Have you thought about getting a small washing machine for your RV? Regardless of the amount of time you’re planning to spend in an RV, whether it be one month or one year, having a place to wash clothes is necessary. If the thought of going to the laundromat in each new town makes you uncomfortable, you’ll definitely want to keep reading to learn about small washing machines for RV life.
Advantages of Portable Washing Machines for RV Living
No one can object to the fact that washing your clothes right inside your RV is the ultimate convenience when you’re traveling. Many of us have a love/hate relationship with laundry. So why not make it part of the adventurous life you’re experiencing?
Besides convenience, another advantage is simply not having to go to the laundromat. Instead of sitting with strangers in an unfamiliar place, you can save the trip and take care of your washing in the comfort of your home on wheels. Perhaps you also question just how well-maintained and clean the laundromat machines are. Well, question no more!
Finally, there is the cost of a laundromat. With varying washer and dryer costs everywhere you go, you could be looking at upwards of $10-20 per laundry day. Especially if you are traveling with a large family or are full-time, this can add up quickly! Not to mention, there is always the hassle of dealing with quarters.
However you look at it, the benefits of small washing machines for RV living are ideal for the RVer who is budget-conscious and self-sufficient.
Disadvantages of Portable Washing Machines
When looking at small washing machines for RVs, there are several major factors that you need to consider. The first is the machine’s weight and size, both when it’s in use and as you travel. It is important to have a safe and secure place to store the washing machine during transportation too.
If you don’t need to wash clothes that often, it may not be worth investing in a portable washing machine. Nowadays, many RV parks have on-site laundry facilities. This reduces the need to go out of the way for a laundromat.
Ultimately, you’ll need to weigh the convenience, cost, and space taken up by a potential machine.
Another point to ponder when you’re looking at small washing machines for RVs is that they require water and electricity. This means that you’ll likely need to be connected to full hookups anytime you plan to use the machine. Boondocking and washing your clothes may not be doable.
5 Best Small Washing Machines for RV Living
When you’re looking at all of the choices for small washing machines, it’s understandable if you feel inundated with information. Factoring in important details such as the machine’s weight and dimensions can be like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube.
We’re here to help you with the following list of 5 of the best small washing machines for RV life. Condensed and transportable, these washing machines are sure to save you time and money that can be spent on unforgettable adventures instead of caring for your clothes.
1. Magic Chef Compact Washing Machine
When space is limited and your loads are small, this 1.6 cubic foot Magic Chef Compact Washing Machine will get the job done. It features rollers for easy moving and 6 fully automatic wash cycles to provide the highest quality care for an assortment of fabrics.
Additional details include a quick-connect kit and auto-shutoff after the cycle end signal. This means the next time you’re headed out to explore, there’s no need to wait around for the washing machine to finish. You can now have peace of mind that it will automatically switch-off.
2. Giantex Portable Mini Compact Twin Tub Washing Machine
- 【Easy to Operate】: This is our portable mini compact twin tub...
- 【20LBS Large Capacity】: Washing tub: place clothing in the...
- 【Semi-Automatic Design Relieves You from Hand Washing】: Using...
Tiny and mighty, weighing only 28 pounds, the Giantex Portable Mini Compact Twin Tub Washing Machine was designed with RV living in mind.
This small washing machine has a rated washing capacity of 11 pounds and a rated spinner dryer capacity of 6.6 pounds. Since the dryer capacity is half the washing capacity, you will need to run the dryer twice.
The washer/dryer all-in-one is certainly an added perk, as is the energy-saving timer control settings for washer and spin functions. A drainage tube allows gravity to drain the water for you after each cycle.
Once you turn the water on, you must stay with the washer to avoid overflow. But after that, you’ll have each load of laundry through the wash and spin cycle in under 30 minutes.
3. Giantex Full Automatic
- 〖Easy to Operate〗- On the control panel are there ten...
- 〖Compact Design & Large Load Capacity〗- Giantex washing...
- 〖Time and Water Level Control〗- Under delay function,...
When you’re reviewing what choices you have for small washing machines for RV living, give some consideration to the Giantex Full Automatic Washing Machine.
Typically, compact washing machines have a limited small load capacity. However, this washer breaks that barrier by featuring a large 9.92 pounds load capacity, which enables you to wash medium loads as well. Additionally, a wide range of load options includes 10 programs and 8 WaterLevel selections with LED display.
Fully automatic, portable, and a moderately sized item at 51 pounds, this washing machine is sure to suffice any size family’s laundry needs.
4. Comfee Portable Washing Machine
- Easy to Use: - This portable washing machine has 6 most commonly...
- Space saving: - With only 20.7inch in width, 20.3inch in-depth,...
- Extremely Energy Saving: - This washing machine equips with high...
When you’re talking about small washing machines for RVs, the Comfee Portable Washing Machine is slightly on the heavier side at 70.5 pounds. Space-saving and hefty, the powerful motor and numerous washing programs allow you to get a lot done in a short amount of time.
With RV life continually growing in popularity, families of all sizes find the appeal of living life on the road. Curious little minds can remain safe because of the child lock feature present on this model.
This washing machine proudly holds a DOE (Department of Energy) Certificate for saving as much as 84% energy consumption compared to similar models on the market.
5. Manual Washing Machine: Lavario Portable
- PATENTED! Best portable clothes washer in the world. See our...
- ECO-FRIENDLY: Hand-powered, non-electric, easy up & down motion,...
- SAVES MONEY! Pays for itself in 4-5 trips you won't take to the...
For those days when you just can’t sneak in a workout, grab the Lavario Portable Manual Washing Machine to accomplish 2 tasks at once: exercising and washing clothes.
One of the lightest options we could find, weighing only 10 pounds, the Lavario definitely should be considered. In less than 20 minutes, users can wash jeans and sweatshirts with the easy, hand-powered up-and-down motion resulting in clean clothes and a few burned calories!
Whether you toss in a few light items or a couple of heavy, bulky pieces, this model pays for itself in approximately 4-5 uses.
Keeping Your Clothes Clean On The Road
These 5 portable washing machine options are great choices for getting your clothes clean on the road. You may simply like the control and convenience of doing this chore at home. Or, you might crunch the numbers and find they pay for themselves in the long run.
Regardless, a small washing machine may help relieve some of the time and financial pressures of taking your dirty laundry to the laundromat.
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Meg Magruder
Monday 8th of February 2021
The manual one might be interesting. This is one task I'm not looking forward to when we escape in April-May. Many Campsites will not let you hang clothes out to dry. That is one piece I am curious on. - Thanks for all your useful information.
Mortons on the Move
Monday 8th of February 2021
If drying is a concern, you may want to consider getting a compact unit that is both a washer and dryer all in one. Or, there are compact dryers you can purchase separately. But again, you'd have to consider space, weight, and power usage for the dryer. Line-drying may also be more of a possibility if you plan to do any boondocking as opposed to staying at RV parks/campgrounds where it might be prohibited.
John
Sunday 7th of February 2021
Good information. This, plus your recent blogs on various toilet options, really provide flexibility to possible RV layouts. One thing to be aware of around oilfields and drill sites is that workers will use the laundromats to wash and dry their work clothes, leaving the equipment worse for wore with oil, grease, etc. The businesses and their employees do their best to keep up cleaning but, some things get missed. A little caution can go a long way in preventing your whites becoming Dalmatian costumes.