Living in a Van Laundry System Small Energy Efficient Wash Machine

From washing clothes in Home depot buckets to a small energy efficient washing machine being run on our golf car battery bank, solar and pure sine inverter. This is how we do it.

[@narelleworks8448]

Growing up we got the latest and greatest twin tub washing machine. Some 40 years later watching rv'ers I wondered why they didn't have a version of a twin tub. And then I found you! What a practical size! Thanks for sharing.

[@magnolia1662]

yeah i have one and i use it in my apartment easy to use and the clothes is clean and i hang it to dry great machine i have had it for almost three years, cause the machines at the apartment cost to much. i love it

[@graftedinforever971]

I have one in my apartment too! Mine has a pump to drain the water. I also start with the lightest soiled and progress to the dirtiest and wash two or three loads and spin them before changing the water out.

[@JamesdeChrist]

Place the detergent in washing machines, first, prior to dropping in the clothing. This allows the detergent to integrate into the water faster and more completely.

[@jquest43]

Our Lord Steven The Christ just gave a Fatwa commanding you to remove your name as you blaspheme against his holiness.

[@susanomary1989]

@@jquest43 hu

[@mistymoor7114]

To use this kind of machine in the most efficient way use the spinner for rinsing. Transfer washing to spinner, spin, add more water to spinner, spin, repeat. Also in this way you can reuse your soapy water again. ( Advice from someone who grew up in the twin tub era !)

[@_onesimpleidea]

+Patricia Simon Just curious, how can you reuse the soapy water exactly?

[@kaycure8629]

I know this is old but I can't help myself...to reuse the soapy water...just put more clothes in to be washed.

[@teennerable]

I'm back ! :-) Wanted you to know that it is all your fault that I have a washer shipping to me as we speak ! It's very similar to yours, Only diff I can see is that mine has a metal spin vessel. Description says it should do 8-9 pounds of laundry. The biggest thing everyone wants to know: $101.46. I also have as an add-on to my order from the same ebay seller, a floating lint sock/catcher, $1.49 (already added into the total $$ from above). I had seen some other reviews from devoted users of these compact washers say that the existing lint trap that is connected to the back left wall in the wash tub has never needed cleaning, because it never caught lint. Thanks again dude! Can't wait to try my machine!!!!!

[@shelbyclark3733]

teennerable what was the name plz

[@kuhtareruh11]

Yes, can you tell me where and what you got, PLEASE.. also what seller? I know this is long ago, but if your around how did it work out?

[@graftedinforever971]

I use a little fabric softener and it helps with lint.

[@jayracz701]

I did a search and for $110 bucks on eBay you can have a spin only unit delivered! And the specs say it only uses 85watts! No more laundry mat!

[@thebestisyettocome4114]

My grandson is living in a apartment. No lundray in building. I believe this would work. Thanks for sharing.

[@simplymeconnie4003]

I have a washer and dryer, and bought this exact unit for our 5th wheel. I love it so much that I use it instead of the washer and dryer often because we haul our own water and have a black tank where we live. It's just as good, sometimes even better, than the regular ones.

[@truemirror]

You can reuse your wash water if not too dirty. Also definetly can use rinse water for the next wash water. Just dont drain and hand wring than put into spinner add more detergent in wash water. Add more water if needed. Dump all into graywater tank when done. Great way to save befor going to laundry mat for a dryer. Tends to stretch cloths with out dryer.

[@mazdarx7887]

Dont know about the Panda but I bought Kenmore twin tub 30 years ago and it still works great. a bit rusty now and put a new pump in it 5 years ago. Love those twin tubs. Saves on water , just change it when it gets dirty

[@cdlady54_95]

Always add water first before clothes. You will find u get more clothes in and use less water. Thanks for the demo.

[@Babsonthego4]

When I lived in Seattle, I thought of buying one of these.. just never did it. Now though one of these days I will be on the road in a van or what ever I find and this little thing will be the best thing I buy since sliced bread. Great Tutorial..

[@kc2dhu]

Back in the 60's hoover had a similar unit. It was stainless inside 2 tubs. Wash ans spin.I guess it meant for apartments. Over the years I had 2 of those machines that I pulled from the trash. They were awesome. Almost forgot about them, time to find another. Good luck and Happy Vanning.

[@robduncan4179]

my tip wash - spin -set aside then wash - spin -set aside so on till all washing is done then rinse - spin till all washing is done. that way only 2-3 tubs of water for a hole load of washing hope my tip helps that,s the way we used to do it back in the day of twin tubs .tks Rob Duncan Scotland

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

Thanks Rob! Will do!

