Whirlpool / LG / GE / Speed Queen front loader question

[mtn1584]

Sorry to ask a stupid question, but with these modern US Govt. regulated front loaders with huge capacity claims, do you see any water at all in the drum? If you have a full load of towels, jeans, whatever, are they just going to be saturated in an HE detergent solution, or are they going to be dropped in and out of water like in a commerical laundromat machine? They look pretty, but are these machines made to "wash" clothes in a "slimy detergent solution," or do they use a SUFFICIENT amount of water in your opinions? I am asking about US brand front loaders only. Yes I know LG is not an American brand
Thanks, Mike

 

[whirlcool]

I have found that the FL machines you use in coin op laundries use much more water per load than home use machines. Most FL machines just toss wet clothes around in a drum with about 1/2" of water at the bottom of it. Their high spin speeds is what removes the water/detergent mixture from the clothing therefore the rinse needs less water.

 

[revvinkevin]

I discovered, along with others here, if I use the "Bulky Items" or "Express Wash" cycles on my Kenmore Elite He5T (Whirlpool built) washer, it uses noticeably more water. Now I almost always use "Express Wash", setting it to "heavy" soil level (for a "normal" wash time) and adding the extra rinse. It takes about the same amount of time as the "Normal/Regular" cycle, but uses more water.

Kevin

 

[filterflo58]

i said it before and ill say it again.
you cant wash 10 towels with a cup of water..yuk..

 

[mrb627]

Speed Queen

I find that my SQ machine uses enough water to get the job done. Using less water is the wave of the future. Can't escape it.

Malcolm

 

[powerfin64]

LG

No, you do not SEE water in the drum, unless you have a option for extra water, like LG'S "water plus" then there will be noticeably more water. Clothes will be sufficiently wet with Water and HE detergent, with the current models, but will not be "dropped in and out of water like in a commerical laundromat machine" with water 1/4th way up the door window. Also, it has been discussed, that more water in front loading machines, does not give the best cleaning, something to keep in mind.

I am very pleased with my LG and gets the job done.

 

[labboy]

I also love my LG. It does a fantastic job. However, I would never get a FL without an internal heater. Because of the limited water usage (and the stupid ATC) the incoming water never gets hot enough unless you prime the lines first. The internal heater takes care of that nicely.

 

[pierreandreply4]

well less water = poor wash effenceny in my eyes i have a duet washer and because it use less water the wash and rinse effency is very poor for a good wash effency a top loading washer is better and i can also had tha a water heater in the washer is also a big waste of energy as you get the same clean clothes when wash in cold water this is just my 2 cents in this as i have said what i needed to say

 

[3beltwesty]

It is the US Government tax breaks that distorts the market. It is NOT a requirement. A maker gets a healthy tax break if one meets water saver standards. This tax breaks is greater than the total profit on the machine; ie hundreds of dollars.

To wash with less water the gambit is the modern home FL washer takes more time; since one is really only spraying/showering the items. My typical wash cycle with a modern FL 2010 washer is to always press the add water button and usually use the added pre wash cycle. Thus typical wash time are double compared to my older 1976 FL washer. It is not as bad as it seems; the modern washer spins extracts at a higher rpm.

t is sort of like if ones 1976 mower was 11 HP and the new 2010 mower is just 6 HP thus the modern tool takes longer.

 

[3beltwesty]

On the plus side a modern washer allows a delayed start; and one too can use a cycle so the total time is say 2 hours and 30 minutes. One can start the washer; mow the yard; go to Home Depot and buy some yards stuff; go to McDonalds for a burger and the machine will still be running. In other threads where I have mentioned that long cycles are not liked by some; others defend that time doesnt matter. They are unemployed; retired or have no schedules. A modern tool that takes twice as long doesnt bother them

 

[ronhic]

They are unemployed; retired or have no schedules. A modern

3Belt...

 

That is a gross generalisation thank you...

 

I think you'll find that most of us who have modern front load machines that have longer cycle times just find other ways to utilize the time between loads.....rather than cling to a schedule our mothers or grandmothers used to use such as doing all the washing on one day....

 

....referring to us as 'They are unemployed; retired or have no schedules.' is probably one of the most lame and incorrect sweeping statements I've heard you make on here....

 

[golittlesport]

I have a Frigidaire 3.5 front loader. If you open the door during the wash cycle, the water level - with the load of clothes saturated - comes to the tub opening. So that is about two inches of water.

When it is tumbling, the wash action is created by the sopping wet laundry slamming against the tub. And it's very effective.

I know some folks can't imagine their clothes could get clean unless they are floating in water, but my experience is that my laundry is cleaner than when I used a modern top loader. Better rinsed too. (If you learn how to use the correct amount and right kind of HE detergent)

Although I have a classic top loader from '55 (and love it,) I would not buy a modern top loader agitator washer. Just my choice. When I visit my mother it bugs me to hear water running for 10 minutes as the washer fills.

 

[DADoES]

 

 

<blockquote>When I visit my mother it bugs me to hear water running for 10 minutes as the washer fills.</blockquote>
Yup.  Much as I enjoy using the deep-fill agitator toploaders that I have, the water use is disconcerting compared to my Calypso (although it does use quite a bit for rinsing) and Neppy TL.

 

 

[appnut]

When I visit my mother it bugs me to hear water running for

I agree.  I was reflecting on a similar thought about 2 weeks ago when I as doing laundry.  The washer only takes two minutes at most to fill compred with 5 or so with the Lady Shredmore.  Less water being drawn from the wter heater.  And with the entire state now suffering drought conditions, water is probably going to become quite an issue this summer if we don't see relief. What was it, two years ago portions of Lake Travis in Austin wre closed because big items which had been submerged for 5 decades were popping up in the water.  Same with the lake around here.  And I don't believe two yeaers ago we had as massive of wildfires as we have seen thus far. 

 

[spiralator60]

Sufficient amount of water

I have an LG like powerfin64 and labboy, and like them, am pleased with the performance of my machine. As you see from the responses, what is considered a sufficient amount of water used varies with individual preferences and situations. Everyone has their own expectation about what is properly clean at the end of a wash cycle.

 

One thing that needs to be considered is the type of load being washed. If items in the load are not very dirty to begin with, as in clothes that are worn during the work week,  I have found that the default water settings on the machine provide acceptable cleaning results most of the time. This is also the case for my Maytag Neptune.

 

On the other hand, things that are a lot more soiled and/or greasy, usually require more detergent, and water for an additional rinse or two. For many of us, the extra amount of water used (beyond the default settings) is because we want to make sure that as much detergent is rinsed away from the items washed, or to cut down on the fragrances left by various products.

 

[laundromat]

The Miele I have works well and uses even less water than any other front loader I've ever owned. However,the express rinse fills water all the way up to the base of the see through window door. I have washed king size comforters without any issues.I also have a few of the Frigidaire affinities, a Frigidaire gallery series front loader and an LG with the square window. What I like about the LG is the ability to turn the interior light on without rigging it to do so.I also like it's drum and the many different ways it tumbles.A few nice features on the Miele are the Honeycomb drum and the way it spins. It doesn't take as long to get to the right rpm and doesn't have as many trials to balance the load. When it goes up to 1400 rpms,it takes off!The Frigidaire Gallery is more generous with water and is a great washer too.