Special Detergent for Front-Load Washer?

[xxxInfidelxxx]

My wife is bugging me to buy a washer, given that we sold our old ones more than a month ago when we moved into our new home and she's tried of going to the laundry joint.

I was doing some research and just read that you should use special soap (low suds) in the new(er) front-load machines? Is this folk lore?

Anyone using a front loader they really, really like? There's an open box LG washer/dryer combo, which I really like...all enclosed and no need to run a dryer hose...washes, then swiches over to dry. Many complain that it takes two cycles to dry, but I am in no hurry (and probably a wash, excuse the pun, on the energy given the efficiency of the new units w/ less water consuption).

I am so sick of looking at every model out there that I might just spring for the nice black LGs I saw in Home Depot awhile back...thoughts?

PS...$179/per pedestal is extortion...sonsofbiotches...clearly designed and marketed toward the women

 

[MDE]

Our new top-loading Kenmore Elite washer also requires High-Efficiency (HE) detergent although I think that's being ignored right now, the Tide HE we used seemed fine. If you have a Sears Service Center nearby check out their scratch and dent stuff, you can save quite a bit of cash.

 

[EyeMWing]

I have an ancient front-loader, and don't give it any special treatment.

 

[QueBert]

LG has a steam washer, from what I understand it's bad ass. You don't need a dryer, you don't need soap, it uses very little water, is fast and cleans clothes wonderfully. Best Buy sells them. I'm thinking about getting one.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: xxxInfidelxxx
PS...$179/per pedestal is extortion...sonsofbiotches...clearly designed and marketed toward the women

Plywood and 2x4s is all you need. Screw the drawers.

 

[xxxInfidelxxx]

Originally posted by: QueBert
LG has a steam washer, from what I understand it's bad ass. You don't need a dryer, you don't need soap, it uses very little water, is fast and cleans clothes wonderfully. Best Buy sells them. I'm thinking about getting one.

Yea, I saw a nice cherry red one tonight...sweet setup. It costs 3x what I paid for my first car, though.

 

[xxxInfidelxxx]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: xxxInfidelxxx
PS...$179/per pedestal is extortion...sonsofbiotches...clearly designed and marketed toward the women

Plywood and 2x4s is all you need. Screw the drawers.

I'm with you...was about to fire up the miter saw, but the warden isn't buying it.

 

[codeyf]

We had what was a very nice Kenmore HE Front Loader. $400+ later in repairs, we now have a Elite Top loader (non-HE). Service guy said he ALWAYS recommends HE detergent. According to him, the normal sudsing detergen basically deteriorates what is considered the "main" seal on the tub. Once that goes, you're basically buying a new washer.

 

[dandruff]

use HE ... go bosch ... miele .. hth!

 

[0]

HE in my LG. Works good.

 

[Sketcher]

HE in our Kenmore Elite HE4T Front Load. Sweet machine. The Front loaders use less water; requiring less soap and or a less sudsing(sp) soap.

Only thing I don't like is that on high-spin/heavy loads the vibration is a bit much; we have it on our main floor (not concrete) so floor stability isn't what it should be for a front load.

As for the pedestals: they were a few pretty pennies but worth it IMO. Extra storage, also serve as step platform and it raises the door height so not much leaning/bending over to get at the clothes.

*The Whirlpool Duet is a CR Best Buy; Kenmore Elite are Whirlpool product upgraded and branded specifically for Sears.

THIS is worth a read if you haven't bought yet.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: Sketcher

Informative!

I don't know about the washers at my Uni, but we just use normal detergent for our front loaders

 

[CFster]

I have a Kenmore front loader, and use HE detergent.

First time I used the washer, I pulled up a chair and watched it. Mesmorizing...

I'm easily amused.

 

[xxxInfidelxxx]

Originally posted by: dandruff
use HE ... go bosch ... miele .. hth!

Wife likes Bosch, too. Her mother uses an 'old-school' top-load Bosh that is like the front loads, but turned sideways...drop the cloths in a door on top into a stainless steel drum, exactly like the front loads...been using it for 20 years, it seems.

