Reviews
So Glad We Ordered
Apr 18, 2018
Our wash machine bit the dust back in September of 2017. The cost to repair was the same as a new machine. Wife and I have been looking for simpler days and to have things in place in case of power outages or a grid down scenario. We enjoyed doing laundry by hand so much we decided not to buy a new machine. We purchased two of these wanting to make sure we had a backup ready at all times. Long story short, this product works amazingly nice and is better than average quality and design. I would never consider a product like this if it were designed from tin-plated metal (rust). This plastic design is sweet!!! Wife and I highly recommend.
Five years ago to the day!
Jan 17, 2018
5 years ago to the day, I wrote a 5 star review of this washer. I had been using it for 15 months at that point. Well, today, the screw end of the handle broke off, rusted through. I could have extended the life of the breathing washer by taking it apart and drying it after every use so that it would have been slower to rust. I've done all my laundry with it for the past 75 months. At today's price that would be 24 cents a month. And guess what? I have a broom handle that screws into the washer perfectly, so I'll still be using it for years to come, I hope.
Works Great, Fixed Handle Problem
Sep 10, 2017
Before purchasing the hand washer I had read other comments about the threads constantly coming unscrewed, so I was prepared for it. However, I did find a solution that worked really well. A #11 O-ring pushed up to the middle of the threads on the handle and then wrapped in place with Teflon tape. Secured it really well, and prevented the O-ring from moving up and losing it's purpose.
With that little correction, the handle stays well put! As far as washing, I'm planning to use this in my apartment, but so far it's worked very efficiently in a five gallon bucket set in the bathtub. Under 5 minutes of washing and if you use no-suds soap you don't have to do much rinsing at all. Money-saving solutions all around!
Breathing Mobile Washer
Jul 7, 2017
I've had this about a week and have used it multiple times. It seems to do a good job getting the clothes clean while also giving your arms a good workout in the process. The only complaint would be that the handle is constantly coming loose. Even with that minor issue, I'm considering buying a second washer so that my family can help out on wash day. Overall, I'm very happy with this product.
Better Than A Washing Machine
Oct 19, 2016
I use this to wash the t-shirts, socks, underwear, & washcloths as part of my daily exercise, and it absolutely gets the stuff pristine. Socks come out CLEAN and even white bra's come out IMMACULATE!! If you use this tool and plunge vigorously over any stained spot soon the stain is gone. As a hint to new hand-launderers, try and use plain dishsoap (I use plain old Dawn dishsoap) for washing instead of detergent, the clothes get way cleaner and rinse out WAY easier......no slimy feel.
Mar 9, 2016
I'm glad I read through the comments about how the handle comes loose during use and how one customer solved it by putting an O ring on it. This worked for me perfectly with a #12 Oring placed over the threads and then the handle screwed in very tightly. Would be nice if Lehman's would enclose a #12 O ring with each unit with instructions but I've never know a retailer yet that acted on customer's suggestions. So, you are on your own to solve the problem. This will work.
Feb 24, 2016
Good product. As other commenters have mentioned, had a problem with it constantly unscrewing & coming apart. Read another review where consumer used o-rings, & did same with mine--solved problem. Love this, & love that I can wash clothes in my own home without wasting a lot of water.
Jan 22, 2016
Does a good job washing clothes plus your arms get a good workout. My only complaints are that you have tighten the washer after each use and I would have preferred a mop sized handle instead of a toilet plunger size. Washing clothes in a standing position made it easier to use. Otherwise it is a great product.
Oct 11, 2015
I was extremely pleased with my first order from Lehmanﾒs! The Breathing Hand Washer came quickly and well-packed, and was sturdy, durable, and easy to assemble. I tried it out right away, washing in a 5 gallon bucket, and found it to be a very effortless and effective way to clean clothes. No more energy-sucking, expensive washing machine for me! Washing each dayﾒs clothing in the evening with the Breathing Hand Washer will only take a few minutes out of every day, and no more dumping of large amounts of washing machine waste water into my septic system. (Hint: swap included short handle a threaded mop handle if you want the option of a longer handle too.)
Oct 8, 2015
I still use mine a few years later. I used it for delicates. It has never rusted. The old metal ones do. It hasn't busted either. You can buy and use this with confidence.
