[FONT=Book Antiqua]I am in the market for a new washer and dryer and initially was extremely interested in the maytag neptune set. I have heard that the sytem is not worth the money, and that there have been some reported problems. I am interested in front loaders, and large capacity units.
I logged onto e-opinions and really couldn't gain a lot of information or knowlege through that website, so I thought I would throw it out here to see what the members had to say.
Any recommendations?
Thanks in advance..................... [/FONT]
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I have never had a problem with the smell and I have a top of the line Kenmore. I do always dry the door and under the rubber after every load to ensure no moisture is left in the washer. Also I leave the door slightly ajar (not noticeable to anyone) for about an hour or so.
I use 2 tablespoons of detergent and I use fabric softener for the first time as I never used it before and find that the clothes are much softer now. I used to use the sheets but now add it to the drawer with the detergent.
*it's a drag when you forget that one sock or t-shirt in the load ... too bad you can't open the machine once it has started
*
Margie
I have a LG front loader and I can open the machine after it has started. I just hit the pause button and wait for it to unlock. The manual says the door won't unlock if the water temperature or level is too high so I guess it probably wouldn't open once it has finished filling with water with a large load in it.
ok - that makes sense. & yes I have used the vinegar trick for salt sweat stains.
Vinegar is a good rinse agent and also helps set colours so maybe that is why people use it. I had to chuckle at the french fries comment. Someone once told me that you could get perspiration stains out of sweaters and shirts with vinegar (it works BTW) but there were times when that craving came up as the vinegar seemed to stay with the sweaters especially.
Curious.
So when you are drying off you can close your eyes and imagine yourself at a french fry stand of course! :laugh: I'm kidding, I have never heard of this but I hope it would be added [B]before[/B] the rinse cycle.
Well I tried it I used a teaspoon of DW liquid in both the pre wash and the wash and the dishes came out perfect sparkling clean. I have been filling both spots up all these years thinking that the dishes wouldn't get clean without it and today a usual load ( that I never pre rinse) and only less than half in each slot and spotless clean dishes. Thanks for the great tip now to show DH how much soap to use.
ok - got to ask as I have never heard this about adding vinegar to the wash of new towels ???
Curious.
Y'know, my friends look askance at me when I tell them I have never used more than 1 tsp of dishwasher detergent because that's what I was told to do by "someone" whom I can't recall now, but I was confident he knew what he was talking about. My dishes are always lovely and clean. Previous to that I had made a mess of some of my glasses (etched) and I was told it was because I was using too much detergent. Switching to 1 tsp solved my problem. So I'm all for reducing the amounts recommended on the boxes.
I just bought a box of powdered Tide. I've been using the liquid but thought I'd switch.
Do you ever add a cup of vinegar to your wash water when you wash a bunch of new towels for the first time - or is that only necessary if they are dark colours?
With this new front loader ... how should I add vinegar? Shall I just toss it into the wash or add it to the detergent cup?
So I am going to follow your suggestion and see how it works.
That is the one I have love it and for the $$$$$ great buy.
I too have the kenmore (Sears) heavy duty stackable front loading washing and drying.
Here are some of my thoughts, hope they help.
* love, love LOVE having them in the kitchen. quiet and so convenient.
* washes quickly with less water usage
*make sure you buy the proper liquid detergent for front washers
*it's a drag when you forget that one sock or t-shirt in the load ... too bad you can't open the machine once it has started
*I worried about the constant bending to load the machine but it hasn't been a problem.
*both machines are very efficient and I bought middle of the road - on sale, about $1200.00 for both.
*smelly door sometimes, I just leave it open overnight once and a while
Hope this helps!
Margie
I have the same make and model in this house as I had in the last one and when we lived on the Island mine smelled terrible even when I wiped it out and now we are in a much drier climate I have no smell at all. I use so little soap I have never measured it but I would guess it is about 1 tbsp.
The salesman told me he dries the inside of his washer door including under the rubber seal to dry up the moisture to elimate that smell. He says it takes an extra minute to do it but it's worth it as he has never had to use those tabs they are now selling. My washer recommends using a chlorine bleach rinse monthly to eliminate the smell but I will probably just dry the inside with a towel. I used to leave the door open to dry when I had a front loader at another house but I don't find that very practical having the laundry centre in the hallway.
Yes Liza, I am serious! One tablespoon! If you are using the powdered HE keep an old tablespoon in your box to measure the detergent. I am currently using liquid HE----same thing ---One tablespoon =15 mil. I know people who sell the appliances and service the appliances and this is what they recommend using. You might want to leave the door to your front load washer ajar periodically to let the door and tub dry out as it can sometimes have a wicked smell if kept closed all of the time. A common complaint with front loaders.
Actually if you are washing your clothes for the first time in the front loader you may want to avoid using any soap the first time. It's quite amazing how much soap you will see sudsing anyway as the residue from your old machine comes out of them.
