Alternate to a manual washing machine?
I got this in hopes to use this to spin cycle fabric mermaid tails when I go camping so they don't remain soaking wet day in, day out. I did a test spin cycle with a woven throw blanket that I needed to hand wash anyway and it worked really well!For anyone thinking on using this in a similar manner, I *highly* recommend loading it as evenly as possible. It will still bounce around and you are going to get in a good workout holding it down, so you can start your arm day workout with this as a warm up if you'd like! XD I put it at chest level to me so I could get the best grip on it given I'm all of 5'2" and holding it down by the handles is not happening. Start slow and pull it a little firmer when it comes around to help build up speed, rather than on the push. I went about 15 turns of the handle and emptied each time for about 4 -5 rounds. What you're spinning may vary those amounts. The cotton blanket I tested with held a lot of water.For using as a manual washing machine: maybe? I didn't try using it that way. You'd need to plug the drain somehow. Maybe clip it? There's a metal post that the basket spins on so unless you wash using the basket, the post might get in the way.FIRST PIC: Some reviewers said little flakes of plastic came out when they spun theirs. I think I found the cause. When the basket bumps around, it inevitably hits the rubber in the brake, causing it to shed, which means that normal use of the brake would also cause shedding. I didn't use it at all since it stopped spinning after a few rounds on its own, so I opted to remove the rubber piece entirely.SECOND PIC: I put my Mertailor Whimsy 3 mermaid tail in it to see if it would fit, and it does! Looking forward to using it for my intended purpose!PROS:-feels well made-handle, connection/lock point, and basket post are all metal. It spins on a ball bearing under the handle lock point.-easy to place the lid on (rotate handle a little to get it to sit.CONS:-brake rubber is poor quality and sheds-For what it is, it's a little pricey (I paid $129.99). Probably would've capped it closer to $90. Maybe the cost is to help offset shipping, which then it might be understandable.Would buy again? Yes!