A Modern Wringer Washer System
Author: Greg Baka
Wringer washers have been almost completely replaced by electric washing machines, but there are a few circumstances where they are still used.
- Low energy usage homes and homesteads.
- Contaminated clothing being washed separately.
- Vacation cabins that freeze during winter.
- Being prepared for long-term power outages.
Below is the Wringer Washer we used to sell...
We no longer sell this complete system. But we have archived the pictures, details, and supplier information to help those interested in wringers, in making their own stand, or in the clothes washing tools.
Component Details
Wringer/Washtub Stand
Our steel wringer stand was made from sheet steel using a lasercutter and a press brake. The side tables solidly locked onto the center piece using slotted bars. The weight of the water in the tubs made the stand very solid and steady.
This wringer stand quickly assembles, dis-assembles, and folds up. It separates into 3 flat pieces for easy transport or storage between uses.
The center portion of the wringer stand is 33" high and 20" wide. Each washtub table section is 18" high, 19.5" square. The overall dimensions of an assembled stand is 33" tall, by 20" wide, by 39" long. This stand is no longer available.
We do not know of anyone selling new laundry wringer stands. But if you search eBay and Etsy for terms like "Laundry Wringer Stand" you will find antique versions that may still be usable. Remember that it must have two areas for setting the tubs on, divided by a tall sturdy center portion for clamping the wringer to.
Hand Cranked Wringer
The wringer made by Lake City Industries is the ONLY manual laundry wringer still made in the USA. They are still available to individuals online at Woodward Crossings and also at Kleen-Rite (which also sells all the repair parts).
These wringers are made of rustproof plated steel. There is an adjustable pressure control knob on the top of the unit. The 11" long rollers have a white rubber coating to protect buttons and zippers. The rollers are supported by classic maple bushings, and they are replaceable (if you ever manage to wear them out). Two clamps hold the unit securely to the washtub stand.
Other styles, used for wringing chamois towels at car washes, are not really made for heavy clothes like jeans. Nor do they have the tilting drip tray that lets you direct the water back to the washtub.
NOTE: Wringers are noisy. They squeak and squeal when being used. They all do this. It comes from the high pressure + slow rotation of the steel shaft against the waxed wooden bushings.
Washing Tools
To wash clothes by hand you need to either agitate them, or rub them. A laundry plunger, or a washboard, are the tools you will need for these methods.
Agitating clothes is easy and fast with our Plunger Washer Tool. It is designed to push water through the fabric on the downward stroke and then pull water up through the fabric on the upward stroke to dislodge the dirt with its patented vacuum design. The Plunger Tool provides better agitation than top load washers and the same as most front loading machines. We still sell our Plunger Washer Tool here at BestDryingRack.com
A washboard lets you rub the laundry over a corrugated surface designed to remove even the worst dirt and grime. We used to sell a special washboard with a textured glass surface, instead of the old-fashioned corrugated metal surface. The glass surface is less abrasive to your fabric, and will never rust (but it appears to no longer be available). A washboard can be used by rubbing bar soap onto the surface before scrubbing the dirty laundry over it. Or by pre-soaking the clothes in water and detergent then rubbing the fabric over the washboard. Metal washboards are still sold here by Columbus Washboard
Rectangular Plastic Washtubs
By having straight edges, these square laundry tubs help prevent the water that drains from the wringer from getting onto the stand. They are heavy duty polyethylene tubs that are made here in the USA. The outside dimensions of this 12 gallon laundry tub ares 21" x 17" x 12" high. (inside dims are 16 x 14 x 11) They are still sold here by Uline
You only need to put 4 or 5 gallons in each tub. This lets you work without splashing the water out, and makes them easier to carry for dumping. You can use the round galvanized tubs with this stand, but you will get more water spilled from the wringer. Washtubs should be set upside-down after each use to drain any remaining water.