Jul 10, 2015
I absolutely love this thing! It works great on all clothes (delicates, jeans, etc.) and gives me a good workout at the same time. I actually look foward to washing clothes when I use it! I place my washing buckets in the tub and sit on the edge so I don't have to bend over and strain my back. The only negative is that sometimes the washer unscrews from the stick while I'm washing, but I just keep twisting it tight a few times. It's no big deal for me. Otherwise, I love it and I'm so glad I got it. Update: after a couple years, the plastic part that the handle screws into broke. At first, I crazy-glued it and then held it together for a few more months but it broke even worse now. I think the reason is that I was filling my buckets with too many clothes, especially heavy ones in the winter. So, I'll get another and try again but make sure my loads are smaller. Still a great buy!
Jun 16, 2015
Bought this last year for when we go RV'g but due to drought here in Ca. started this in backyard using the Farmhouse biogradable laundry soap I purchased here. Uses lot less water than machine, when done washing and rinsing, the lawn gets watered too! Great item!
Apr 29, 2015
I own one of these, and I absolutely love it. I have a front-loading washer and dryer, but this actually cleans clothes better than that does. I love this for smaller loads, dress clothes, track/workout clothes, soiled work clothes, etc. We have a travel trailer, and it's great to take on vacations. I just recently bought an electric spin dryer for use in our travel trailer and at home, and it is a wonderful combination. I highly recommend this product--it's simple and inexpensive, but it works quite well, and it's a lot less hassle and takes up much less space than an electric portable washing machine.
Mar 27, 2015
Bought mine two years ago and love it. Use a 5 gal bucket with maybe 2.5 gal of water and minimal soap and it works wonders. I do small batches every night leaving them to hang dry on a cloths tree in the tub. Clean cloths by morning. I did get a longer handle, love it dearly.
Mar 2, 2015
Had three of these brought into the Yuctan portion of Mexico for a nursing home. Nuns had been hand washing linen using buckets and scrub boards, you'd have thought we had given them a commercial washing machine after they used these for a day. Great product, great results
Feb 7, 2015
I love this tool. I thought I would just use it for my hand washables but I use it for almost everything! Jeans, blouses etc... I live in a condo that has a laundry room in a dingy dark basement 4 flights down! Thank god I I don't spend as much time there now!! It doesn't take much time or energy and it really cleans my clothes much better than I had hoped for.
Oct 28, 2014
I use it for everything except heavy blankets. It saves a lot of water and soap. I use three 5 gallon buckets. One for soapy water and two for rinse waters. I won't have to buy a washer and dryer using this method. I have to pay for water and then pay for it again when it goes down the sewer pipe. The average top loading washer can use over 100 gallons of water per load. It would be too expensive to own and operate them here. If I bought a washing machine it would be an old wringer type but I would only use it for blankets so it's not worth the purchase price. I can take them to the laundromat cheaper.
Jun 1, 2014
Outstanding product. I switched to doing all my laundry by hand a few weeks ago to save water and electricity, and this device is fantastic for getting clothes clean quickly and thoroughly. Makes a world of difference compared to just using one's hands. As has been noted, a switch to a longer handle (I used a painter's roller extension handle, which can be had very inexpensively) is essential.
May 13, 2014
I bought this breathing hand washer a while ago and just want to say that I really love using it! It does a great job and saves on electricity and water. I soak my husband's grimy work clothes in a large plastic tote and plunge away! Great release of frustrations:) I couldn't be more pleased with it, I kind of feel like Little House on the Prairie when I use it. Most of my laundry gets hung out on the line. Nothing better than that either. Thanks for this product!
Apr 20, 2014
Much easier to use than I expected and my clothes are many, many times cleaner than they were when I used an automatic clothes washer. I am ridiculously pleased that my front loader died while money was tight so I could end up desperate enough to try this thing. A few things I have figured out: wet clothes should be no more than 10 deep or the bottom layer won't get clean, if it's hard to plunge the hand washer you need more water, one rinse is sufficient for even the dirtiest clothes (I am using this washer in conjunction with a Spin-x and that might have something to do with only needing one rinse), and doing laundry for 6 people (including 2 teenage dancers) takes only 10 minutes more per day than when I had a front loader. I am never going back.
Apr 7, 2014
Customer named Joan called, and really wanted to give review of this item. Not exactly sure how you want to word this, but, she used it for a used throw rug purchased at a thrift store. She was amazed at what a wonderful cleaning job the breathing hand washer did! She says it saved water, and electricity(had she used her washing machine)It took her 10 min. to get it totally clean.Great Product!
