From April, 1952 Consumer's Research

"C, Not Recommended

Monitor Prestomat, Model MO (Monitor Equipment Corp., New York 71) $200. Cabinet size, 24 in. square, 36 in. high. Machine consists of a rectangular-shaped tub of 14 gallon capacity. Agitation of water and clothes is by a small circular impeller located in side of tub. After the washing is finished, clothes are lifted into dryer which consists of a rubber bag in a pressure tank, dryer lid is closed and locked, water valve is opened, and the water pressure on the outside of the bag compresses the bag and its contents, forcing the soapy water from the clothes; the soapy water is returned to the tub. Water valve must then be closed to release the pressure, the dryer lid opened, and half of the contents removed. The remainder of the clothes in the dryer, which are compressed, must be loosened; then the water valve is depressed and turned to the rinse position. While the dryer well is filling with rinse water, the clothes previously removed are returned to the dryer and the water is shut off when the well is filled.  To remove the rinse water and dry the clothes, the operation in which the soapy water was removed from the clothes is repeated.   Disadvantages of this method are that there is no agitation of the clothes during the rinse and the warm or cold rinse water flows into the tub where it dilutes and so cools the wash water. Maker's capacity rating, 6 to 8 lb. Required 15 gal. of hot water and 9 gal. of cold water for the first load; subsequent loads, 1 gal. of hot water, 9 gal. of cold for warm rinse. Energy consumption per cycle, 80 watt-hr. Washing effectiveness good, but very uneven. Effectiveness of drying, fair (water left was 102% of the weight of the dry clothes). Advantages claimed for this machine are faster washing and saving of hot water and soap. (Time recommended for washing period ranges from 3 min. at 90F for silks, rayons, nylons and woolens, to 5-7 min. at 130F for heavy work clothes.) With more even washing action, if it could be achieved, and a change in design to divert the cold rinse water to the drain instead of the tub where it cools off the wash water, machine would, we believe, warrant a B-Intermediate rating. Rubber dryer bag stated to be guaranteed for 5 years of ordinary home use."

It sounds like a mess.