Wow! Seriously? [I][U]One [/U][/I]tablespoon??? Okay, I'll try it.
Try using one tablespoon of HE detergent. It seems to work just fine. We have a water softener and LG front loader.
I dunno about anyone else but I am a sucker for laundry soaps/stuff.
My cupboards and or laundry shelving look like a store. Everytime a new scent comes out, I gotta have it. Of course with the matching softener.
I do end up finishing them but I acquire them faster.
& then I have a friend that buys the jumbo size of one at Costco and uses that for years until used up.
I have experimented with cold water for our dark wash. Unfortunately it is useless on my husband's dark t-shirts. Though he does not have body odour that I have ever observed, and he never wears a shirt more than once, his t-shirts and towels are definitely sour when I don't use hot water.
I am going to try using that extra rinse and see what happens.
I use very little soap and always HE Cold Water and I also use the extra rinse cycle on mine. I did put in Zero one time and I had to rinse 3 times as there was so many suds.
Try using the least amount of detergent indicated and if you've done that even less. Cold water also removes soap faster than warm water.
I used my new front loader for the first time on the weekend and I noticed a lot of bubbles, I have a water softner at this house. When I didn't have a water softner I didn't notice any bubbles. So I have to conclude that it's the water softness that is the difference.
It IS shocking at first to see how little water they use compared to top loaders but that is the way they are. Mine barely comes up to the top of the glass and is only noticeable when they clothes are moving around.
Exactly how much liquid HE detergent are you using?
I am wondering if I am going to have to start using the extra rinse cycle.
Maybe I should try using no detergent to see if I can get the softness back?
If anyone is also from a soft water area and has experience with the front load washers I'd love to hear from you.
I see some water in mine I have a Kenmore front loader but having said this my boss just bought a set of Whirlpool and he has sent it back twice the laundry keeps getting caught in the rubber around the glass and it is wearing the rubber and ruining the laundry and they can't figure out why. Maybe there isn't enough water in his also.
Sounds like soap residue to me too. With my front loader I can see water sloshing around on the glass, not a lot, but I can see it on the glass. I wouldn't say I can see what level it is though since it's always moving.
I wonder if you are getting a long enough rinse cycle or if your machine is set for a smaller load than you are putting in. I know some machines have self-setting features and maybe if yours does, something is not right with it.
We have a gorgeous new Whirlpool Duet. It's large capacity. My laundry room looks like the inside of a space ship now! gun metal grey appliances. This is what I am noticing and I don't like it: My clothes are drying and feeling crispy instead of the softness I used to get with my trusty ol' Admiral top loader. I am following the directions on the Tide HE. I pour to the #2 line and I fill up the washer with clothing and towels.
My thoughts are that they are full of soap. I live on the West Coast and our water is very soft. I'd sure like to hear from anyone else who finds their laundry is coming out this way.
The other thing I notice is it looks like there is hardly any water in there. I realize they don't use much ... but this seems like over-kill (under-kill) to me. I can hardly see [I]any [/I]water and I know the taps are open. What do you see when your laundry is tumbling? Is the water [I]really [/I]obvious? I'm sure when I've used a front loader at a laundromat there's been lots of water sloshing around.
I've done a few big loads now and the washer takes about an hour. It has a timer on it that shows how many minutes are left until completion. A load in my front loader is probably like 2 loads in my top loader though and it takes less time to dry too. In the end, I think I am definitely ahead. It has a setting to do a quick wash for small loads as well, but I haven't tried it to see exactly how long that is.
Anrol - thanks for those links.
All I've read is good stuff. You have me convinced I need a new set sooner than later. Fortunately our set is 20+ years so it may not be long. :D
BTW, how long is the wash cycle? I heard of a Meile that took 2 hours though that was at a cottage so expect water pressure was a major issue.
If you want a real test, wash a load of clothes without adding any soap and watch the suds happen. That's how much soap is left behind in top loaders and why front loaders do such a nice job. No soap residue so clothes are nice and soft and clean feeling.
Yep, my first one. My DH did get them hooked up late last night, like he said, which is amazing. :p
I put on one load before bed to try it out and am impressed. I washed mostly my 10yr old son's clothes. His socks which are usually the most disgusting things on earth, crunchy and brown, came out like new again. My old top loader never came close to cleaning them properly.
I chose the titanium colour and it looks pretty whizzy with all the chrome on it. I like how it plays a little tune instead of an annoying buzz too. It was pretty easy to use as well.
I guess the only downside is that it seems to take longer to wash a load of clothes but then it does take less time to dry them so it is kind of a toss-up. All in all, they get 2 thumbs up from me. :applaud:
That was fast. So, is this your first front loader? If it is, prepare to be dazzled and looking to wash everything in the house.