Last Updated on September 3, 2024 by Our Editors
Oftentimes it’s a hard choice of either compromising on convenience to be more sustainable or choose a conventional option that has a toll on the environment and also makes a dent in your pocket. But this is certainly not the case when it comes to portable washing machines as it is both environmentally-friendly and convenient.
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Portable washers are especially designed for small spaces and use less energy and water compared to full-size traditional options. And no, you don’t have to compromise on the cleaning efficiency either! In this article featuring the best portable washing machines, we talk about the best brands you can buy from, where to buy it and things you need to be aware of before buying and some cool additional tips for doing laundry so stay tuned!
8 Top Sustainable Portable Washers in the Market
Ready to make your laundry day greener? Here are the best eco-friendly portable washers that align with your values. Keep reading to find the perfect portable washer and dryer for apartments without hookups!
Pros:
* Portable and permanent options for installation.
* Comes with a detergent dispenser, five cycle option, viewing window and other features.
Con:
* Average capacity, only allows just about 4 pounds of laundry in one cycle.
Whirlpool is yet another tried and tested brand that is loved by most of us alike! And if you are in search of a portable washing machine which functions similar to a full-size machine then this is your pick. Though their portable washers look like conventional top-load washing machines, they have a smaller footprint, four caster wheels for easy movement and come with permanent and portable installations.
It comes with a detergent dispenser and a good choice for five different cycles, something that’s not commonly found in portable washing machines. The drums are made of stainless steel which prevents corrosion and you can take a peek at the washing process through a viewing window. The impeller gives your clothes a thorough clean up allowing for deep cleaning.
Minutes remaining in the cycles can also be seen on the digital countdown timer. Though you will be paying a somewhat heft price for a portable washing machine but it’s worth it for the feature you are getting.
Pros:
* It comes with a hot and cold water inlet.
* It has six different wash cycles.
Con:
* It is a little hard to move around because of heaviness and only rare wheels.
If space is your concern and you live in a small apartment then this top-load washer from Magic Chef is a sensible addition to your home appliances. This washer is just 20 inches wide with a drum capacity of 1.7 cubic foot drum, enough to wash a medium sized laundry load including light blankets and bedsheets.
It features a choice of six cycles, three different water level settings, and three different temperature settings which gives you the possibility to put in a wide range of fabrics in your washer. All these features are displayed on an LED display panel on the machine.
A thing to keep in mind is that this portable washing machine for apartment weighs more than other portable options available in the market. Though it is not the heaviest on the list when compared to Whirlpool compact top load, it’s also not easy to move around with its rare wheels.
But if you have a little extra space to spare in your home then the decent drum capacity is a worthy addition.
While the Magic Chef portable washers are available on Walmart, you can also find them on Amazon and Target.
Pros:
* It is easy to maneuver around the place.
* It comes with five different wash cycles.
Con:
* The manufacturer only recommends cold water usage.
This mini washing machine from Black+Decker BPWM09W is a compact yet efficient portable washing machine with a 0.9-cubic-foot capacity, making it ideal if you have a household of one or two people. It features a digital control panel with options like delay wash, child lock, and a viewing window, and can handle around 3.5 pounds of laundry—enough for a pair of medium jeans, a sweatshirt, and two XL T-shirts.
You get to choose from five wash settings—heavy, gentle, normal, rapid, and soak—along with adjustable load sizes and a timer to display remaining cycle time. Its impeller plate provides thorough cleaning to your laundry, while the 983 RPM spin speed efficiently removes excess moisture at the end of the cycle.
Although the drum is on the smaller side and the washer only operates with cold water, it’s energy-efficient, costing just $3 annually according to the Energy Guide label on the product. Weighing 48 pounds, you can easily maneuver this portable washing machine, thanks to its rear caster wheels.
While most users shop for Black+Decker portable washers on The Home Depot’s website, you can also find them on Amazon and Wayfair.
Pros:
* It comes with an option to adjust agitation making it suitable for washing delicates.
* The spin tub leaves damp-dry making it easier to dry.
Con:
* The drainage hose is short.
Have some major budget restrictions and looking for a decent portable washer? This is the best portable washing machine priced just over a 100$! It comes with two tubs, one for washing and another for spinning the water out. Though you have to move your laundry to the different tub after the washing cycle to spin the water out which gives a damp-dry laundry load at the end, it’s still totally worth it.
