6 ms·

It sounds kind of sarcastic, yet that was actually the personal thought also. Really sounds like its comparable to the amount of work with modern machines anyw

by araes 10mo ago

It sounds kind of sarcastic, yet that was actually the personal thought also. Really sounds like its comparable to the amount of work with modern machines anyways. Couple minutes of hand cranking, and otherwise, approximately the same. Owned a modern washing machine for years, and not sure if I've ever used almost any of the settings or features other than, "load clothing on default, push start". Probably sell well in a lot of developed world markets for people who just want to limit their electricity use, live away from the grid, have less reliance on complicated electronics, or minimize money use in an expensive society.

SoftTalker 10mo ago
You should use the bedding setting for large quilts and blankets, and the towels setting for towels, it really does work better. Experiment with the other settings so you can see the difference in wash time, water levels, spin speed and then you know which one to choose based on what you want for that load. Oh and separate your laundry. Don't throw towels, blankets, and clothes in all at the same time.
- noosphr 10mo ago
  How much free time do you have to do this? Wash. Is clean? Yes: put in drier. No: GOTO wash.
- bgbntty2 10mo ago
  Why separate laundry? I've tried it in the past, but don't do it anymore. Same result. The stains that can be cleaned get cleaned. The stains that would persist, persist. The only difference is the temperature setting. As for separating colors - in my life I've had a piece of clothing stain other clothes 2 or 3 times. Once I put some white shirts and they came out pink because of another red shirt. Funny thing is, the pink was very uniform, so it looked as if the shirts were originally pink. If my washing machine breaks, I'll get a second hand one. If I get a brand new washing machine, it will have to have a manual mode where I can set the desired program manually. For example, what is "towel setting"? If I can't see and modify the setting (e.g., A temperature for B minutes at C RPM, then D temp for E min for F RPM, etc.), I wouldn't use it.
  - fc417fc802 10mo ago
    It depends. My clothing doesn't (typically) need to tumble for long whereas towels might and bedding needs to go for much longer. In general it's probably better for fabric to be washed for less time if possible. It wears out. Also if you pay close attention you'll notice that things don't come fully clean (old machines didn't either) just "clean enough". Throw some well used dog bedding in with your shirts and this fact might become more readily noticable. So it makes sense to wash like-use with like-use for that reason alone.
    - tgsovlerkhgsel 10mo ago
      Less time != less wear. Some of the longest programs just let the laundry sit with occasional agitation, similar to how the machine in this article works, in the name of energy saving.
      - fc417fc802 10mo ago
        True. However, my fantastically modern machine from this marvelous version of the future we're living in doesn't offer any programs that soak for a noticable length of time. My bedding gets set to a cycle that constantly agitates the drum for the better part of 2 hours which my shirts definitely won't benefit from being subjected to.
        bgbntty2 10mo ago
        > doesn't offer any programs that soak for a noticable length of time Again, wouldn't it be great if we could program the washing machine? A display and a couple of buttons would be enough. Something like: Menu -> New program -> (automatically assigns it a number, e.g., "14"; no need for fancy names and a keyboard, just write it down) -> Enter first cycle -> (gives you options like "let it soak", "rotate", "dispense soap", "remove water" or whatever) -> (gives you sub-options like temperature, RPM) -> Enter second cycle -> (and so on). I don't know much about washing machines, but it seems doable.
  - SoftTalker 10mo ago
ornornor 10mo ago
Check the user manual. The default program is usually not the most energy and water efficient one but rather the mandatory one for certifying the machine. Same thing for dishwashers, the “eco” program is often not the best especially if you have an “auto” one.
- PeterStuer 10mo ago
  I try to explain this to people, but they are so convinced by the 'eco' branding/rethoric that even when you demonstrate they still disbelieve, or more acuratly do not want to believe.
  - dzhiurgis 10mo ago
    Eco modes save water and generally take a little longer, albeit same temperature (ergo a little bit more energy). I am missing something?
    - ornornor 10mo ago
      Yes, check the power and water usage table in the manual: all the ones I’ve checked (in Europe), the eco program is not eco when compared to others (especially auto if it’s there) Eco is just the standard program they have to ship and must use for the energy efficiency rating.
      - tgsovlerkhgsel 10mo ago
        Why would they not use the most efficient one for the energy efficiency rating?
        dmurray 10mo ago
        Because everyone would cheat and include a program that sprays cold water for a few seconds, using minimal energy but not actually getting your dishes clean.
        10mo ago
f6v 10mo ago
You guys are delusional. Try serving even a small family with this, it's a nightmare. I can clearly see people romanticizing dull hard labour.
tgsovlerkhgsel 10mo ago
A big difference is that this can't properly centrifuge your clothes, while a normal washing machine can. This also needs manually filling and emptying, while a normal washing machine handles all that, including multiple rinse cycles.
tehwebguy 10mo ago
Yeah, I didn’t even get into how poorly it seems to actually wash the clothes. Been thinking lately that it would be cool to get a washboard that fits nicely in its tub that I can use to scrub the clothes by hands and then remove for the rinse cycles.

