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Cleaning Up:  HE washing machine not cleaning  |
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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
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 Posted - Jan 13 2012 : 10:00:55 PM
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Last year when we moved into our new house we bought a new clothes washer. It's not a front loader but it is a High Effeciency. I absolutely hate it. It does not get my clothes clean and I wind up washing things multiple times. Has anyone else had this problem? I'm blaming the fact that it uses less water and doesn't agitate the clothes. I'm threatening to sell it and bring my old washer up from the old house! What is the point of using less water if you wind up washing things 2 or 3 times just to get them clean?
An example was a load of whites that I put in the recommended HE detergent and a cup of bleach and I still wound up with stains on all my dishcloths and towels!
Mines a Maytag. Anybody else with this problem?
Audrey
.jpg) Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
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vegetarian farmer
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Jane
Freedom
pa
USA
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Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 05:51:32 AM
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Yes indeed I had the same problem when I used my Maytag front loader. I do my laundry by hand with a james washer now and I feel it gets the clothes cleaner. But when I used the machine they would still look dirty AND come out of the washer with new stains. I called the repair man who came out and had to clean all the parts of the washer because of soap build up. I was using the HE recommended soap but it still was to much. So I switched to soap nuts or a really mild detergent and I never put more than one tablespoon in and it worked! The clothes came out clean. The repair man said that is common that almost everyone uses to much soap or too heavy of a soap. No tide. It may take a while for you to get the build up out of the machine so your clothes are clean again. But use very, very little soap, even less than they call for. And try running vinegar through the machine to help break down what is in there. Hope this helps.
http://hardworkhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
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YakLady
True Blue Farmgirl
609 Posts
Natalie
Montana
USA
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Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 2:04:59 PM
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We have LG front loading washer/dryer combo, and they're great- I know a lot of people have problems with their HE's, but ours work awesome :) They also sing to me when they're done so I know to rotate. Everything from cloth diapers to regular clothes to whatever else I can find goes in and comes out clean.
~Natalie~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana. http://mtnme.blogspot.com
Starting a family and raising Tibetan Yaks, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Laying hens, Muscovy ducks, and a few dogs. |
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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
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Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 2:37:47 PM
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Thanks for the tips Jane, I'll give it a try to clean the machine since it does seem to be doing a worse job of late. I did switch to the HE detergents but am using the recommended amount so will try using less. I've been thinking I'd make some of the home made soap that has been so popular on this site and I know all the ladies say to only use a very small amount. And I'll try putting vinegar in for the rinse and see if that doesn't help. I had a fridge repairman out a few days ago and he suggested I use the "bulky" setting as that uses more water. I haven't used the machine since then so think I'll just incorporate all of these suggestions on my next load.
Natalie, the only other problem I had ever heard about with HE machines was them smelling of mildew if you left the lids closed. I made the mistake of leaving some clothes in the machine too long before throwing them in the dryer and I too had a real funky smell that took a while to get rid of.
Anybody else have issues?
Audrey
Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
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Beverly Gill
True Blue Farmgirl
936 Posts
Beverly
Marlborough
Massachusetts
USA
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Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 2:47:55 PM
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oh yes, BIG time.........had a front loading May Tag when they were fairly new.....and the odor coming from that machine was bad......so now I have a top loading HE......better....but I do clean it as needed with that special detergent they sell to get the machine clean and smelling ok.
Beverly
There's no place like home |
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Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1080 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
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Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 2:57:30 PM
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Does anyone with a front-loading washing machine leave the door open when not in use? I found that not doing so built up a terrible musty odor because of all the moisture. Not it is always open. However, I do have some mold in between the rubber gasket and the drum. I wipe it out, but would like to know some of the real easy methods to keep it clean.
Betty in Pasco |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
2917 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
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Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 3:07:23 PM
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Betty, I leave the door open on my front loading washing machine to avoid mildew too. I don't have any mold though. It could be because I use vinegar as my fabric rinse.
I love my front loading Samsung washer. We've had it a year now and it has worked beautifully.
Dawn in IL |
Edited by - ddmashayekhi on Jan 15 2012 2:53:43 PM |
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MrsRooster
True Blue Farmgirl
1133 Posts
Amy
El Lago
TX
USA
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Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 5:10:09 PM
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The washer guys at Lowe's, Home Depot, etc said that you should leave your door open as much as possible because it does get mildew or mold. The vinegar should help, but leaving the door open will prevent most of the problem.
I am not impressed with Maytag. The quality isn't there anymore. I had better luck with Kenmore or Roper.
www.mrsrooster.blogspot.com
www.flossesandcrosses.blogspot.com
www.morganicinstitute.blogspot.com
Farmgirl #1259
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YakLady
True Blue Farmgirl
609 Posts
Natalie
Montana
USA
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Posted - Jan 15 2012 : 3:32:54 PM
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We leave the door open on the washer, and I do clean it with vinegar once a quarter.
