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From: Longblades
Date: 04-12-2006, 02:01 PM (1 of 32)
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I was happy with the Sears HE powder in my Sears machine. I had good results and it is VERY economical. Maybe a bit too economical. Half way through the second box all of a sudden the stuff won't dissolve and clumps up, blocking the dispenser. I think that's because with just two of us it takes so long to go through the box the stuff changed in our hot, hot summer last year. The first box didn't do that though, and it lasted over a year. I tried Sunlight HE but we can't stand the heavy perfume. It stinks up the whole house. So now I'm trying Sunlight HE Unscented and now am noticing a terrible odour coming from my machine. At first I thought it was the "unknown fibres" piece of Wallmart goods I was pre-shrinking. No, that's not right. At first I blamed the cat, her litter box is in the laundry room. But she was outside. It seems awfully co-incidental that something should go wrong in my machine right after switching detergent and the machine is only three years old. So I guess I need to try another detergent. Any recommendations? |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: Lynnie
Date: 04-12-2006, 02:42 PM (2 of 32)
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A lot of people where I work have gone to the front loading machines. One thing almost all of them were warned about was making sure that you periodically clean around the door gasket especially if you don't do laundry every day (like single people and couples). Apparently that is where nasty smelling stuff is likely to grow because water gets caught there. They were warned that it can be more of a problem if you use liquid detergent instead of powder because the liquid often contains animal fats that the nasties feed on. Try cleaning around the door and leaving it open occasionally to let it thouroughly dry out. |
User: Lynnie
Member since: 02-23-2006 Total posts: 44 |
From: swartzrn
Date: 04-12-2006, 07:08 PM (3 of 32)
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I would LOVE a front loading washing machine. My mom has one and uses Tide HE detergent and hasn't had any problem with it.
Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes." |
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006 Total posts: 436 
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From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 04-12-2006, 07:46 PM (4 of 32)
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I love my front loader as well and also use Tide HE. I leave my door open at all times when it's not actually in use because I don't want it to get musty.
photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 04-12-2006, 09:16 PM (5 of 32)
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I use All Free HE in my front loader and I leave the door and the detergent/softerner drawer OPEN once or twice a week to air out. Mold WILL grow in the front loaders because of the gaskets, and the way the drawer is in the top. If your's smells bad, run some vinegar or bleach through it, ALONE (no clothes) and then leave the door/drawer open to air out. (you CAN pull the drawers out and leave them on top of the machine to dry.) Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: beachgirl
Date: 04-13-2006, 10:24 AM (6 of 32)
| I don't have a front loading machine but I always leave the lid up when I'm done washing clothes. Believe it or not, it's much better for your machine to let the tub, gaskets & whatever dry out good. Oneof my daughters has a front loader so I'll tell her what ya'll said to do before she has a problem. Thanks for the info. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: Magot
Date: 04-14-2006, 03:35 PM (7 of 32)
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Most machines are front loaders here - the drawer for detergent can get clogged and I find that Fabric conditioner is a fantastic growth medieum for slimy black bacteris! I use Ecover, or Shops own. or Ariel or Persil or whatever is on special offer! You can use liquid detegent in a dispensing ball which loads into the body of the machine but I don't find those as effective personally. We have quite hard water here so you can get a chalky build up on the door gasgets so yes, keep those clean! love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: Longblades
Date: 04-18-2006, 09:36 AM (8 of 32)
| Nothing is helping, vinegar, doors open, cleaning all for naught. We now think gunk must be clogged in the hoses that flush water out of the machine. The smell only happens when we do a wash and the first pump out of water brings this terrible smell. The smell lingers but is worst at first. We are on a septic system so the machine is below grade and water pumps into the laundry tub and then is pumped up to the septic tank. Poor DH is going to take it apart to see if he can clean stuff out. The hoses I mean, not the septic tank. That'll be the next thing, something we are dreading, when our septic system gives out. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-18-2006, 10:15 PM (9 of 32)
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We do a lot of laundry in our house with 6 people. My washer developed a horrible smell..smelled like my son's dirty socks after he wore them all week long at Boy Scout camp (all the time). It was the pump going out. I lost 2 circuit boards and a pump in just over a year (glad I sprung for the extended warranty). I use regular All in my machine and it has done very well. I use half of one regular load amount. All does better than most detergents in our water and I can't find the All HE around here. I have the fancy Duet that will heat the water.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Longblades
