[VAC] Re: Clothes processor

[John and Jodi Guerin <guerin3j@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Sarah:
         I personally would definitely consider a processor for a 
full-timing situation where I had a little laundry area in the trailer.  I 
would try to batten it down though, these units spin out at really high 
RPM's.  These units are built in Italy and are very well built in my 
experience, they are also very common in Europe because of space.  Actually 
the reason we chose our unit was because of size.  We live in a home with 
about 650 sq ft upstairs another 650 down, so our laundry area shares with 
a sink and our freezer.  The spot is tight to say the least.  It is 
probably about 6" smaller in all three directions (L,W,H), uses much less 
water and is very frugal on the electricity.  I would say the biggest thing 
most people wouldn't like is that unlike a normal dryer it doesn't dry your 
clothes bone dry.  Instead, if you have a big load you'll probably pull out 
jeans that need a little time to air out.  I usually hang my stuff next to 
the washer for a little while before moving to the closet.  The reason 
clothes are still damp is that instead of blowing hot air into the chamber, 
the barrel heats up to vaporize the water and then pumps it out through the 
same drain tube the washer uses.  As for durability, the only thing I would 
caution people about is using too much detergent.  You only need about 2 
tablespoons of detergent per load to avoid oversudsing.  Also, if you use a 
low sudsing detergent and try to use the regular amount you'll plug up the 
fan motor.  (Did that, learned my lesson).  So, if you can stand to use a 
fraction of the soap and softener, save water, save electricity and don't 
mind changing your ideas of how laundry is done, it might work for 
you.  Oh, yeah, as for size, it's big enough for a load of 5 bath towels or 
five pairs of jeans, but I usually launder my sleeping bags and the like at 
the laundromat.  There are smaller units though, we are a family of 4.
Jodi
Laramie, WY