Lowes has 10% off moving coupon...10% off for signing up for the credit card (will use the 6-12 months no interest and pay it off a month before the +20% deferred kicks in)...1-3 years of free Tide HE (reads: 30 bottles)...and a free pedestal if I puchase a set. That is quit tempting, I must say...but still would ring up to probably 1800 bills...insane.

 

[xxxInfidelxxx]

Originally posted by: Sketcher
HE in our Kenmore Elite HE4T Front Load. Sweet machine. The Front loaders use less water; requiring less soap and or a less sudsing(sp) soap.

Only thing I don't like is that on high-spin/heavy loads the vibration is a bit much; we have it on our main floor (not concrete) so floor stability isn't what it should be for a front load.

As for the pedestals: they were a few pretty pennies but worth it IMO. Extra storage, also serve as step platform and it raises the door height so not much leaning/bending over to get at the clothes.

*The Whirlpool Duet is a CR Best Buy; Kenmore Elite are Whirlpool product upgraded and branded specifically for Sears.

THIS is worth a read if you haven't bought yet.

Thanks, Sketcher...yea, some other forums rate the Duet quite high, too. And lots conplain that the pedestals exacerbate the vibration problems. You notice this?

 

[xxxInfidelxxx]

The washer/dryer combo units are sure in short supply in the United States...few brands make them and tough to find in store. The reviews seem great, except for the 4.5 hour total cycle time to wash, drain, switch to dry mode, dry...and still might have to hit dry for a brief spell. I do, however, like the idea of only having one unit, rather than two taking up room. I could build a small granite 'folding station' and put some wood cabinets up top and remove the plastic-coated wire shelving.

Everyone opt for the extended warranties? I am not usally a fan, for this kind of outlay, ...

 

[0roo0roo]

read consumer reports. either online or at the library. no other way to really make an educated pick

frontload is just adding complexity...its bad stuff if that seal fails you know. just get a top loader. one of the companies recently had a buncha recalls because of failing doors on those front loaders.

 

[xxxInfidelxxx]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
read consumer reports. either online or at the library. no other way to really make an educated pick

frontload is just adding complexity...its bad stuff if that seal fails you know. just get a top loader. one of the companies recently had a buncha recalls because of failing doors on those front loaders.

I was going to pay the $4.95 and read some consumer reports, but figured online forums from actual users was even better...and free.

And I wish I could get the $275 top loader with $225 matching dryer from Sears, but the wife said she is sick of her clothes soaking in dirty soap scum water and the *gasp* high water bill....whatever. I'm sure the $3/month saving will account for the price premium in, oh, 41.6 years.

 

[0roo0roo]

hm well newer washers are more water efficient, but this goes for top loaders as well. i know front loaders have the neato window, but if that seal leaks, if its in your house we're talking water damage, or a mess, if its in the garage its still not fun. its just one more thing to go wrong and you get to pay a premium for that right. its not really a good thing. only if you must stack the units to save space is it really justified.

and oh, consumer reports rates detergents as well

i just use liquid tide/kirkland liquid detergent. works ok

 

[0roo0roo]

just an example, see this was the class action settlement for leaking front loading maytag
http://www.maytagfrontloadsettlement.com/

 

[herbiehancock]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
just an example, see this was the class action settlement for leaking front loading maytag
http://www.maytagfrontloadsettlement.com/

From what I've been able to gleen from the lawsuit, leaking door seals wasn't the problem..........Neptune owners sued Maytag charging that their washers were plagued by a host of problems resulting in mold and mildew buildup, odors, and poor performance. Aside from obvious trouble signs--mold, mildew, or odors--the settlement covers machines that experience ?motor control and circuit board related failure.? It also covers problems concerning the door latch and a related part known as the wax motor.

No where does leaking doors and flooding floors from bad front door seals (any leaks centered on bad door latches, not the seals) come into the problem descriptions that is in the lawsuit, at least from what I can read or find.

