Vintage Kenmore Tabletop Washer

Often referred to as "camping washers" because one could take them along to a cabin or out in the woods and do laundry, provided youhad acess to electrical power.

Table top washers were also marketed to those living in tight quarters during and after WWII. Cannot imagine doing a family wash in one, but danties and perhaps if worse came to worse, diapers and such. There were units designed for use on the range top as well, so one could get a hot or boil wash.

Unit above is missing the small clamp on wringer attachement. This came with the unit and was how one "spun dry" water from the wash.

Operating the unit is simple: You fill the lower half (bucket if you will) with the proper amount of water and detergent. Add a few items of clothing, attached the top, set the timer (or on some models simply started the machine), and let it get on with washing. Once this was done, you stopped the machine, lifted the top, either put items through the wringer and reused the wash water, or dumped the wash water and refilled with clean water for a rinse. Repeat and so on and so forth.

Have seen table top washers in Europe as well, indeed they are still a popular way for those on caravan or camping holidays to get wash done. Though many upscale campsites now have some sort of laundromat facilites.


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Post# 471914 10/28/2010 at 08:14 (4,921 days old) by BrianL (Saddle Brook, New Jersey)
Checkrate/Likes I found this lovely machine on Craigslist in my area, and it is very immaculate inside. It does need a new power cord, but everything else looks good. Looks hardly used. I will get more pics up later, but here's the one from the seller. It was only $15. Anyone have an idea on age or have any information on it?

Post# 471923 , Reply# 1 10/28/2010 at 09:53 (4,921 days old) by kenmore700bill (Lodi NJ)
Checkrate/Likes Great find I believe Lou from Lyndhurst has one of them .

Post# 471930 , Reply# 2 10/28/2010 at 11:08 (4,921 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There�s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes *Kenmore, Rival Amoung Others Had Table Top Washing Machines* Often referred to as "camping washers" because one could take them along to a cabin or out in the woods and do laundry, provided youhad acess to electrical power. Table top washers were also marketed to those living in tight quarters during and after WWII. Cannot imagine doing a family wash in one, but danties and perhaps if worse came to worse, diapers and such. There were units designed for use on the range top as well, so one could get a hot or boil wash. Unit above is missing the small clamp on wringer attachement. This came with the unit and was how one "spun dry" water from the wash. Operating the unit is simple: You fill the lower half (bucket if you will) with the proper amount of water and detergent. Add a few items of clothing, attached the top, set the timer (or on some models simply started the machine), and let it get on with washing. Once this was done, you stopped the machine, lifted the top, either put items through the wringer and reused the wash water, or dumped the wash water and refilled with clean water for a rinse. Repeat and so on and so forth. Have seen table top washers in Europe as well, indeed they are still a popular way for those on caravan or camping holidays to get wash done. Though many upscale campsites now have some sort of laundromat facilites.

Post# 471948 , Reply# 3 10/28/2010 at 12:24 (4,921 days old) by washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai�i)
Checkrate/Likes I've got one, too, but it's a little worse for wear, but it works! I think mine's circa early 50s.

Post# 471954 , Reply# 4 10/28/2010 at 13:01 (4,921 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)
Checkrate/Likes *Be fun for a party* to have one humming away on the stove, and when people come in and say, "What's cooking?".... you say, "Oh just a few pairs of socks." Be great if someone would show the 3 winged angel agitator inside, if it's the same model I saw as a little lad.

Post# 471957 , Reply# 5 10/28/2010 at 13:10 (4,921 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)
Checkrate/Likes I got one also......no timer......stainless steel tub.... I use it on top of the stove for Dyeing, especially Black jeans....fill it up, turn on the flame, plug it in and leave it go for about 2 hours.....

Post# 471967 , Reply# 6 10/28/2010 at 13:30 (4,921 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There�s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes *Here Is A Link To One With The Whole Schbang* Though at that price, they can forget it, IMHO. CLICK HERE TO GO TO Launderess's LINK on eBay

Post# 472093 , Reply# 7 10/29/2010 at 00:19 (4,920 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)
Checkrate/Likes Remember seeing one of those KN tabletop machines at the dump my way out here years ago-the dump operator said the motor was burned out-tried it at the dump shack-indeed dead and it was corroded and in bad shape.Too bad-would have been kinda interesting.

Post# 1045772 , Reply# 8 9/23/2019 at 15:16 (1,669 days old) by sillysuds (new jersey)
Checkrate/Likes *kenmore table top washer* Hi, I seen one at the Phillipsburg mall in NJ,at an antiques store. for 50.00 it was in pretty good shape.They also had a Maytag wringer washer for 150.00 and a Easy brand washer with copper tubs. Thank You. Bob from NJ.