by araes 10mo ago

SoftTalker 10mo ago

You should use the bedding setting for large quilts and blankets, and the towels setting for towels, it really does work better. Experiment with the other settings so you can see the difference in wash time, water levels, spin speed and then you know which one to choose based on what you want for that load. Oh and separate your laundry. Don't throw towels, blankets, and clothes in all at the same time.

noosphr 10mo ago
How much free time do you have to do this? Wash. Is clean? Yes: put in drier. No: GOTO wash.
bgbntty2 10mo ago
Why separate laundry? I've tried it in the past, but don't do it anymore. Same result. The stains that can be cleaned get cleaned. The stains that would persist, persist. The only difference is the temperature setting. As for separating colors - in my life I've had a piece of clothing stain other clothes 2 or 3 times. Once I put some white shirts and they came out pink because of another red shirt. Funny thing is, the pink was very uniform, so it looked as if the shirts were originally pink. If my washing machine breaks, I'll get a second hand one. If I get a brand new washing machine, it will have to have a manual mode where I can set the desired program manually. For example, what is "towel setting"? If I can't see and modify the setting (e.g., A temperature for B minutes at C RPM, then D temp for E min for F RPM, etc.), I wouldn't use it.
- fc417fc802 10mo ago
  It depends. My clothing doesn't (typically) need to tumble for long whereas towels might and bedding needs to go for much longer. In general it's probably better for fabric to be washed for less time if possible. It wears out. Also if you pay close attention you'll notice that things don't come fully clean (old machines didn't either) just "clean enough". Throw some well used dog bedding in with your shirts and this fact might become more readily noticable. So it makes sense to wash like-use with like-use for that reason alone.
  - tgsovlerkhgsel 10mo ago
    Less time != less wear. Some of the longest programs just let the laundry sit with occasional agitation, similar to how the machine in this article works, in the name of energy saving.
    - fc417fc802 10mo ago
      True. However, my fantastically modern machine from this marvelous version of the future we're living in doesn't offer any programs that soak for a noticable length of time. My bedding gets set to a cycle that constantly agitates the drum for the better part of 2 hours which my shirts definitely won't benefit from being subjected to.
      - bgbntty2 10mo ago
        > doesn't offer any programs that soak for a noticable length of time Again, wouldn't it be great if we could program the washing machine? A display and a couple of buttons would be enough. Something like: Menu -> New program -> (automatically assigns it a number, e.g., "14"; no need for fancy names and a keyboard, just write it down) -> Enter first cycle -> (gives you options like "let it soak", "rotate", "dispense soap", "remove water" or whatever) -> (gives you sub-options like temperature, RPM) -> Enter second cycle -> (and so on). I don't know much about washing machines, but it seems doable.
- SoftTalker 10mo ago

ornornor 10mo ago

Check the user manual. The default program is usually not the most energy and water efficient one but rather the mandatory one for certifying the machine. Same thing for dishwashers, the “eco” program is often not the best especially if you have an “auto” one.

PeterStuer 10mo ago
I try to explain this to people, but they are so convinced by the 'eco' branding/rethoric that even when you demonstrate they still disbelieve, or more acuratly do not want to believe.
- dzhiurgis 10mo ago
  Eco modes save water and generally take a little longer, albeit same temperature (ergo a little bit more energy). I am missing something?
  - ornornor 10mo ago
    Yes, check the power and water usage table in the manual: all the ones I’ve checked (in Europe), the eco program is not eco when compared to others (especially auto if it’s there) Eco is just the standard program they have to ship and must use for the energy efficiency rating.
    - tgsovlerkhgsel 10mo ago
      Why would they not use the most efficient one for the energy efficiency rating?
      - dmurray 10mo ago
        Because everyone would cheat and include a program that sprays cold water for a few seconds, using minimal energy but not actually getting your dishes clean.
      - 10mo ago

f6v 10mo ago

You guys are delusional. Try serving even a small family with this, it's a nightmare. I can clearly see people romanticizing dull hard labour.

tgsovlerkhgsel 10mo ago

A big difference is that this can't properly centrifuge your clothes, while a normal washing machine can. This also needs manually filling and emptying, while a normal washing machine handles all that, including multiple rinse cycles.

tehwebguy 10mo ago

Yeah, I didn’t even get into how poorly it seems to actually wash the clothes. Been thinking lately that it would be cool to get a washboard that fits nicely in its tub that I can use to scrub the clothes by hands and then remove for the rinse cycles.