Date: 04-19-2006, 09:38 AM (10 of 32)
| Hmmm, that's a thought. Paroper, I guess you mean the pump in the washing machine? Being below grade we have another pump to move water from the laundry tub to the septic tank and it is much older and the one that should be wearing out. The pump in the machine shouldn't be going this soon but I just read the class action suit post so you never know. My Sears machine is made by Fridgidaire. DH hasn't got around to cleaning the hoses yet. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-19-2006, 10:01 AM (11 of 32)
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Yes it was the washing machine pump. We have a sewer but we don't have to use a pump to get everthing there.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-19-2006, 10:02 AM (12 of 32)
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My washing machine handle also broke off...I've got to get it fixed. I have to pinch the door open and stand practically upside down to get the thing open. What is the class actions suit? pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Longblades
Date: 04-20-2006, 11:27 AM (13 of 32)
| Class Action Lawsuit is a post in this forum by Chrysantha. It's Whirlpool and one other make. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 04-20-2006, 11:48 AM (14 of 32)
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Longblades, Sounds like we might have the same machine. I have the Frigidare stackable set. Mine got really stinky then the pump went out. I have had them for almost four years and they get heavy usage (10 to 15 loads per week). My dryer (gas) also broke at the same time something in the igniter area. Oh and to top it all off my water heater spung a leak that same week  A hole rusted right through the side. Everything happens in threes. Right? Hubby replaced the pump and the stink is gone. Chrys, I see you use the All Free HE have you tried the Tide free HE? I can only find the Tide here. Right now I use regular All Free or Purex Free. Just wondering if it is any good before I go out and spend the $$$. You seem to be the expert in allergies so I know if you can use it it should be good for my kiddies. OH yeah and Longblades my MIL has her stackable White Westinghouse(became Frigidare) set from the 60s or 70s and it is still going strong. She uses the Sears powder and swears by it. If it is clumping in your drawer why not just put it in the drum with the clothes. That is the way my MIL does it as her's is so old it didn't come with drawers. She only washes for herself and her husband so I assume it takes her forever to go through a box. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: Domestic Goddes
Date: 04-22-2006, 08:10 PM (15 of 32)
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I use either liquid detergent that goes in one of the balls that Magot mentions, or dosing tablets, which are compressed powder detergent and go in a little net and direct into the drum. Both of these can deal with muddy hockey kit! I never put detergent in the drawer, only the fabric conditioner. I've found that a soak in washing soda once in a while cleans the drawer nicely, and I rarely wipe the seal/gasket and never have anything nasty growing there. Our water is the opposite of Magots, it's very soft, and I would be using half the amount of detergent that the "southerners" use. |
User: Domestic Goddes
Member since: 01-04-2005 Total posts: 108 |
From: Magot
Date: 04-23-2006, 04:23 PM (16 of 32)
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The hard water down here Dom is why my towels are like brillo pads. Not much point using fab con if you then rinse it in a mineral solution! Still the water tastes nice - i don't like drinking soft water - and think of all the calcium I get!
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: Longblades
Date: 05-01-2006, 08:51 PM (17 of 32)
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If it is clumping in your drawer why not just put it in the drum with the clothes. I did. It still clumps. I thought of dissolving it first in hot water but haven't gotten around to trying that yet. I think the smell is not as bad as it was and I think that may be because we got our hot water back. We had to put in a new hot water heater and it is now Ontario law that all new installations have a regulator that will not allow the water to get any hotter than 119 degrees celcius, to avoid scalding accidents. The man who installed it left us a bypass valve so we could get hotter water to the dishwasher but when DH finally got around to putting it in he bypassed the whole system. So we have whatever temp. water we want anywhere we want now. And I've done a couple of hot water washes that have maybe cleaned the hoses out a bit. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-01-2006, 09:01 PM (18 of 32)
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When we were on the hand dug well (36 feet deep) and had all kinds of hard water problems, I found that using a liquid detergent worked very well. At the time the best detergent for that job was ERA...and I tried them all. Without that I couldn't dissolve powder laundry detergent and ERA was the only one that would even suds in the water. When we got the deeper well I could use several liquid detergents but the powder just wouldn't dissolve.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-01-2006, 09:02 PM (19 of 32)
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I did find though that using Calgon or 20 Mule Team Borax helped with my laundry in the hard water.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 05-01-2006, 09:17 PM (20 of 32)
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Just plain soda will help soften water...
