This isn't really a homeschool issue, but I really hope for some feedback. We recently bought one of those giant, front loading washers that are all hyped. I'm following their directions for useage as stated in the book that came with it, but the clothes are coming out with black spots on them that will not come out. We had a ********* technician come out, and he said the fabric softeners on the market are not compatible with these machines, due to how little water they use. It ends up staying in the machine and marking the clothes. So, now we're trying his ideas, and all seems okay. Anyone else go through this?
I have a front load washer and I haven't had this problem. I use bounce however, and not liquid fabric softener.
We had the most expensive front load washer and we also had black spots. We did not use liquid fabric softener. The water would not drain all the way and it would collect in an area between the door and the wash tub. It started to grow mold which got on our clothes. We did not notice the water at first because it was sitting in a well or trough like area. The manufacturer said it was a problem that they were aware of and were trying to fix. We of course did not mold on our clothes so we returned the washer. The company was very accomadating. Now we have a cheap regular top loading washer that has worked wonderfully for the past five years.
We heard about the mold in the door problem, so I bet you had the same washer we do. My husband suspected maybe water wasn't going completely out. The company rep has been very rude to me from the get-go. I plan to write to the Consumer Protection Agency to see if the washer company can be held responsible for at least some of the cost of the clothes. NO WHERE in any of the print material that came with the washer, or were we told at the store that we couldn't use fabric softener. Never. I don't want to dry my clothes inside in the summer. Why would I buy such a machine? I recently found out that using color safe bleach will also pose a problem, because the ones I have looked at can't be used in a liquid bleach dispenser. This washer is turning into an expensive mistake.
Becky, I empathize ... totally Salesmen just AREN'T what they used to be !!! I recently bought one of the smooth-top stoves and went to four different places to price them. Not ONE salesman told me there are certain types of pots you have to use, and others are NOT recommended. I found this out after I told an acquaintance that my new stove was being delivered, and then she told me she had one too and you can't use glass pots blah blah. I had a whole set of Visions pots and had been using them for years. I love Visions pots. So, here I was, the morning it was to be delivered, looking for definitive information, which I found at a manufacturer's website. Soooooooooooooo ... I quickly had to come up with new pots or NO SUPPER that night I don't know if I would have bought that stove had I known what I know now. As for your washer dilemma, I'm soooooo glad you shared this with us. It never occurred to me that the front-loading design is just a bad idea, which it certainly seems to be if mold collects and ruins clothes. You're right ... who would buy such a machine if they knew all that ??? Kathe
Here's what the tech told us- all the fabric softeners on the market are too thick and concentrated for these machines, since they use so little water. He said D**** Ultra is especially bad, and to avoid it. He said if I won't dry the clothes in the dryer with a dryer sheet, I should dilute the fabric softener before I add it to the dispenser, and use as little as possible. Kathe, we threw away more than a dozen pieces of clothes. They were brand new, never worn. Only a few pieces of mine were older. What gets me is, no where does it say that fabric softeners are incompatible with this machine. It doesn't even say to use less. I would never have put all this money into a machine with so many limitations. The rep I talked to was a supervisor. When I called a second time Friday, they tried to tell me the first lady I spoke to doesn't exist in the company. They claim there is no one by that name there. I'm like, that's funny, because not one person corrected me when I asked for her. Bunch of idiots. By the way, not only can mold build up between the door and the machine, but bleach also doesn't get dispensed correctly.
What a shame, Becky. So sorry to hear about that. I love Ultra D***** and use it religiouly LOL. Then again, I also dilute it because we have a water softener. Now, the bleach thing ... that's totally weird. What DOES this machine do right .. gotta wonder. I wish there was some way for you to get your money back. You didn't happen to buy that washer at Sears, did you? They're pretty good about that stuff. Even if not, I wouldn't keep quiet about all the trouble ... and it certainly seems the machine has been more trouble than it's worth. Hang in there, Kathe
We got it at Lowe's, and they did replace the first one with another. I'm following all the suggestions the tech. gave, so far so good, but the clothes just smell clean now, not SN***** soft!
BBB Becky, If you want to exchange the washer for another type because you're unsatisfied, and Lowe's won't do that because of their "policy" or whatever, and you can't get anywhere by calling the company directly, I would contact the Better Business Bureau. I had a camera (won't name the brand) that I was very unhappy with. I contacted the company on several occassions and got nowhere. I threatened the B.B.B. and they didn't seem to care. So, I went ahead and posted a complaint with them (I think through their website) and next thing I know I got a new camera! So, it's worth a try. At least that way, people will know you're dissatisfied with that type of machine. Heidi
Yeah, I'm writing to the consumer protection agency. I have to dig out all my credit card statements to show the cost of the clothes, since the copies I requested from the stores don't show individual items. Phooey! It's a real pain.
