lever back and forth about 200 time (3 mins) and the washing's done. Then you put it through a wringer. Great for upper-body strength according the book ;) Does anyone have any knowledge or experience of such a thing ? I can't find a UK supplier.

I really like the idea of getting exercise by doing everyday tasks. I'm half way through the book and this is what has struck me most about a less technology-driven lifestyle, not to mention the benefits to the environment.
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Comments

  • moonrakerz
    moonrakerz Posts: 8,650 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Why does it cost twice as much as a conventional washing machine ? :confused:

    This is cheaper:- :rolleyes:

    http://video.aol.com/video-detail/washing-clothes-on-ganges/901116708
  • krisskross
    krisskross Posts: 7,677 Forumite
    Sounds like the gas copper I had almost 50 years ago. There was an agitator attached to the underside of the lid, the handle to make the agitator move was on top of the lid. Mine also had a hand operated wringer/mangle. We used tongs to fish the clothes out of the soapy water if it was very hot, although of course you had the water at the temperature you wanted it.

    I have never had such white clothes since I gave up the boiler and the blue bags. Luckily in those days most things were cotton so could stand a bit of heat. Anything delicate was handwashed, but still put through the mangle, used to fold it first so cut down on ironing, and it was never 'fast spun' out of shape, just flattened.

    My boiler had a tap at the bottom for emptying it, used to use the soapy water to wash the steps and pavement outside the house so nothing was wasted.
  • Suzy_M
    Suzy_M Posts: 777 Forumite
    Hand powered washing machines are available in the UK. They are the sort of thing in the newspaper and magazine catalogue inserts aimed at 'older' people - something like this one:

    http://www.force4.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/2717/groupID/3/categoryID/25/v/840d86c2-e236-4ee5-8a59-2935c02d114a

    but if you're really strong and energetic what about a compost tumbler http://www.thecomposter.com/products/composter/uct9/index.html?=Google

    or make your own out a recycled food barrel.
  • Errata
    Errata Posts: 38,230 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    3 minutes ? In their dreams, as anyone who ever used one will remember.
    .................:)....I'm smiling because I have no idea what's going on ...:)
  • seashore321
    seashore321 Posts: 1,027 Forumite
    I use the bath for old linen etc and just swish it about with my foot. I now have one leg like Arnie Shwarsewahetever and the other like a scalded whippet!

    Works for me though! Although I do tend to walk around in circles a lot ?!
  • oldMcDonald
    oldMcDonald Posts: 1,945 Forumite
    I use the bath for old linen etc and just swish it about with my foot. I now have one leg like Arnie Shwarsewahetever and the other like a scalded whippet!

    Works for me though! Although I do tend to walk around in circles a lot ?!
    laughing-smiley-014.giflaughing-smiley-014.giflaughing-smiley-014.giflaughing-smiley-014.gif
  • Suzy_M wrote: »
    Hand powered washing machines are available in the UK. They are the sort of thing in the newspaper and magazine catalogue inserts aimed at 'older' people - something like this one:

    http://www.force4.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/2717/groupID/3/categoryID/25/v/840d86c2-e236-4ee5-8a59-2935c02d114a

    .
    </p>I had one of those to do my family washing in when my oldest was born - actually it was great for washing BUT you really need a spinner or mangle to get most of the water out. Jeans used to drip on the washing line for 3 or 4 days.
    Proud to be sorting my life out!

    2007 YouGov £7.50
    2007 Pigsback £10.45
    2007 MT Credits 28
    2007 Credit union £100 :j
  • thriftlady_2
    thriftlady_2 Posts: 9,128 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker I've been Money Tipped!
    moonrakerz wrote: »
    Why does it cost twice as much as a conventional washing machine ? :confused:
    But no electricity costs.
  • sounds interesting. ineed to bulid my upper body strength up (work are letting me do a chainsaw course and i can barely pick one up )
    I have dyslexia, so get used to my spelling and grammar :)
    Mortgage pay off date 11/2028. Target 12/2020 :rotfl:
    Current Balance £33921
    Declutter 2123/2016
  • Cardew
    Cardew Posts: 29,064 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Rampant Recycler
    thriftlady wrote: »
    But no electricity costs.

    Or any electricity used in its manufacture????
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