[@markc2545]

Hi Deb's, If you are happy stay until you are ready to hit the road you keep talking about heading to the north west I live in Washington and I am a weekend RVer l love watching you..you remind me of my mom the way you talk and your voice when you sing and I am still waiting for that next song..take care..

[@thebrunts1939]

Hi there travelling community. A number of years ago we travelled with our 4 kids (for 2 yrs ) around Australia. We had one of these washing machines. They worked well and saved my tennis elbow.😉 Just another tip for those travelling thru dry country is to recycle your rinse water into your next dirty load. Sounds gross I know. But believe me when you are travelling thru the Aussie outback in drought it saves on a limited supply. Missing the road 😕

[@kirkmccoy9729]

That's awesome but yes, needs to be when you are at a camp with a water supply, or you could even do this at a rest stop. Love this. Thanks for the vid and safe travels to you:-)

[@contactjoy4140]

Hang your clothes on clothes hangers on the line. They'll be ready to put into the closet. If you fold your clothes for storage, it's still quicker to use the clothes hangers for drying. Good video. Thanks!

[@darksoul578]

I'm thinking about living in a van an this is the best tip I've gotten about laundry. thank you for sharing.

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

You bet! Thanks for watching!

[@jayracz701]

I would stick with the bucket or my tub to wash. But that extractor is gold. One of those would find a place in my old class C. I might just have to DIY one.

[@carlohuberable]

thank you for the video! i am doing my researches for my camper van. so i am collecting all the good ideas for planning. Thank you for the great instructions!

[@RockofAgesTheBand]

Does living in a van give people the sniffles haha. I watched about 20 "Van" vids yesterday and they all had one thing in common sniff sniff sniff. Lol

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

Allergies over here HAHA

[@toefurcub]

cocaine is a helluva drug

[@talkaboutitwithladylove]

Dennis Steele No, I blow my nose when need be. The shit sounds nasty AF. Perhaps they need to dust?

[@coralrain6332]

Dennis Steele exactly

[@rdadrdae5579]

The Ramblin CamperVan keptwr

[@tammieparrishmiller3669]

That thing is amazing!!! I'll never go to a laundry mat again man! Thanks for that. Seriously life changing info. Take care, your fur babies are sweeties.

[@homebuiltindoorplane]

Beautiful dogs and fantastically helpful video, thanks and blue skies!

[@Jean-qn4fy]

Love this. As soon as we are in a place long enough for delivery, I will order one. Right now, we spend afortune at the laundtomat.

[@dakotataylor9209]

send it to my place in houston and take a trip down.

[@kingmidas6158]

+Dakota Taylor lol xD

[@adrianagflores5587]

Laundromats are a pain and super expensive. I had to use them for a while when I first moved out of my parents . But as soon as I could I got a washer and dryer. I saved so much from not going to the laundromat that they practically paid for themselves. This little washer looks like it’s a good alternative. If you have the room for a full sized you can find fairly priced used ones on OfferUp even in yard sales .

[@AndreBellCopywriter]

Highly recommended. I miss mine. One of my sons decided to turn the dials with his brand new power drill out of curiosity. Destroyed my washer. Totally yanked out the internals in a split second. "What were you thinking?!?!?!!!" Should have made him buy a new one. Anyhow the centrifugal force seems awesome for even delicate items. Unlike agitating washers this (for me) did not destroy clothes [don't use with new jeans though]. Is not automatic cycling. But is a killer washer overall.

[@sfasr32t432tfg43etfg]

very cool. I notice you're using what looks like dr. bronners almond castille soap to wash your clothes. I love that soap, but I find it slowly builds up a residue. I switched to dr. bronners sal suds product (which is also biodegradable) for laundry and have been very happy with the complete lack of residue. It also has a nice fir tree smell to it, although I don't really smell it on my clothes once they're washed. I basically use sal suds for all cleaning (half a teaspoon in a cheap walmart spray bottle works awesome on everything) now to avoid residue and just use the castille soap for personal cleaning. I think the residue thing might be worse in hard water situations than in soft water situations so it may not be an issue for you at all.

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

Thanks for the info! I will switch to the sal suds if I notice any build up for sure! THANKS!

[@sueg2658]

A little bit of vinegar in the rinse cycle helps with residue. Also you only need a tiny bit of soap, like 1/4 capful in that size washer. I know it doesn't seem like enough but it is. If your clothes feel crunchy after drying on the line, you used too much soap. I love the video! Great job.

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

+Sue G Thanks Sue! No crunch here HAHA. I will try the vinegar idea if I notice any residue thank you!