If you’re ready to compromise a few fancy features and an additional step in the laundry then this budget-friendly mini portable washing machine and dryer is a perfect pick for your apartment. The Auertech offers other excellent value with features like an adjustable agitation setting, making it suitable for washing your delicates. Separate timers allow you to customize the length of both the wash and spin cycles.
To achieve the best results, you should adhere to the capacity limits: 9 pounds for the wash tub and 5 pounds for the spin tub, which allows you to wash more at once compared to the best overall model.
However, it’s important to note that the drain hose is relatively short, which means you may need to drain water from the spin tub into a bucket if there isn’t a convenient drain nearby. But on the bright side, this portable washing machine for apartment is nearly half the weight of the top-rated option, making it much easier for you to move around.
Pros:
* It comes with eight different cycles making it suitable for most fabrics.
* It comes with four wheels for easy movement.
Con:
* The stacking kit is not included with the purchase and needs to be purchased as an addition.
The GE Portable washing machine and dryer offer a complete laundry solution, perfect if you have an apartment or condo without a dedicated laundry room or limited space. The 2.8-cubic-foot washer is spacious enough to handle average-sized loads for one to two people, while the 3.6-cubic-foot dryer efficiently removes remaining moisture, saving you time compared to air-drying.
This laundry pair of portable clothes washing machine and dryer is designed with convenience in mind. The 24-inch washer fits easily into tight spaces and has four caster wheels, making it easy for you to move around. You can also stack the dryer above the washer using an optional kit, creating a compact laundry center that’s both space-saving and functional.
The GE portable clothes washing machine stands out with eight cycle settings, giving you the flexibility to wash everything from towels to delicates with ease. While it doesn’t include a steam setting like some full-sized models, you’ll appreciate the variety of options compared to more basic portable washers. Additionally, the stainless steel drum ensures durability, and the front-load dryer offers three settings, including options for cottons, timed dry, and no heat.
While GE’s portable washers are available on The Home Depot’s website linked above, you can also find them on Sears and Lowe.
Pros:
* It offers a large 20-pound capacity in a small footprint.
* Adjustable timers make washing and spinning quick and easy.
Con:
* You may need to spin clothes twice due to the smaller spin tub capacity.
This portable mini washing machine is designed for easy operation, making laundry less of a chore for you. With this portable washing machine, you can save time by avoiding trips to the laundromat or the hassle of washing clothes by hand. Its user-friendly design ensures that even those new to portable washers can operate it with ease.
The washer offers a substantial 20-pound capacity, with a 12-pound washing tub and an 8-pound spin dryer. You can efficiently wash and rinse your clothes in the wash tub, then use the spin tub for drying with this portable washing machine and dryer. The spin tub holds half the washing capacity, so you may need to spin twice to complete the load.
This semi-automatic design allows you to set a 15-minute timer for washing and a 5-minute timer for spinning, giving you the flexibility to choose the best settings based on the type of clothes you’re washing.
With a powerful 300-watt wash motor and 110-watt spinner, this machine is ideal for small loads and is easily portable due to its lightweight design. The compact twin tub design is convenient for home use, and it includes a filter net on the side of the washing barrel for easy cleaning. Additionally, the cover plate should be placed over the clothes in the spin tub to prevent excessive shaking and spinning. The mini portable washing machine and dryer is simple to assemble, with all necessary accessories included in the package.
Pros:
* It does not require electricity to operate.
* Also useful in washing heavier items like jeans and sweatshirt.
Cons:
* Since it is hand operated it might not be for everyone or people have bigger loads frequently.
The Lavario portable clothes washer stands out as a patented, non-electric solution that delivers impressive cleaning power. It’s the only hand-powered washer capable of washing heavier items like jeans and sweatshirts, using a simple up-and-down motion. Designed for eco-friendliness, this washer requires no electricity and uses only a fraction of the water and detergent compared to traditional electric machines.
Lavario is not just eco-friendly but also cost-effective. It can pay for itself after just four or five trips to the laundromat that you won’t need to make. This portable clothes washing machine is convenient and portable, making it perfect for RVs, camping, apartments, dorms, and delicates. You can easily wash your clothes in under 20 minutes, which is especially useful when you only have a few items to clean.
Proudly made in the USA, Lavario has been meticulously engineered for durability and high performance. Its lightweight design and ease of use make it a versatile option for various situations, ensuring you can wash your clothes effectively no matter where you are.
Pros:
* A great portable option that doesn’t require electricity.
* Can be carried around in RV’s and on campings.
