Peteski50-- I agree with your assertion that Frigidaire's front-loaders provide the best bang for the buck. One comment about the timed bleach release: When I first got my machine, I also thought it was weird that bleach would be released during the first rinse. Now, I actually like it that way. If I understand what Launderess has posted on the subject, detergents with 'color protection' can hamper the effectiveness of liquid chlorine bleach. Conversely, LCB can hamper the cleaning ability of many detergents. The problem is solved by adding the bleach to the first rinse, after the detergent has been spun out of the load.
I used to add bleach the last five minutes of the wash cycle (by diluting it and pouring it into the detergent dispenser), but noticed no difference in stain removal when compared to letting the washer add it automatically during the rinse, despite the presence of cold water by that point.
I used to add bleach the last five minutes of the wash cycle (by diluting it and pouring it into the detergent dispenser), but noticed no difference in stain removal when compared to letting the washer add it automatically during the rinse, despite the presence of cold water by that point.