Bob-- After I prepared the test load, I put the items into a laundry basket and left them 'til after work. When the time came to put them in the washer, I began having serious doubts about the outcome. Believe me, I was fully prepared to open the machine at the end of the cycle and have a dirty, dingy mess on my hands. It has always made sense to me that a tumble agitation washer could do a better job with less water in the tub, but I wasn't prepared for there being virtually no water at all, as with this washer. In fact, I used the lowest water level setting with large loads on my two WCI-made front-loaders (1980's-early '90s). I found an improvement in stain removal. My '93 Frigidaire (the first Electrolux model) and the '02 both had automatic water levels, so I left them alone and wound up having more oversudsing issues with those models. So far, I'm a convert to at least this particular very low water-use machine. The recirculation jet makes a big difference in getting the load saturated with soapy (or, in the case of rinses, clear) water very quickly.
Chris/Historyman-- While I didn't conduct this test to add to the TL vs. FL debate, it would have been nice to still have my '06 Frigidaire top-loader to see what the results would have been. Really, I just wanted to see how this lowest-of-the-low water use machines would handle that much muck in a washload.
Dan-- I was surprised (and pleased) with the results. The next test for the machine will be the cats' blankets. I'm letting them get really full of hair, then I'll wash them to see what the results are. I think these two tests are the toughest ones for any washer, front- or top-loading.
Jon-- I used Amway's (sadly discontinued) aerosol Stain Pretreat for greasy stains on the shirts. I've also used Lestoil (Pine Sol-esque) and De-Solv-It (an orange-citrus grease remover), but they both leave very powerful scents on the laundry. I bought 4 cans of the Amway product when I learned they were going to discontinue it, and I'm now on my last can. I used 4 tablespoons of Persil in the second go-round. It is fast becoming my very favorite detergent. I'm going to try using liquid Tide With Bleach Alternative HE on a huge load of highly-stained kitchen whites today, to see if it cleans as well as Persil. Detergents are highly concentrated in the load, given the tiny amount of water in the machine--so maybe Tide will do just as good a job. I know from experience it won't rinse out as well as a moderate dose of Persil does in my hyper-soft water.
Mark-- As I mentioned to Bob, I was prepared to report a disaster with this test, but things turned out quite well. My two quibbles with this washer are that hot water isn't really hot unless you choose the Allergy option or the Sanitize cycle, and the Add Steam option is kind of a joke, since there isn't a dedicated steam generator, as found in LG and Samsung steam washers. Frankly, with this washer, I think the extra 20 minutes of tumbling/heating are more responsible for the improved results than the "steam".
Laundromat-- Friends of mine in town bought a previous-issue Affinity in '09 and they really like it. As with my washer, the default wash times are a little too short. They, like I, use the highest soil level for nearly all loads, and now get excellent results. The extra six-to-eight minutes of tumble agitation make a difference.
Gabriele-- Always great to hear from a fellow Italian! My mother was from Veroli.
[this post was last edited: 9/12/2010-05:13]
