Which washing action with what kind of load works best?

[qualin]

It's a shame I can't cross post this under Imperial.

So, I'm curious now.. What do you think makes for the best washing action for certain kinds of loads?

It was mentioned by one forum member who said that Denim washes better in a conventional top-loading center post agitator machine than in a front loader. (I'm paraphrasing.)

What other loads work better in some other washers?

Obviously, sheets don't work well in a vintage pulsator-action Frigidaire due to tangling and twisting... (According to another members posts.)

Opinions?

 

[DirectDriveDave]

Well, I think something bulky like a bed comforter would be best in a big commercial FL. As for a specific type of fabric? your guess is as good as mine.

But for anything like regular clothing, nothing, in my experience has beat agitator TLs. I've mainly used Whirlpool DDs and Orbital Maytags, I get perfect results with those types every time, and no, I have never gotten clothing damage. I had to use MTag Neptune FLs in college, the only things those cleaned well for me were my bed sheets and towels, anything else did not get washed well.

 

[chestermikeuk]

"It's a shame I can't cross post this under Impe

I`m thinking why couldnt you?? & what stopped you as opposed to here in the newby forum?? You do ask interesting questions but I do wonder how loaded you questions are for effect at times , such as "Obviously, sheets don't work well in a vintage pulsator-action Frigidaire due to tangling and twisting" - if that was totally the case (and not operator error) then Frigidaire America would have been out of the washer business in a few years, the people would have voted...

Its all down to knowing the limitations of your washing machines and tranquelments such as powders, additives, staining and human input...

If you gave me a dolly & tub, hot water & borax I would get the whitest whites and gently washed woollens.....my sisters who lead very hectic bring up children lives - WOULD FREAK!! and you would end up wearing it!!

Give me a cement mixer, powder and the like and I would know how much water to add for wash action, low for more agitation, higher for delicate washes, little & many for rinsing!! - Same with a top loader twin tub, also with a fully automatictop loader !!

I like using all sorts of machines and with each I would take time to observe how they work (might had had a few false starts initially) and allocate time, temperature, agitation programme type and additives accordingly... most of the general public using said machines just want to wash & go and hope that "Something Magical" will happen every time they stuff the laundry closet into said machine, wack in an unquantifiable amount of whatever and "Pull to Start"

We, on the other hand can "Create Magic" - Happy Washing

 

[electron1100]

The I World

You raise some very important and valid points Mike, from perspective modern technology removes the user more and more from being involved and understanding what is happening, I see the end result as people not able to think for themselves utterly reliant on bits of technology to make decisions for them, removing them from any responsibility this is a sad state of affairs.

Watching TV shows about how we used to live in the 50s/60s etc highlights this to me very much, the end users could understand the machinery of the day and where quite happy to have some input into whatever task they performing

Right I have pushed to many words out of my brain and need a top up ;-)

 

[ozzie908]

Proof is on the line !

I am sure I am not the only one to have noticed that more and more washing on lines these days looks ever more grubby. It would appear that the majority of washing machine users have no idea about any other program than 40c quickwash and then cannot understand why everything is taking on a generalised hue. I use my twin tub these days more to save water as on a meter than to make work for myself although I do enjoy it But whites are still white and everything else is as it should be I am proud to hang my washing out.

See how many you can spot that actually care about their laundry.

Austin

 

[chestermikeuk]

Whites....

Yes, less user control, and I must admit its down to the faster pace of life, one programme, one powder and economically stylish throw away clothing causes all to use the
"One Button Does All"

Talking of "Whitest Whites" anyone been watching this years Wimbledon, P & G official sponsors must be "Weeping into their Washers"....never seen such dingy whites than this year,
the "Whitest Whites" belong to the US (Roddick) TL Whirlpool LCB perhaps? and Serbian (Djokovic) FL Ariel Gorenje perhaps?.....Oh Dear!!

 

[mrb627]

Nothing

I really cant think of anything that washes better in a TL better than a FL. I can think of quite a few things I wouldn't put in a TL that a FL handles perfectly.

Malcolm

 

[frigilux]

I can't think of a load that wouldn't wash well in a front-loader, except for one that consisted of a single, heavy item. You wouldn't get that to balance in a front-loader, but it might get by in a top-loader. My 2006 Frigidaire top-loader used to spin some amazingly out-of-balance loads. Maybe a blanket loaded with cat hair would do better in a top-loader. I would shake my cat blankets out a bit before washing, and they came out fine in my FL'er.

I don't agree with the statement about denim getting cleaner in a top-loader. I've washed loads with several pairs of muddy, grubby gardening jeans that emerged perfectly clean, even in my ultra-low water level 2010 Frigidaire.

 

[ronhic]

I agree with Malcolm

Having used both and different brands and ages of machines of both sorts, I will not own and use a Top Load machine as a daily driver.

I personally find a front load machine far more gentle on clothing, sheets and towels (especially towels) than any top load machine I've ever used and there is nothing I own, or am likely to buy, that I wouldn't wash in a front load machine.

 

[rolls_rapide]

What is it with people putting pet hair covered blankets int

I would never, in a month of Sundays, dream of doing that. It is asking for trouble, and cross-contamination of subsequent loads covered in pet hair. Then the machine has to go through extra rinse cycles to clean the machine. No thank you.

Run the hoover over the blanket first to remove the majority of the hair. Most new models have turbo brush attachments. Uprights in upright mode do a very good job, though you do have to stand on the blanket with one foot and hoover away from that foot.

 

[launderess]

H-Axis Washing Machines

By and large have been proven the best method on so many levels for washing textiles. Commercial laundries most every where in the world use them, and indeed once you leave the shores of North America top loading washers with central beaters become out numbered by H-Axis washers.

That being said given a H-Axis washer with proper water levels, cycles, and either the ability to heat water or good supply of hot water close, will deal with everything from farmer's jeans to fine danties.

Love my little vintage Whirlpool top loader but wouldn't dream of having such a machine as my daily driver.

According to the owner's manual the Whirlpool uses about ten gallons of water for each cycle. My Miele uses a little over five for the wash (normal or PP) and ten for each of the five rinses. So yes on paper the latter does use more water than the latter, however that is not the entire story. The Miele will hold more than the Whirlpool, and washes/rinses that large load better.

 

[thomasortega]

front loaders for me too. no matter what kind of load.

Of course i'm talking about front loaders with DECENT water levels.