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: Longblades
Date: 06-22-2006, 09:41 AM (21 of 32)
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Think we have solved the deterg. clumping and the stinky problem. First the deterg. - we had to have a new hot water tank put in some time ago and it is now code, in Ontario anyway, that all new installations have a regulator to prevent the water from going over 120F, to avoid scalding. A bypass is supposed to be installed to allow hotter water to the dishwasher but my DH bypassed the whole system so we have water as hot as we want anywhere we want, including the laundry, and the deterg. is no longer clumping. Since we are below grade our washing machine has to pump UP to get waste water into the laundry tub. There was a sag in the hose and a bit of water was always left sitting there. DH has propped it up and the smell is much alleviated. We will always have a bit of water sitting but now not so much. And all my laundry problems seem pretty minor in light of what just happened to my sister. She had a flood of 5 to 6 inches deep in her basement due to the hose from the water tank to the washing machine coming off just after she started a laundry. Of course it would be the once in a thousand time she starts a laundry in the morning, and got busy, and never went back downstairs till hours later. Adding to the damage was all the stuff they had just moved into the basement to store after selling their cottage. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 06-23-2006, 08:38 AM (22 of 32)
Longblades I hope your Kenmore Frontloader works, continues to work, etc! Mine front loaders are set up the same as yours, in the basement, septic system, pumping up. When my Kenmore Frontloader started to smell funny I tried so many things, but then it started making horrible sounds too! I called for service - my unit was broke  Beyond broke, it would cost more to repair it then buy another, oh is was just shy of 3 years old, Sears would pay for the broken basket - but not the labor on the basket  When I looked up Kenmore in the US Justice information it showed that Whirlpool makes Kenmore washers? Anyway I was just totally disappointed in Kenmore, I had always had Kenmore, never had problems before, with pumping up, septic systems, etc. Even the repair man said it had nothing to do with anything other then a lemon machine!  For us that was our 3rd Kenmore product that went out in less then 3 years - I'm done with Kenmore - use to be they had good quality products - but now feel they aren't any better then they others.
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
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From: Longblades
Date: 06-26-2006, 10:48 AM (23 of 32)
| Boy, I hope it keeps working too because Sears in Canada is having some problems and there is talk of a buyout by another company. So I hope warranties are honoured. Our washing machine (made by Fridgidaire), dishwasher, hot water tank, stove, range hood and fridge, as well as a bunch of DH's power tools, and a snowblower were all purchased at Sears although are not all Kenmore products. The store is close to us for one thing, and I've always found Sears good to dicker with. On large ticket items (the brand name ones) I have always negotiated the price to my satisfaction. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: paroper
Date: 06-27-2006, 08:41 AM (24 of 32)
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I guess that no company is safe from a buyout but companies that are just doing too well...those that have too much spare change laying around...and those that are floundering are always at risk. I worked for a healthy company who combined with a not-so-healthy airline (at the time) so they could get rid of some of that spare cash because they were worried about a buyout.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 06-27-2006, 06:02 PM (25 of 32)
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Count me as one of the dissatisfied Sears customers that will absolutely not buy another Kenmore appliance. I have a Kenmore electric dryer that is barely 2 years old and the freakin' timer runs backwards on it. DH called Sears and was told the part and to have it replaced would cost almost as much as we originally paid for the dryer. Sear here in Midwest City looks more like a K-Mart everyday! Sears was purchased by K-Mart a while back and guess who owns K-Mart -- none other than Martha herself. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: JohnBoy
Date: 08-22-2006, 11:42 AM (26 of 32)
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Oh as an Englishman I have to comment on front loaders, since its all we use here. There really great machines, and I feel a lot of American people have preconceptions about them such as you have to leave the door open or else mould grows, and you have to use special powders, well to be honest none of these is true. The leaving the door open, thing, I have never done that nor has my mother or brothers. I guess it depends on how much you use your machine tho, since ours is run like 2-3 times a day. I guess if you only run it once a week then it would begin to smell a bit with standing water but I think it must be the same with a top loader. Also soap powder is not an issue, we actually use the best soap powder in the world.. CANADIAN!!! LoL Seriously Costco Canadian wash powder is the best, and the cheapest it really makes your whites white. I actually use old fashioned soap flakes, since Im an old fashioned kinda guy, and these also work fine. I find it SO interesting the way our two countries price machines. In England if you want to buy a top loader, say a basic whirlpool, it costs the equivilant of about $1200 US Dollars, however a front loader will cost like, $300 dollars. However I beleive in the US if you want to buy a top loade there dirt cheap, but if you want to buy a front loader, there mega bucks!!!! I guess the makers tout the appliances as NEW and SPECIAL, however in our native lands there just commen place! I love watching Despirate Housewives and seeing they ALL have front loaders, I guess there gaining populatiry over there! |
User: JohnBoy
Member since: 07-18-2006 Total posts: 21 
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From: keljo60
Date: 08-23-2006, 10:28 AM (27 of 32)
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A few years back I had the opportunity to purchase a new set, whatever I wanted, no matter the price! I had been wanting the Whirlpool front loader set ever since I first saw them. I have a king size quilt that I hate to take to the laundromat, but I have to due to the size. I bought the Whirlpool set and tried to wash the quilt ... notice I say "tried". I was not impressed... at all... with the lack of suds, I mean there was NO suds, it was like washing it without soap! But the quilt smelled ok after the wash so I "tried" to dry it. Now it fit fine in the machine, but it would roll up in a ball and only dry the outside! I adjusted it a few times, but it kept doing the same thing. After a few useless drying cycles I ended up putting it outside on the line to dry it. I had the same issue with any sheets or blankets and some towels. It seemed to take a long time to dry compared to my old unit. I had Lowe's come back and exchange it for the Maytag Atlantis set (top loader) and have been happy since. I wash and dry my quilt in them with no problems! I have had Whirlpool for years and swore by them, but I had to change my view this time.
