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Sunday, June 30, 2013

High efficiency...

High efficiency does not mean highly efficient.

These are the washer and dryer that we purchased when we moved in two and a half years ago.  They make me CRAZY!  They may be highly efficient with water and electricity, but they are not at ALL efficient with my time or with their primary purpose...which correct me if I'm wrong, but I THINK they are suppose to CLEAN and dry the laundry.  

I hate how the washer decides how much water I want instead of letting me do it myself, and then the water level it chooses does not even cover the clothes.  I have actually removed laundry that has dry sections.  I hate how the agitation is really just a gentle slosh.  I hate how our bed linens get an air pocket under them while washing, so that parts of them do not even get wet!  GRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.  

Here's an example of my frustration.  Today I am washing all the bed linens.  The photo below looks like I threw a round cushion in there, doesn't it?  Nope.  That is a king size matelasse coverlet after going through the cycle.  Most of it is twisted up below, with the top forming a neat, smooth bubble that stays above the water level.



I have taken to running everything through a rinse and spin cycle before running  through the regular wash cycle, hoping that the added weight of the load being wet first will trick it into thinking that it is a bigger load that needs more water.

The dryer does okay for the most part, but large items get so twisted that the inside of the twist is still damp (and extremely wrinkled).  Usually when I'm remaking the bed with the clean linens, I leave the ceiling fan on to air dry each layer before I put on the next one.

I told Carey yesterday about my pre-rinse-everything plan.  I'm preparing him for hearing that they need to be replaced with an old-fashioned NON high-efficiency model if this doesn't work.

Anybody else have any suggestions?
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6 comments:

  1. I also have a high efficiency type washer and with mine, some days the clothes slosh around in lots of water and other days, I add more in by way of a hose attached to the sink tap. Most always, my black wash ends up with white suds residue even though I use a 'black wash' clear detergent and minimally I might add! Also, my wash cycles take forever. I'd love to be able to wash/rinse/spin something out in 15 minutes, but Nooooo! it takes at least 45 on any setting. Grrrr!
    Next time I get a washer, I am having a digital cycle setting with timed washes. My dryer on the other hand, is quite good - it does a spin one way then stops and goes the other way and things don't seem to twist and tangle. I have been trying to use it minimally now that the weather has got so cold but towels just don't feel the same unless they have been fluffed dry when they are damp.

    I feel your pain,

    Cheers - Joolz xx

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  2. Gosh, I can feel your frustration with this problem from all the way over here in my lounge room. I have a automatic filling function on mine but can select if I want more water in it but I never have to as it does fill with sufficient water anyway. No idea how to help you with this problem. I think preparing hubby for the evenutal outcome is a clever ploy though.
    Cath @ Bits 'n Bobs

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  3. I don't have a drier, but that washer would definitely drive me nuts, too!

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  4. My old washer went out and Mark came home with the new high efficiency type. Well I do not like it either. Like you said some clothes are not even wet and then some cycle stop in the middle of a cycle and I have to start all over again. Give me back the old fashion old any day. lol

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  5. I have had the same problem when I wash king size sheets. I read on Pinterest that you should shake out your sheets and find the middle, then lay your sheets in the washer around the edges leaving the center clear. I have done this and it does work. No more bubble sheet when they are done washing. I also do this now before putting the sheets in the dryer and I don't get tangled sheets anymore. Hope this helps you.

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  6. Well, at least I see I'm not alone. LOL Your commiseration is much appreciated, one and all...misery loves company?

    Renea, thank you for the suggestion to avoid the bubble sheets. I will definitely give it a try!

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