Low water usage washing machines???

Ann Mary · #1 08/05/05, 09:42 AM

Those of you that have a low-water-usage washing machine...do you like it and what kind do you have? Neptune? Kenmore? Kitchen Aid? etc? We are trying to decide which one to go with but don't know much about them. Just need to use less water in the summer and put less water in the spetic in the winter. Any input would be helpful and thanks!

wildwestwoman · #2 08/05/05, 09:49 AM

I have a neptune and I'm very pleased. I've probably had it 5 or 6 years. I had a problem (can't even remember what) when I first got it but it's been working like a charm since. It gets used a lot too!!!

Suzi

marisal · #3 08/05/05, 10:10 AM

I have a fridgidaire one. It was less expensive than any other one, (We paid well under $600 for it) and scored pretty good in consumer reports.

I like it a lot. uses a lot less water than the old one we had! Also uses less soap too.

We have only had it for a few months now. I dont know exactly how much less water, but the sump pump runs only 2 or 3 times compared to numorous tomes with the old machine.

~Marisa

snoozy · #4 08/05/05, 10:23 AM

We have a Maytag (is that a Neptune?..) and although it does a good job on the wash and is quite efficient, it has a mould problem on the rubber gasket/collar. A problem I guess with the particular type of rubber. A class action suit got a most unsatisfactory result, with the company denying there was a problem. Years later, they said they would change out the offending part for free. I have no idea if this will truly fix the problem. The guy said we should use more chlorine in our washes !! I said, we have aseptic system, we can't use chlorine (even if we wanted to.) A friend joked, "That's why the commercials show the Maytag repairman sitting around bored -- they don't honour their warranties!" Don't buy the Maytag -- and don't let the salespeople tell you that the problem was fixed -- that's what they told us when we bought it 3 years ago.

**Kris in MI** · #5 08/05/05, 11:29 AM

we have a Neptune, and like snoozy have had the same problems. Other than that I really really like it. Yes, the first door gasket did mold horribly although maytag replaced it (and a motor that got damaged when the little drain tube clogged and overflowed) for free.

Yes, the repairman told us the same thing about the mold--to just use chlorine bleach or run an empty load of bleach water through it once a week. Which I won't do, not just because of the septic but because I have sensitive skin that can't handle chlorine (even if I double rinse the laundry it still irritates my skin). He also told us the drain tube clogged because of sand/dirt in it (hello, we live on a farm! Of course dirt is going to get on our clothes!). I did have to promise my dh I would stop washing my horse and dog laundry in it (but not until he gets me a washer and dryer in my barn specifically for animal laundry

)

Meantime, I do like the neptune. When it dies I don't know if we will replace it with another neptune or not, guess it depends on what changes maytag makes on them between now and then.

LisaInN.Idaho · #6 08/05/05, 11:31 AM

We have the Kenmore Elite washer and propane dryer. It was ranked at the top of Consumer Reports when we got it and its maintenance record was great especially in comparison with the Neptune which we originally had planned to get. We have been really happy with it. Not only does it use a tiny amount of water for a normal load, it has a sensor that adjusts water use for the size of each individual load. It doesn't look like the small amount of water it uses could possibly get the clothes clean, but they are sparkling when they come out. You can also add clothes after the cycle has started which is pretty cool for a front loader..you'd think all that water would pour out! The drum is tipped a bit so it doesn't .

doninwis · #7 08/05/05, 12:29 PM

Well, I'll add a bit to this one as well.

We have the maytag neptune washer and dryer. Went the extra mile for all the frills (which seldom are used). We were told we'd save water with the front load modles. Not sure about that, but the do take a good size load for a front loading machine.

The main purpose in washing clothes is to get them clean, not just wet then dry. We had a lot of trouble with sheets and other whites. Kids socks in particular. We complained to the dealer. got no support - they only sell them, don't repair or guarentee them. Then contacted the manufacture, and got told how to wash clothes (after over thirty years of weekly washing clothes). Nothing we told them sunk in, so we sent them some samples.

Cut up a new,clean white shirt into several 6"-8" squares. We rubbed them in some dirt in our yard, and then washed them in that miracle machine. Dirt stains remained in the material. We dried them and sent them on to the company along with a half dozen extra clean samples. Asked them to compare the difference in the new and Neptune washed. Then asked them to use some of their own local dirt and wash the samples in one of their machines. Surprising they did it. They contacted us and admitted that they to could not get the white samples as clean as the new, never used materials. That told us a lot, and we have told everyone that asked or would listen just what we thought of the products. Great advertising -- Not.

A few years ago, we were contacted concerning the class action law suite and asked to fill out the paperwork. We have not heard from them yet, but at least we know that we were not the only ones that had problems with those things.

Not sure what to recommend to others, but the Neptune (and probably all maytag products) have found their last home in ours.

Don/wis

Ramblin Wreck · #8 08/05/05, 12:39 PM

Another vote for the Frididaire unit mentioned by Marisa. I've had one for about 4-5 years with good results. Note that these machines also hold less clothing, so it takes more loads to get through the laundry pile. Even given that, they use far less water. Mine is supplied by a well, and the water use (and recovery time for the well) were key issues for me.

Good luck.

