"Portable" Washer in DR, anyone ever see one sold anywhere?

AlterEgo

AlterEgo

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Our washing machine is on its last legs, and we need to buy a new one next month when we get there. The washer hookup is in the corner of our back terrazzo, and we cover it when it's not in use, but it's not an enclosed room so it's still rather open to the elements.

So I'm thinking maybe I should buy a 'portable' one, on wheels, so we can wheel it inside and leave it in the house when we're out of the country.

Has anyone ever seen one for sale there? Full size, not one of those tiny things.

All the ones I've found here in the US have all electronic digital controls, and that's definitely not something I want down there.

If anyone is selling a washer, PM me. I hate to spend a fortune on one that will be left out there.
 
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gandolf50

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AlterEgo said:
Our washing machine is on its last legs, and we need to buy a new one next month when we get there. The washer hookup is in the corner of our back terrazzo, and we cover it when it's not in use, but it's not an enclosed room so it's still rather open to the elements.

So I'm thinking maybe I should buy a 'portable' one, on wheels, so we can wheel it inside and leave it in the house when we're out of the country.

Has anyone ever seen one for sale there? Full size, not one of those tiny things.

All the ones I've found here in the US have all electronic digital controls, and that's definitely not something I want down there.

If anyone is selling a washer, PM me. I hate to spend a fortune on one that will be left out there.
Click to expand...

My mother in law washs well and being outside does not seem to affect her!:cheeky:
 
M

Matilda

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All of the twin tubs here are plastic and work sort of with clockwork mechanism - no electronics at all. They are usually left outside. On the other hand if you do not want to leave it in the house then you can always call the washing machine man and for 100 pesos he will deliver the machine for you to use each time you want to wash.

e0360n.jpg


Matilda
 
AlterEgo

AlterEgo

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LOL JD, you've been in DR too long, you're starting to think like a Dominican! That's EXACTLY what my husband suggested - building a dolly and plopping the washer on it. I had this image in my mind of the entire washing machine dancing off the raised terrazzo.

It's actually not the worst idea, we could use the washer while we're there, and then when we leave put it on a dolly to bring it back indoors.

@Wud, thanks, but that machine looks like I'd fit 2 shirts in it, we need a full size machine.

Guess we'll check out what's available in San Cristobal when we get there.
 
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Reidy620

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Hiya,
We bought a Daewoo DW-K500C from the Ferreteria Luciano (sp?) in Sosua in 2009. It's a twin tub, all plastic construction & is light as a feather when empty of water (only 20.1kg) we store it out the way in a corner of one of the bedrooms and, when we need to wash, sit it inside the shower stall so that it drains straight down the shower drain when emptying.
dw-k500c.jpg

Had no problems whatsoever with it and I think they are on sale all across the DR.
Tropical Regards
Ian & Ellie
anpalmisl.gif
 
P

PeterInBrat

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Washers are not that heavy(75-100 pounds?) to move around as long as there are no stairs involved. At worst, a dolly and some ratchet straps would be all for someone to move one, as long as it's not on a weekly or daily basis. I don't think it would be that hard to get some wheels and a handle welded on one either. I've hauled them up stairs alone with a hand truck.
 
AlterEgo

AlterEgo

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Okay, a couple of you have mentioned 'twin tubs'. What exactly does that mean? I've never seen one in US or DR.
 
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Reidy620

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"Twin tub machines are typically side by side two tub units where one tub provides the washing service and the second tub spins the load. The user is required to transfer the load between tubs."
ie You wash in the left hand tub and rinse and spin in the right hand tub. Unlike most modern washing machines they aren't automatic ie "set-and-forget", you have to hang about to transfer the washing from one tub to the other.
Also, ours doesn't have a heating element so is governed by how hot the water is when you fill the left hand tub.
Twin Tub Washing Machine - YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbA_WrNIl2w
Tropical Regards
Ian & Ellie
anpalmisl.gif
 
C

Chirimoya

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Twin tubs are common in the DR - it's what Brits call the non-automatic machine in the photo.
 
