I tried ALDI's viral camping washing machine - here are my honest thoughts

A game-changer or time-waster? We put it to the test before taking it off-road. 

I'd be lying if I told you that I've never washed a pair of undies or socks in a running river while camping. Relax, I put the detergent in a bucket so the fishies are safe!

My point here is that sometimes camping is dirty business and despite the joy you get from toasting marshmallows with the kids by the campfire, there are plenty of times when you just want a fresh pair of something.

But also, it's camping so there's no way of doing that. 

No way, unless you are staying at a caravan park with laundry amenities ORRRRR.... you've purchased one of those portable washing machines you've seen on social media!

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Is ALDI's viral camping washing machine that good? Image: Leah Goulis / Kidspot

ALDI's foldable washing machine is here!

As an avid camper, when ALDI announced that they would be selling a portable washing machine as part of their caravan and camping Special Buys sale, I frothed. 

While I was skeptical, I had to get my hands on one to see if it was indeed the 'game-changer' that so many campers and caravaners claimed it was.  

Priced at $79.99, the Adventuridge Foldable Washing Machine promises to be the off-road item you've been craving.

The collapsible design allows for easy storage and the portable appliance boasts three modes - including a speed wash of just five minutes, a standard wash of 10 minutes and a rinse and spin cycle. 

You will need power (12V) and water. A lot of water! Which brings me to all of my (very) honest thoughts about this viral 'must-have'. 

RELATED: Mum’s must-have camping buy from Kmart

My verdict: The great things...

• Set-up is easy - No one wants to have to unbox and assemble something that isn't deemed a 'necessary item' when camping, which is why the pop-up feature of the bucket is perfect. You simply pop it up and fill. The modes available are just enough for what you need (ie- wash, rinse, spin) and it's easy to transport to a water supply, too. 
  
  
• It's handy for long trips - If you're wanting to pack light for a longer trip, this appliance will definitely save the day, allowing you to wash a few items to get you through.

Filling up the bucket with water, detergent and of course the clothes. Let's do this! Image: Leah Goulis / Kidspot

And the not so great things...

• It needs a lot of water - As I mentioned above, while it's small, this machine needs a lot of water. When you're camping, sometimes you don't have access to a water supply and need to bring your own. For this reason, I would suggest simply packing extra clothing in lieu of using this appliance. I know I'd much prefer to have clean drinking water or water to shower than a fresh pair of socks!
  
  
• It doesn't hold much - The appliance clearly states that it will hold a maximum of 0.4kg of clothing. And when they say "max" they mean it. If you overfill the tub in the slightest way, the machine won't work properly. The items in the tub will not spin, meaning the clothes won't clean, rinse, or spin dry. 
  
  
• Don't expect it to remove any stains. I mean, it's a 10-minute wash with no stain remover, so don't expect much more than a fresh smell. 

So will I use it again? Definitely, but I'd be choosing when and where I'd be using it.

Long trips and a decent water supply are a must if I'm going to bother. If it's a shorter trip, packing a few more items of clothing will be less fuss - and take up less room. 

While the camping and caravan sale is over at ALDI, I did spot a few leftover items at my local supermarket, so you might still be lucky if you want to try it yourself. 

Otherwise, it's back to the running river for you. Or, you know, you could just pack extra underwear and not do any washing at all!

Originally published as I tried ALDI's viral camping washing machine - here are my honest thoughts