[@dougstevenson6442]

RV needs biodegradable soap. Excellent idea the vinegar. Yet there are aluminum parts which tend to start to calcify. Rinse with regular water after using vinegar. I use a mist sprayer with 100 percent (no water) vinegar. Ex maytag repair man turned refrigeration and now retired. Add enough water and keep the water in the tank during the spinning. The weight does help to keep the vibrating to be reduced. NO do not sit on the washer, just reposition the load. Heaviest always go to the bottom of the spin tub. Understood water does cost money, but rags cost more than new clothes. DEEP rinse always.

[@sjntube]

Two thumbs up for Dr. Bronners! Best soap in the world ;-) Going to have to look into that washer! Thanks for the great video!

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

Yeah I love the almond one! Smells great! Thanks!

[@gisellegonzalez4677]

This is great!!!!! Tip: if you add a bit of white distilled vinegar to the rinse water it'll remove all the soap and it will not smell.

[@tranquility9325]

Ty for doing this the smart way. Ppl just cant seem to comprehend that the spinner is for drying, regardless of what the booklet says. So it makes a ton of a lot more sense to wash and rinse in the larger wash side. Imagine trying to rinse clothes thoroughly in the equivalent of a soda can lol. Ty have a good day...get you some zicam dude lol ha.

[@dodgesportsman772]

I had one of these pandas for YEARS! I LOVE IT!! It finally broke after 5 years of use but I will buy another for my RV once I get her restored.. good advise Ramblin Campervan.

[@speedystephen1990]

That's a nifty little washer, the van's looking super cool with all those stripes gone, keep the great videos coming.

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

Thanks!

[@twistedbabyrose]

I came for the washing machine but I'm liking for the pups.

[@moriah1394]

Like the way you get right to the important info (short and sweet puppy break later cool too). Some videos go on too long at beginning, like the one that has this same washer in its box bought in...I switched to your video instead. Good that you include wattage and show the agitation which is pretty strong.

[@lebon2002be]

Thanks a lot ! Very useful information indeed, The Panda PAN-30 is the best I guess !Cheers,

[@epicvape6546]

Thanks for showing this. It is a great alternative in case you don't want to use the laundry mats and looks really convenient.

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

You bet man! Thanks for watching!

[@denisemanfre9542]

It’s like the old twin tub that my grandmother had 40 years ago. Used to be very popular in the UK

[@VerticallyUp]

Hey friend liked the vid so much I watched it again. Checking eBay in the morning, will get one for the caravan. I'll take a look at a few more of your vids too. Stay safe n happy, regards from Australia..!

[@regginaldwilliams9381]

Thanks for the demo. Especially about wattage use.

[@southernrebel159]

That's a great idea, I saw it on another KZbin video. I don't remember HF it was Nomadic Fanatic, Camper van Kevin or who it was. But when I do get the finances to get something, I'm definitely getting one of those, thanks. Y'all have a great day brother and YHVH bless y'all.

[@teennerable]

Wow! I'm loving the Panda now! I been looking for a washer just like this little compact cutie. Thanks for sharing !

[@NewHampshireJack]

Machines like this and larger models are the standards for use in Philippine homes. We see them for sale new even in the small appliance department at our local grocery. When I purchased a front loader automatic for my home, I was scolded by many and told that: "a maid would be much cheaper." A new spinner machine for the house-help is a big deal, the spinner washers are in homes everywhere. It is not uncommon to see the washing done by hand here also. It has been an interesting five years since I stepped off the plane on my new adventure. These machines do work and I see them rebuilt and sold used until there is nothing left worth salvaging.

[@unastasia]

That's a neat little machine. Would be great for a cabin also. Thanks for sharing.

[@vasel208]

👍👍👍👍👍excellent work. This is better than the manually operated crank handle version I saw at a camping accessories shop.

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

Yeah this little wash machine is great.

[@talkaboutitwithladylove]

Wow! I love this life and the options that comes with.

[@ericdee6802]

That's a pretty cool simple but effective washer, what more is needed?. Thanks for sharing your video. Kind regards, Eric Dee

[@sonneylouis9128]

You dogs are so cute!!! I love you way of life! Keep being happy and loving life

[@ProjectPete]

Thank you for showcasing this! I wonder if it is a Japanese consumer product? It is super efficient!

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

Thanks for watching Pete!

[@MrMark85044]

I read some reviews on Amazon and this thing is the bomb. Great reviews.

[@kylehiggins3216]

I thought you were going to demo the washer with the puppies, lol! Great info, thanks!

[@moriah1394]

Natural soap! Awesome. The Earths and Earthlings thank you!!!