Mar 21, 2014
I decided to try this hand washer since I'm having plumbing problems but an operational well. Using a large rectangular container it sure beats doing it (1) by hand, (2) broom handle, or (3) sink plunger. Since it's plastic I don't worry about rust and my clothes are coming out just as clean as using a washing machine.
Feb 5, 2014
I'm happy with the breathing washer. The handle does come unscrewed occasionally, but that's a pretty easy fix. It does a great job on all of my laundry. Very pleased.
Nov 22, 2013
Great product. I only have few items weekly that have to be washed and putting them in the washing machine is a waste of water and energy. With this product I wash when I have a small load and hang them outside weather permits. Sheets and towels are done in my washing machine.
Nov 15, 2013
The Breathing Hand Washer is great! I used to do loads of laundry by hand and would swish everything around with my arms. But now that I have the Breathing Hand Washer, my laundry routine is so much easier, quicker and our clothes are cleaner. I was our cloth diapers and regular laundry by hand with the Breathing Hand Washer and Lehman's washboards and definitely recommend that you try them if you do any hand washing! You can read my full and more extensive review here: http://www.thebeehivebuzz.com/2013/11/hand-washing-cloth-diapers-lehmans-laundry-review.html
Oct 17, 2013
I highly recommend the breathing hand washer. It's versatile: you can use it for a whole load of laundry, or a few items at a time in a 5-gallon bucket. The round design works super fantastic in a 5-gallon bucket. I was surprised at how fast it works to get clothes so clean in a very short amount of time (the proof is in your dirty wash water!). I researched and watched lots of demos on the Internet. The videos are good, but they don't do it justice. When I used it the first time, I could feel how the pushing and pulling action moves the soapy water in and out of the clothes to get them so clean. The breathing hand washer removed more dirt from my laundry than my electric washing machine! Before I made my purchase, I compared a competitor's metal model with Lehman's plastic model and decided to go with the one Lehman's carries because it won't snag your clothes, or ever rust. This thing is a true work horse when it comes to doing up a load of laundry by hand. It has eliminated the need for wrestling items like heavy wet towels and blankets across a washboard. Now, those heavy wet towels and blankets are no problem at all. It's really cool to listen to the breathing action of the soapy water being pushed and pulled through the clothes. The cleaning power of the hand washer is simply amazing: my husband is a mechanic and this little item gets his greasy work clothes clean as a whistle!
Jul 28, 2013
Works Great. Love it and recommend it. I agree, switching to a longer handle is a good idea.
Feb 15, 2013
This is an amazing device. I run a farm and my clothes get extremely dirty some days. This washer gets all the dirt out and quickly too. I was amazing at how dark the water turned the first time I used it. I think it cleans better than a washing machine and is gentler on the clothes as well. Well worth the money.
Jan 17, 2013
Have been washing laundry with this exclusively for 15 months. It's done everything from a pure silk scarf to jeans grass & soil stained at the knees, boot style house-shoes to queen size sheets & blankets, cotton shirts to 100% wool sweaters. I very much like this and would like everyone I know to try it.
Dec 24, 2012
This is pretty unwieldy I thought. I'm not very tall, so it was difficult to use. I do laundry only for myself, so for singles I'd recommend a small sink baffle sort of plunger (they're yellow). Got mine from Amazon. Not expensive. I pulled off the suction thingie on the bottom, and just use the plunger in a sink full of water and Zote soap. Lehman's should carry these plungers. They're great for small laundry jobs.
Nov 29, 2012
Works great. A must for campers or just to have in case your washer brakes. I tried it out and before I knew it my wash was done. I was surprised at how dirty the wash water was when I was done. It really got my clothes clean.
Nov 13, 2012
It works exactly as it is supposed to. My clothes are way cleaner than wasting fifteen to twenty dollars at the neighborhood laundromat and being bored out of mind waiting for the machine to finish. I have NEVER been this enthusiastic about washing clothes until I got this thing. I don't need much detergent. I also add a little bit of borax for more cleaning power. Everyone should buy this thing and use it! I can't wait to buy the clothes wringer because I've read lots of reviews from other websites and it has been stated time and time again that laundry is best completed and dries quicker with the breathing washer and Lehman's wringer together. They are less stress on hands and pay for themselves thousands of times over. I also can't wait to try the Fels Naptha soap too. I was told that my grand and great grand parents used these methods of self sufficiency, got better results and saved money too. You may have to put physical muscle into it but guess what, you save money and most importantly it works!