We did have issues when family stayed here and used about triple the soap they were supposed to, but it is a-ok with people who understand HEs :)
~Natalie~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana. http://mtnme.blogspot.com
Starting a family and raising Tibetan Yaks, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Laying hens, Muscovy ducks, and a few dogs. |
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queenmushroom
True Blue Farmgirl
671 Posts
Lorena
Centerville
Me
USA
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Posted - Jan 16 2012 : 1:59:13 PM
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If your washer does not have a dasher in it, you cannot fill it with alot of clothes because it will not do its job properly. Cut the loads back and see if it doesn't work better. Just because it does not have a dasher does not mean you can put more clothes in. This is from our appliance dealer. The thing I don't like about the HE washers, yes it uses less water, but it takes more time to wash the clothes. I have a front loading LG. If I put it on a normal cycle, it takes an hour to do a wash. I wash mine on a short cycle. So regarding the length of time it takes under a "normal" cycle vs the water amount, what are you really saving especially when most electric grids in this country are run on coal power or nuclear power?
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
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Posted - Jan 17 2012 : 3:09:02 PM
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Wow! Looks like I'm not the only not sold on HE machines. Lorena I have tried reducing the amount of clothes I put in and that didn't seem to do much. I agree, where is the saving when you have to run twice as many loads? Twice as much water, twice as much electricity. I still haven't tried the vinegar and using less soap yet but will soon as the pile is getting deep! The only time I had an odor problem was when I left the clothes in the washer for several days. But I try to keep the lid up on it just because of the horror stories from MJ farmgirls!
Audrey
Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
807 Posts
Amanda
Jacksonville
Texas
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Posted - Jan 17 2012 : 6:42:41 PM
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I love, love, love my front loader HE (Kenmore). Yes, you MUST, absolutely MUST leave the door open. I did not for a while and black mold was all in the front gasket (EWWW) I didn't know what was causing the smell until one day I got on my hands and knees and slapped a headlight on my head and saw what was going on in the gasket. So, if you read the manual, it does recommend an occasional bleach only cycle with the longest, hottest cycle (mine has a special cycle just for that). I scrubbed off what I could, ran the cycle and no problems ever since and this was probably a year ago. I haven't run another bleach cycle yet (I try not to use bleach), but it's probably time. Still, once a year ain't bad, you know? And yes, you must also take out the clothes very quickly.
Even so, I will never go back to a top loader. I just love this machine, and how dry my clothes come out. I do not have a problem with it leaving clothes dirty unless it is a very tough stain, which I would treat by hand anyway (Zote soap plus a washboard gets out ANYTHING). I usually then dry clothes in the sun and that will also nix most funky smells. :0)
BTW, I use the homemade powder formula and I do use vinegar directly in the tub on the clothes.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
1922 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
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Posted - Jan 20 2012 : 12:41:15 AM
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Well I hate my front loader HE> Like someone said here it seems I have to run the loads more and smaller ones. I use the detergent I make myself and a vinegar rinse and I do a cycle here and again that is just a bleach short cycle to clean the machine. I will never buy one again. I hate that I can not stop it when I want and check the laundry because I like to felt wool, I do not like that I can not let some clothes sit and soak either. so when I buy another washer it will not be a front loader or the HE.
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett
Beverley with an extra E...
https://sites.google.com/site/bevsdoggies/
http://bevsdoggies.blogspot.com/ |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
807 Posts
Amanda
Jacksonville
Texas
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Posted - Jan 20 2012 : 06:28:50 AM
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THat's too bad, Beverley! Now, I can stop mine at any time, but it will NOT felt wool and is NOT good if you want to felt, due to the low agitation. Though low agitation is good for your clothes (less lint and wear and tear), there is not enough to properly felt...I found that out the hard way, lol! Had to go to the washboard to accomplish that!
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2899 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
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Posted - Jan 22 2012 : 08:36:00 AM
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Ours is a Kenmore. Second replacement in 11 years but we were really bad about pre loading the tub for a few days prior with clothes before washing which probably put extra strain on it. My mother's front loader lasted well over 30 and got our clothes spankin' clean. But she used bleach for the whites.
I use baking soda in the wash (also helps to kill that mildew smell and animal stink I drag home from work sometimes). and yes, we also keep the door ajar.
Might take a wet rag a few times a week and clean out the rubber gasket. It will collect dirt and grime (and coins) and make the smell worse if not kept in check |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
807 Posts
Amanda
Jacksonville
Texas
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Posted - Jan 22 2012 : 10:12:00 AM
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Anna, you're right, it sure does! Coins get stuck in there and then 'funk' gets in there, too.
From what I read before I purchased ours, just as with everything, some makes/models are very problematic, especially with the mildew issue. Whirlpool Duet comes to mind. They have some sort of internal filter that catches lint/whatever, and you can just imagine the mildew buildup there. At least, that was an issue about 4 years + ago with them.
If anyone is considering an HE, do a lot of research! they are great for some people, but not for others, depending on what you're wanting in a machine.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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Cleaning Up: HE washing machine not cleaning |
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HE washing machine not cleaning
