# I'm moving to the ISS, what appliances should I bring? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 6, 2025, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786 "2025-08-06T22:06:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/1 "2025-08-06T22:06:14Z")
I’m moving out of my flat and taking up residence on the International Space Station. I’ve booked the movers who are sending a small lorry to take all my stuff to Elon’s house who is doing me a solid and giving me a lift the rest of the way. He’s a bit annoying but I don’t have many mate’s with a rocket. NASA tell me weight is no issue, but said I should do some research into what things will and won’t work on the station. Obviously I need to cook, do the laundry, wash my dishes, watch TV, listen to music etc. What’s gonna work without causing problems up there? Will my washing machine work okay? Thanks for all your help. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/2 "2025-08-06T22:07:14Z")
Username checks out. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/3 "2025-08-06T22:50:42Z")
When my washing machine gets unbalanced, it moves all over the floor. Now I’m picturing it bouncing off the ISS walls in 3 dimensions, going off down the hall, hitting a window… They don’t have the water for that. I think a gas stove would be right out. They also don’t have 120VAC, so pretty much nothing you have will work. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/4 "2025-08-06T22:53:28Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > Will my washing machine work okay? Ignoring the question of whether the ISS has the correct electrical and plumbing hookups, I would imagine a washing machine would behave strangely in zero G. Even if the machine itself works, the clothes and water would probably just float around in the middle and not spin like they should. And I wonder if any of the parts of the machine depend on gravity in order to work properly. ---
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/5 "2025-08-06T22:53:35Z")
Seems to me that a clothes washing machine requires gravity to work properly. Being in freefall would probably not work well. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/6 "2025-08-06T22:57:39Z")
Your battery toothbrush. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/7 "2025-08-06T23:07:55Z")
> [@Drum\_God](#): > > Seems to me that a clothes washing machine requires gravity to work properly. Being in freefall would probably not work well. So how will I clean my clothes? Will my iron even work? How about my dishwasher? ---
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/8 "2025-08-06T23:19:01Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > So how will I clean my clothes? Take them down to the crick and beat them on the moon rocks, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/9 "2025-08-06T23:43:14Z")
Your Roku device might have a bit of a lag. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/10 "2025-08-06T23:52:32Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > So how will I clean my clothes? Wear one set of clothes for a month straight. Then change and wear the next set of clothes for two months straight. Finally, change back into the first set of clothes: with only one month’s accumulated filth, they will feel clean by comparison. ~~Rinse and~~ repeat. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/11 "2025-08-07T00:01:49Z")
Hang the clothes outside for a day or two. Vacuum will effectively deodorize them. Also make sure to pack plenty of microwave popcorn for the trip. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/12 "2025-08-07T00:15:05Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > They also don’t have 120VAC They do have ~125 VDC, though. A lot of modern stuff will work on that if you can jerry-rig the wiring. Most laptop/tablet/etc. chargers will be fine. Almost anything with a big motor will be a problem, though. So no washer/dryer. The fridge won’t work either; the lack of convection mean that the coils on the back won’t reject heat properly. And the motor sits in an oil bath, which won’t cool or lubricate the motor properly, and may even cause it to seize. Anything that drains water won’t work. So no dishwasher either. Overall, most modern electronics will work if you can adapt the wiring. But heavy appliances will be a problem. A few appliances may use modern switch-mode power supplies–I think the Dyson devices (vacuum, fans) tend to use small brushless motors that should work as well. ETA: NASA isn’t going to be happy about any of this, since none of these devices will meet the safety (fire, etc.) standards required. John Young managed to smuggle a corned beef sandwich into space but good luck with that 65" TV. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/13 "2025-08-07T00:31:02Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > I think the Dyson devices (vacuum, fans) tend to use small brushless motors that should work as well. What about the spheres? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/14 "2025-08-07T00:34:53Z")
Does it contain ex-Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott? If so, you may have a chance. And with all the other stuff, too, if he can get the grav-plating up and running. ---
**Author:** ![Retzbu\_Tox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/retzbu_tox/32/11829_2.png) [@Retzbu\_Tox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Retzbu_Tox)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/15 "2025-08-07T00:41:18Z")
You would need to buy a clothes washer from these kids. > **[Zero-gravity washing machine receives NASA’s accolades](https://www.isanti-chisagocountystar.com/news/zero-gravity-washing-machine-receives-nasa-s-accolades/article_7903d1a6-6d2b-11e9-a0a3-931da666a9e6.html)** > > Space. The final frontier for washing machines. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/16 "2025-08-07T00:54:12Z")
I thought the ISS came furnished. All you need to bring are your favorite books and your Spotify password. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/17 "2025-08-07T00:57:36Z")
Sometimes you just need an outlet. Charging items is very important. Unless they have a sooper seekrit charger thingamajig up there. How else could I charge my phone, my tablet, my personal fan and _other_ things? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/18 "2025-08-07T01:16:24Z")
The Crew Dragon has USB ports onboard: > **[SpaceX poised for quick turnaround between astronaut missions – Spaceflight Now](https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/04/26/spacex-poised-for-quick-turnaround-between-astronaut-missions/)** > “We now have USB charging ports in this spacecraft,” Lindgren said. “This is something that goes to low Earth orbit and is going to get us to the space station, and I’m talking about USB ports.” So you can charge your junk if you can sneak aboard. I think you can see a USB-C cable through this guy’s helmet: [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/OZE09uR.png "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/OZE09uR) ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/19 "2025-08-07T01:16:29Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > So how will I clean my clothes? You won’t. You will develop a smell, as everyone will. While you are asleep you will smell someone floating past and know who it is without openng your eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786/20 "2025-08-07T01:17:20Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > Will my washing machine work okay? Room is at a premium so anything that [serves multiple purposes is probably a good idea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-women-really-get-off-from-sitting-on-washing-machines/1021521). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-the-iss-what-appliances-should-i-bring/1021786.md?page=2)