New Washer & Dryer Shopping: What Should I Buy?

[pamperedlinda]

Yes, I ALWAYS recommend it for many things over the last few months (laundry-related). I know a few others have chimed in too with it. It is great to use!

I'm glad it has worked for you too Diane!

Does that work for top-loaders too? How much vinegar and how much detergent?

 

[janetupnorth]

I have a top loader Linda...I always put about 1/2 cup vinegar in every load (I always do large loads).

It is great as a deodorizer and fabric softener. (Takes out sweat odors, food odors, urine odors when the kids are potty training and have an accident...)

I reduce the soap by a bit, often up to half like Diane said.

 

[pamperedlinda]

I'm going to give this a try. I love Oxi-Clean, but this sounds so much cheaper!

I use liquid fabric softener, will the vinegar take the place of that too?

 

[RebelChef]

The vinegar will soften clothes , yes, but it will also remove the fabric softener buildup that keeps your towels from being absorbent.

Kasey, I noticed the same thing. My washer takes like 3 times as long as my old one did. I thought I was just being impatient. lol

 

[dianevill]

The vinegar does soften clothes - I'm allergic to fabric softener so I am very happy you ladies shared this tip with me! It's nice to have soft clothes again!

My new dishwasher takes twice as long as my old one. It's a lot quieter, though, so I guess it's worth it.

Thanks again, Janet and Marisa; I've shared your tip with friends and now they're all using vinegar, too. BTW, the store brands work as well as the name brands.

 

[Kitchen Diva]

The vinegar will soften clothes , yes, but it will also remove the fabric softener buildup that keeps your towels from being absorbent.

Kasey, I noticed the same thing. My washer takes like 3 times as long as my old one did. I thought I was just being impatient. lol

We asked our sales person about this, and she said it was due to the machine using only 18 gallons of water vs. 45 gallons that the old top loading with agitators used. I guess less water and less soap equals more time sloshing around in the machine. I'll tell you this, at 1100 RPM's that thing spun my clothes so dry that the sensor on the dryer registered them as DAMP when I put them in! How flippin' cool is that?

I'm such a geek.

 

[kaseydee]

I know you have already bought....sorry its been crazy here. Our units are Frigidaire by Electrolux Home - Affinity Series - ATFB7000EPO & AEQB70000EPO are the models. I noticed when Larry does his clothes they stink sometimes. I thought it was b/c he didn't use enough laundry detergent. Maybe its the vinegar thing - maybe need to try that.

 

[RebelChef]

I know what you mean, Kacey. When hubby was working out of town and I had to use a laundromat, I always went for the front loaders. They held more and got the clothes dry enough to only need one cycle in the dryer. Now if I can only convince him the difference in price is worth it when we buy new ones. lol I really need to make alot of commission fast so I can buy them no matter how much he objects.

 

[KittyCooks]

I changed from using regular laundry detergent and fabric softener to using Charlies Soap about a year ago and I'll never go back! Even when I "forget" a load in the washer I don't get a smell, and my clothes are showing less signs of wear!It's super concentrated, and very low sudsing. I use the powder, and that little bag really does do 80 loads!Welcome - Charlie's SoapYes, you can use it in the new HE machines, too.

 

[Stampaholic1961]

According to my hubby, Maytag used to be great but now they are made by someone else so their quality has gone down. He's asleep right now so I can't ask him who makes them now. He has a couple of contacts in the appliance business so I will ask him for the companies who have the best record for not needing repairs. I'll let you know what he says.

 

[RebelChef]

Thanks for the info, Kitty! I just ordered it.

 

[BethCooks4U]

So those that use vinegar in the front load machines. Do you put it in the fabric softener cup? Someone said they put it in the detergent cup - is that before or after you put in the detergent or does it matter?

I currently use a "ball" with fabric softener in it. It goes right in the drum and opens at the "right" time during the cycle. Can I use this in the front load machine? From what I'm reading, some of the mold issues stem from the fabric softener cup build up... Also I never use a dispenser cup for detergent - do I HAVE TO with the front load? Or can I just put it in with the load?

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

A detergent cup? I guess my washer is old enough that the only detergent cup we have around here is in the dishwasher.Maybe that's why your clothes aren't coming out right - you're using the dishwasher with fabric softener in the spot dryer cup.

 

[Kitchen Diva]

Thanks for the info, Kitty! I just ordered it.

I just ordered it, too! I have sensitive skin, so I hope it doesn't give me a rash. Should I still use vinegar? And if so, did we ever find out where us people with front loaders put the vinegar?

 

[dianevill]

I put the vinegar in the detergent cup on my front loader (I put it in at the same time as the detergent, and only use half the amount of detergent it calls for, roughly 1/2 cup of vinegar). I've also heard others put it in the fabric softener dispenser but I haven't done that.

I'm not sure if you can just throw the detergent in w/ the load rather than putting it in the cup - I've always used the cup. I haven't tried the softener ball, as I'm too sensitive to the fabirc softener (no problems w/ the vinegar).

 

[Kitchen Diva]

I put the vinegar in the detergent cup on my front loader (I put it in at the same time as the detergent, and only use half the amount of detergent it calls for, roughly 1/2 cup of vinegar). I've also heard others put it in the fabric softener dispenser but I haven't done that.

I'm not sure if you can just throw the detergent in w/ the load rather than putting it in the cup - I've always used the cup. I haven't tried the softener ball, as I'm too sensitive to the fabirc softener (no problems w/ the vinegar).

Thanks, Diane! I use the special cups for putting soap, softener, bleach etc... I don't throw it in the with the load. I figure they went to all the trouble to build those cute little cups to put everything in, so there must be a reason as to why we should use them. I'm going to try the vinegar- it doesn't smell like vinegar when the load is done, does it?

