Crappy 'Efficient' Washing Machine and other BS

[gnome]

We moved into a new place and inherited an electrolux/frigidaire stacked washer dryer. The washer is an 'efficient' front loader that doesn't clean clothes. Further, there's soap buildup in the machine that doesn't come out in the rinse cycle. Clothes come out still dirty, but now they're soapy too!

Just like the water-saving toilet that needs 3 flushes to handle my manly, fiber-filled horse-gnome turds, this BS isn't conserving anything.

So, we are getting a new one. Looking at a Roper - no frills, very basic machine without the bells, whistles and expensive-to-fix electronics. Uses more water and slightly rougher on clothes than newer washers, but at least they will be clean.

I am now in Commiefornia on municipal water, so water & electricity cost is a factor, but I plan on doing laundry-to-landscape greywater, so I'll get double use out of the water.

Is it just me, seems like front loaders are overpriced crap? Does anyone have a good one?

Anyone have one of the new top loaders without the agitator?

What machine do you have? Does it suck?

[budfox]

Mrs Fox has the LG direct drive with matching dryer.She Loves them.

You do know you have to use the special soap for them?

I'm not allowed to touch them

[Argentium]

When we moved about 8 years ago, we had to buy new machines and I thought the front-loaders were the way to go. When we went appliance shopping at the dealer we've used for over 20 years, the salesman was less than enthusiastic over the front loaders, even the high-end ones. We ended up with a pair of good, top-loading Whirlpools and have never had any issues with them.

[JFN111]

We have about a 5 year old front loading kenmore and the wife unit has been very happy with it.

[ralleia]

I'm fairly satisfied with the performance of my front-loading Maytag. It gets clothes clean, provided you don't have truly EXCESSIVE amounts of dirt and mud on them. I've always used the he (high-efficiency) detergents with them, though I am currently experimenting with a homemade laundry detergent to try to save a little money.

Low-flow toilets don't have to be bad. Our Caroma Walvits have two flush options--1.68 gallons, or a half-flush at 0.88 gallons. Combined with its 4" trapway, it clears the solids. Sometimes it'll miss some paper, but I don't bother with another flush for that.

[Gold Rush]

I just bought a new set about 3 months ago..they are the Estate brand which is a cheaper version made by Whirlpool..paid $500.00 for the set brand new..no bells or whistles..but they work great and I like the fact the washer have a setting for load sizes, which controls the water level per load.

[ErrosionOfAccord]

Dude, you have to use detergent with the HE on the box or bottle.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w0aWu90n5W...EDetergent.gif

[gringott]

Bought a pair of Bosch front loaders, stacked, a couple of years ago.
We use HE power or liquid, does not seem to matter.
Electric and water bills have been way down since.
Clothes seem clean to me, I am not getting all that dirty however, I am not a farmer or ditch digger.

I personally stayed away from Korean, guy at work purchased a top of the line Korean front loader, just over a year [no more warranty] the motor burned out, new motor almost the same price as new washer.

[ralleia]

Bought a pair of Bosch front loaders, stacked, a couple of years ago.
We use HE power or liquid, does not seem to matter.
Electric and water bills have been way down since.
Clothes seem clean to me, I am not getting all that dirty however, I am not a farmer or ditch digger.

I personally stayed away from Korean, guy at work purchased a top of the line Korean front loader, just over a year [no more warranty] the motor burned out, new motor almost the same price as new washer.

+1
I avoid the Korean appliances like the plague, too. I got burned by a Korean company in the 90s and it'll be at least a generation before I'll even consider trusting a Korean manufacturer again.

That's nice to know about the Bosch line. I'd like to go with a stacking set when we tackle the laundry room remodel, but I'd like to wait until the Maytag decides to kick the bucket. That could be another decade away though.

[Dude]

I bought a Korean TV and 25 2" high Charlies came out and beat the hell out of my shins with little sticks.

Back on topic; our front loading Whirlpool works great. I used it to wash our dog Spot but when I went to let him out, he was gone.

I think someone spiked my coffee this morning.

[HairHopper]

I've been washing with front loaders long before they were mandated by the environmental Nazis and long before there were such thiings as HE detergent. I bought a White Westinghouse back in the 1980s when it was the only front loader available in the USA. Why? I don't know, maybe because it was different. It tuned out to be a great buy. It was an American built machine and washed 1000s and 1000s of loads of clothes over the years without ever breaking down and it did a good job. I used this washer for 17+ years.

• The trick to using a front loader, which most people don't seem to know, is to use a tiny amount of detergent. More is not better. Back in the day before HE, the regular detergent boxes had directions for front loaders that showed the amounts and I would usually cut even that in 1/2. Since Americans don't read instructions now, they came out with HE detergent, which is the exactly the same thing as regular, except that it has an anti-sudsing agent added. People still put too much of this in their washers which is the biggest reason front loaders fail.
• The second trick is that you leave the washer door open so the tub can dry out. If you don't, mold will develop. Since people don't do this and there is a lot of leftover crud in the washer from too much detergent being used which mold loves, it gunks up the washer. Unfortunately some of the front loader designs now have doors which can't be left open. The instructions I got with the White Westinghouse advised to leave it open and had a door designed where this could be done without sticking out.

