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OT - Front-loading washing machine experiences?
Chris and I have so much stuff, that space is ALWAYS an issue, and
anything that will save us space is always appreciated. So when we moved, and had to buy a new washer and dryer (the previous owners took theirs with them) and deep freeze, we looked into buying a frontloading washer/dryer that could be stacked, which would allow us to put the deep freeze (upright) in the laundry room, too, since there really was no other good place to put the freezer. Well, to make a long story short, that's what we did. The washer is a Tromm LG model that gets pretty good ratings. It's unfortunately not one of the oversized ones, which we couldn't afford (Darn, I was looking forward to being able to wash our King-sized comforter at home! But since we wash it only once a year --it's in a duvet-- it would take a lot of years of going to a laundromat to make up the difference in price!) It's a middle-sized model instead, and it can wash a large puffy sleeping bag, but only barely! Anyway, the washer uses VERY little water. In fact it hardly seems to get the clothes wet. I expected it to be like at the laundromat where there's LOTS of water that the clothes are being tumbled through. But there isn't even a visible pool of water. So do they really get the clothes as clean as a top loader, where they are actually soaking in water? and what about stains? Are they as good at that? As it turns out, there's more water in there than it appears - we had a short power outtage that interrupted the cycle, which turns the machine off and unlocks the door. Thinking the wash was done, I opened it, and found the clothes soaking wet, and a large puddle of water in the bottom. Made a bit of a mess (but no wave of water spilling across the floor or anything like that) as I dragged some of the clothes out. Had to restart the cycle - and it was fine. The washer uses so little water that after the first load of laundry I called customer service to describe it, and they said that so many people called to ask if it was working properly that they are redesigning it so that the water enters the drum right above the door so you can see it filling! Also, what about soap. Consumer Reports says to get the best results to use special detergent made for front loaders and/or high-efficiency washers. I have some, and it works fine, but I've always liked the smell of Cheer. What soap do you use? How well does it work? Is it necessary to switch? Cathy Weeks Mommy to Kivi Alexis 12/01 |
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It sounds normal to me. We've had a front loading washer for a few years
now. We use normal detergent, but less of it, since they are more efficient. -- Jamie Earth Angels: Taylor Marlys, 1/3/03 Addison Grace, 9/30/04 |
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Cathy Weeks wrote:
The washer uses so little water that after the first load of laundry I called customer service to describe it, and they said that so many people called to ask if it was working properly that they are redesigning it so that the water enters the drum right above the door so you can see it filling! !! Sounds normal then. I've got no idea what exists EXCEPT for front-loading machines - do you load some from the top?! Doesn't that take up LOADS of space in a kitchen? I've never seen anything else. ROSIE (In the UK - who had her first ever trip to the dental hygienist today at the age of 30 - is that very British?!) |
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Rosie wrote:
I've got no idea what exists EXCEPT for front-loading machines - do you load some from the top?! Doesn't that take up LOADS of space in a kitchen? I've never seen anything else. Yes you load them from the top. They take a lot more water because the water has to be deep enough to actually cover the clothes. There is a piece in the center that agitates back and forth and/or up and down to get them clean. Where I am at the front loaders are about three times as expensive as the top loaders so most people have top loaders. I think the houses here are also probably bigger then what you are used to. I live in the US btw. The washer is sometimes in the kitchen but more often you'll see them in a separate small laundry room or in the basement. Mine is in the basement and is combined with a bathroom. We also have washer dryer sets where the dryer is stacked up on top of the washer but the washer is still a top loader. They don't take up much space. -- Nikki |
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Nikki wrote:
Yes you load them from the top. They take a lot more water because the water has to be deep enough to actually cover the clothes. There is a piece in the center that agitates back and forth and/or up and down to get them clean. Sounds really violent - don't front-loaders (with just a spinning drum) cause less damage to clothes? Thanks for the info! ROSIE p.s. I don't have mine in the kitchen.... but yes most people do! : ) |
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"Rosie" wrote in
: Nikki wrote: Yes you load them from the top. They take a lot more water because the water has to be deep enough to actually cover the clothes. There is a piece in the center that agitates back and forth and/or up and down to get them clean. Sounds really violent - don't front-loaders (with just a spinning drum) cause less damage to clothes? yes, front loaders are much more gentle on clothes. they also use far less water (a top loader uses about 40 gallons 151.416 Liters per load & less soap. i think most can do slightly larger loads too, since there's no center post. lee |
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In misc.kids.pregnancy Rosie wrote:
: Sounds really violent - don't front-loaders (with just a spinning drum) : cause less damage to clothes? Absolutely. Our old top loading agitator machine used to regularaly fray my cuffs before any other part of the shirt was slightly worn! Larry |
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"Nikki" wrote in message ...
clean. Where I am at the front loaders are about three times as expensive as the top loaders so most people have top loaders. They are dropping in price. I have a middle-side top loader that cost around $700 - that's much less than 3X the price of your average top-loader. We also have washer dryer sets where the dryer is stacked up on top of the washer but the washer is still a top loader. They don't take up much space. When we went to Florida in January, we stayed in a condo that my in-laws rented. It had one of the two-in-one stacked units, and you are right, they take up very little space. It was in a small closet outside one of the bathrooms. The closet was maybe 3 feet wide by about 3 feet deep. I think that's the only time I've seen one in actual use (not in an appliance store). We did a couple of loads of laundry in it, and it did fine. I don't think they are very common. Cathy Weeks Mommy to Kivi Alexis 12/01 |
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Cathy Weeks wrote:
"Nikki" wrote in message ... clean. Where I am at the front loaders are about three times as expensive as the top loaders so most people have top loaders. They are dropping in price. I have a middle-side top loader that cost around $700 - that's much less than 3X the price of your average top-loader. Oh, that is much less then the one's our store carried. I didn't shop around for one so perhaps other stores have better deals, even in my area. When we went to Florida in January, we stayed in a condo that my in-laws rented. It had one of the two-in-one stacked units, and you are right, they take up very little space. It was in a small closet outside one of the bathrooms. The closet was maybe 3 feet wide by about 3 feet deep. I think that's the only time I've seen one in actual use (not in an appliance store). We did a couple of loads of laundry in it, and it did fine. I don't think they are very common. I see them around but I wouldn't call them common. My dad has one. It works fine except I can't cram as many clothes in it as I can mine ;-) -- Nikki |
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Yes you load them from the top. They take a lot more water because the water has to be deep enough to actually cover the clothes. There is a piece in the center that agitates back and forth and/or up and down to get them clean. Where I am at the front loaders are about three times as expensive as the top loaders so most people have top loaders. For us, the end price was lower for the front loader. List price *was* 3x higher, but there was a manufacturer rebate, a distributor rebate, a power-company rebate, and two tax credits that brought the price down from close to $600 to $187. Oh, and we managed to get it on sale, too..lol! My husband swears that when businesses see me coming they scramble to lower their prices. Jenrose |
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OT - Front-loading washing machine experiences? | Cathy Weeks | General | 39 | October 21st 04 04:01 AM |