GE Thrash-O-Matic!!

[soapnsuds]

OMG!

My 'NEW' GE Filter Flo is the WORST washer I have ever owned!! It has torn a brand new shirt! Not once, but FIVE rips in all.

I can't believe I put my beloved (gentle giant) 1-18 out in the garage for this, this THING! This BEAST!

Well first thing in the morning this POS is going in the garage and the 1-18 is coming back in (I should send the darn GE to the KRUSHER.) where I shall BEG for its forgiveness!

GE Filter Flo! POOOOH! I'm taking down the two old ads I have even!

Ok, I feel better now. Thanks gang! (But I still have 3/4 of a mind to send it to the krusher!)

James

 

[scott55405]

Um, deep cleansing breath. Just what *kind* of shirt, did you put into the machine, with what else, at what water level and for how long? Ramp or straight vane?

The GE Filter Flo is not the world's easiest on clothes to be sure, especially compared to a Frigidaire, but that sounds rather excessive...

 

[soapnsuds]

innnnn haaaale....eeexxxx haaaale

Hey Scott, you won't belive this, but here goes:

The shirt was a two week 'old' Quicksilver shortsleeve button down. I washed it with one pair of very worn Kenneth Cole jeans (buttoned and zipped), 3 pairs of boxer briefs, two pairs of socks, a corduroy shirt and a t-shirt, in warm water, on High water level for 9 minutes. It has a ramped agitator.

I could wash that in my Frigidare ALL day and barly get a pea size lint ball!

K-R-U-S-H-E-R! Is all I have to say. (and 'Ouch' my foot hurts now!)

 

[maytagbear]

James...

I believe you, but that should not have happened.

If you have the sales slip, take it and the shirt back to from whence it came.

That sounds like defective fabric more than rough washer or poor technique, though I do agree that FF's can be a bit "aggressive" at times, but 9 minutes in a full, but not jammed, load should not have caused that level of damage.

Just my .02

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[DADoES]

A ramp Activator shouldn't be as aggressive as a straight-vane.

FWIW, the load you describe, I probably would have done on low water level. FFs fill fairly high even on low.

I never wash good shirts with jeans. Your load included only one, however, and you said it was a wear-worn pair. Did the jeans maybe come unbuttoned/unzipped during the wash?

How many loads all-told have you done in the FF? Seems like there's something unusual at fault, if not with the machine in general, then specific to the load.

 

[andrewinorlando]

In all my years using my old GE Filter Flo with the ramp agitator, I never once had it ruin, tear, or destroy anything. Maybe it was a defective shirt? The load you describe I would wash on the gentle speed since the FilterFlo has a pretty good turnover with most loads. Don't trash it yet...give it another chance....it really is a good washer.

 

[scott55405]

Yeah, I would say something's up with the shirt and it should be returned, if the jeans didn't come undone and there are no obvious issues inside the tub. I think you loaded and timed prudently and should not have had that issue.

 

[rickr]

Daaaang! Did you have that bad boy plugged into the 220 line? lol!!

Have had a 1964 Filter-Flo for several years. Has the ramp Activator. It is not gentle, that is for sure, but it has never ripped anything for me. If I were you, I would look for a sharp cut/nick on the Activator. If you find one, file it down, or replace the Activator. Those machines have a very short and fast stroke, so if a garment is snagged on a sharp nick or cut, it would be shredded in no time.
I have no doubt that the vintage GE machine is rougher on clothes than a vintage Maytag or Whirlpool, only because of the short fast stroke the GE has. However it was a good design that was used for many years, so they are capable of washing lightweight fabric without shredding it, if the machine is in good condition.

Good luck with your Filter-Flo. :>

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Well, Well, Well!!!!

It looks like I issued that Journey Man Collectors Status
prematurely after all!!!! The only thing that's going to be sent to the Crusher is your insolence young man!!!!

 

[soapnsuds]

WELL, WELL, WELL!!!! HELL!!!!