[@princesspink0816]

That's cool. I didn't know that made those little washing machines. 😎

[@cecizeni]

Thank you! This is what I want for Christmas! I already told Santa Claus LOL..Can't wait to use it.again thanks for posting a video on its use.

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

+Cindy Duran I am glad it helped Cindy THANKS for watching!

[@cecizeni]

😊

[@randyflannigon4391]

+The Ramblin CamperVan dude are you on cocaine or something or do you just have a runny nose either way you need to do something about it its annoying

[@susanlbk]

@ Randy Flannigon You do know that a skunk smells his own hole first,right? Maybe ur runny nose is from using coke. No way he's on that. Have you ever heard of something called 'allergies' ? What a rude comment for you to have made.

[@mariegriffinskonecki1081]

WOW! That washer and spinner is incredible!!! I want one! Don't they make a "No rince cycle soap"? Ya know, if you spin the clothes right after the soap cycle, you would need far less rince water. Think about it.

[@ShyraR]

Very good instruction. Nice video, valuable information. Thanks 😊

[@TheOffGridTinyHouse]

I picked one of these up for my off grid tiny house. Thanks for the video! :)

[@1timby]

Wow that's great. If you want to have a hot water wash then you could use a camp fire to heat the water. Kind of reminds me of the old ringer washers. My only concerns is that it's made mostly of plastic. Would have been nice to see a SS drum in the washer. But I'm sure they wanted to save weight. Thanks

[@64maxpower]

when i first go to someones channel i can tell im going to like them when I see they have cool dogs

[@cheekysaver]

My washer is very similar. It is a different brand that pumps the water out. Instead of doing a second rinse in the wash tub, try spinning it out and dumping in a quart of water, spin for 1 min and repeat. That works really well and you save a ton of water.

[@cheekysaver]

If water is in short supply you can always keep the sudsy water in and top it off and do a second load. Of course if you need to do that wash the light clothes first. :)

[@arlipscomb]

+Cheeky Saver Use the rinse water as the wash water for the second load.

[@maninavan.2043]

Hey - Well impressed with the machine. I have spotted one on e-bay and so am about to order it.. Great video -

[@mmqqq8246]

Love this thank you .......always wanted a good video on how this worked.....was looking at them but wasnt sure ........this makes it look easy :)

[@cineskies114]

cool video! no complaints like everybody else, I actually learned something! planning to join the community in the next 6 months!!

[@1st1anarkissed]

In the old days we called these "twin tub washers" or "spinner washers." I had one for awhile but the seals in the bottom broke so I had to let it go. A silly woman at a yard sale insisted on buying it from me when it wasn't in the sale. She barged into my house before we'd gotten the sale underway and started trying to buy everything, not just the sale items, so I let her buy the flooding washer as revenge.

[@pollyjetix2027]

And she probably didn't learn from the experience. Seriously.

[@1st1anarkissed]

polly jetix Don't care, it was over 30 years ago.

[@marionwright2773]

ann kiszt revenge for......trying to buy your washer before you were set up?

[@1st1anarkissed]

revenge for what, someone asked in a comment i can't find. Revenge for pushing her way into my house during my breakfast, past the front room where the yard sale items were, and rummaging through my things asking to buy my personal items well before sale time began. Rude!

[@carpediem4887]

ann kiszt if someone pushes their way into my house they get shot!

[@barbarafritchie2000]

Thanks for the review. I've been using a Wonder Washer. And wringing out by hand. Looks like an upgrade is in my future.

[@shelleyfunny19]

I like that you can add water by hand, AND that you are in control of how long to wash the clothes. Also neeeed that spin cycle. wringing out clothes is a witch with a capital B. Nice video. I love the pups. I'm subbing. btw what is the natural soap you're using?

[@mercuryMAYAN]

Dr. Bonner's all natural vegan Hemp castle soap. there are over 5 scents with natural oils like rose, peppermint, tea tree, lavender. you can get it at Bed bath and beyond.

[@mercuryMAYAN]

not really its was cloudly

[@LivingInAVan]

Interesting machine. Thanks for sharing. I shared it on our Facebook Living In A Van Group and subbed.

[@paopaowell917]

amazing you only need a water in order to dry it so fast and light weight easy portable movable machine

[@jimwillson365]

Nice...if water is limited could probably use rinse water as next wash water...especially if you spin the clothing before the rinse.

[@rindys7942]

If you were to spin the clothes before rinsing them, the rinse would be more effective. Because of the non-sudsy soap he uses, it is hard to tell that it doesn't come out completely, but I definitely noticed that a wring-out is necessary before the rinse when I used to wash clothes by hand.

