Anybody who has lived in a small apartment or a building without in-unit washing and drying options knows the struggle of laundry day. From lugging your laundry that you put off for weeks down a flight of stairs to using public machines you never feel fully confident in, nobody is excited about a chore that is, well, a chore. Did I mention the constant need to keep quarters on hand? The laundry list of things you need to do just to get your garments clean in the city is far too long to count.
So, after moving into a new apartment on the third floor, in an area where laundromat prices were $4 per wash and up to $6 per dry, I knew it was time for an upgrade. When doing my research on at-home laundry solutions that didn't break the bank and could fit into my smaller apartment, I kept going back to portable options that worked well and were trustworthy. Knowing that if I was going to spend money on a heavy-duty item, I'd want it to be from a reputable brand, it was encouraging to see the rave reviews of this Black+Decker portable washer. It looked easy to set up, comes with an attachable hose and does the full cycle — I was sold.
Now, after having it for months, I'm sharing everything that I've learned and my personal experience with the portable washer.
Black+Decker 0.9 Cu. Ft. Portable Washer
- Quiet
- Multiple cycles
- Portable
- Not fit for all water outlets
Size: 0.9 Cu ft., 6.6 lb capacity | Watts: 300 watts
Why I got the Black and Decker Portable Washing Machine
As mentioned, above, the hassle of doing laundry without an in-unit option was something that I had grown tired of as somebody in my 30s. From saving up laundry to do it all in one go to making sure I have enough quarters, laundry had become a negative experience to the point that I looked into at-home options. I saw this particular solution on TikTok and after watching a lot of videos of others sharing their experiences with it and reading reviews, I decided that this would be the right fit for me.
The washer comes in a variety of sizes but since I live alone and prefer to do my laundry more often, I opted for the smaller unit. This size has been a perfect fit because it can hold more than it looks like it can handle and it takes regular laundry detergent, so I thankfully didn't have to make any additional upgrades to my routine.
How does it work?
Once the setup is done and you have it located where you want it, all that's left is attaching the hose to the faucet, plugging in the power cord and placing the hose for draining in a location that is close by. Once the faucet is on and the machine starts filling up with water, you can select the load size and wash type so you have full control over every step.
What I would recommend with the draining hose is to place it higher up and into a sink that can handle a lot of fast rushing water. I tried it in the kitchen sink and because of the power at which it came out, the water splashed everywhere and made a bit of a mess, so I found that placing it in the shower or toilet works best.
The setup is easy and what I love about this machine is that it provides the option for various cycles. Sometimes a load might be bigger and need more washing, other times it's a smaller load with more gentle items so having the ability to wash any type of laundry has been amazing.
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Miss Mouth's Messy Eater Stain Treater Spray
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Why I like the Black & Decker Portable Washing Machine
Before I had this washer, I'm honestly surprised how long I put up with the public washer options. I know that for many, it's a necessity and I think it's great that those options exist but for my personal needs and with my space, I am lucky I was able to make the upgrade.
It's portable
With the little dolly that I placed under it, I'm able to wheel it around to the bathroom where I can use it with ease. It fits perfectly within the stand that I built separately and is placed in the kitchen area where I have the space to house it when not in use.
It holds a lot
When I first unboxed the washer, I admit I was slightly concerned that I had gotten the wrong size or that I was duped by the countless videos I'd watched — would this really fit anything?
For the first load, I put in a large towel and some tees but then loaded it up with more socks to see how much would actually fit comfortably. To my surprise, I have been able to do loads with multiple big towels or my entire bed set and have it all come out clean and fresh. I even washed a fuzzy robe which was likely the maxium size it could handle.
It has a selection of washing options
From several wash cycles to the option to having three load sizes and the option to just rinse, it's safe to say that there are a lot of ways to use the washer. I typically use the rapid wash option because I let my clothes soak for a bit beforehand and then do two rinse cycles, but when washing larger loads, I opt for the normal cycle.
Along with the various cycle options, it has a lint catcher as well that I was surprised to see. I have cleaned it out a few times since having the machine and notice that it does a good job at catching little bits of hair or loose threads. As somebody with a dog, I'm happy to see that feature included.
It's efficient
One concern that I had before getting this was with the power and whether my electricity bill would go up. Since getting the washer, I did not notice a huge increase in my power bill despite using it on a weekly basis. With both the washer and dryer, my electricity bill did not go up as high as it does during the summer when my AC is running 24/7, which means I am saving money — despite its initial cost.
When I told my friends and colleagues about the machine, one question I kept getting was whether or not it could actually clean my garments. After using it for months and doing countless loads of bed sheets, kitchen towels, T-shirts, socks and more, I know for certain that all of my items come out looking (and smelling) clean. Whether it's the coffee-stained kitchen towels or a t-shirt I spilled some ketchup on, I haven't had any issues with getting out the stains. I also use a stain remover when necessary but for regular messes, I've found it works just as well as a regular washing machine.
What to consider
The one thing I knew off the bat that might've been an issue for my personal space was whether or not the faucet attachment would fit the hose provided. The washer comes with a separate hose that is meant to attach to the sink faucet, so you're able to do a full cycle as the machine automatically runs water through. Within my space and where I'm able to do my laundry (my bathroom), the sink is not a good fit for the drain hose. Instead, I put the hose in my shower and let it drain through. Thankfully, with the machine's internal lint catcher and my shower drain cover, I can catch any stray hairs that could clog up my shower.
I will also note from personal experience, that having the drain hose higher up, even when it's not draining is important because if it's too low, the water will continue to drain since it doesn't have an off function.
One instruction that I know might be a touchy subject for some is that the brand says only cold water should be used. I typically wash in cold water anyways, so this was not a big change personally, and I have never found it to be an issue or have ruined any clothes.
More at-home laundry necessities
Black+Decker Compact Clothes Dryer
- Quiet
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- Easy to install
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Alongside the washer, I also got this specific dryer, which has also become an integral part of my home. It is quiet, compact and fits perfectly atop the stand that I set up myself. I love that it has multiple dryer settings and can hold just as much as the washer. I love that I can do all my laundry at home with ease. It also has an internal lint catcher that I clean out after every load. My favorite part? The little friendly jingle it makes when it's done.
Black+Decker Washer Dryer Stacking Rack Stand
- Easy to put together
- Sturdy
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- Heavy
Alongside the washer, I also got this specific dryer, which has also become an integral part of my home. It is quiet, compact and fits perfectly atop the stand that I set up myself. I love that it has multiple dryer settings and can hold just as much as the washer. Also, it has an internal lint catcher that I can clean out after every load. My favorite part? The little friendly jingle it makes when it's done.
WBD Weibida Appliance Dolly Cart
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- Holds a lot
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To wheel around my washer, I grabbed this specific dolly that is adjustable to fit a variety of items. I like that it can be adjusted to fit larger or smaller items and that the wheels lock, too.
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Why trust Shop TODAY
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.
Vivien Moon is a commerce editor for Shop TODAY who oversees and covers everything from beauty, fashion, sales and more. Moon has been succesfully using the Black + Decker Portable Washing Machine for two months.
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