Washing Machine

[MossRoad]

We have a well. We also have a water softener. Never an issue with water. Saves the dishwasher, too.

 

[user.69169]

Oldest sister inherited Moms when mom moved in wid her. Still goin strong, loves it when de grandkids come around, she puts em to handle and dey got no time to be annoyin. Somebody drops baby off it works for cradle too.

Baby sis went all upscale wid hers, Maytag powered. Gets clothes good and clean, wash long as she wants, den wring over to tub. Magnificent machine.Low energy too, does 4 loads on a pint of gas.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Only if your septic system can't take it.

The critical thing is settling time. Take the typical 1000 gallon tank, subtract 150 gallons for accumulated solids and scum, so it's really 850 gallons. Push four 40-gallon laundry runs through that, plus another 60 for showers, dish washing, toilets, etc., and you are pushing 1/4 the capacity of the tank through it. The solids you flush get pretty churned up, and take a while to settle where they can be digested. Meanwhile, you are pushing solids into the leach lines. Baffles can only do so much. Over time, those solids will plug your drain field, which will be very, very expensive.

That's why it's such a good idea to have a gray water system, to keep big surges of water out of the septic tank. If you don't have a gray water system, go with the lowest water use appliances you can, and keep those 200 gallon showers to a minimum.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Whirlpool Duet set we bought new in 2005. At the time the tech terrified me but they've both been great...One water discharge pump in washer I replaced for $40, one idler pulley in dryer the bearing got noisy for $29. Washes and dries large loads and clothes seem to last forever compared to our old top load washer.

Most interesting. We have the exact same model, same age, and same minor problems. We're totally satisfied with the quality of that front loader model as well as the Whirlpool Duet dryer.

 

[sd455dan]

We're on a well and our 20+ yo Maytag has been working flawlessly (I'm knocking on wood) all these years. It's needed nothing.
When I bought the house 40 years ago there was an old Maytag in the house (early 60s I'm guessing) that I've replaced drive belts...otherwise it still works (shop rags).
I had to admit my wife is correct about not using cheap detergent.

moms about to turn 90 her Maytag top loader built in ~1970 has had 1 set of belts - last week I finally replaced them That is it for maintenance.. So hard to repair: laughing: tilt the washer back slip on 2 new belts set the machine back down and done. I think it does a better job than our programable kenmore that magically turns itself on because the touch panel is defective. new panel is over $300 so I would be better off throwing it away and starting over.

the Old Maytags do require factory quality belts , the chinese transmission belt will not slip when the washer goes into spin , which is required for the motor to still run at the required speed so it does not over load and trip the power.
Apparently the belt is impregnated with a compound that will allow it to slip at the beginning of the spin cycle.
I think the Maytag will still be going after our next New washer bites the dust. Moms washer is also on a well while we have city water, Our washers pump has been replaced and by the way it sounds is about ready to be replaced Again...

 

[Fuddy1952]

.

 

[caver]

Mom had a fairly new Maytag back in the late 80's. They had moved it into a new shed dad built on their land. They had a cistern and she would do laundry there. Dad said he got shocked touching the machine. Pop was bad about cutting ground pins off and the machine ended up having a grounded winding. Lucky for them i worked for a company that rewound motors and could get a replacement for cost.

 

[dmccarty]

We have had sorta good luck with Whirlpool front loading washers.

I think we bought the first one 20-25 years ago and it lowered our water/sewer bills when living in the city. Eventually that until all but fell apart. The list of parts to fix cost more than a new one so we bought a new one. To be fair, that washer was run many hours each and every day due to young kids so I do not know if I would fault the machine. The new one is about 5 years old I guess and so far so good.

We are still using the dryer that came with the first washer. I replaced the heating element twice but that is easy, fast and cheap to replace.

Later,
Dan

 

[caver]

I was going to buy a used unit last night but the guy said it was a couple years old and had a yellow stain on internal plastic ring. It also was acting up a bit which he thought because it was unlevel. He had it on his slightly sloped drive. A younger guy who flipped machines for a living. I ended up buying a cheapo Roper which is a Whirlpool. I just got done getting it setup and may try a load of laundry in a bit. One thing for sure, my old machine is way heavier. I may be easier dismantling it in my basement and take it to the scrap yard in pieces.

 

[Fuddy1952]

I was going to buy a used unit last night but the guy said it was a couple years old and had a yellow stain on internal plastic ring. It also was acting up a bit which he thought because it was unlevel. He had it on his slightly sloped drive. A younger guy who flipped machines for a living. I ended up buying a cheapo Roper which is a Whirlpool. I just got done getting it setup and may try a load of laundry in a bit. One thing for sure, my old machine is way heavier. I may be easier dismantling it in my basement and take it to the scrap yard in pieces.

I'm thinking some old machines may have blocks or something heavy up under bottom.

 

[JethroB]

My parents washer/dryer was in their unheated garage for their first 55 years together. As my dad gradually took over the household chores he got the idea �� that the garage should be converted along with heat & A/C. I think he paid dearly for waiting so long.

 

[caver]

I'm thinking some old machines may have blocks or something heavy up under bottom.

Yes, a cinder block type thing. One of the heaviest parts was the internal drum. I couldn't believe how much that thing weighed
and now understand why people make fire pits out of them. I spent this early evening tearing it all down for the scrap yard with intent
of keeping the inner and outer drums along with the motor.

 

[ponytug]

We have an LG front loader. Love it. Only 12 years old. Doesn't use much water, and gets the laundry super dry, so we don't use much energy drying. The high spin has paid for itself several times by now. It gets clothes much cleaner and dryer than the original Maytag washer, though we still have the original dryer.

Our main challenge is that the well water has a TDS of 2000; however, we do soften it. If anyone has a favorite detergent for high TDS water, I am all ears.

All the best,

Peter

 

[5030]

We have an LG front loader. Love it. Only 12 years old. Doesn't use much water, and gets the laundry super dry, so we don't use much energy drying. The high spin has paid for itself several times by now. It gets clothes much cleaner and dryer than the original Maytag washer, though we still have the original dryer.

Our main challenge is that the well water has a TDS of 2000; however, we do soften it. If anyone has a favorite detergent for high TDS water, I am all ears.

All the best,

Peter

Tide unscented...We don't soften ours, don't do the salt thing.

 

[newbury]

Another vote for Speed Queen. Though I consider it SWMBO's machine I've used it many times.

The best way I've found to do laundry is throw a new bright red sock in with a load of MY white underwear and use hot water. After the complaining dies down I'm banned from doing laundry for years.

 

[ultrarunner]

Always give aways for me... Family friend bought neptune pair and gave me the Kenmore... She has replaced at least once since and would ask about the pair she gave me which are still going strong.

Mom's Kenmore Avacado Green washer/dryer from the 60's still going... I did replace the Dryer belt a few years back... less than $5

Had people mad at me for fixing things because broke was the excuse to buy new

 

[goeduck]

One LG top loader (wife came up with a back problem) and one LG front loader washer. So far, so good.

 

[MossRoad]

Another vote for Speed Queen. Though I consider it SWMBO's machine I've used it many times.

The best way I've found to do laundry is throw a new bright red sock in with a load of MY white underwear and use hot water. After the complaining dies down I'm banned from doing laundry for years.

Excellent strategy! :thumbsup:

I choose the new red shop rags, myself.

 

[two_bit_score]

I was looking at some info on Speed Queen recently and they had a washer/dryer pair that had a 10 year in home warranty that was a promotion good through December 2019 only.