Follow-up on LG FL washer...a year later. SQ it is.

[dreamclean]

Another weird thing

It also causes all the collars on my tees and sweatshirts to become misshapen and warped looking. I have a very thick high quality Acne Studios sweatshirt and with one wash it stretched out the collar so it looks odd. Took a pic to sell, attached-

 

[foraloysius]

The problem with the collars, couldn't that be a dryer problem?

 

[dreamclean]

Hi Louis, that would make sense with high heat but with that particular shirt it air-dried bc I didn't want any dryer shrinkage. I believe I used the cold delicate cycle as well. I don't know maybe this is a curse It's equally strange the pilling is on the inside of things too, but those who have had that issue found that turning shirts inside out had little to no effect.

 

[foraloysius]

That's odd indeed. BTW, could you make a picture of a load of laundry in your machine before you wash it? Then I can see how much a typical load of laundry is you are washing.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Warped collars

I get that on my t-shirts too.

I think it is to do with various factors - including thickness of collar fabric, pliability of the collar, texture and weave of the collar. And the way the collar is attached to the body of the t-shirt. It usually behaves once a hot steam iron has been in contact.

What I do find, is that eventually, t-shirt left and right torso seams get misaligned. Also, t-shirts sometimes get a twist wrinkle on the waist or sleeve hem. They never iron out properly. Obviously a misalignment during the sewing process.

I have also had t-shirts where they have shrunk vertically, but kept their stretch width-wise. Almost as though the cloth patterns were cut 90 degrees in the wrong direction - and I suppose that could happen, if the manufacturers try to fit as many cuts as possible into a given roll of cloth, to minimise wastage.

 

[dreamclean]

Load pic

Sure! Here's a pic in the basket and washer. It's probably not as small as I've led you all to believe, just relative to what I used to do. When I moved across the country I left behind a lot of stuff.

I did babysit the machine in the garage today, maybe not the best timing since it was 100 degrees. But I did see what's happening with the socks for 7+ minutes at the start. Since they're lighter, they spin out towards the front of the machine, by their lonesome, getting pretty beat up it looks like. Until the rest of the load is wet enough to cradle them for the rest of the cycle. So they must be pretty dry until that point and they get tossed like a rag doll. If I put them in a bag they won't be as clean since I tried that before. So that explains some of the monstrous pilling. I think. And I observed how precious little water is actually being used...It's no wonder the detergent is still caked on there and things aren't clean.

So I'm not alone with the collars. It's the first time I've run into this problem in my 25 odd years of doing laundry. I don't iron my clothes (as much as I enjoy it, seriously) but I do have a steamer so I'll try that. I don't think I've run into the twist wrinkles, probably due more to not paying attention.

 

[aquarius1984]

Problem solved

Your putting such small amounts of cotton clothing into a machine which should hold four or five times as much. No wonder your having wear issues. Cotton loads should be filled up to the top of the drum but not really packed in.

The odd half load is fine if you need something but your asking a machine to constantly wash chronically under loaded cycles then blaming the machine.

 

[foraloysius]

I agree with Rob, we have a severe case of underloading here. If this is the usual load you're doing, you would be better off with a compact frontloader. I've seen this more often with these huge American frers, most people who buy them don't need a machine of this size.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Turbo Wash option

Dreamclean:

If I were you, I would use the turbo-wash recirculation option for EVERY wash, where the machine allows it to be set. The reason being that the recirculation helps to wet the laundry faster, mixes the detergent quicker, and assists in the rinsing too.

Does your LG, by any chance, have a tilted drum/tub?

I had an older Panasonic with a tilted drum, and when fully loaded, I often got the impression that the centre of the laundry was never properly saturated. The drum lifters which also scooped and sprinkled water, were positioned towards the back of the drum, and although there was a 'fresh water spray jet', it only activated on filling for wash and rinse, because it was linked to the dispenser fill valves. One particular irritation was the Woollens programme. Due to lack of drum movement, woollens would sit out of the water for some time.