Oct 31, 2012
So simple, but truly cleans clothes better then my washer ever did! Easy to get through several loads.
Sep 21, 2012
Love it! It works great. It's so easy to use. I ordered it so I wouldn't have to use my washer for my yellow lab's wool blanket, which is always hairy. I hated cleaning out the hair from my washing machine. I was so amazed at how easy it worked and how clean it got his bedding - I'm now using it for all my laundry. I can do three large washer loads of clothes in less time than it takes to do one load with my electric washer.
Sep 9, 2012
So my spouse things I'm totally nuts for buying this plunger to wash clothes in a 5 gal. bucket. But you know what, it works great. In fact it gets clothes as clean or cleaner that the washing machine. So there are some caviots to using it. First, buy a longer handle at Home Depot for $6.97 and your back will thank you for it. Second, wear rubberized gloves (the same one's you wear in the garden work fine for me). I learned this last trick the first time I did a load. I was so enthusiastic that I created a huge blister on the palm of my hand. The longer handle really eliminates that problem as well as the bending back issue. I did an entire weeks worth of colored clothes yesterday. This was a big effort. Quite a workout. But I wanted to see how it worked on jeans and dress slacks and shirt. I recommend putting the wet wash through 3 rinses if you have the strength. The first really just removes the left over wash/soapy water from the clothes. The second rinse get most of the rest of it out. And into the third I added about 2 Tbls of fabric softener. Well rinsed clothes are not stiff when dried on a clothes line. Its really true. Merely wringing clothes by hand(by then I was real tired) left them nearly sopping wet. So onto the outside clothes line they went. Three hours later in the southern CA sunshine, they were dry. Now if you are willing to spend 15 minutes with a hot iron, the outcome for dress shirts, slacks and jeans will please the most sceptical holdout. Here's another trick to please those finicky household members who do not like their clothes line-dried. Dry outdoors til nearly dry. Put the T-shirts and jeans or what ever else they object to being stiffer than usual into the drier for 20 minutes. It works like a charm to fluff it up and make everyone happy. So in summation, this rapid washer works in less water and with less detergent just great. I don't know if I would want to do all this sopping wet work out on the driveway in the dead of winter. The 3 hour dry time I have just reported would be more like 3 days. Just do smaller loads 2 or 3 times a week instead of all at once and this system will make you smile due to its performance, sustainable impact, and plenty of water to pour on the thirsty flower garden. Thumbs up for the big blue plunger.
Sep 3, 2012
I am VERY impressed with this item! It is work, but I can get my clothes (diapers in my case) to agitate wonderfully. The design is great, I stand over my wash tub and plunge fast and vigorous for awhile. I have only had a few times that the head tries to work it's way off, but I just screw it back on and continue on plunging away. My 17 month old daughter LOVES to help, she actually fights me for the Hand Washer!
May 16, 2012
I love this washer. I've had my eye on it for a while. I finally bought it, and it lives up to what I thought it would. Yes, the handle comes undone, but you can easily solve it. It's very well made. I like that I can take it apart and let it dry off. I have used this along with some goat milk soap and have gotten out stains I have never been able to get out before.
May 16, 2012
I've been pondering purchasing one of these for some time. I live in hurricane country, and having been through several major storms in the past, have learned how important it is to be be able to revert back to old fashioned living skills to take care of myself and my family. This breathing hand washer is a great thing to have in case of long term power outages. I couldn't wait to try it when the mailman dropped it off. I filled my big bucket and poured in just a little bit of soap and proceeded to wash an entire basket of clothing. I couldn't believe how well it circulated the clothing, and with just a couple minutes of plunging, everything was clean! I love this! Washing my clothes with little soap and water, made me feel like I was doing something great for the planet by conserving water and energy! Even if you live in a condo in the city, if you want to be prepared for anything, or just want to be eco-friendly, this breathing hand washer is the way to go!
Mar 24, 2012
I like this but the handle comes unscrewed all the time when I am using it. Other than that, it does a pretty good job, especially in a bucket.
Mar 16, 2012
Received my breathing hand washer last week and so far am very pleased. Clothes washed in a five gallon bucket with homemade laundry soap come out spanking clean after 100 strokes with the handwasher. I usually do another 20 strokes with the first rinse, just to make sure I've forced any residual soap out of the fabric. The only change I would make would be a longer handle, but that would probably make shipping prohibitively expensive and it's easy enough to get a broomstick or mop handle at the local hardware store. The head will tend to loosen a bit during use, but some Teflon tape stops that problem dead. highly recommended - the only laundry I don't do by hand now are comforters and afghans and such, and that's more my laziness than not thinking the handwasher could handle it.
