Portable washing machines have, dare we say, a huge list of pros and cons. They can be just as efficient as regular washing machines, although they require more effort on your part. You will need to fill and drain the water from the machine by hand, and sometimes water can come out of a leaky hose and need to be cleaned. Another advantage is that it takes much less time than you think to thoroughly wash, spin and dry your laundry.

However, the downside is that the maximum load capacity is about 10 pounds, which equates to several shirts, several dresses, a nightgown, and underwear for a week. Yates told us from personal experience, “It only takes me about an hour to wash, spin and dry a load in my machine, each smaller load. That being said, my portable washing machine really cleans my clothes just as well as a full-size washing machine, but it uses less energy, water and detergent.” Note that not all machines can handle heavier items such as jeans or jackets.

Finally, we love that portable washing machines are less expensive than full-sized ones, but still provide quality cleaning and use less energy, water, and detergent, making them a solid choice if you’re interested in living a minimalist lifestyle. Amanda Klecker, a certified building biologist who assesses the overall condition of homes, weighed in: “Look at how much water is used when washing,” she says. “The most environmentally friendly option for sustainable development is using tap water.”