These days, I don't care to own ANY appliance made by the big three. This means Whirlpool, GE or Electrolux. These three own all the major brands in the USA and you get pretty much the same components inside whether you have a cheapo contractor grade model, or one with all the bells and whistles on it. Most of them are useless options also.

I have two recommendations. The top choice is Miele. The price on their appliances will take your breath away, but you will end up with something which will last for 25-40 years with no issues. If that is something that you don't wish to go with then my next recommendation would be Speed Queen. This is an American manufacturer of laundry mat washers but they have a very well built line of home machines as well. They don't sell them in the big box stores so you will need to look them up online.

[GOLD DUCK]

QWAK,HUMmmmmmmmmm Concidering what is coming and Obama intending to screw every one with high energy prices I got a SOLUTION to all 3 problems!

Just go PRIMITIVE!



Find a big flat rock next to a stream or pond -- that takes care of the WASHER.

Next find a piece of ROPE -- the DRYER problem solved.

Finely -- a 5 gal. bucket and the toilet flushing problem is solved too!

Take all them $$$$ and buy some SILVER and when SILVER goes to $500.00 an OZ. higher some one for $.25 an hr. to wash your cloths and DUMP the BUCKET!

Why do people make simple things SOooooooooooooooooo complicated?

the DUCK

[HairHopper]

As for the toilet, go get a Caroma toilet because it has a "wash down" trap in it instead of the stupid "siphon jet" technology used on almost all other toilets sold in North America. Outside of NA, toilets are almost always of the wash down design because they don't clog up. Siphon jet, works but only if a lot of water is used. When the environmental nazi mandated 1.5 gallon toilets they had to make the trap small, 2.5 inches, so it is easily clogged. Wash down traps are 4 inches and they don't clog.

[gringott]

QWAK,HUMmmmmmmmmm Concidering what is coming and Obama intending to screw every one with high energy prices I got a SOLUTION to all 3 problems!

Just go PRIMITIVE!



Find a big flat rock next to a stream or pond -- that takes care of the WASHER.

Next find a piece of ROPE -- the DRYER problem solved.

Finely -- a 5 gal. bucket and the toilet flushing problem is solved too!

Take all them $$$$ and buy some SILVER and when SILVER goes to $500.00 an OZ. higher some one for $.25 an hr. to wash your cloths and DUMP the BUCKET!

Why do people make simple things SOooooooooooooooooo complicated?

the DUCK

When I lived in Honduras my clothes were washed by the maid using the beat on a rock technique / problem is clothes don't last very long that way.

[GOLD DUCK]

When I lived in Honduras my clothes were washed by the maid using the beat on a rock technique / problem is clothes don't last very long that way.

QWAK,gringott,Well I did say we will be going PRIMITIVE so soon all you will need is a LOIN CLOTH any way!

Winter time will be a bit chilly!

It is that or get used to dirty cloths that CRUNCH!

the DUCK

[ralleia]

As for the toilet, go get a Caroma toilet because it has a "wash down" trap in it instead of the stupid "siphon jet" technology used on almost all other toilets sold in North America. Outside of NA, toilets are almost always of the wash down design because they don't clog up. Siphon jet, works but only if a lot of water is used. When the environmental nazi mandated 1.5 gallon toilets they had to make the trap small, 2.5 inches, so it is easily clogged. Wash down traps are 4 inches and they don't clog.

I *LOVE* our two Caromas.

Haven't had a clog ever since we installed them, at least half a decade ago.

[GOLD DUCK]

QWAK,I have a set of Apt. size Wirlpools -- built in 1970 and I am the 3ed owner and I have had them 34 years. I droped the washer down a flight of stats back in 88 moving it out of my Chicago apartment ,when I was moving to the cabin. Had to jerry rig a broken plastic part that held the over flow hose and jump out the lid door safty switch, but it still works to clean my cloths!

The DRYER I just fixed agen monday, for about the 20th time -- the wire heating eliment keeps burning off at the point ware it plugs in, so I just strech it out and hook the end to the PIN agen and I have a WARM DRY towl and robe when I get out of my DUCK POND!

They are both 42 yeas old now and as long as I can keep fixing them -- THEY got a HOME!

No solid state and basic cicles with moterised timers and mechanical contacts.

I think buying older units from Goodwill etc. is better than the fancy new ones --- NEW and FANCY don't make them better or likely get your cloths cleaner!

Who cares what a washer and dryer looks like as long as they work?

Buy a BOOK and learn to fix them -- they are not very complicated, realy!

the DUCK

[Goldhedge]

One of these with a bar of Naptha soap works wonders...

[GOLD DUCK]

One of these with a bar of Naptha soap works wonders...

QWAK,Goldhedge,I got 3 of them and wash tubs to go with them --- they are my plan "B" -- "C" and "D" but have yet found a woman who knows how OR will make them FUNCTION!

the DUCK

[ralleia]

QWAK,Goldhedge,I got 3 of them and wash tubs to go with them --- they are my plan "B" -- "C" and "D" but have yet found a woman who knows how OR will make them FUNCTION!

the DUCK

Aw, heck Duck. I know how. It ain't exactly rocket science. And as tempting as you are, I'm currently attached.

