Bad News About High Efficiency Washers

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I agree with Launderess, problems with mould in frontloaders is mostly caused by people not leaving the door ajar. Keeping the door closed is asking for mould problems.

But this is not a frontloader problem only, some toploaders have these problems too, especially when they have a sealed lid. The Maytag Atlantis was notorious for this according to many complaints on the internet. Older toploaders don't have a seal on the lid, but the Atlantis does. When the lid is not left open after use there is a big risk of getting mould, especially under the top.
 
How to use a modern washer!

I believe it will take a few years for the american to accustom to the new HE washers. I can understand people who try to use standard detergent and this way couse grime in the tub and bad wash- performance. HE Detergent still is extremly expensive if you coose one with a good cleaning performance, like Persil! But this was the same in the early fities in Europe.

I hope that the frontloaded washer has it's great breakthrough soon, I couldnt imagine to use a different kind. I own a fifteen year old Miele with an outstanding wash and rinse performance! Up to five deeprinses are selectable, I love it!
 
They have estimated that Front-Loaders will never out-popularize Top-Loaders. It is however the beggining of the end for Non-HE Top-Loaders. Soon our only options will be Front-Load or HE Top-Load. Here are several Top-Loading HE washing machines I can think of:

Kenmore Elite Oasis
Whirlpool Cabrio
Maytag Bravos
GE Harmony
Haier Genesis
Kenmore Elite Calypso (currently not in production.)
Whirlpool Calypso (currently not in production)
Maytag Neptune TL (no longer in production.)

Did I miss any?
 
HE Toploaders

Funguy, Do you realy believe that poor HE Toploaders will last long? The convienience of toploaders is questionable at all when you use a dryer aside! I've seen a few top load energy star washers, doesen't seem to perform well.

The new HE Toploaders, as I could read here several times, seem to be very delicately. To advance durability Its a good Idea to get rid of gearboxes, they cause a lot of trouble if not well made. I believe the only reason why don't like them is because they are from europe! Give Us a chance to enter the market, you would be surprised how good a Miele or Bosch performs...I own a nice old Miele(because of the better rinse performance)And it works so well!
 
I've seen a Bosch Nexxt 700 series washer at Lowe's. I've never seen a Miele machine in person though because they are not sold in the USA. Also, they will probably NEVER outsell Top-Loaders, Conventional Top-Loaders will soon be obsolete and only HE Top-Loaders and Front-Loaders will be on the market. Even though Bosch has just been introduced to the USA it could probably never sell as well as the 6 major US brands (Kenmore, Whirlpool, Maytag, GE, Amana, and Frgidgidaire.) Also the USA's most popular Front-Loader is the Whirlpool Duet HT.
 
Dwindeling Energy Reserves

I don't want to burst anyone's bubble but the World is rapidly running out of fossil fuels, that fact means the days of cheap energy are gone. Conventional (Water Hog) Top Loaders are highly inefficient in their use of energy and water which has ultimately sealed their fate.

As much as love Top Loaders, I don't understand why our US cousins have a problem with bending down to load and unload a Front Load washer, I mean almost everyone bends over to fasten their shoes. I mean no disrespect to anyone but I have noticed many comments regarding bending to load Front Loaders, and excluding a physical disability I don't understand why its such an issue.

I think Front Loaders will eventually become the norm in the USA but it will take time as a nations washing habits won't change overnight.

David
 
I think the resistance to front loaders in the U.S. is for several reasons.

Top loaders were marketed many years ago as being more advanced technologically speaking, and more effective cleaners by use of the agitator. They mostly replaced the first automatic washing machines here, which were front loading.

Also, they typically offered a larger basket, faster spin speeds and the convenience of not having to bend over (lol) so you get the idea.

TTL's have for the most part not suffered the criticism of newer washing machine designs, who bear most of the blame for quickly frying motherboards, early bearing failure, mold(!), and my personal peeve--the insufficient use of water.

As a side note, the front loaders in Europe appear to me far superior than the ones offered in the US, and definitely worth having.

Although TTL's may be so-called water hogs, they are basic, mostly reliable and have proven their worth over the years. I'd rather have more than enough water than be forced to settle for not enough (and have to wash and rewash my clothes--some energy savings, huh?), user-friendly and useful features, and cycle times that won't take my entire afternoon.

I do lament the attempt to get rid of traditional top loaders (TTL's) because the move really has much less to do with helping the environment than corporate greed to push "new" much more expensive products with questionable quality to quickly rake in cash from the trusting public.
 
Physical Disability

Hi Folks,
Yes I did mention physical disability in my previous post. I did not mean to cause offence to anyone.
If I have offended anyone please accept my sincere apologies.

David
 
Poblems to bend down

It doesnt make me wonder that some american people have a problem to bend! they also have a proplem to walk or using public transport.
The advances of modern living forced the people to become comfortable. Or what do to think why users wan't to prevent bending down to load and unload a washer? Advance means desease of civilization! We in the western world have to rearange our way of living, especially the US!

Energy Saving

a few weeks ago I saw a dokumentery on TV. Different topics from countries all over the world. "The Cloth Line war" was the U.S. topic. People who activeley wanted to save the enviroment by dring their cloth outside, got denounced by their own neighbors!
Their arguments were absolutely silly and prude! They said that they don't want to see their neighbors underwear hanging outside! The management of these "pleasant" housing estate send out a lady to prevent cloth drying! She told the reporter, that the managenent wants to avoid a bad reputation of the housing estate. Cloth lines could be interpreted as a sign of poverty!

My neighbor isn't poor at all, she even has a Tumbler too, but she only uses it if it is absolutely needed. If not she hangs her loundry into the loundry room or her garden!

What I wan't to say is, it is not a sign of poverty but a question of what you are disposed to do to save energy!
 

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