Feb 26, 2012
Love this! We are off-grid and I do the small items, T-shirts, etc. in a bucket and it works very well, plus it won't rust. One of my better Lehman purchases.
Feb 12, 2012
Works great
Oct 8, 2011
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this washer! Our options for washing were to carry the loads down a few flights of stairs, and back (paying $3 per load to wash & dry!), or to hand wash. Both ways were hard on my partially disabled body, so my husband had taken over the heavier clothes and I was hand washing the lighter weight ones. I took money meant for a few loads one week, and bought this washer, and we ALL love it! I wash them in either the bath tub or a wash tub, and we have all been amazed at how much cleaner the clothes have been, than from the machines that were emptying our pockets. I have shown off my 'new washing machine' to my new friends with great pleasure, and they've all been amazed and impressed! We love it!
Sep 20, 2011
I wash all my clothes manually and the breathing hand washer makes it not only effective but also fun. Now that I have one, I consider it essential--I highly recommend it.
Sep 7, 2011
This washer is the most amazing tool. My washer (40 yrs old) is on it's way out; I was told it can't be repaired. As an extremely chemically sensitive person I have been unable to purchase a new washer/dryer. I was really upset having to do all the wash by hand--so I ordered this after watching the UTube vidoes. It is terrific. I have new paint buckets ($2.58 at hardware store) and I fill them up with soapy water and then plunge away. It doesn't take that long and the clothes come out spanking clean. It gives me great satisfaction to know I can function just fine without the latest technology. Big secret for hand washing: don't let the dirty clothes pile up!
Aug 27, 2011
This works great, except that the handle wants to come unscrewed constantly. So if you can find a way to keep the handle from unscrewing it is worth it.
Aug 26, 2011
I've been very pleased with my Breathing Washer. I got mine in order to save money, electricity and water. I wash in a 40 quart plastic tub with home made laundry detergent. I am amazed how clean things come out. Much better than my expensive front loading washer. Like the others the handle seems a bit short for me but I swapped out a broom handle so I could work standing upright. Excellent product Made in the USA.
May 26, 2011
I could not be more pleased. I chose the plastic over the metal because I didn't want rust rings over the floor while it dried. I am so impressed with this item. I use the homemade laundry soap and it not only saves my hands it is actually fun to use. Thank you so much for making a plastic version. :)
Feb 15, 2011
I got this item expecting to use it on my occasional longer camping trips. Haven't gone camping yet, but the toddler grandchildren love to use it, and it works with my mop-handle that has the same kind of threads, so no stooping! Items are cleaned just fine, no trouble with it yet (though the 16 month old will stand there and unscrew the handle.)
Jan 19, 2011
I've been wanting one of these hand washers for years and didn't think I would ever find one. I like plastic over metal so as not to snag fabric. It works perfectly and really gets clothes clean. I don't use it all the time, just when washing certain items. It's great for sweaters, curtains or anything that needs hand washing. I highly recommend.
Dec 24, 2010
I have solved the handle challenge by simply letting the whole item soak all night in water. This seemed to tighten up the handle and head.It works really well removes dirty soiled stuff from clothes and works like a washer moving the clothes around. Remember to rinse 2x and hang out to dry ( freeze dry) the finish inside.. nice fresh scent too...
Nov 29, 2010
So far I've done 5 loads of laundry with this washer, including everything from clothing to a mattress pad and comforter cover. It washes really well and it's kind of fun to use. My only problem is that I haven't figured out how to use it without straining my lower back. I'm not giving up, though. I love being able to do laundry in peace and quite with no electricity. Plus it's good for a little light exercise.
Nov 26, 2010
After using a toilet plunger as a laundry agitator for over 30 years, this is a definite improvement. It is light, easy to use, and effective. The only drawback I would mention is that the handle tends to come loose. I've solved that by adding a small O-ring at the top of the thread on the handle.
Sep 28, 2010
This product is great for anything that you don't want to put in your washer. I love it for washing my horse and dog blankets. I'm looking forward to using it on my next camping trip!!
Sep 22, 2010
Works pretty good. I don't see the great results others have, but it doesn't rust like the old tin ones, and it is easier than having to agitate by hand. If you have hand/finger problems, this is better for you I think than using just hands to wash.
