Wringer Washers Water Use

outofmire · #1 12/21/05, 07:51 PM

For those of you who use or have used a wringer washer, about how many gallons per load do they use?

Also is a load in a wringer washer about the same size as a load in a modern conventional sized washer?

Thanks

sbeerman · #2 12/21/05, 08:33 PM

you might like to look at this web page, lots of infromatiom on wringer washing. Sounds just like we did't it. Wish I could find a good wringer washer agine.
Sandie OR.
http://www.highlonesomeranch.com/Liv...nger%20Washers

Cyngbaeld · #3 12/21/05, 08:35 PM

Mine (I just got it) uses 10 gallons for a load. It washes smaller loads than you may be used to doing but it does get the clothes cleaner. Sure beats hand washing.

Of course you will also need two tubs of rinse water. But remember that you don't change water between loads. Start with whites/cleaner clothes and progress to dirtier and colored. You can also empty the washer and use too soapy rinse water to refill the washer while replacing the rinse water with clean.

FarmboyBill · #4 12/21/05, 08:37 PM

Mom always had tge stqndard old white wringer washer. Ive got a 1939 green wringer washer. Both Maytags. I got the las new rolls they had for mine. I dont use mine as I havnt got my well piped down to the house yet. BUT, best I remember, Moms took around 8/10 gal, and the load, I would say was the same as nowadays with a standard modern washer. I might suggest, tho we didnt have to do it with moms newer washer, On my older one we had to hook the suspenders together on overthalls to keep from scoring up the rim under the dasher as it didnt set as close to the bottom of the tub as moms 40s version

ranlan · #5 12/21/05, 08:38 PM

This is from when I helped my mother do laundry with a wringer washer. She would start with whites. She would fill the washer with HOT water and soap, wash the whites, then send them to the rinse tubs (she had two). They would go to one tub, then be wrung out and go into the second rinse. While the whites were rinsing, she would either continue with more whites or go onto better clothes and rinse each in turn. She would continue on to the jeans and dirtier clothes. She would only change water as needed or add more water as needed. A wringer washer and rinse tubs are very water effecient. I hope this helps.

outofmire · #6 12/21/05, 08:42 PM

Does 10 gallons per load include rinse water? Also, if it isn't a regular load, about how much less do you think it is? We wash about 5 loads a week right now in a regular washer or 8 loads at the laundry mat. (the washers at the laundry mat are smaller.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyngbaeld

Mine (I just got it) uses 10 gallons for a load. It washes smaller loads than you may be used to doing but it does get the clothes cleaner. Sure beats hand washing.

Of course you will also need two tubs of rinse water. But remember that you don't change water between loads. Start with whites/cleaner clothes and progress to dirtier and colored. You can also empty the washer and use too soapy rinse water to refill the washer while replacing the rinse water with clean.

Cyngbaeld · #7 12/21/05, 08:51 PM

10 gal is just the washer. Prob use 5 to 10 gal in each rinse tub. We had one of these when I was a girl and I did all the family washing from the time I was 10. I never thought the newer washers got clothes as clean. The savings in water is really that you reuse the water for more than one or two loads.

ETA: I think it holds about 2/3 of the load of one of the regular top loaders. You could cram more in, but it isn't a good idea. Clothes will be cleaner and less strain on the machine without stuffing it.

WisJim · #8 12/22/05, 09:14 AM

We used wringer washers when I was a kid, but mom got a new-fangled machine and a dryer after I left home around the mid-1960s. When I got married in the early 1970s my wife said she wanted a wringer washer for water and time savings (might take an hour or two of steady work but then you are done with washing clothes for the week), so we bought a almost new Maytag from an estate. Still have it, and a coulple of others we have picked up over the years to have as spares or for parts. Always take one if it is free or only $10 or so.

We hauled water from our hand pump for about 12 years, and in the summer moved the machine and tubs outside and let the water warm up to outdoor temp and then added 5 gallons of boiling hot water to the washer. In winter did the same except let it warm up to room temp in the basement next to the wood stove, and heated water on the stove in a wash boiler.

I always figured about 30 gallons of water to do the wash.
We still use the wringer washer, but mostly in the summer when it can be used outside near the clotheslines.

Windy in Kansas · #9 12/22/05, 09:53 AM

There is a great wringer washing machine currently available on Ebay. The kicker is that it MUST be picked up and not shipped. The machine is in southern California.

The machine was supposedly bought new decades ago and the surprise gift machine was never given due to death. The statement is that the Maytag has never been used and the photos would indicate such.

Here is an old well built machine just begging for those with interest to have a look. I'm sure the machine is sturdier than those built today.

Do an Ebay search for wringer washer or item #6237030022. If I could pick up the machine without driving too far I'd certainly make an effort to own it.
So far no bids and only 1 day to go.

Mutti · #10 12/22/05, 03:18 PM

I did all the wash for 6 people back in my hippie days in a wringer washer and if I had a basement I'd have one again. Had a shallow well and they don't use much water. Did a wonderful job getting the clothes clean as you can agitate as long as you like. You soon learn to fold buckles and buttons inside when wringing!! Had two washtubs and would start with whites in hot water and move on to the dirtiest stuff. Could get your laundry done alot faster than running thru all the cycles on a regular washing machine load. DEE

MoonShine · #11 12/22/05, 11:27 PM

I have a wringer washer...a Maytag. It's pretty old,I guess but it runs great. I'm not sure exactly how much water it uses,but it does save alot. Mine is bigger than a modern washing machine...I can easily wash huge quilts in it,that won't fit into a regular washer. The only problem with that is wringing them out but I manage. I definitely recommend them for getting clothes cleaner...and I love that I can let it run as long as I want without it kicking itself off.