Neptune questions

[spaniel50]

After using my Maytag 806 washer and dryer for many years (33 years to be exact) I was used to throwing in a load any time there were dirty clothes around. My question is now that I have been "converted" by you guys to the front load Neptune washer and dryer is it easier on the machine to do fewer full loads or to still continue to do more small loads several times a week?
Also what is the best type of product to use for delicate articles?
I have a water softner and have had fantastic results with Tide HE and a little Chorox with the whites. I am also using the powdered Tide vs the liquid. I love the Neptune and want to make it last as long as possible. Several members of our family have the Neptune and have had excellent results so I hope mine lasts a long time too.I have learned so much from this forum and appreciate any suggestions.

 

[retro-man]

I've had my set for at least 8 years now with no real problems. I do usually 2 or 3 loads a day. Some are real large ones and others are sometimes small. Depends on what I am washing, quilts, sheets, clothes etc. These machines handle all loads quite well and easily. I really don't think that it matters to the machine and longevity.
Jon

 

[redcarpetdrew]

I've noticed that larger loads seem easier on mine. It seems like it has to go thru less effort to balance a larger load vs. trying to balance a smaller load.

RCD

 

[spaniel50]

Neptune Questions

Thanks for the info. I am encouraged that yours was 8 years old. I grew up coming home to the familiar sound of the Frigidaire thumping away. I have noticed it takes the Neptune a little longer to start with the small loads, so maybe full loads work better in the front load machines. It seems like it was just the opposite in the Frigidaire. Mom was always careflu not to overload the machine. She could tell the instant it started if someone had overloaded her machine. My Maytag 806's seemed to handle a large or small load just the same.

 

[sudsmaster]

What model Neptune do you have? Maytag originally had what we call the "solid door" Neptunes. Then they came out with (I think) rebadged Samsungs as Neptunes. They also came out with a toploader called the Neptune as well. It seems like Whirlpool has dropped the Neptune name, though, with the original solid door design continuing as an Amana model.

I have a solid door Neptune 7500 set. The washer will definitely have a better wash performance with a half load - such as for very dirty loads like work/yard clothes. For lightly soiled loads, you can fill it loosely as long as some space remains at top (like the size of a fist).

This is like a general guideline for any front loader. Even Miele recommends that for very dirty loads, you fill their washers only half full. This is also recommended for delicate fabrics.

Some loads balance better than others. Synthetic fabrics, which don't absorb much water, will balance faster than stuff like cotton terry towels.

 

[launderess]

Half full loads increase the ratio of water to laundry, IIRC; this leads to less wear on textiles.

Miele also recommends using half full loads when doing Permanent Press (at least on my 1070). On this cycle the machine does three deep rinses with no spin in between, plus a "cyclic" rinsing after the wash.

 

[spiralator60]

Neptune Questions

"Is it easier on the machine to do fewer full loads or to still continue to do more small loads several times a week?

I have a solid door Neptune 6500, and previously owned a Neptune 3000, and have found that this appears to depend on what cycles and features, such as an additional rinse or increased and/or longer final spin, that you regularly use. Also important to this is how many loads you actually do in a week.

On my machine there is a pre-programmed short cycle ("Quick") which has a default of 27 minutes, and additional options can make the cycle longer. There is a regular cycle that has a default of 47 minutes, and a "stain" cycle that has a default of 80 minutes. Both of these can be customized and extended with selections of time delay, soak, extended spin, etc. Something that you might want to think about is how long you want, or feel comfortable with, the machine to be running for a single load. This could help in deciding whether to do more or fewer loads on a regular basis.

Over time, regularly using a feature such as extended spin ("MaxExtract") can affect the belt, where it weakens and needs to be replaced. This was something that I learned through experience with my 3000, and in conversation with pre-Whirlpool Maytag. What I also found out was the type of loads that you do can also make a difference. Thick bath towels, or a large wool blanket are a good deal heavier than a load of dress shirts, pants and socks, when wet. You might not want to always use the longest spin speed for this and other reasons.

"Also what is the best product to use for delicate articles?

My own advice would be to use what best meets your needs and likes. As you have noticed here, there is no one single product that everyone uses or likes.

Hope this is helpful to you.

Darryl

 

[launderess]

Also what is the best product to use for delicate articles?

Stay away from any thing such as "Woolite" or it's ilk, unless labeled "HE" or some such. Most "delicate" laundry products use SLS, "coconut based cleansers" or other high foaming surfactants which is not what you want.

Miele sells Persil's "Perwoll" which is fine but pricey. IIRC Woolite now has versions that are safe for and or machine laundry, but the label does not say if that includes "HE" machines.

 

[spaniel50]

Neptune questions

This is what I am getting from the posts:
(1) smaller loads clean better
(2) don't use the max extract
(3) stay away from coconut oil base cleaners
I have never used the max exract and when I had delicate loads that were very dirty I used the presoak. I also have used only powdered HE Tide and just decreased the amount on delicate loads. I did notice a BIG difference when I went from my Maytag 806 set to the new Whirlpool top loader set that I bought when we built this house. I was noticing more and more damaged clothes from the Whirlpool that never happened in my Maytag 806's. That is why I made the plung and gave the Whirlpools away and bought the Maytag Neptunes. I have never been sorry. You guys were correct-the front load washer has saved on soap,water,clothes damage and the Neptunes are so quiet with no more unbalanced loads. I was a hard sell! Mine are models mah650aww and mde5500ayw. Thanks for the advise.

