I had been saving up for this for awhile, as hand wringing was killing my wrists. We are apartment dwellers and eco-hippies that prefer to be as off-grid as possible for the sake of future generations. We live in the PNW, so line drying in the rainy winter season takes forever if clothing is well wrung. It took me less than 10 minutes to have it set up and working. This wringer does the job!
1) Quality: This thing is built like a tank (and as heavy as one, to boot)! Every piece seems to be well made. Some reviews mention wiggles, tiny nuts, and other issues. I'm guessing these have been addressed, as the handle fits like a dream, the thumb screws are large and easy to operate, and everything moves smoothly and is firmly attached. I expect this to last a lifetime if it's maintained properly. And that's the key, maintain it. Rinse it to remove leftover soap/dirt after use, air dry before storage, and lubricate moving parts regularly.
2) Assembly: Read the instructions. I repeat, read the instructions as they tell you exactly what to do. The drip tray does need to be bullied into place, but if you push down on the ends as you force it in it will pop right into the pegs -- just like it says in the instructions. I'm a middle-aged woman with carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritic hands, and I was able to do it, so most anyone of average strength should be able to -- IF YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.
3) Usage: I've done 5 loads of laundry -- lights, darks, sheets, jeans, and towels/dishrags. Every single one of them went through like a dream. Fold zippers and small buttons to the inside of the fabric to avoid damaging the rollers/zippers. For large buttons, like on jeans, feed through leg first and stop before the button goes through, then back it out. Just like it says in the instructions. (Did I mention that you should read them?) Start with the top adjuster fairly loose and then tighten it by full turns until you get to the amount of wringing you need. Once you are used to it, adjustments are intuitive. It took me two loads to get to that point, so the learning curve is slight. Only heavy items needed to go through twice to get about 98% dry, I fed everything else through only once. Most of my laundry was dry within 4 hours on a 60 F, sunny day. (We dry on a rack on the balcony when there's no rain. If you have a large line to spread things out on, things will probably dry faster.)
Drip tray notes: I used the wedge, although it may not be necessary as the tray stays put pretty well (as long as it's installed properly). Remember to tilt the tray so the lower end is on the side you are feeding the clothes into. Guide the clothing over the lip on the exit side so it doesn't get pulled beneath the wringer -- you will have a bad day disentangling it if you allow this to happen.
4) Handle: A lot of complaints about the handle. This is why we need more science education in schools. The handle is long due to basic physics, it's not a design flaw. The shape seems odd but is very ergonomic and is what allows you to spin it easily with little effort (as long as you set the tension adjusted properly). Our mounting bolt fit well with no wiggle, and the thumb screw makes it easy to take off for storage.
5) Mounting brackets: Remember, we are in a tiny apartment. Our double kitchen sink is the best location for us to do laundry, as my back doesn't enjoy kneeling next to the bathtub. A dedicated washtub setup isn't an option in our space right now. The brackets can be moved to several configurations, so we were able to easily attach it to the center metal divider of our double kitchen sink. I use dish tubs inside the sinks as our wash tubs, and can easily switch the drip tray to slant toward the wash or rinse side as needed. Set the wringer in the dish tubs and slide it all under the kitchen sink for storage. Easy peasy.
One minor complaint: The mounting bracket discs that are in contact with the attachment point, a metal sink in our case, would work better if they had rubber flanges on them to provide better grip and to protect the sink. I'm going to stop by the hardware store this afternoon to find a hose length or something that will work to rubberize them, but adding flanges would be a minor upgrade with a major impact for Northwoods Calliger to consider!
I 100% recommend this product. Just read the instructions, know that it needs a sturdy base, and then read the instructions again.
| Brand Name | Northwood Calliger |
|---|---|
| Model Info | 360 |
| Item Weight | 16.4 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 21 x 12 x 4 inches |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Item model number | 360 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Part Number | 360 |
| Form Factor | Freestanding |
| Special Features | Portable |
| Certification | certified frustration-free |
| Material Type | Metal |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