If a certain SENIOR COLLECTOR/MENTOR, would have helped his JUNIOR COLLECTOR FIND a damn Harvest Gold, 1978 Frigidaire Crown (DEC-05) Electric Dryer, someone wouldn't be in this mess in the first place! Pfffft!

As far as the other stuff goes, the jeans did not come undone, and there are no nicks, digs, dings or any other flaws in the tub or agitator to explain the mess. It could very well be the fabric, but non the less, the monster will be out and the 1-18 will be back in tomorrow.

The Frigidaire Goddess has spoken and she has spoken loud and clear! Tomorrow the GE's are out and the Frigidaire DD-62 White dryer and Harvest Gold washer are back in service.

And I humbly ask the Frigidaire Goddess to forgive me and my erroneous ways! (And for a certain DAW to restore my Journey Man Collector status!)

 

[frigilux]

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with your FilterFlo; they're cool machines. I washed clothes in one (ramped agitator) for 4 years while at college and don't recall anything so drastic occuring.

But if the Frigidaire Goddess has spoken, then I think you're probably asking for trouble if you don't heed the call, LOL!

 

[thirtyater]

Something it wrong with this picture. Mom has been washing on Filter Flos since 1959 except for the seven years it took to wear out a Frig. rollermatic. Not once has a garment been torn by the Filter Flo.

However, mom would NEVER wash shirts with jeans!

 

[petek]

Mines been churning away happily since new in 89 and never damaged any clothing even with the overload abuse my other half heaps upon it.

 

[bajaespuma]

OK, what year is this Filter-Flo and you haven't answered the question yet whether this is a straight or spiral activator! Posting a pic of this machine, inside and out, would be helpful. I will admit that my Grandmother kept her GE washer set to GENTLE speed at all times. I was always looking for a near-TOL GE so I could set it to Gentle activation and FAST spin. GE's were always vigorous; they were always oversudsing.

 

[frontaloadotmy]

See Thread Eleven Thousand Nine Hundred

For pictures of this unfairly judged "WORST" washing machine.
The only thing really incorrect is that it is most likely
post 1985!!!!

 

[soapnsuds]

Leave it to a Journey Man Collector...

to have to correct his Senior Collector! According to GE, the washer was built in Feb 1979.

I suggest one knows his facts FIRST before one opens one's mouth to speak. In other words, Smitty, you better hit the books!!

So the posting IS in the correct category.

Good day.

 

[soapnsuds]

Baha..

I did say...it's a ramped agitator.

 

[mickeyd]

Hey Buddy-boy--you need a crash course!!!!

Never ever wash a good shirt with jeans, especially a new one. Don't even think about it. How could you not know that???? How could I NOT KNOW what you're going to read next.

I wish we could trade GE's. Mine now has a single speed weak motor; it barely washes. Hoping to get a rebuilt or new two speed 1977 motor. I broke the original last winter, determined to use it, on an winter morning, ice-jammed the pump and burned up the motor. (It is a garage machine, unprotected from the cold.) We pay for our lusts. I never ever should have even thought about using the GE in the winer, but I HAD TO, and I killed it. How moronic is that?!

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone; we're having a short rain break here in Buffalo--Heaven's tears for the Sabres' loss. It's the OJ Simpson curse on all Buffalo athletics.

 

[geextrarinse]

I'm sorry but...

I realize you all know I'm a HUGE GE FAN... I have been washing in GE's all my life and I do appreciate their thoroughness when it comes to cleaning but in all honnesty - Quicksilver, though a fun young brand is NOT a well made garment line and I DO suggest you take the shirt back to where you got it because this is unacceptable. Also, alot of garments these days have extra distressing done to them because thats the look. It is possible that this shirt had a fabric finish that weakened the fibers and caused them to fray or tear when you washed them - this obviously was a mini basket item! And yes - don't wash shirts with jeans - thats just asking for trouble. iI I was there I'd come buy the GE from you, but I'm a little too far away!

Good luck!