There's really nothing to washing clothes except agitating them in water with a little soap in it. The soap really doesn't do a whole lot--it doesn't even sanitize. To sanitize you need hot hot hot water.

The toughest thing about washing the clothes is getting rid of the water. Wringing them out isn't terribly effective, and it's hell on the clothes (as is the washboard). I remember doing laundry with my grandmum, fishing the clothes out of the old washer and running them through the clothes wringer into the rinse tub. Then rotating the wringer and fishing the clothes out of the rinse tub to run through the wringer again into the laundry basket, then taking them outside to hang to dry.

Man, them were the days...

[GOLD DUCK]

QWAK,ralleia,I was just teasing.

I missed a deal about 30 years ago, for FREE, for one of the old 1930s wash macheans with a WRINGER and have many times wished I had not -- the things were built like tanks and you can't kill them!

I have been doing my own laundry and taking care of my self SOoooooooooooo long that last year I had a lady make me breakfast -- eggs over easy,baccon,toast and hash browns and coffee -- it was SOooooooooooo nice I almost left a TIP on the table -- except I had no money in my pocket at the time!

the DUCK

[ralleia]

QWAK,ralleia,I was just teasing.

And I'm just flirting in fun with you, DUCK. I guess that's a bit difficult to convey with just text and smileys.

[budfox]

And I'm just flirting in fun with you, DUCK. I guess that's a bit difficult to convey with just text and smileys.

Why don't you two guys get a thread.....

[GOLD DUCK]

Why don't you two guys get a thread.....

QWAK,budfox,Obviously you don't understand much beyond HOOKERS and BLOW -- and think very one sees life THAT way!

the DUCK

[Fiat Metaler]

before you buy a new machine, consider if its not the detergent. most detergents in the last few years have little or no phosphate in them anymore, which makes them less effective. Gary North wrote a good practical article about this a little while back - maybe a year or so. you can buy TSP to supplement your dish and clothers washer or if you look hard you might find old fashioned detergent with phosphate.

[DodgebyDave]

I say it's a sign that we should all go naked. Think of the environmental savings.

[hoarder]

Now that almost all appliance manufacturers are controlled by so few, they have figured out ways to make sure none of them last much longer than 8 years or so. They have added so many electronic gizmos and digital clocks and other "conveniences" nobody wants that it now seems to be a better idea to just buy a 20 year old washer and dryer for $85 apiece and run them for another 10 years even if cost is no consideration.
Since I live off grid, washers and dryers will have to run on generator or inverter power, either of which may void the warranty on most of the newer gems. I've been running my old 1980's washer using generator power for 3 years with no problems.

It seems that with all the mergers, aquisitions, consolidation, monopolization and big box stores, almost every product we use has suffered a major decrease in quality in the last decade, all the way down to gasoline we burn in our vehicles and food we buy at the grocery store.

[gnome]

Thanks for all the replies!

Now that almost all appliance manufacturers are controlled by so few, they have figured out ways to make sure none of them last much longer than 8 years or so.

75% of washing machines are now whirlpool - they own maytag.

Talked to an uncle today who worked as an appliance salesman recently - he gave the same 8 year figure. Planned obsolescence chaps my butt in the worst way. This video says it all:



The newer washing machines all should be on a surge protector and extended warranty is worth it in this case.

[Someone_else]

We bought a LG front washer and dryer almost six years ago. I used "Lucky Goldstar" ("LG") chips some years back when they made cheap SRAMS, and figured they changed their brand name for some reason. If they can make decent CMOS memories, they should be able to make good appliances, right?

Well, we had some problems. The washer started having problems after a couple years. I downloaded the service manual, ran the diagnostics, did some tests, and found that one of the wires for the main motor was cut. Apparently, the wire was too close to a sharp part of sheet metal and the vibration cut it open. That was a pain in the ass, but a crimp butt joint fixed it.

Then we had buttons on the panel that just stopped working. I pulled the circuit board and found that some switches were bad. These were miniature circuit board switches that should be rated for tens or hundreds of thousands of actuations. I can only guess that they were not sealed properly and somehow the humidity got to them. That also implies that the contacts were made of substandard alloys, certainly not the usual copper/beryllium spring alloys in decent switches.

So I desoldered about six or seven bad switches and soldered in new ones from my parts box. Fortunately the board had holes for standard switches. Problem solved.

Yes, I fixed the problems for less than a dollar of parts. But what a hassle! Or is an hour of labor every few years a cheap trade compared with the alternatives? I guess this is probably a personal choice.

[HairHopper]

Thanks for all the replies!



75% of washing machines are now whirlpool - they own maytag.

Indeed. They also own the high end brand Kitchenaid. In most cases you will find exactly the same components used inside them all despite the fact that Kitchenaid dishwashers can cost 2X as much as a Whirlpool. Kitchenaid was once owned by Hobart and those machines were built to run forever. I have a pre-Whirlpool Maytag gas dryer from their Dependacare line which has been running without any issues since 1994. Whirlpool maytags are not built this well.