Northwood Calliger Clothes Wringer – Manual Laundry Wringer for Better Moisture Removal Than Portable Washers or Dryers – Heavy‑Duty Off‑Grid Washing Machine Alternative - Gray

I've wanted this for a while now, ever since discovering that they still exist! It's one of several items I purchased to set up a hand washing laundry system outside on my deck during the summer months. The other items were a Ball Clothes Washer Deluxe and a Behrens Washboard, which I also reviewed. I did a lot of reading about this item on their website, watching YouTube videos, etc., so I felt like I had a good idea of what to expect. It was everything I was expecting.I will say I was surprised at how heavy it feels. I read the weight before ordering but once it's in your hands you realize that it has to clamp on and essentially stand up on something, and then the weight seems more significant. For example, I had clamped it onto the backrest of a shop stool/chair and it was so tippy that I couldn't even crank the handle or the entire chair would tip over backwards. I ended up putting a cinder block on the foot of the stool as a counter weight and that worked nicely. Just something to keep in mind when you think about what you plan to attach this to.It came with very clear directions on glossy heavy paperstock, a small detail but it made it very easy to prop up and read as my hands were busy holding the unit. The drain plate is a little awkward to get into place, it took some different approaches and then I was able to push it into place. The clamps are multidirectional as shown and there are three positions to move them closer together if needed, using the enclosed allen wrenches.I've only done one load so far to test it out but so far it's great. I think I'll need to play with the tension a little to find a good position for various items, what worked well on a bunch of towels didn't work as well on a pair of flannel PJ pants for example, so it may need to be tightened or loosened slightly depending on the item. That's an easy turn of the knob, so that's fine. I was concerned about the exaggerated style of the handle, how it protrudes WAY out, but it turns out to be ideal. I can stand close to it and turn it as I feed items through and it clears my body entirely without getting in the way.My only disappointment is that the directions say not to put items with "large buttons, snaps and zippers" through it, which surprised me given that jeans are mentioned in the description. But their suggestion is that you can wring the jeans up to the part with the zipper, and then reverse it without wringing the top of the jeans. I suspect some people will say they do it anyway and it's fine, but I don't want to risk messing up the tension or tearing the soft rubber rollers, so I wouldn't dare. It's something I hadn't realized, but not the end of the world.Overall it feels very well made and I'm glad I invested in this.

Opening this package, I found a heavy duty contraption from the olden times. Inside are detailed instructions on assembly, use, and maintenance, all of which are easy to follow. It becomes clear as soon as you open the package that they obviously care about their product and have built it to last.Use: After washing some laundry by hand, I took an article of clothing out, dripping wet, and fed it though the wringer. I adjusted the tension knob on top, the thing worked perfectly, leaving the article feeling as if, if not less damp than if it just came out of the spin cycle of a washing machine. (remember to use the wedge which is included in the package for the drip ramp to stay properly oriented.)Overall thoughts: outside of the above mentioned, I wasn't looking to spend as much as I did on this but I can't argue against its value and feel like, for what you are getting, the price is fair. I'll be using this a few times a week and after some time has passed, I will make an update to this. (10/8/21)6 months in (4/3/22): I still like it. I live in a small apartment with no laundry facilities and I hate going to public coin operated facilities. The wringer has allowed for me to do my laundry since my first review and saved me it's equivalent cost in running coin machines.Cons: it should not be used with items which have buttons or zippers. I still run small buttons through, but I make sure they are flat and reduce the tension on the rollers to prevent damage. I've also noticed it has a difficult time with thin items, like summer pajama pants, where I have to crank the tension knob down to get enough pressure but thankfully thin items usually dry faster anyway so I don't fuss to much with this.I would still recommend this item. It's pros for me far outweigh the cons, and the cons are just minor inconveniences.Edit: approaching the 4 year mark of using this thing. Still works. No edits to previous remarks.