Front Load Washing Machine

[RweTHEREyet]

We have just purchased a new washer and dryer. They are the Sears ET series, the front loaders. The washer instructions suggests that you use detergent with the HE, High Efficiency, noted on the container.

This is all kind of new to me, as I am used to the washer filling with water and clothes going round and round. This new front loader uses so much less water and looks so strange compared to what I am used to.

Anyone have any tips or suggestions with using this new type of machine and new detergent?

 

[damo]

I've got a front loader and I just use the Tide tabs. I crush the packet first and then empty it in. Works great!

I love the front loader. I can wash more clothes and they seem to dry faster for some reason.

 

[Ted and Holly]

My mom has one! You HAVE to use the HE detergents or bobbles will come pouring out all over the floor. Because it uses much less water, the soap is too strong... for some reason, using less doesn't help the bubbles!

Oh, and make sure the door is closed before you pour in the soap because it immediately comes down, and will drip out onto the floor if the door is open.

You will LOVE your new washer! Congrats!

Holly

 

[RweTHEREyet]

damo, do you add the tablets directly into the load with the clothes? I bought a small box of those, but the instructions seemed so specific about putting detergent in the dispenser that I was not sure about loading right into the tub with the clothes. And I did not see how you could load into the dispenser as I wasn't sure it ran enough water thru to dissolve them.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

One more thing, I guess it is normal to see almost no water at all in the tub of this washer, right? I just don't see how it can get clothes clean without much water.

 

[MarkRG]

I am a technician for the laundry/dry cleaning industry. I'll try to answer your questions as best as possible.

Ok, first, it should have very little water. If the clothes are getting wet, that's enough. IF the clothes are NOT getting thoroughly wet, you need to figure out how to increase the level. It should be programmable in some manner, read your manual. This is the way professional grade washers have been doing it for the past 20 years, at least. You get a great deal more mechanical action than from a traditional agitator/top load washer. That is the washing action instead of soaking it. Now, this is where you also need to learn settings, as you'll need to change them for delicates, if you intend to run them at all in this style washer. It is a bit more aggressive than what you've had.

Detergents, etc. You'll need to cut way back on them. I'd go as far back as 1/4 of what you would normally use. Except for the HE ones, they are formulated correctly. But you're paying for filler, I'll tell you right now. They are not as highly concentrated. This kind of washer, by the tumbling, and lower water level, really focuses the ability of the different chemicals to do their respective jobs. It's very easy to use too much. Excessive suds is a good indicator of too much. I'd also recommend liquid over tabs, but in either case, follow the instructions as to where to put the chemicals, as it has special flushes to dispense the right item at the right time.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

I thought I'd throw this in, so you get some idea of where your washer comes from. Your local dry cleaner probably has one of these, it hold 60 lbs of laundry, stands about 5 feet tall, and I'm one of the guys who shows up to fix it when it breaks

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Gee thanks, sometimes knowing how something works takes all the guesswork out. I did buy some of the HE detergent, but when that is gone, I think I will just go back to the regular. And I do know that I need to be extremely careful in amounts, especially since our laundry room is upstairs, and we opted to go with the pedestals that fit underneath, which means we cannot use a pan to catch any overflow.

I have been told by many that I will love this machine once I get used to it, but it sure will take some getting used to. I find myself putting stuff in and standing in front of it and watching what it does. Wonder how long until the "new" wears off?

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

MarkRG,

Do you have any knowledge of the brands available to consumers and their reliability? We are considering a Maytag Neptune, but need to do some research to find out if it's really worth the money.

Thanks!!

Good luck with your machine, RweTHEREyet!!

 

[RUDisney]

I tell everyone that my Neptune is the best $1,000 I've ever spent on a washer.

