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Post by Chris on Apr 24, 2010 18:26:27 GMT -5
Hi sleepymom ours is a Frigidaire too front loader. And it had been giving me trouble for awhile -- I'd come out and find water in the load and then be upset but at first if I'd run it thru the last part of the cycle again it would remove the water and I went on with my day. This time I was fed up so called the repair - I guess it's lucky I made it to 7 years.
I will say this -- I probably got a low end frontloader so maybe I'm not being fair - but I won't get another one. They save on water definitely but this one anyway does not get really dirty clothing as clean as my other traditional washers always did. Probably precisely for that reason: it uses less water. I hope I won't have to replace this machine anytime soon but I will be looking at the older kind if I do have to.
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Post by downandout on Apr 24, 2010 18:35:56 GMT -5
i usually do 2 to 3 loads at a time. but this is usually only once a week. with just me and hubby we dont have that much. we reuse bath towels too and bedding is done every other week. we have a sears brand top loader which we bought used maybe 6 years ago?? i have no idea how old it was before we got it tho.
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Post by _Linda_ on Apr 24, 2010 18:44:35 GMT -5
I think that on average I do about 3 loads a week, depending on the week and what needs washed. I have had my washer for about 14 years. After several moves and getting banged up, it is still working. Although I think that I now have a leak.  I am not looking forward to replacing it. |
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Post by sleepymom on Apr 24, 2010 23:30:42 GMT -5
Chris, have you tried changing detergents? I`ve always used Tide powder, but it was hard to find in HE, so I went to using liquid for awhile. My clothes just weren`t getting clean and I ended up with permanent stains on some things. I was really mad, thinking it was the washer, but I did some shopping around and found powder Tide HE at a couple of stores I don`t shop regularly and things are coming out much cleaner now. I know Tide isn`t everyone`s favorite, but maybe try getting some small containers of other kinds of detergents and see if something else might work better for you.
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Post by jkordestani on Apr 24, 2010 23:52:25 GMT -5
Chris ...
I agree with sleepymom. My front loader does a much, much better job than a top loader to get the clothes clean. I use Dreft powder. I don't think liquid detergent works as well in a front loader. Because Dreft doesn't make an he version, I use about a 1/16th of a cup of the regular powder. Another problem with front loaders is people almost always use too much soap. It is hard to get the clothes clean if the soap isn't rinsing out, and this might make you add more soap. I also put white vinegar in the rinse area where you are supposed to put fabric softener. I don't like the chemicals of the softeners and my kids get eczema, so the vinegar cuts the soap and softens the clothes too. I would try a different soap before you write off the front loader.
As for how much laundry I do ... if I get behind, I will do 8 to 10 loads over a two day period. Constant running of the machine. Normally, lately, I've been doing 1 or two loads each day, and almost never right back to back. I did have to have my machine repaired after 4 years, but it wasn't the pump that broke. It was some circle of coil magnet looking things on the back of the drum cuz the washer wouldn't spin anymore. I have an LG Tromm.
I have been really horrible at keeping up with the laundry all my life. I used to let everything get dirty -- I mean everything. I might do a load or two of undies and such, and then live out of that laundry basket while I wore the rest of the clothes that were still clean. Lately, I have been really good about doing laundry almost every day. It is much better for my peace of mind.
Hooray for all you laundresses!
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Post by StuffNoMore on Apr 25, 2010 1:30:33 GMT -5
Hi Chris, I usually only wash one load at a time, very occasionally two. But I'm the oddball because I actually enjoy doing laundry! When I grow up I want to be just like Diane!!!!  |
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Post by fluffernut - now Jannie on Apr 25, 2010 15:02:13 GMT -5
I do one load a day. My two DDs still live at home for now and they do their own laundry. One nice thing is younger DD age 20 will do a few of my towels and washcloths when she does her laundry. And she folds and puts them away!
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Post by def6 on Apr 25, 2010 15:45:23 GMT -5
We have not had very good luck recently with washers. My last one only lasted 3 years. I hope my new one will last longer. I did buy the warranty.
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Post by eagle on Apr 25, 2010 16:18:22 GMT -5
Chris, I don't think you are too hard on your washer and dryer. When my sons were small, luckily pre-squalor days, I had at least 3 loads of laundry per day. Cloth diapers, sheets for a son who wet the bed for several years, multiple changes of clothes, towels, shop rags from the garage, just tons of stuff. The washer & dryer in those days was some inexpensive model, purchased used. I never had a new washer & dryer until we moved here. They are high efficiency models and currently 5 years young. I do expect them to last a long time, simply because I expect everything to last a long time. So far so good. Even the used washers and dryers I've had in my lifetime have lasted at least 10 years each, after I got them. So I do think they can last a very long time with regular maintenance. Repairs are to be expected, in my opinion. You wouldn't expect your car to never need service and repair would you?
My MIL uses 3 towels per shower, too. One hand towel to sit upon on the shower bench and two bath towels - one to cover her back to keep it warm while drying with the other. She dries herself while seated on the shower bench, then transfers to her wheel chair to finish up, then dresses in the bedroom.
I have always used 2 towels per shower for myself. One regular bath sized towel for my hair (used to be extremely long, so it had to be a big towel) and one oversized bath towel for my body. I love those oversized towels. I hate it when I go to cheap hotels or motels and all I get are those smaller thin bath towels. But I got used to it while on my road trip. It was okay as long as I had 3 of them.
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Post by Chris on Apr 25, 2010 16:31:29 GMT -5
The more I think about the more I realize that repairs ARE to be expected -- and part of my past fears and problems with repairs was always financial. Back when I was debting I would replace things because it seemed easier than getting a repair person since we had no money only credit cards. So mixed up we were. Thank goodness most of our appliances lasted LONG. The washer has always been used heavy. I think maybe I was a little bitter recently that I'm having to do so much laundry -- the major change of having 3 persons laundry to deal with after a period of freedom with just me and DH. And where really there is no other affordable alternative for my MIL. So my angst comes out in the wash room. But really I am just grateful I can do laundry at home. It would make me nuts to have to cart all these towels and clothes.  |
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Post by StuffNoMore on Apr 25, 2010 17:30:42 GMT -5
Chris, you always seem to be able to think things through and look at things realistically!  Hugs SNM |
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