 

[dj-gabriele]

Why one shouldn't use the "max extract"? Isn't the neptune top speed only around 1000rpm?
Thanks

 

[spiralator60]

Clarification

I did not mean to imply that using the MaxExtract feature is a bad thing to do. This is a handy feature to have when you are washing fabrics that absorb water and can take a while to dry (things like plush bath towels and denim jeans), either by machine or on a clothesline. The owner's manual and video both address these very examples.

The problem of the weakened belt can happen when the maximum spin feature is used for each and every load, regardless of size. As I mentioned, this was a problem that I ran into and spoke to Maytag about, as well as the service technician who repaired my machine. It seems that many people, myself included, were doing this. For the early models of the machine, the 3000 and 4000 series, Maytag was caught off guard with the way people were actually using the then new Neptunes.

Other manufacturers at the time, such as Miele and Asko, were using spin speed as a selling point for energy efficiency and advanced technology. It became a little embarrassing for Maytag to have a machine whose top spinning speed was 1000 rpm, while other makers had machines with a top speed anywhere between 1200 and 1600 rpm. Coming up with a name that sounded close to what the competition was offering was a way to address this. The difference, though, was in the way that the machines were designed for use. The technician told me that Maytag did not originally expect the feature in the early models to be used as heavily as customers were using it in actual practice - it was thought that it would be looked at as an extra that would used occasionally, but would mostly be ignored.

In terms of the design issue, these Neptune models had two belts attached to the drum, one which provided for reverse rotation during agitation, and another for spinning the wash cylinder during extraction. The original design of the spinning belt was, it was found, not strong enough to allow for continual (as in each and every load washed) of the MaxExtract feature. The problem showed itself over time with symptoms as the machine spinning at reduced speeds, or not at all. Not hearing the high pitched whine was the major indication of the problem, according to Maytag at the time.

After Maytag got enough complaints, and bad PR, this matter was fixed with a more durable belt. It appears that Maytag made other changes, and refinements were made to the Neptune machines before the line was discontinued. One of the things that the service technician told me was what I mentioned in the previous post. There is nothing wrong with the MaxExtract feature, but don't use it more than you really have to. This is advice that I am still following with my current machine. The way it works is that the spin cycle is extended for about a minute or so, and some models allow for a little more than the 1000 rpm speed - this is the case for the 6500.

I had the 3000 for about three years when this problem happened, and for five years after that without incident. My 6500 has not had this or any other issues in the two years since getting it.

Darryl

 

[foraloysius]

IIRC the spinspeed of the 3000 and 4000 models was 800rpm. Do you know what the spinspeed is on those models when the max. extract function is not selected?

The 7500 and 6500 models have a 1000rpm spin, but what is the spinspeed when on these models the max. extract function is not selected? would that be 800?

And what is the spinspeed on the 5500? Is that 1000rpm too or is it 800? Inquiring minds want to know! ;-)

 

[spiralator60]

Louis,

I can only speak about the 3000 and the 6500 models.

For the 3000, 800 rpm sounds about right for the non MaxExtract spin. I can't find the papers for this machine right now, but when I do, I'll post the result. As I remember it, the high pitched sound became more pronounced at higher speeds, enough to annoy the neighbor's dog from a distance until he got used to hearing it.

For the 6500, the non MaxExtract is in the neighborhood of 900 rpm. This is listed on the specification sheet that came with the machine.

Darryl

 

[sudsmaster]

I use max extract (1000 rpm) most of the time with my 7500 and haven't had any belt problems. That's after about seven years of moderate use (about five loads a week).

Bear in mind that for most of the seven minute final spin, it's at 800 rpm even when max extract is selected. Then for the last 20 seconds or so it ramps upto 1000 rpm to squeeze the last few drops out.

You CAN use regular soaps in the machine, but one must be very careful with dosage to avoid excessive suds. Also, it's probably a good idea to use some STPP with real soap to avoid soap scum.

 

[retro-man]

Sudsmaster, Interesting that yours only goes into high speed spin in the final 20 seconds. Mine goes for about 30 seconds in the normal spin speed then ramps up to the max for the rest of the spin cycle. It continues right up to the end on high speed.
Jon

 

[sudsmaster]

Retroman,

Well, if your machine is eight years old, is it a 3000 or 4000 series? If so, the maximum speed is 800 rpm.

 

[sudsmaster]

I don't have it in front of me at the moment, but as I recall the non-max extract speed for the 1st and second gen Neptunes (3000-4000) was 600 rpm. The max extract is 800 rpm. For the 5500 and 7500, the speed is 800/1000. In all cases the max speed is only for the last 20 seconds or so. The 6500 came out after I got the manual so it's not listed. I'll double check these specs when I get home, as I could be relying upon faulty memory.