The Mobile Washer came into the mail yesterday. I ordered it Friday afternoon, and it arrived Monday afternoon. Talk about fast delivery.
Prior to ordering I called their number because I misread and thought it would take 4-6 weeks to get here, but that could add $2 for priority mail. But on the ordering process there wasn’t an option for me to do priority mail I called them because I didnt want to wait 4-6 weeks, and maybe i’d missed the option somewhere. Turns out that I had misread. The 4-6 weeks was for alaska and hawaii. She told me if I ordered it today (friday) she’d have it out to me by Monday. I’m thinking it’ll be sent in the mail monday (the next business day from friday). But it actually came in on monday. I’m still wowed about that, heh.
Of course I had to check it out. First of all, I ordered two because I thought it might be a kind of flimsy plastic. Looking at the images, it’s that bottom part with the holes that looks a little flimsy. But seriously, this is actually some pretty sturdy plastic. I think it would take either some heavy weight falling on it or some major beatings before it would finally break.
I looked around for a tub to use. I hadn’t purchased the 5 gal buckets because I thought I still had time to get those supplies. So I found an extra square plastic container that we’ve been using for storing books or such in. First lesson? square isn’t the best tub shape for a round hand washer.
I put the fabric shower curtain in the tub, and then added water and a small bit of laundry soap. The water came to just over the curtain, I didn’t need a lot of water, though having it deeper might have been better..the same amount of water, only in a container that would make it deeper.
Anyways, so I pumped the washer a few times. Yes, I’m very much out of shape. I can see long term usage causing blisters and/or calluses. I could feel muscle stress happening in my wrists, arms, and neck/shoulder/back area…that little knot up there where they all connect. I’d pump about 10 or so pumps, then take a small break, and repeat. The water got surprisingly dirty. Maybe from the rust of the shower curtain hooks? It was dirty enough that I didn’t want to wash the other kitchen towels in it. Anyways, after a bit I pulled it out of the bucket, squished it in my hands, dumped the tub water, and put in fresh water, then put the curtain back in there. Without soap, I did the pump and rest routine, and then pulled it out of the tub, added a small bit of soap to the water, and tossed in my kitchen cloths. After rinsing those as well, I put everything into our regular electric washer and did a spin on it. Within just a couple of minutes, the water was spun out and I hung everything up to dry.
This method will definitely take some getting used to. My carpal tunnel is acting up already, so I’m going to have to make sure to use the taping method to get blood flowing through and help prevent this weakness. This was even without wringing the clothes by hand. Maybe if I put on some kind of padding to thicken up the handle my hands could do it? I’m not sure.
Next time I go into town I’m going to get a couple of 5 gal buckets. I’m also going to order a couple of those gamma lids. The problem with that particular method will be the requirement of hot water for the pressure aspect to work. At least that’s what I’ve read so far.
And, in all honesty, if I can’t get these methods to work for my and my wrists on a regular basis, then the washing machine doesn’t take up that much electricity. I can still line dry regardless of which washing method I use.
All in all, the Breathing Mobile Washer ( http://www.breathingwasher.com/index.htm ) is actually a pretty sturdy item. Any issues I’m having with my carpal isn’t the fault of the item. The item didnt cause the carpal, I’ve had that for years. It just aggravates it. Something to keep in mind for other potential buyers.
