Happy 19th Birthday to my Whirlpool Duet Front Load Washer

[lakewebsterkid]

Capacity

My Duet was a later 3.9 cu ft. machine. It also had the belt squeak on slower tumbles. Ours always had issues with balancing, but was on a pedestal. That likely wore the machine out prematurely. Within the first year we called service for this issue and they replaced the control board. That did nothing. Since my Duet was a later version, water level was low on Normal and very low on Heavy Duty. Temps were also dumbed down on Normal.

 

[logixx]

Water level on mine varies from "clothes are wet - that's it!" to almost reaching halfway up the back of the drum.

Seeing how long these machines here last, my next washer will probably be of the water-less variety or clothes will have become self-cleaning.

 

[panasonicvac]

I just saw these three videos about the Duet, it was very cool and educational to watch because there were some things that I didn't even know about them. Just like when I watched the owner's video of my grandparent's Kirby G4 vacuum as a kid. I might still have the video for our old Maytag Neptune, not sure though but I do have the manual still.

I did reach out to the current owners of the cabin from Airbnb and I'm gonna find out if the Duet is still there or not because I'm curious now to see what models the set were, I already know the GE set is gone unfortunately. And when I go to Costco this week, I'll also find out if the powder detergent is still available or not. According to amazon where you can buy them at, they're not discontinued.

 

[mark_wpduet]

I think I still have the DVD that came with my washer and yes I did watch it...that was cool to see again...I have a really DUMB question. in the detergent dispenser, there is a divider that you can change wheather or not you're using detergent or powder. Obviously mine is placed in for powder...for liquid is sort of locks the liquid in... so if you're using liquid...I'm imagining the water jets spraying into where the liquid detergent is... how is that actually getting into the wash drum when the water starts ... since the divider is keeping the detergent from running down into the laundry before you start the wash.. does it overflow into the prewash and go down that way or something? You'd think I'd know this at this point. LOL

I was scrolling through youtube shorts and came across a video of someone filming their laundry room... it was a duet pair like mine and in the caption they said 20 years old and still going strong.

 

[logixx]

On my divider (that's somewhere in the pedestal) there is a small cutout in the bottom that causes residual water/detergent in the dispenser to seep out after filling has stopped. It's sort of delaying the release of liquid detergent until the water comes in, at which point it probably just overflows into the pre-wash compartment.

 

[ozzie908]

The divider in mine

has a syphon tube to empty the compartment when the water stops, Rarely use it as found thick liquid would sit in there as too gloopy to be syphoned, So if not using a prewash I tip liquid into the door seal and job done.

 

[brisnat81]

No syphon tube on my main wash. But I’ve always assumed it can overflow into the space between the two compartments and then whatever is left, is diluted enough to drain through the slit.

My bleach dispenser does have an opening, but no label and it’s not referenced in the manual

 

[logixx]

If using liquid, I add it as the water flows in.

 

[logixx]

Let's not forget



https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?50487

 

[panasonicvac]

I went to Costco today in my area and the Kirkland powder detergent is still in stock. I also reached out to Costco and they told me that it's not listed as discontinued. I guess it's like some of the things they sell is only seasonal or limited like the vanilla chocolate chip muffins or the cherry pies for example. Or it could be that the demand for the detergent is so high here where it'd be unwise to quit selling them.

 

[pierreandreply4]

Your lucky mine did not last that long and was replace after 17 years of use

 

[mark_wpduet]

Honestly...I dont' think 17 yrs is bad at all..

I remember seeing it at my costco in the past... but not the last few times I've looked.. Weird... but they are really BAD about moving things. You get so used to where things are then they decide to move them and you have to go searching...

 

[panasonicvac]

I agree, 17 years is a pretty good run. And honestly, if we still owned our cabin and if there was ever a problem with our Duet today, I would've had them fixed. Even this year marks the 20th anniversary of my grandfather's Maytag Neptune up at his cabin and I'd also have it fixed as well since right now it's questionable of whether it survived from the flood that happened during the winter. We'll be having someone to take a look at it after the renovation to see if it'd still work or not. Hopefully it'll be back up and running again cause I really love that set. If worst case scenario, we may have to get a replacement set. When I took this photo last month, there was water in the drain pan.