Prior to that machine, I had a Zanussi - also with a tilted drum, but it had a recirculation pump. The laundry got thoroughly and properly saturated.

My current machine is a horizontal drum Panasonic, again with a recirculation pump. The load does get soaked more efficiently - even the wool cycle, which although it has the same drum action as the old Panasonic, the recirculation of wash solution helps to 'wet-out' the clothes in a quicker time-frame.

Below, is a youtube link to someone else's Zanussi IZ16S. I had one identical.

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMfalNA9a1g

 

[DADoES]

 
Lightened copy of Dreamclean's pic for a better view of the load.

 

[dreamclean]

My Bosch in Europe was a compact but it still destroyed clothing. But yeah it's a rookie mistake, too big a FL washer for our needs. Could have avoided this problem entirely with a TL SQ since gravity is the issue. Between two people we can't combine our laundry since hers our mostly darks and mine light. So now it looks like I have to go buy several packs of Hanes tees or sheets just to fill the thing. Looking at the Samsung website however, link below (since there are few specifics online about what these FL's are designed to handle) our loads aren't that out of the ordinary. Also those doing larger loads for their families experienced odors and pilling so it still doesn't solve the problem for them. One guy said he had heard LG's are "the worst" for pilling. Or the person who for years had used a primitive washer in Thailand on their cottons only to return to the States and use a new FL one time and their entire load was pilled. So it's a big enough complaint that SQ dealers advertise that they won't pill or snag clothing.

Yes I use turbowash every time.

It's not going to suit my needs either to use it for knits or just a few items. That went fine with the TL Maytag. And spending a good hour reading SQ reviews, with so many people ditching their HE FL's and "FINALLY" experiencing clean laundry again using more water and an agitator, I still can't get on board with their cleaning ability. Plus the parts are crap and it's criminal to make a huge appliance that only lasts 5-7 years.
I did just run across a little ecofriendly washer called the Drumi, has won some design award and might be another option for those on a budget or with small loads. $230 US: http://www.yirego.com

Support Home | Official Samsung Support US |

Samsung Care is here to help. Samsung Support Home will help you find helpful content about popular topics and features, troubleshooting, and videos to help you do more with all your Samsung products from Galaxy Phones, TVs, Refrigerators, Washers & Dryers, and everything else in between.

www.samsung.com

 

[dreamclean]

Over n out

I'm keeping the roomie updated on your advice and asked if she thought my load was too small for the washer. She is a much more knowledgeable domestic goddess than I but gave me that "Are you crazy" look and judging from my basket said it wasn't much smaller than hers. She reassured me that my load size is fine and based off of the Samsung diagrams, the machines are designed with this in mind. No doubt it probably helps to have larger loads and even then I wouldn't dare put anything expensive in it. Right now I'm sitting on designer things I won't wear until I'm confident about my washer. So for me that seals the deal and I truly appreciate all the advice. It seems most techs and appliance people agree that SQ is the last of a dying breed and I feel a sense of urgency to get one before they get bought out and start cheaping out or gov mandates encroach on their brand.

 

[rolls_rapide]

I wonder what makes the LG machines pill clothing?

Could it be the design of their drum surface? All those knobbly bumps rubbing against the laundry?

Or could it be to do with their '6 Motion' agitation? Possibly the tumbles go on for too long?

Maybe it is a combination of factors.

Nevertheless, I can well imagine you being very irritated by the whole experience.

Did you go and have a look at Speed Queen models?

 

[dreamclean]

All good questions, and I sort of discounted the knobbly drum theory since clothes are pilled on the inside as well. That doesn't seem like the right physics to explain it. I would venture to guess it's the 6 motion agitation, maybe too much of a good thing and insufficient water. As far as load size (again) it was pointed out to me that most standard laundry baskets at full capacity constitute one load. Since mine is nearly filled to the top with a few inches gap, it's still pretty much standard.

