Dirty/Moldy Washers -- Toploaders *and* Frontloaders
dadoes
4 years ago
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dadoes
4 years agodadoes
4 years agoRelated Discussions
which of these is the best he top-load washer?
Comments (15)I'd go with the Kenmore, but upgrade to built-in heater. We just bought one to replace our old LG front loader, which died a horrible "tub seal death" but which had performed admirably for 7+ years. We loved that washer, and I really felt it would be difficult at best to replace it. It was a champ, washing delicates and dog beds, sanitizing stuff in our household when we had 2 cancer patients in residence, cleaning things that had to be hand washed. It did all of this well -- and significantly reduced our water and utility bills. The only time we had "mold issues" was when I used Costco detergent. Enter the kenmore 29272. I'm in love. The only downside I've found to this washer, for me (a short person) is that it can sometimes be difficult to get that stray sock that ends up at the far side of the tub. But for our needs, this washer is just about perfect, or as close as we were going to get with current options. It doesn't vibrate our house, it can handle GIANT loads of towels, clothes, dog beds, rugs...and it's done really well with hand wash delicates as well. It's quiet and mostly very intuitive. I'd highly recommend you consider upgrading your choices to this one. We found ours on sale at Sears (see my earlier posts) for not much more than the link you provided lists for the Kenmore without the heater. And they threw in free delivery. You'll notice, too, that the upgraded Kenmore gets much better reviews than the one without the heater. Here is a link that might be useful: Kenmore with built in heater...See MoreStainless traditional top-load washer?
Comments (7)I don't know anyone personally (and I know a lot of people given all the clubs of which I am a member and all the family members I have) who like the front loaders and all say their clothes do not come clean as they did with the top loaders. I have yet to meet anyone personally who cares for them. Most of them say they are going to the laundromat and their washer is either for sell or for emergency wash. No "real" people, who actually use them, like them. I hear some of the young ladies in my choir group say they like them but it comes down to them not using them and their housekeepers are stuck with these inferior monsters. Even those young ladies who swear by them but do not use them admit they "smell horrible."...See MoreMoldy FL Washer: Should we throw in the towel?
Comments (26)Come on, I didn't say use any particular minimum, I said use the minimum needed, and no more. The minimum amount required varies according to load size, product, water chem. and temp, and soil load. No matter how much you use, if you get in the habit of over-dosing for your situation, you'll get into difficulties. I happen to use a very small dose of regular (non-HE) Cheer powder in my 5kg Euro FLs: just about 1 1/2 tablespoons (slightly less than one of those green Charlie's scoops - I like the scoops better than the product, but that's another story). I use somewhat more when my stuff is particularly grungy (animal, garden or woodlot dirt). My water is naturally quite soft (spring water). My cleaning is excellent, otherwise I would use whatever additional level of product needed to achieve the results I require. I am certainly not prescribing this level of product for anyone else. All I am trying to do is point out that for some people radical reductions in the "normal" dosage may be perfectly acceptable. Cleaning results always depend on the interaction among soil load, product selection and quantity, time, temperature of wash water and vigor of agitation. I do tend to use hotter water than many people do, partly because I can, but mostly because most of my fabrics can withstand hotter temps. My older Miele and Asko are default long-cycle machines, so my time is longer than many people would have and my water is particularly fine. Perhaps those are the major keys to my success. YMMV, but I've had my FLs for going on two decades with this regimen. I would have noticed, by now, if it was creating problems. The detergent questions often comes up with new FL users who are having trouble adjusting from their old habits. Top loaders are much more forgiving of too much product, in my experience. (The reason for that is that TLs use so much more water, any excess is diluted out of harmfulness.) Many people are pretty casual about dumping stuff in and figure if a little is good, then more is better. You'll get in big trouble with most FLs if you continue on that path, no matter which product you choose. Apparently I am getting near-perfect suspension of the dirt in the wash liquor since I always get soft, clean clothes and have no build-up in my washers. I think everybody should start with set dosing (package suggested dosing is a fine place to start) and evaluate in situ. If you get good results, then see what somewhat less will do. If results degrade, increase back up. If it's still fine, then try another drop. You have to measure consistently for this plan to work. The less detergent we use, the better for the Earth. And you may find you can save some bucks, as well. L...See MoreFRONTLOADER USING LOTS OF WATER OR COMMERCIAL GRADE MAYTAG TOPLOADER?
Comments (31)I think you would be happier, overall with a SQ FL if you could find one for sale. The smaller commercial TL is kind of like a petite washing machine in terms of capacity. Ex: what would have taken 3 loads in my (at the time) 3.6 cu ft FL at home, required 5 to 6 of those TL machines at the laundromat. They washed well, but the final extraction was not the best, certainly not as good as my present washer or my old ones. I told myself it was likely due to it not being the best maintained laundromat, but who knows--it could be inherent to that particular model. Jeff's reporting on his SQ FL is impressive and made me wish I had gone that route instead because if I remember correctly, the SQ FL would have fit in my space. I was 12 years into poor FL performance and frequent break downs, so I didn't want to go that route again at the time I needed to buy. You would just have to learn how to use it properly. It's not a big change over, but a few little changes and you are set. Plus, Mr hisown would be happy too....See MoreKathi Steele
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