Water Usage Experiment

[autowasherfreak]

I was doing laundry today, and decided to do a little experiment. I started a load of sheets in the Frigidaire front loader. I've always been curious as to how much water it actually uses. I set it for the normal cycle (no extra rinse) and extra spin.

Instead of letting it drain I put the hose into the Maytag 806 and collected all the water for the complete cycle. It filled the tub a little less than half way. It would agitate at the Medium water level, but stopped when I pushed a higher water level.

 

[yogitunes]

I have done the same thing on many machines....but into a laundry tub or for a HE into a 5 gallon bucket, just to see what each fill would use and total up the gallons....

Also, after finished cycle, put the hose into a bucket and FINAL spin one more time, see how much water you get? for a few TL machines with towels, I have gotten up to 4 cups, thats a lot for a dryer to remove, and have gotten even more by switching to a FL for a final spin...makes you wonder

great experiments....

even for the machines that I have side by side, make shift suds saver, machine 1 would drain into machine 2 and then use that wash water to wash throw rugs, cleaning rags, or dog blankets....rinse water goes down the drain....conserve where you can...

 

[autowasherfreak]

Next weekend when I do laundry, I think I will try and save water from the less dirty clothes along with rinse water. I don't have to pay for water, it's included in rent. But it wouldn't hurt to conserve a little anyway.

 

[ronhic]

Jim...

That's a fantastic attitude to have...well done you...

I am a firm believer that just because something is cheap or free doesn't mean we have to treat it like it is never ending or use more than we really need to...

 

[thomasortega]

"Next weekend when I do laundry, I think I will try and save water from the less dirty clothes along with rinse water. I don't have to pay for water, it's included in rent. But it wouldn't hurt to conserve a little anyway."

Congratulations for your attitude Jim.

You'll not only save water, but also save detergent. i'm sure the environment will love it!

I always save the water sequentially when doing my laundry.

First i do de whites (hot water), then I let the machien drain into other, to do the light colors, then other for the towels and finally at the fourth load to do the jeans.
At the same time I start other machine with detergent for blacks (Skip Negros y Oscuros from Argentina) and save the water to to the floor towels and mops.

I can do 6 loads using only 2 doses of detergent.

I always do the same at the final rinse too, it means only two doses of softener too.

Instead of 48 doses per month, I can spend only 16. My wallet (and the environment) loves it!

 

[autowasherfreak]

I can't use the Maytag 806 just yet, I need to get some Y adapters to hook it up to the faucets, and get the drain situation taken care of, then I will try saving water from the Frigidaire.

 

[frigilux]

Jim---Which model Frigidaire do you have---the 2940 (square door) or an Affinity? I have the "classic" 3.1 cu. ft. machine, with the black boot and small porthole. I have the feeling my Frigidaire would use substantially more water than yours.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I have Gallery Series

 

[yogitunes]

Jim

I have the same set in my bathroom...can't save the water from that one because it goes into a standpipe...but thinking about hooking a seperate line to the basement laundry sink... but not for measuring...I have the water from this sink going out onto the ground outside, talk about saving the environment, I have the greenest, plush lawn on that side of the house, I need to set up a sump pump type to get it to all areas around the house, who needs fertilizer, if you can, try it, plants love the wash water, bleach and all, I know its illegal, but why let it go down the drain, kind of a waste don't ya think?...don't just wash, reuse, rinse, reuse...go one step further and reuse on the lawn...you'll be amazed!

Start a thread about this and see how many people actually do this?

 

[ronhic]

Recycling wash/rinse water is nothing new here...

....with all the water restrictions that have been in force in various parts of the country for a number of years not, many people recycle water from their washing machines for use on their gardens....though it is strongly recommended that only the rinse water be used due to the chemical load in the wash cycle...

I've attached a link to a manufacturer of a basic storage and pump system that we can buy from our local hardware shops. Making one for use if you can't get something like this wouldn't be too difficult with a wheelie bin and submersible pump....

http://washandwater.com/index.php

 

[mark_wpduet]

Hey autowasherfreak I have a Question

I'm pretty sure that your frigidaire FL washer has a perma press cycle. I've heard this cycle uses much more water. Do u ever use it? If u chose that cycle will it let you modify anything like low medium or high spin as well as soil level or is it set in stone? Thanks

 

[mayguy]

Mark,

I have the GE model of this washer, and I've never used the PP cycle, so I don't know if it uses more water or not... But I can over ride the "preset" settings on mine.

 

[thomasortega]

I have the Affinity

The cycles are the same. The permanent press cycle uses more water, but the difference is insignificant.

Anyway, it washes and rinses OK and you have the flexibility to choose the options you want, except those stupid mistakes that could damage the load, for example select hot water or maximum spin speed for the "hand wash/wool" cycle.