Not only should you use 1/4 to 1/5 of the amount of liquid soap, you should also be cutting your fabric softener. I have a small Downy bottle that I bought in the grocery store that I fill 1/3 with Downy from Sam's Club and 2/3 with water. You just don't need as much of anything with a front loader. You'll be saving money on detergent, fabric softener and water and as an added bonus, your clothes will dry faster. Plus, you can fit so much more clothes into a front loader than you ever could into a super sized top loader.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I remember a thread from way back here on the DIS about front-loaders, and I think it was Sunni (sunni, or Sunny??) who has a Neptune washer and dryer and chose them because the door openings were larger so it was easier to get the laundry in and out.

I'm definitely getting a front loader when my old toploader dies.

 

[SeaShelley]

We've had a front loading for 3 years and we love it. The biggest thing to get used to was using less detergent and fabric softener. I use about 2 tablespoons of deterget per load and it works great!

 

[damo]

I put the detergent in the dispenser. I'm going to try using 1 tab instead of 2 with all this new info I just learned.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

cjmickeymouse--

I can tell you that my husband looked at all of them--don't know why since I am the one that does the laundry. At any rate, he checked them out, and I know that Consumer Reports has rated the new Sears toploader as No. 1, even over the Neptune. It is actually made by Bosch in Germany. Sears has been offering some good deals on this this month, so far, each weekend has seen a different promotion.

Hope this helps.

RU Disney--I agree about the quantity of clothes you can put in. Mine says an average of 22 bath towels in one load!!!!!! The problem is, I don't want to wait until I have that much stuff before doing laundry.

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by MarkRG
I am a technician for the laundry/dry cleaning industry. I'll try to Detergents, etc. You'll need to cut way back on them. I'd go as far back as 1/4 of what you would normally use. Except for the HE ones, they are formulated correctly. But you're paying for filler, I'll tell you right now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Can I really use the regular liquid detergents? I have been buying the HE Tide and Wisk and often other brands go on sale and I do feel I am overpaying. Which ones do you recommend. I have boys so I rarely wash clean clothes and I want to be sure I am using enough detergents. I do find that the gentle cyle is as gentle as hand washing. I have had my washer for three or so years and I love it. I just have been reluctant to use other brands or types of detergent. Thanks,

 

[RUDisney]

The filler in HE detergent is water. It is a psychological thing that when you're used to using a whole capful of detergent, it's hard to only use a small amount of detergent. I only buy Tide. I used to buy whatever went on sale, but since I use so little Tide it makes it far more affordable. I also use a scoop of Oxy-Clean in ever load to keep my whites brighter and to help get rid of stains.

If you can't get past the "I have to use a whole cap" mentality, I was told to use an old container and fill it 1/5 to 1/4 with full strength detergent, then add water to the rest so you can use a full cap.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I sure won't miss not having to lug heavy bottles of detergent home from Sams Club as often any more. Looks like one of those big bottles will last me many months. If it says 64 loads, guess I can multiply it times 3 or 4.

The one thing I do miss is "seeing" the suds. I think that will be harder for me to get over than getting over pouring as much detergent in.

 

[DVC-Don]

We have had a Maytag front end washer for 1 1/2 years now. (love it) We just use regular detergent (tide powder), but about half of what we did before.

PS: Our water bill went down too.

 

[PRINCESS Ariel34]

I purchased the Maytag Neptune and I LOVE IT. Never had a bubble problem nor do I use tide He. I love the green lights they are so

 

[sha_lyn]

I love my Maytag Neptune. I guess we've had it about a yr now. Wow what a difference. The clothes come out cleaner, we use less water and detergent too, and there is less wear and tear on the clothes.
I've never bought the HE detergent. I just use liquid All and use up to the lowest line on the cup for a full load and about 1/2 that for a small one. I never used liquid detergent before, but find is is necessary with a front loading machine, especially when using cold water.

 

[PRINCESS Ariel34]

You know what Shalyn, when I purchased the Maytagset this past December, I searched high and low for Tide He. Since I couldn't find it anywhere ,I continued to use Tide with bleach. The clothes are so much cleaner and fresher. I love to smell my clothes when they come out of the wash My dh thinks me weird, but I love that smell. I still use one cup and a half for Tide and no bubbles thank God My dd used dish washing liquid in the dishwasher not knowing she wasn't suppose to WE had Suds everywhere