 

[BethCooks4U]

Thanks, Diane! I use the special cups for putting soap, softener, bleach etc... I don't throw it in the with the load. I figure they went to all the trouble to build those cute little cups to put everything in, so there must be a reason as to why we should use them. I'm going to try the vinegar- it doesn't smell like vinegar when the load is done, does it?

I'm just worried that they will get nasty after a while. I guess I should just schedule "detergent/fabric softener cup cleaning day" once a month or so and just keep ahead of it. lol


So, Diane, I want to be clear... half of the recommended detergent plus 1/2 cup vinegar in the detergent cup all at the same time and that's all you do? Clothes are clean and fresh and softened?

Thanks.


aside: my laundry room is now painted and ready for the new washer and drier (not coming until Friday though). The old w/d are still in the room - walked them around to paint - we'll let them move them out and then I'll do a quick final clean of the floor.

The other issue I have is that the manufacturers put the doors on the washer so that it should be on the left side and the builders (I understand that it's most builders) set up the area with the washer on the right. So we are getting 6 ft. hoses and cords and switching them. I don't see it as a problem now that I've measured though...

Oh, and, what about being able to move the w/d once they're installed. Say I want to change the tubing for the dryer vent or something falls behind the machine. Can they be moved while on the drawer stands? I NEED the stands to be able to use the front loaders because of my back but I am wondering if we will be able to "walk" them to get behind them when we need to??

AND... does it get warm in those drawers? Can I keep cleaning chemicals and rags in them or would that be unsafe?

Sorry this is so long and so many questions - I've been painting way too much this month. I think the fumes are killing brain cells.

 

[RebelChef]

it doesn't smell like vinegar when the load is done, does it?

Nope, it doesn't. It rinses clean so leaves no odor, unlike bleach. Am I the only one who thinks whites 'smell' clean when they still smell a bit like bleach? I know it's weird but I guess it's like when you clean house and everything smells like lysol cleaner or something. It just reinforces it in your brain that it's clean. I may need a lobotomy to get used to no smell in my clothes using the Charlies Soap. lol

 

[janetupnorth]

I have a top loader, I pour vinegar in with the water.No, your closes don't smell like vinegar.I swear by vinegar - it is my only fabric softener now.Also, sometimes I'll "prewash" clothes in it if we've been out doing winter sports or working a lot or if someone used too much detergent in the microfiber towels!

 

[janetupnorth]

Here is a post of mine from back in April on vinegar:http://www.chefsuccess.com/196693-post54.html

 

[dianevill]

I'm just worried that they will get nasty after a while. I guess I should just schedule "detergent/fabric softener cup cleaning day" once a month or so and just keep ahead of it. lol


So, Diane, I want to be clear... half of the recommended detergent plus 1/2 cup vinegar in the detergent cup all at the same time and that's all you do? Clothes are clean and fresh and softened?

I don't have the stand, so I can't help you with any of those questions . You are right, Beth, on the amount of vinegar and detergent I use, and my clothes smell like, well, nothing . My cups don't get all gunked up - water runs through after the detergent, bleach, fabric softener. With gunkiness, no problems - I just wish the error codes would go away completely!

 

[pamperedlinda]

I started using vinegar in the laundry and it works great. The only problem is that I now have Static Cling. What do you do about that? Just use a little fabric softener?

 

[Kitchen2u]

Beth--My advice to you is go with Maytag appliances. They last a lot longer than anything else out there!

Yep! We got our Maytag washer and dryer for our wedding present from my parents...over 26 years ago...not one single problem ~ works just as good as when we got them. But when I see these new ones I sure like the looks of the front loads. My sister had them ~ she loves how she doesn't have to lift the laundry load but a few inches from the basket now.

 

[dianevill]

I started using vinegar in the laundry and it works great. The only problem is that I now have Static Cling. What do you do about that? Just use a little fabric softener?

I'm not sure - now that you mention it, I don't have static cling anymore. Are you putting the vinegar in the detergent cup or fabric softener cup? If you haven't tried the fabric softener cup, I'd put a little in there (it will still rinse out and NOT leave your clothes smelling like vinegar).

Sorry I can't help!

 

[pamperedlinda]

I'm not sure - now that you mention it, I don't have static cling anymore. Are you putting the vinegar in the detergent cup or fabric softener cup? If you haven't tried the fabric softener cup, I'd put a little in there (it will still rinse out and NOT leave your clothes smelling like vinegar).

Sorry I can't help!

I was tossing it in with the detergent. I'll start putting it in the fabric softener cup. Do I need to put it in both places?

 

[Millster]

Definately get a frontloader. I have Askos which work great, but the motor in the washer and dryer have died and they are only 4 years old. Thank god for warranties. I would look at Bosch. Several people I know have them and love them with little service issues!

 

[pamperedlinda]

I'm not sure - now that you mention it, I don't have static cling anymore. Are you putting the vinegar in the detergent cup or fabric softener cup? If you haven't tried the fabric softener cup, I'd put a little in there (it will still rinse out and NOT leave your clothes smelling like vinegar).

Sorry I can't help!

Thank You Thank You Thank You Diane! The static cling is gone and my clothes smell so fresh! :love: Only problem is that I am now washing everything in sight! And, we are in a drought down here and I'm supposed to be conserving water :angel:

 

[sarahlegare]

I just got back from WalMart & really wish I would have gotten vinegar....
I have a front load Whirlpool Duet & LOVE THEM!!! They smelt bad within the first few loads, so I called the company I got them from & there was an infants (my infant's) sock where the water drains....now I just make sure no clothes get stuck in there and I'm good to go!! Happy Washing!!!