Cons:
* Large items like sheets and towels wont fit in.
Are you a hands-on type of person? The Laundry Alternative’s non-electric portable mini washing machine might be just what you need. You use a hand crank to agitate and spin your laundry, making it an eco-friendly choice that uses 90% less water than a standard washer. According to the manufacturer, you can complete a load in under two minutes, though you’ll need to hand-wring your clothes afterward.
This mini washing machine can handle up to five pounds of laundry per load, whether it’s a large bath towel or up to eight dress shirts or t-shirts. It’s gentle on your clothes and doesn’t require any hookups. In addition to being eco-friendly, it’s also lightweight and affordable.
Since the Wonderwash has a simple design, you won’t have to worry about replacing any parts. You can carry this cute washer around whether you’re going camping or on a long road trip in your RV! It’s also the perfect portable washer and dryer for apartments without hookups!
Why Portable Washers Are Eco-Friendly (and Why You Should Care)
It is often natural to assume that since portable washers are not fully automatic washing machines, they won’t clean as well and you would have to compromise on efficiency and effectiveness. But despite the smaller load capacity, a compact washer can thoroughly clean fabrics, effectively removing dirt and odors while saving you water and energy, delivering the same excellent performance as a regular-sized washer.
Let’s take a look at the water usage of different washer and see how efficient a portable washing machine is when talking water usage:
- Commercial washing machines vary widely in water consumption with an average usage of around 34.74 thousand gallons of water annually.
- Residential washing machines use an average of about 41 gallons of water per load.
- Whereas, portable washing machines depending on the models and capacity use between 10-22 gallons of water per load.
Also since portable washing machines are designed for smaller households, dorm rooms or RVs they offer less capacity than standard machines. This translates to the fact that portable clothes washing machines require less electricity to operate per cycle compared to full sized washers and also offers a limited laundry load per cycle.
Choosing a Sustainable Portable Washer
Not sure which of the many portable washers are right for your green lifestyle? While buying a portable washing machine it’s best to keep certain things in mind to maximize the benefits of your purchase. Both energy efficiency and water usage are important parameters for environmental impact and cost cutting.
It is important to look for a washer that comes with Energy Star certification or similar endorsement as this certification ensures that the appliance is tested and proven to be energy efficient. Additionally look for portable washing machines which come with the setting of water level adjustment, efficient cycles and a high spinning speed which removes excess water from clothes. This reduced the drying and thus saving the energy from the dryer.
Portable washers that meets these requirements will be kinder to the environment and also save you some good bucks on your utility bills over time!
How to Maximize Sustainability with Your Portable Washer
Imagine doing your laundry while cutting down on water and energy. You’re not just saving money, you’re saving the planet!
Here are some actionable tips for you when using portable washers:
- Wash only full loads of laundry and use cold water for the cycle.
- Select the appropriate water level depending on your laundry load.
- Use eco-friendly detergents and softeners that come in recyclable packaging.
- Buy your laundry supply in bulk and in concentrated form like concentrated detergent and laundry strips.
- Air-dry your clothes wherever possible as driers are usually very energy intensive and it is recommended to dry some fabrics in air.
- Use special high-efficiency detergents especially made for washers as they are more efficient in cleaning the laundry with less water.
- Do a regular inspection of your washer to make sure everything is functioning perfectly!
Closing Thoughts
If you are looking for something that does not make a big hole in your pocket, fits in a smaller space and is as efficient as a full-sized washing machine then portable washing machines is your answer. Portable washers are just as efficient and save you space, money and water! Making them a perfect fit for your budget and the environment! Let’s do laundry and save the planet!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are portable washers?
Portable washers are compact washing machines designed for small spaces, often used in apartments or RVs. It connects to a standard faucet and is easy to move. They are better options and compared to full-sized washers for energy saving and water saving.
Should I get a portable washer?
Consider a portable washer if you have limited space, need mobility, and have small laundry loads. Larger households may find it too limiting because they don’t allow a larger load to be washed at once.
How many clothes can you put in portable washers?
The capacity of portable washers decides the load of laundry you can put it in. Portable washers can handle 6 to 12 pounds of laundry, which is about 3-4 pairs of jeans or 6-7 shirts.
How efficient are portable washers?
They use less water and energy per load but may require more frequent use. They are generally efficient for small loads.
How do portable washers drain water?
They drain water through a hose that can be placed in a sink, bathtub, or floor drain. Some models use gravity, while others have a pump.
