About Portable Washing Machines
If a house or apartment does not have hook ups for a washing machine, residents have another choice--a portable washing machine. A portable washing machine can also be used in RVs, at campsites, and in other places without traditional washing machines. Although it is typically smaller than a regular washing machine, a portable washing machine can help owners avoid high costs of laundromats or the time-consuming process of washing clothing in a sink or basin of water.
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Function
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A portable washing machine typically has two main water lines. One allows water to flow in, and another allows water to flow out. It also has a plug that gives the machine electricity to spin and pump the water. The user chooses specific settings, and hooks the "in" tube to a facet, pumping water into the machine by turning on the facet. The "out" tube needs to be laid near a drain, since the machine spits the water out as soon as the cycle is finished.
Types
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There are multiple types of portable washing machines. Most offer the same functions, but some require more user interaction than others. Other distinguishing features include the size and weight on the machine, the amount of clothing that can be washed in a single load, the quality of the washing ability, the cycle choices available and the price. Typically, larger portable washing machines with more choices are the most expensive.
Features
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A portable washing machine is usually less than 150 lbs. when empty, so it can be moved for travel. The amount of clothing that can be washed at once depends on the settings and the size of the machine being used, though most can wash 3 to 10 lbs. of clothing at one time. There are usually multiple settings so that you can wash delicate items or heavily soiled items. The main feature that distinguishes a portable washing machine from a regular washing machine is that it you can hook it up to a normal faucet instead of needing a large wall-installed hook up.
Misconceptions
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The most common misconception with the portable washing machine is that it does not clean clothing well. As long as you follow the directions, however, a portable washing machines is quite effective. For the best results, users need to make sure that the water going into the machine is hot enough to kill bacteria and that the clothing is placed in the machine's drum in a balanced, even way.
Warning
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It is important to read the directions that come with a portable washing machine to prevent water damage. If the machine is too full, off balance or connected incorrectly, it could overflow. In addition, if the machine's "out" tube isn't connected to a drain, water will flow out of the machine, potentially damaging its surroundings.
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