[@JohnDoe-kw3uu]

man thank you.... my mind is blown!!! been looking for a viable solution for this issue

[@gtiger766]

I think this would work great in my studio apartment. Do you still use it? Is it worth it?

[@michellelyman7092]

I can't handle this *sniff* at the end of every sentence *sniff* or pause *sniff*

[@RollingEarthShip]

Very nice! I almost bought one similar, but by a different company last year. It didn't have the spinner, just the washer. My problem is not enough room in the van. 👍🏻😄🚐

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

Yeah thats the problem with things like this... not much room for it.

[@RollingEarthShip]

+The Ramblin CamperVan; Yours seems like a very nice unit. The spinner I was looking at was not part of the washer and would spin at 3200 RPMs, I believe. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@misterreyth8805]

Great video thanks! How much water do you use per load?

[@PJ33333]

I wash my clothes in a bucket when I’m on the road. I even carry a small bucket in my carry-on suitcase for laundry. It seems so much easier and hardly takes up any space.

[@NewBeginningswithBudhiandCyndi]

Yep, got this gadget on our list, very nice demo.

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

Thanks! You will love it!

[@AdmiralPreparedness]

This is the machine I will be buying when I am back to positive cash flow. Nice review. Thanks! Subbed too. Happy Trails.

[@freedomfred6518]

I am looking to buy one of these, thanks for making this video.

[@AlexFoster1454]

Wow that's a neat machine!

[@philipplakay]

i love your dogs,soon cute!!!

[@zikunmeng3519]

The video helps a lot, thank you so much!

[@ClearAdventure]

Love it! I have seen many videos on this unit, and yours is the best by far! Somebody mentioned filtered water. As far as personal use, you should pick up a Sawyer MINI, they are only like $20 and filter 100,000 gallons! Down to .01 micron! And they also have a unit that is like $60 and it will filter a MILLION gallons! That filter would be good for bigger uses like this unit. Glad to see ya back! :-)

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

I will have to check that out! I just bought a Berkey system. I have not tried it out yet. Thanks Kevin!

[@_onesimpleidea]

Jeesh. Just take a 5-gal bucket down to the creek, fill it up, and dump it in the washer. We're only talking about laundry after all, not fine dining!

[@NPAMike]

It seems very efficient. Seems like your gonna need alot of water for the wash and rinse.

[@draizwrm]

i saw your video last year, maybe Nov 2016, then i watched several more, everybody liked their Panda washer so i started looking online, and Dec 2016 , we bought the Xbp36 , i wanted the bigger xbp45 but decided it wasn't going to fit very well, where i wanted to store it, any way long story short, it's now 6 months later, and still very happy with Panda my only problem is watching out for the drain hose jumping out of the kitchen sink and spraying the floor with dirty water and the lint filter is almost worthless i end up using a lint roller on all the clothes before putting them away ti rely like that washer

[@billywray4524]

i have one of those and just love it

[@MrBillybathgate5]

man i dont miss living in my van . Not sure i could do that mess again .

[@lunaticasai]

I've been wanting to buy one of these. They're fairly cheap and work really well. I think I saw one that hooks up to the faucet. Awesome video brother, sorry I thought I subbed ya but I just now did and thumbs up. I think I'll get rid of a little storage space in the van next to the toilet and set mine there. Godspeed

[@tammieparrishmiller3669]

+Jay West (Jay West Van Camp) This one does hook up to a faucet they just didn't have access to one. He showed us in the very beginning. Cool huh?

[@andrewplantagenet5811]

I love it! that has to be the best thing I've seen in a long time. thank you for sharing that!

[@draizwrm]

Thanks for this video, I am now researching different panda models

[@vankind8547]

wow, good product. Thanks for sharing👍👍

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

Yeah its a handy little machine!

[@kennethhudson8013]

Good vid! informative! I like that washer.

[@TheElva823]

I have one in Mexico it washes in 15 min.

[@lezbriddon]

emmmm.... may keep my eye out for one of those for my next build of the van/camper/trailer

[@ChristineBEACHCRICKETLowery]

I have been looking for something like this! Have not seen this one! Alright!

[@pierre5325]

Great Video! Thanks, pierre from New Mexico

[@jeremoe1]

Cool video! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

You bet! Thanks for watching!

[@now22207]

Way kool. I'm gonna get one for my apartment, which has an outside patio for my clothes rack. :-) #thanks4sharing

[@25Souleater]

Thanks for sharing. Best wishes.

[@setred1970]

thanks, that was great and makes me think I can stay in my 24 ft MH instead of getting something bigger.

[@jojorenee]

That is a cool device, thanks for sharing!