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LaTeacher

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May 2, 2008
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i have my machine on an iron base that had lockable wheels on in (before we moved and had a more permanent location for it). i just went to the iron shop, told them what i wanted (and provided the wheels) it worked pretty well, but i was pushing it across ceramic - not a backyard.
you mightbe able to build a little roof over your washing area.
 
W

windeguy

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Jul 10, 2004
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Never seen an automatic portable washing machine here. Your local choices would be to use the DR style twin tubs described in this thread, a full sized automatic with a mechanical timer or an automatic with a digital timer. Beware if you have a power glitch with one with a digital timer, you will probably have to start the wash cycle over again, mechanical timers will just pick up where they left off.

There is always the option to import your own using a door to door delivery service.
 
badpiece33

badpiece33

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Matilda said:
All of the twin tubs here are plastic and work sort of with clockwork mechanism - no electronics at all. They are usually left outside. On the other hand if you do not want to leave it in the house then you can always call the washing machine man and for 100 pesos he will deliver the machine for you to use each time you want to wash.

e0360n.jpg


Matilda
Click to expand...

Was thinking the same thing lol
 
B

Bigocean

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Nov 25, 2010
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AlterEgo said:
LOL JD, you've been in DR too long, you're starting to think like a Dominican! That's EXACTLY what my husband suggested - building a dolly and plopping the washer on it. I had this image in my mind of the entire washing machine dancing off the raised terrazzo.

It's actually not the worst idea, we could use the washer while we're there, and then when we leave put it on a dolly to bring it back indoors.

@Wud, thanks, but that machine looks like I'd fit 2 shirts in it, we need a full size machine.

Guess we'll check out what's available in San Cristobal when we get there.
Click to expand...

AlterEgo, just to give you an idea what is available, I looked at La Sirena/Super Pola and noted the two of the largest twin tub design type of washers.
The first one was a Samsung and the largest at that store.
<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=xcrlog" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.tinypic.com/xcrlog.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>
<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=12175lt" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.tinypic.com/12175lt.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>
It is priced at $17,995 and it is about the overall size of an american style washer, but not nearly as heavy. I found a link as well:
13Kg Air Turbo Twin Tub - WT13J7 - Twin Tub - washing machine | SAMSUNG

Next in line was a Acros brand selling for $12,695. It was almost the same size but notably cheaper in construction.
<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=2cdyk1t" target="_blank"><img src="http://i43.tinypic.com/2cdyk1t.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>
<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=fooca9" target="_blank"><img src="http://i40.tinypic.com/fooca9.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>
I hope this helps to give you an idea of what is available.
 
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william webster

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Jan 16, 2009
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I just finished helping my friend buy one.

They can be as cheap as 11-12,000 pesos, up to almost 20,000.
Digital or old style knob type?

KISS, if you know what that means.

If only you are operating it, take your pick.
If a local woman will be operating, buy what she's familiar with.

All are light enough to pull in/out of the house
 
W

william webster

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Jan 16, 2009
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I just finished helping my friend buy one.

They can be as cheap as 11-12,000 pesos, up to almost 20,000.
Digital or old style knob type?

KISS, if you know what that means.

If only you are operating it, take your pick.
If a local woman will be operating, buy what she's familiar with.

All are light enough to pull in/out of the house
 
M

Mrs Silver Fox 60

Member
Dec 21, 2008
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I have what I like to call a "dominican washing machine"...the twin tub thing. Little labor intensive but it washes amazing...and the good old sun and wind are my dryer. I keep mine in the house next to my butler's closet so works great. I think we paid 8000 RD for it a couple of years ago. Completely plastic so it won't rust. I love it!
 
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william webster

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Jan 16, 2009
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Grace,
I went to look at my friend's machine. Its an LG 900 model "WhisperJet" or something like that.
He paid less than 15,000 for sure and maybe 11-12,000 in Nagua.

It has the older style knobs ( no electronic circuitry) and a large spin bin - which were the 2 large selling features for him.
No wheels but light as a feather - all plastic so no rusting.

Its a simple style - any Dominicana could run it b/c its "one of theirs" - that means durable too.
I expect even a savvy girl from NJ could master it in a few days :eek:

Hope this helps

WW
 
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