 

[polkanut]

We use the suds-saver on our Maytag all the time. The model no. is: LAW9406AAE, serial no. 23267759UK. When we bought this washer in 1998, it had to specially ordered due to the fact that Maytag was phasing out production of suds-saver models. We were fortunate that there was a suds-tub left by the previous owner, therby allowing us to have a suds-saver machine. I'm going to keep this machine around as long as possible just for this feature.

 

[yogitunes]

I have the gallery series and it allows for a few adjustments except for defaults, like cold rinse on PP...I have measured water for every fill in every cycle and their all the same...dammit...I can't even tweek the level at the pressure switch(electronic), as far as PP using more water is just because it has a few more rinses, but does not add more water to the load it self....

it's funny to actually think about it, my dish drawers only use less than 1 1/2 quarts of water per fill up...a normal wash is usually under 2 gallons, wash and 3 rinses...go figure

 

[mark_wpduet]

Isn't it funny

I've read forums where people say on their LG front load washer that the perm press setting uses A LOT more water as does the comforter cycle. One girl was complaining about her LG washer not using enough water then she came back to the forum and she said, OMG, for those of you that have an LG, use the perm press cycle, I can't believe how much more water it uses!" So I was assuming that any machine that had this cycle that the same applied but I guess not.

I've heard that if u have a Duet washer that has a "bulky" cycle that it uses a lot more water as well. Unfortunately I have the 9300 duet that lacks that particular cycle. I'm still happy with my Duet though.

 

[mayguy]

I'll have to give the PP a run next week when I do laundry.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I use the PP cycle for t-shirts, and dress shirts. You can changed the spin speed, soil, extra rinse, but can't add extra spin.

The Bulky cycle does use a little more water than the normal cycle, and the pauses before the tumble direction changes are longer. I use it for heavy bankets and comforters.

I use mosty the heavy, normal, short, and PP cycles. If I have something that is really dirty, I will use rinse and spin as a pre-wash. I used to use the soak cycle a lot for whites but since I started using the Sears Ultra Plus degertent I no longer need to soak the whites.

 

[autowasherfreak]

Thanks for the idea Martin. It's been so rainy here (almost every other day or couple of days) it's rained, can't keep up with the lawn, but if and when it dries up I will give it a try.

 

[yogitunes]

Jim....let us know how you make out...it's worth a try....saves the septic also...especially since I have 3 machines...all HE, but alot of water just the same...I have five kids currently...Man, I feel like a woman...opps, sorry, song was on radio, I meant to say "Man, do I have wash"...lol

 

[autowasherfreak]

Martin, you have your work cut out for you!

 

[yogitunes]

Yes I do!

but its not all that bad....we have 2 adopted 9 year old twins, a boy and a girl, and we foster...we had four brothers from age 1, 2, 3, and 4. They went back home reunited with their parents, got a 2 month break and last night got 3 more,so right now my house is full of little ones...its great fostering to help these children threw a rough time, cross your fingers and everything will pan out and they'll be reunited also, doesn't always go that way, but you try and help them adjust, they don't know why it happened, all they know is they want to go home...but in other words...i'm off and running...its not the GLAM life of John and Kate +8, with nannies and body guards, to do all the work behind the scenes, but thats not why we do it, the kids need our help, and thank GOD we have the ability and resources, rewards inside you can't imagine....that's my little homestead on the horizon...

 

[autowasherfreak]

Martin, what you are doing is truly Amazing!

 

[yogitunes]

Thanks a million....

was scared at all of this in the beginning with the twins...not knowing what we were getting into....but now, wouldn't give them up for the world, they miss their parents and all the surroundings we provide can't make up for it, and I shouldn't spoil them, but I can't help it, if I was allowed to tell you their history I would, they have been thru HELL, and I hope I can offer a better life for them, they are happy, but I know how I would feel if I was taken from my parents, we have info for the kids should they want to meet up with them someday...and they do meet up with the other siblings, so it kinda helps to keep family in touch....I don't mean to ramble on...but I have seen alot of abused children and I just got to help, there's also many foster homes who abuse the kids the same way and do it for the paycheck...but its not about money, it's for enjoyment to know you have helped someone....last month we had a B-Day party for the twins...not bragging by all means, my hubby likes to do it BIG...Big Top...yes circus style, clowns, temporary tatoos, magic acts, moon bounces, music, dancing, hokey pokey and musical chairs, pony rides, petting zoo, and food for miles, the entire third grade class was here and the past foster children, plus friends and relatives, children of all ages, what a day!...and of course I had to be the first on the moon bounce...lol...if I thought about it I could have combined a Wash-in with it....so many people and events I didn't even get to see it all....but this makes it all worthwhile. Next day clean up...what do you do with 1000 balloons?...lol...and leftovers!...help

a side note is we also keep in contact with other foster homes in the area, for support, help, and babysitting, and the kids love the slumber parties, they all like my house best....hmmmmm, wonder why, could it be the pool, the trampoline, or the theatre!...even the parents don't want to go home!...maybe its my personality they like, dream on...lol