It's better than I thought.
I took my bedsheets to Mom's this morning to try out her new GE. I thought it did a good job cleaning, although I question the rinse cycle because I could smell the detergent still when it was done. This probably isn't the washer's fault, but the different make of soap Mom uses. I thought we used the same detergent but it was different. I normally use All Free and Clear and she had All with Oxi boost. So, I'll let it pass. For my wash, I used the sheets options, set it on medium load and Deep fill, and the 'rinse with fabric softener option' even though I never use fabric softener. I really do want that soap rinsed out as much as possible.
What I liked about the washer: I thought she got a lot of options for the price point. I was right to assume the cabinet would be sturdier than the Hotpoint. And the GE removed a cat barf stain on my bottom sheet. (Pets make life so much fun!). I read the manual as the machine went through its cycle and the "Sanitize with Oxi-Clean" cycle allows for a 120F wash. It also has a proper soak cycle. It did its job.
What I didn't like: 50+ minutes for a medium load of full-sized bed sheets. Goodness, that's a long time. I'm thinking Grandma with her wringer washer would have had her clothes out on the line in that time. The cycle was loud, but maybe that's the name of the game for these HE TL machines and not a make/model complaint. I can't imagine putting up with that sound if I had to sit next to it. Also, it doesn't seem to have a brake for the spin cycle, which, I thought was weird but why put a brake on it when there's a lid lock during the spin?
I noticed that there were a lot of small, cat furballs that had settled at the bottom of the basin. They were a little hard to pick out. These lint balls are not a new thing, my KA does this too, and I vacuum them out. But there seemed to be more than normal. Maybe that's an indication of a good rollover? (Having long-haired cats my bedding and furniture see the worst of it). On the whole, I'm thinking maybe the lint filtration system is not as good as in older models. I've read where some put a load of clothes in the dryer for 15 minutes for a no-heat cycle to remove lint first. But, those little lint/furballs were noticeable in the tub.
Overall, I feel better about her having this machine now than I did when she picked it. If it could last 10 years and I would say it's a win. I don't think this machine is suited for me and my life, given that it's so loud and next to my living room. I wifi option with a remote start could be a solution.
Mom did say that the delivery guys complained that her old Raytheon Amana was 'steel' when taking it out. That sorta made me laugh, they don't make them like they used to, do they?