 

[0]

Originally posted by: herbiehancock

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
just an example, see this was the class action settlement for leaking front loading maytag
http://www.maytagfrontloadsettlement.com/

From what I've been able to gleen from the lawsuit, leaking door seals wasn't the problem..........Neptune owners sued Maytag charging that their washers were plagued by a host of problems resulting in mold and mildew buildup, odors, and poor performance. Aside from obvious trouble signs--mold, mildew, or odors--the settlement covers machines that experience ?motor control and circuit board related failure.? It also covers problems concerning the door latch and a related part known as the wax motor.

No where does leaking doors and flooding floors from bad front door seals (any leaks centered on bad door latches, not the seals) come into the problem descriptions that is in the lawsuit, at least from what I can read or find.

before the LG, we had a Neptune, first bought in '97. We got the extended warranty, and had the repair guy out about every 6 months. Back in May, Maytag actually gave us full purchase price for the unit, which we applied to an LG. I'm glad we didn't go the settlement route, as ours was 9 years old, and that lawsuit would have given us $200, vs. $1100 that we got.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: herbiehancock

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
just an example, see this was the class action settlement for leaking front loading maytag
http://www.maytagfrontloadsettlement.com/

From what I've been able to gleen from the lawsuit, leaking door seals wasn't the problem..........Neptune owners sued Maytag charging that their washers were plagued by a host of problems resulting in mold and mildew buildup, odors, and poor performance. Aside from obvious trouble signs--mold, mildew, or odors--the settlement covers machines that experience ?motor control and circuit board related failure.? It also covers problems concerning the door latch and a related part known as the wax motor.

No where does leaking doors and flooding floors from bad front door seals (any leaks centered on bad door latches, not the seals) come into the problem descriptions that is in the lawsuit, at least from what I can read or find.

oh, i just quick googled i read about leaks somewhere else. i'm not saying its garranteed leak or anything, i'm sure the chances are pretty low now. still, it costs more.

 

[xxxInfidelxxx]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: herbiehancock

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
just an example, see this was the class action settlement for leaking front loading maytag
http://www.maytagfrontloadsettlement.com/

From what I've been able to gleen from the lawsuit, leaking door seals wasn't the problem..........Neptune owners sued Maytag charging that their washers were plagued by a host of problems resulting in mold and mildew buildup, odors, and poor performance. Aside from obvious trouble signs--mold, mildew, or odors--the settlement covers machines that experience ?motor control and circuit board related failure.? It also covers problems concerning the door latch and a related part known as the wax motor.

No where does leaking doors and flooding floors from bad front door seals (any leaks centered on bad door latches, not the seals) come into the problem descriptions that is in the lawsuit, at least from what I can read or find.

oh, i just quick googled i read about leaks somewhere else.

This is the problem wth the Information Superhighway; you have guys ou there racing around at breakneck speed, thinking they are Richard Petty

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: xxxInfidelxxxThanks, Sketcher...yea, some other forums rate the Duet quite high, too. And lots conplain that the pedestals exacerbate the vibration problems. You notice this?

I haven't run them w/out the pedestals but from a physics perspective it makes sense. I mentioned the vibration, but I'd buy the the same appliances again if I did it over. If I didn't for whatever reason buy the Kenmore Elite's I'd still be buying Front loaders. I like being able to put storage shelving direcly above the units for optimal usage of the space rather than need to keep the top area of the units clear for access. Some other things that are important to me are:

-FL units cascade the water so it actually washes through the clothing, not just soaks it. There are some fancy new top loading units that are supposed to be more gentle on clothes and use less water but I haven't read up on them.

-FL units generally have higher capacity and ability to wash large comforters. *We have a few Queen and King size comforters some of which are goose down; and we can wash them w/out a problem in our FL. A few years ago it'd cost us $65 to have our King-size goose down comforter professionally cleaned. Now it costs next to nothing (comparatively speaking).

-The extra gentle and hand-wash cycles in our unit have come in handy as well as we've put everything from silk table cloths and uh; silk other things to carpets, mats and curtains that were just too bulky or specific in cleaning to do with our top loader.

We hit 7-9 loads a week so we benefit from the lower water/soap/energy consumption but where we've more quickly recouped our costs is in being able to clean the bulky and delicate items that would normally have cost a grip to have professionally cleaned.