 

[frigilux]

Congratulations and a very belated happy birthday to your Duet pair. I’ve never kept a washer for its complete natural life because I always get “new washer fever” and want to get something new to play with. I admire your loyalty to your Whirlpools.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Thanks for the detergent costco pic... I'll have to see if I can locate it..

Actually, I might start using their Kirkland liquid (not sure yet)

Frigilux - Oh, trust me... I've lusted over several models over the years.. Remember back when LG had one of those REAR control front loaders? It was on the market a few years (I think the late 2000s early 2010s maybe? I wanted that model so bad

 

[panasonicvac]

I do like their free & clear liquid detergent, but not the regular cause I don't care about their scent. Interesting, none of those two were available at my local Costco yesterday. But they do have the pods which I honestly hate. Their powder is still the best in my opinion. I also like Kirkland's dryer sheets, I prefer Bounce but I like taking turns with using both for different loads.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Using pods for laundry..

I honest have no clue how that would work because I've never used them in my life. I'm thinking it would be an adjustment.. What if you only have one item to wash? If it's a large load do you use more than one or is one enough? I've seen videos and they seem to create a lot of suds..

I wonder if Windfresh and the Costco Power in a bucket are made by the same company? The wind fresh is always easy to find at sams.. I remember years ago the costco powder was in a big box.. but now it's in a bucket but apparently difficult to find depending on your store. My wind fresh is getting towards the bottom so I'm deciding what to buy next.

 

[panasonicvac]

I wouldn't be surprised if they're the same thing cause their buckets are identical to each other. But I've never used Wind Fresh before so I can't say for sure. Regarding the Kirkland pods, I personally don't care for them because not only I didn't liked the scent of them but also I didn't think they did a good job. Maybe it would've done better if I had put in two pods instead of one but even with a small load, I'd be concerned about the excessive foam it'd create as you said. I love the Kirkland dishwasher pods, I think those and the Cascade Complete pods are good enough for me cause I don't plan on using any other pods. As far as what other detergents to use, my go to one is Tide Original liquid. Been using them for years. I also really like Tide Mountain Spring liquid but they're getting more harder and expensive to find nowadays. Both powder versions are alright but I prefer the liquid kinds better. Persil Deep Clean Intense Fresh liquid is another one that I really like. All Original Stainlifter liquid has been the new favorite of mine. If scented detergents are a deal breaker to you, again I like the Kirkland Free & Clear. Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin is another good one too.

 

[DADoES]

 
I did some laundry last year when staying a week+ at a friend's for his son's wedding.  He uses Kirkland pods.  Bath towels were exhibiting faint musty odor, even a few clean ones in the nearby storage.  I loaded all of them, reasonably large load including some other items in a Kenmore/LG frontloader.  Initially tossed in two pods.  Paused to check the water after the fill level got settled, not slippery enough, added another pod.  Very little sudsing occurred.  The towels had a better scent when done.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Earlier I was trying to figure out which detergents actually have enzymes. I know some USA detergents do..but they aren't labeled as such.. For example.. does the Kirkland free/clear or regular liquid have enzymes?

I'm pretty sure this wind fresh does not have enzymes...Honestly, I think it's mostly washing soda but I do know that I don't have to use much and the water is slippery as all get out...but there's virtually NO suds.. I know you WANT that slippery feeling.

I'm with you .. I'd be willing to bet the Kirkland and Wind Fresh are the exact same thing... but you never really know

as far as musty towels at the friends house...Been there done that.. Step out of shower, have one of their "clean" towels that smell like funk? I think that has more to do with their washing habits or machine than detergents...I mean, I use super cheap detergent and my towels smell awesomely clean... I credit the machine, not overloading and using a tiny bit of chlorine bleach and of course hot water