Henry

Grandmotherbear · #9 08/05/05, 01:11 PM

I have the Equator combo washer /dryer front loader. It is 23 inches wide, so we have a maximum capacity of 1 sheet/6 pillowcases and 2 non denim outfits +underwaer combined load. It uses 9 1/2 gallons per wash load and since it is vented I don't have to run cold water during the dry cycle. I am actually pretty satisfied with it +so far+ it took over a year to get here from the first defective Equator I paid $999 plus shipping, got 50 lbs HE detergent thrown in free. That was a brandnew, the current one is reconditioned.

LisaInN.Idaho · #10 08/05/05, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramblin Wreck

Another vote for the Frididaire unit mentioned by Marisa. I've had one for about 4-5 years with good results. Note that these machines also hold less clothing, so it takes more loads to get through the laundry pile. Even given that, they use far less water. Mine is supplied by a well, and the water use (and recovery time for the well) were key issues for me.

Good luck.

Henry

I'm not sure if you were referring to just the Frigidaire machines or all the high efficiency machines only handling small loads. Our Kenmore is an extra large capacity and we can wash queen size comforters, sleeping bags, etc. with no problems.

MoCrafter · #11 08/05/05, 01:50 PM

I have a Fridgedaire frontloader and love it. I got it in March for my birthday. We haul our water, so water efficiency was a priority. I leave the door cracked open until things dry out after washing and have never had any problem with mold.

Winona

MartyPalange · #12 08/05/05, 02:19 PM

Staber is supposed to be energy and water conserving. We have a Maytag

http://www.bigfrogmountain.com/residential.htm

gilberte · #13 08/05/05, 03:30 PM

We've got a GE front load washer and we love it! It uses a lot less water and much less detergent than the Kenmore top loader it replaced. We have had it for about three years now and have no complaints at all.

When we first got it we would watch the wash cycle in the window (talk about hard up for entertainment). It's so quiet that we would sometimes wonder if it was running and have to check.

We haven't had any problems with mold, but like someone else said, we leave the door open when not in use so the rubber can dry.

YuccaFlatsRanch · #14 08/05/05, 05:06 PM

We have an ASKO front load washer and dryer. Does a large load and 5 rinses in an amazing 17 gallons of water - TOTAL. Wash and rinse water are grey water and we handle it accordingly. We use rain water for washing and DW uses about 1/2 tsp of soap per load. Spins at over 1400 RPM so the clothes are almost dry when you take them out.

minnikin1 · #15 08/05/05, 05:19 PM

We have the Kenmore.
I love the fact that they can be stacked, or not.

I like the low water when I want low water. But if I want to soak stuff, it
I have to haul out the bucket and do it all by hand. (it has a pseudo soak cycle, doesn't work well at all) I would say if you get one, you definitely want a laundry sink nearby for soaking..

The washer is fine. I'm very happy with it. The dryer was big bucks for no other reason than it matches.
It wrinkles the clothes - (it only turns one way and they twist up tighter and tighter as the cycle goes.

Ann Mary · #16 08/05/05, 05:22 PM

Wow! thanks for all the help! The Maytage Neptune people did tell us to leave the door ajar to prevent mold so I will keep that in mind and this year's models have 2 vents on the backside to prevent this they said. We will keep contemplating but it sure is nice to hear these opinions. Thanks!

jgbndaudio · #17 08/05/05, 06:23 PM

Hello,
Here's a second vote for the Equator. Yes, it costs a little more than other machines and it's also a little smaller, but since it's not a full size it uses much less water than the full size machines. I've had mine over a year and have had no problems. If you line dry in the summer you can load much more in to it than when you use the dryer too. It works great w/ our septic because it forces us to do laundry more often but uses less water each time so the septic has time to 'recover'.
I bought mine from AJ madison in NY and got it delivered for free.

PS. One of the things I like best about it is that you put in dirty clothes and they come out clean and dry. No more forgetting to transfer the clothes and having to rewash them because the get smelly!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandmotherbear

I have the Equator combo washer /dryer front loader. It is 23 inches wide, so we have a maximum capacity of 1 sheet/6 pillowcases and 2 non denim outfits +underwaer combined load. It uses 9 1/2 gallons per wash load and since it is vented I don't have to run cold water during the dry cycle. I am actually pretty satisfied with it +so far+ it took over a year to get here from the first defective Equator I paid $999 plus shipping, got 50 lbs HE detergent thrown in free. That was a brandnew, the current one is reconditioned.

mistletoad · #18 08/05/05, 06:46 PM

We have a Danby. Low water use, low electric use, high spin speed, onboard water heater, all for less than $400 at Home Depot. These are hugely popular (almost a cult following) on the gardenweb laundry forum.

jukebox · #19 08/05/05, 07:17 PM

Maytag is a pile of JUNK.

betty modin · #20 08/05/05, 11:33 PM

I had the stacking Frigidaire model-used it for years with up to 5 teens in the house doing up to 20 loads a week....wore it out. When I moved I replaced it with the new stacking Kenmore model-I find I can do as much laundry in it as I could in my old large capacity model top loader! I am on a well and a spetic system so I did my homework and chose this model. The fast spin means that even towels dry quickly-by the time the next load is ready to go from washer to dryer. If I have things that are really dirty I just wash fewer things in the load. I have no children at home and only wash for myself so I can't say that it will get kid clothes clean-but I'm surely a happy camper! I also leave the door open when not in use-but mine is in a louvered closet so it's not in the way. I love that they stack!!! The dryer does need to be loaded only 1/2 full to allow clothes to dry well and not wrinkle though. If I wash a large load of sheets and can't dry outdoors that day, I dry half at a time....works for me. betty