Now that's funny! Thanks Patti...and it's never too late for a good joke.

Dorothy, All the EPA rules to make washing machines and dishwashers use less energy have just about ruined them. It takes dish washers an eternity to dry dishes now, for example, because the manufacturers have replaced one big motor with multiple small motors to save electricity. Those small motors don't have the power to do the job well. I learned this from the repair guy who was here to repair our brand new washer that did not work at all on Day 1 when it was installed. Aparently the main control board and everything else electronic inside of it didn't work. By the time he replaced all the electronics inside of it, the parts had cost as much as the dishwasher cost when we bought it. It didn't cost us a cent because it obviously was under warranty, but it was aggravating. I agree that country people need true hot water cycles, not lukewarm water cycles. I became aware of the hot water issue with clothes washers when researching washers and dryers on the Laundry Forum here at GW, and was shocked to learn that hot isn't hot any more. Our next washer will have the built-in water heater to help ensure that when we use hot water, we get hot water. It is ridiculous that this is necessary just like it is ridiculous you had to get a commercial model. Stockergal, They don't make anything to last any more, do they? Old appliance are the best. If I'd known how bad new ones were, I never would have replaced our old washer and dryer about 8 years ago. We would have just kept on repairing them forever. It is ridiculous that your two-year-old washing machine is trying to die already. I expect ours to go any time. Our repair guy (who works for a very large repair firm that does warranty work/extended warranty work for virtually all appliance manufacturers) told me late last month that the washers and dryers made now last about 10 years and no longer, and that is if you don't get a lemon. Sounds like your machine owes you 8 more years of service that you're not likely to get. Kim, You are a good daughter for not saying I told you so. I hate a lot of the features on this new machines. I don't care how many features a new machine has if those features make it harder to use instead of simpler. My mom's clothes washer is at least 30 years old, still looks pretty good, works great and doesn't give her any trouble at all. They don't make washers like that any more. Amy, It is ridiculous, isn't it? I've never heard of a washer tearing buttons off clothing. That must have been incredibly aggravating. With the front loaders there's also endless complaints about them rubbing/tearing tiny holes in clothing, especially cotton t-shirts, often the first time the clothing is washed. Of course, I suspect the problem also has something to do with the quality of clothing sold nowadays not being any better than the quality of appliances. Paula, I hope you'll keep us posted on your new washer, how well it works and how well you like it. Clearly, we have a crowd of people here who are not necessarily impressed with their own fairly-new washers. Dawn

lol

Annie, the danger of having the doors open out is that some people move around through life like a charging moose - so if the doors opened out there would be a lot of injuries. People walking by on the outside of the stall would get those doors slammed into them when the occupants come barreling out. I agree opening in is a PITA, but I think it's less likely to cause injuries. Kathsgarden - in my younger days when I was in college, I worked at a sports stadium as a glorified janitor. Great college job bc I got to see all kinds of neat performances for free, and hey even got paid for it at the same time. :) Anyway, just had to note that people are pigs. I saw no real difference in the level of disgusting-ness between the men's and women's bathrooms. Some women will drop used feminine hygiene products on the floor, rather than put them in the containers which are literally hanging on the wall right next to them. Who does that? Sooo disgusting. However it was not uncommon to find actual feces on the tops/sides of toilet bowls, in both bathrooms. Again, I don't understand how someone can do that in a restroom and just walk away leaving it for someone else to clean up. So yes, I agree, (some) people are pigs. Working as the janitor in a public restroom really destroys one's faith in humanity.