Kelly
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! |
User: keljo60
Member since: 07-30-2006 Total posts: 154 
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From: Magot
Date: 08-23-2006, 11:32 AM (28 of 32)
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You don't need suds to get something clean, bubbles are wasted detergent in many ways. Didn't I read in here somewhere that to dry a duvet you shove a tennis ball or a trainer in with it (clean) in order to knock it about so that it dries all through? I had a front loading washer/dryer and the dryer unit was never as effecient as a standalone dryer. I have never heard of a top loading dryer. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: JohnBoy
Date: 08-23-2006, 02:08 PM (29 of 32)
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While I was at Uni, mum bought me a washer dryer and it worked well in that it cleaned and dried the clothes BUT they have major drawbacks! The first is that you carnt dry as much as you wash so you must either wash and dry smaller loads or wash , take some things out then dry. The other thing is the way in which they dry. Washer dryers dont blow hot air thru the load like a normal dryer, instead they just rotate back and forth until the load is dry from the heater. This means that washer dryers actually DRY IN CREASES!!! I used to get my shirts and jeans out and the creases were just set in! they took hours to iron LITERALLY. The other thing is time, our stand alone hot air dryer will dry a load in about 90 mins, but the washer dryer takes about 6 hours I think!!! It just keps drying and drying and drying. They are great if you dont have space, but if you do then go for 2 stand alone units. Keljo - thats normal for a front loader not to bubble up, and Jans right the more suds you have the less they wash. European powders dont foam much. Also because the drum is horizontal, they dont use much water, just enough to clean the clothes. We have pretty strict rrules here about water waste etc, so our most modern machines dont use much water at all. My mums machine dosnt even have waer in, it just wets the clothes as they toss about, it dosnt actually have a lot of water in at all. As for the duvet, yes you carnt wash them really, mine wont fit at all.! |
User: JohnBoy
Member since: 07-18-2006 Total posts: 21
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From: paroper
Date: 08-23-2006, 03:52 PM (30 of 32)
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While I was growing up my mom had a combo washer/dryer. It washed and dryed the clothes without changing them over...I think that is the same kind of set-up you are talking about, John. We actually loved it and when it finally died after about 18 years she replaced it with the same. When that one died they were no longer available. Ours came from Kenmore. I've tried my best to remember but as well as I can remember it was front loading. Back in that time we ironed everying from sheets to dresses and dish towels.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 08-23-2006, 04:21 PM (31 of 32)
| Your right Magot, Tennis balls are great for duvets, to fluff towels more & a lot of different things. Clean of course plus tennis shoes will do the trick also. I keep a tube of new tennis balls in the laundry room cabinet for such use. They can be noisey but my laundry room is off the Lanai so don't hear it in the rest of the house. I throw in 3 balls when something is large. I have a large washer & dryer so can wash about anything I need to. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: Longblades
Date: 06-27-2007, 02:17 PM (32 of 32)
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Resurrecting this thread in case this simple idea helps someone else. I really, really prefer the Sears powdered detergeant and when in the store recently mentionned that I'd had problems getting it dissolved in a cold wash. Even with the hot water tank cranked up it still sometimes happened and my machine is supposed to have some automatic feature that sends hot water through to dissolve the soap, then reverts to cold. Simple suggestion from a saleslady, who is way more on the ball than me - run it on hot for a minute. Then turn back to the cold setting. Yippee, it works and it doesn't even take a minute. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
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