We just talked about going tomorrow. Honest to god if I started to experience clean again it would feel like a spiritual rebirth. I've read so many positive reviews by now I'm on the verge of radicalization The gripes people have are pretty minor (usually dryer related, no end of cycle timer). I could fully relate to their complaints about the machines they had previously. One lady actually bought 4 washers over a 16 month period, with the last being a SQ TL bc her husband works on cars so none of the HE washers got his clothes clean except that one. A few stated that it was getting out years old stains the other machines couldn't budge. Dry clean only clothes faired well on the delicate cycle which is important to me. A lot of people ditched their perfectly good HE's-- one woman was sitting at her desk at work and smelled her own odors coming from her clothes. Her husband had experienced that as well so they got the SQ and had perfectly clean results. I actually do like the LG dryer so I hope I can keep that. The tech said the dryers last a long time. No idea what I'll be able to get for the machine that's a year old or if we should hold onto it if I move out and take the SQ.

 

[lorainfurniture]

Save the lg until you run the speed queen through its paces and are satisfied. If you have the space, hook up both and use the lg for bedding.

I currently own the lg wm3770hwA and the match dryer. I also have the sidekick which is amazing. The washer is one of the best I have ever tested.

My previous set was the speed queen 9 series top load with matching dryer. The washer was a good performer, but was a bit rough on my clothes. The dryer is not very good. I would be surprised if you actually had better results with the queen. Please let us know as my results are the opposite of yours.

 

[dreamclean]

Ok, really good to hear your views on both. If it ended up being rough on the clothes in a different way I would be absolutely gutted. As I mentioned a while back I was hoping to use the SQ delicate cycle for everyday clothes as I always did before w Maytag. Perhaps that makes all the difference in wash wear, bc the tech seemed to think that was a good idea. For now I think what I'll do is buy a few new tees and some cheap sheets for filler. See how performance and wear goes, I'll even try some fabric softener. If I'm not satisfied I'll increase the water level. One option is to run everything on the bulk cycle since it uses more water. And I will follow-up either way bc it's my style and I hate it when people say they will and they don't. I just didn't want to experiment with more things that will get ruined but it's still cheaper than getting a new washer obviously, if I can find the patience. Never had to deal w so many variables for something that's always been straightforward and enjoyable for me.

 

[dreamclean]

DING DING DING

I think we have a winner. So I'm reading the stellar reviews on the LG Sidekick, never even heard of it before...Seriously, Eugene, thank-you and best lead so far. It's sounds like it's exactly what I need, a tighter smaller drum so stuff doesn't tumble excessively, horizontal, short 37 min cycle, dual purpose w pedestal, and the unheard of 10 year warranty on the motor. People are saying it performs great and sweaters and delicates keep their shape better than in a large drum. I think I'm literally salivating, on sale at Home Depot for $479. A pedestal alone is nearly $300. Whew, maybe this is the solution I've been looking for. Starting to feel like everybody's input has been leading to this, thanks to all for going down the rabbit hole w me.. Going to see if it's in stock at my Home Depot down the street.
Brilliant

 

[mattl]

There is a long thread on the side kick if you do a search.  It may or may not fit your needs. 

 

I'm surprised and to be honest a bit puzzled how different people have such differing results with similar machines.    For many many years I had TOL Kenmore TL machines and was quite happy with them.  Decided to experiment and bought a Duet FL machine, used, and was a bit apprehensive. After I got used to it, I bought a second one, this one with steam.  My TOL Kenmore TL still sits unused in my laundry room with the 2 Duets doing all the work.  I've used a TOL Kenmore with a wash plate and I will never let one of those POS units in my home.  I'd run from any wash plate machine, though others here will disagree.

 

As others have said I find no wear on my clothes, and stuff is as clean or cleaner than in the past.  I use the steam option now and then and find it works very well.  I use Tide, and could not be happier with the results my Duets produce.  My cotton T's are fine, no pilling and no stretched out collars, Though they are some of the few things I toss in the dryer.  Dress shirts and pants are hung to dry, even my jeans.  Towels and bedding are about the only thing that sees the dryer other than the afore mentioned T's and my underwear. 

