Reviews of washing machines for summer cottages

There are plenty of reviews about washing machines for summer cottages. But first, we need to define what kind of washing machines people consider "summer cottage" washing machines. Summer cottage washing machines are generally considered to be inexpensive, semi-automatic "home helpers" made in Russia or China with mechanical controls. More rarely, automatic washing machines are considered "summer cottage" machines. washing machines with a water tankIn this publication, we've decided to present several real reviews of outdoor laundry equipment so you can draw some conclusions before purchasing one. Here are the reviews.

Renova WS-40PET

Ekaterina, Krasnodar

We trusted the ratings on online stores and bought the most popular washing machine for our dacha, the Renova WS-40PET. We'd read so many good things about this machine online, so we made the purchase with a light heart. Plus, it only cost us $80. After two and a half months of use, here are our impressions.

• It washes and spins clothes very well, at least no worse than the Samsung machine that is in my city apartment.
• It makes quite a lot of noise during washing and spinning.

Our goal was to buy a washing machine for our country house, so the noise it makes was the least of our concerns, but if you are taking this washing machine to your apartment, keep this drawback in mind.

• Lightweight, stable, and quite beautiful, the machine looks quite noble at the dacha against the backdrop of an old electric stove and a shabby table.
• It couldn't be easier to use. Even an elderly grandmother could figure out how to use this washing machine, thanks to its mechanical controls.
• The hose is not connected tightly. Once it even broke off, so I had to put a clamp on it.
• There is no lint filter, so after washing cotton items you have to fish out lint balls from the machine.

Kiss7742, Novgorod

This Renova is a pain in the ass. I bought it as a gift for my parents' dacha, and now I wash clothes for the whole family, since my mom is afraid to go near it. I've never used a semi-automatic washing machine, especially one with manual controls, and it turns out I haven't missed anything – the automatic one rules! Last summer, while I was living at the dacha with my husband, child, and parents, I was completely exhausted with this washing machine and this Renova.

First, you need to heat the water. I don't have a hot water heater at my dacha, so I placed a 10-liter iron bucket of spring water directly on the gas stove burner. Once the water is hot, I pour it into the washing machine, add detergent, and load the laundry. The machine doesn't hold much, only about 4 kg, so I often had to wash the load in two batches. I start the wash cycle and wait for it to finish. Then I drain the soapy water, add cold water, and start the rinse cycle. Next, I transfer the laundry to the centrifuge (the adjacent compartment) and start the spin cycle.

Anyway, I've had my fill of buckets of water, and I never want to see that machine again. If I'd known what I was getting into, I never would have bought that prehistoric piece of junk. It's so good we live in the age of electronic washing machines that do their own laundry.

Fairy SM-2

Sergey, Magnitogorsk

Last year, I fulfilled a long-held dream and bought a dacha on the shore of a quiet lake. It's a secluded spot with almost no neighbors. Clean air, birds singing, berries, mushrooms, fishing—live and be happy. Plus, I'm retired, so I can live at the dacha year-round. I don't have to do much laundry, but some still accumulates, so I decided to buy an inexpensive Fairy SM-2 washing machine.

The machine is ridiculously simple, and most importantly, it's inexpensive—a perfect summer cottage option. You can't wash much in it, because, as the salesperson put it, its load capacity is a mere 2 kg, according to the specifications. I can't say I'm bothered by this; when I need to, I can wash everything in 2-3 loads. In my opinion, the Fairy SM-2 is a good option for a single widower; at least, I've had no problems in four months of use.

Karabas-Barabas, Moscow

We have two washing machines at our dacha: one automatic for large loads, but there's no point in using it just for three or four clothes. The other is a small Fairy SM-2, which can handle a couple of T-shirts and underwear. We've noticed that the Fairy is constantly in use, while the automatic often sits idle in a corner. Still, given that we live at our dacha from April to November, two washing machines are essential. We recommend the Fairy to all dacha owners; it's a good machine, simple, and reliable.

Oka 18

Igor, St. Petersburg

I recently bought myself an Oka 18 barrel washing machine, just like the one we had as a child. I didn't think they were still available. It all started when my wife complained that she didn't want to wash clothes by hand at the dacha, and we didn't have any extra money, so I bought this rarity. When I brought it to her, she initially looked at me with bewilderment, as if she couldn't find anything better. Now she enjoys washing her clothes in the Oka; at least, it's much better than doing it by hand.

Alevtina Valerievna, Tomsk

My old Oka washing machine lasted almost 30 years and broke down at the most inopportune moment, in the middle of the summer cottage season. I went to the appliance store with my grandson, hoping to find something simpler, and imagine my surprise when I saw an almost identical washing machine of the same brand, the Oka 18, on the shelf. Words cannot describe how happy I was, and, of course, I bought it without much thought. The machine washed clothes flawlessly until the end of the season, although the seller hinted that this was no longer the same equipment as in Soviet times and that it would hardly last 30 years. One way or another, my “dacha helper” is working like a clock for now and I’m incredibly happy about it!

In conclusion, semi-automatic washing machines are still in demand, largely thanks to summer residents who prefer simpler, less expensive appliances for their six hundred square meters of land. Reviews of these machines are generally positive, although there are some dissatisfied ones, of course. Happy shopping!

   

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