 

The Duets do temper the water, though I keep my water as hot as it will go, 150-160 out of the tap. but I rarely wash in cold, make that never.  I also often choose a warm rinse depending if it's an option with the cycle I use.  From what I've read in this thread there are a few variables, clothing type is one.  Wash temp another  as is detergent.  I will be interested to see if things resolve themselves with a different machine.

 

[washerdude]

This has truly been on of the most interestingly intriguing threads I have ever read. It really does show how all front loaders despite having the same appearance in design, behave differently from one another causing issues here and there.

Judging that load I really can't see anything wrong with it. That size load is what I put my in my WP Duet WFW72, 70-80% of the time and never experience issues. I've heard people from time to time throw around a rule saying not to wash towels with clothes...well if I see a stray towel or two hanging around, and theres space in the washer still, I end up putting them in, turning the machine on and walking away. Results are excellent with no pilling or anything, I've done this with my old Tl'er as well and experienced the same thing. We have always used tide powder in both machines and never experienced uncleaned clothes.

Another thing with what I've noticed with my old TL and FL, is that lint in the dryer on the screen with my FL, has decreased dramatically to the point I often don't even bother to clean the screen out load after load. In my old TL, you could expect to clean it after each load. So that there tells me gentler performance.

At this point, all I can think of is all that dry tumbling during the sensing phase and the stupid pulsating fill. Here's a mini experiment of what you can do sitting right at your desk, take your shirt that your wearing and rub to sections of it together gently, this mimics the early sensing and pulsating dry fill phase of what the LG FL does, I myself can feel and tell how this could easily cause pilling overtime of laundry.

Pilling occurs when the individual fibers in fabrics which are tightly held together, begin to come lose and that's when you begin to see fibers sticking up making rough spots, of course the cause for this is...you guessed it clothes rubbing together, but mostly when dry.

But back to LG's sensing and filling. LG FL's without turbowash probably experience the most pilling which would explain the gardenweb thread as due to the pulsating fill on turbowash- models, clothes are being tumbled for much longer dry including the sensing phase. On the turbowash+ models (yours) clothes probably still face too much dry time as when water most likley enters the tub through the jets, the clothes are just partially saturated leaving some dry spots, and the weight of the wet clothes rubbing up against the dry parts of some fabrics can cause pilling in turbowash models too. Even the spin distributes do some really elaborate moves which further add to pilling.

BUT, here's to another possible pointer. LG recently updated all of its FL model baffles to a more updated, curvy design similar to SQ FL's as opposed to the old chunky square, short but tall baffles. Could the baffle changes some how could've helped or remove gentleness?

LG Normal Cycle (Courtesy of DWV):


WP Duet Normal Cycle (Courtesy of DWV):

 

[dreamclean]

The rub

It's easy to overthink things like this. I can see how to a European used to compact washers, mine seemed under loaded. I'm sure it's probably not helped matters, but there are millions of single people using this size washer for their personal laundry and the engineers surely keep this in mind during the design process.

Washerdude, totally agree with you. After sitting through the cycle and intermittent sprays of water, it seemed to stay too dry too long. I think a lot of the pilling could be avoided with a fully saturated load at the beginning. As far as the lint, I had bought a linen coverlet and sheets, and the amount of lint each time in the dryer astounds me. Now from what I read linen doesn't generally do that. So it's got me wondering if my sheets are getting seriously beat up. I expected to have them for a really long time, but the amount of fiber sloughing off each time has me concerned. They aren't junk either, but handmade in Lithuania which is supposed to be one of the more superior linens. They are stonewashed for softness but doubt that's the reason...
If the Sidekick has more controlled movement, being small and horizontal, and hopefully more water relative to drum size, then I'd feel a lot better putting the valuable stuff in there. Probably experiment with some cheap wool sweaters or something. Def going to take a look at that thread tomorrow, but this seems to be the cheapest workaround for now and the July 4 sale is exactly when we got the LG set last year. It's usually $700+. Full circle.