For those of you with HE washers and problems with smelly laundry, I tried everything. Finally I talked to someone who said it is a MUST to use only the HE detergents, not your regular ones. I first ran my washer with no clothes in it, on the hottest setting possible along with a cup of bleach, let it run the complete cycle.
My washer smells clean again! I then ran my wash using the HE detergent and my clothes smell great. HE detergents work differently then regular detergents.
By Terry from Vero Beach, FL
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I am wondering if anyone can tell me how to soak clothes in a front loading washing machine. My new husband has one - and I sure miss my top loading machine. I'd like to be able to soak my whites. Thanks!
I have not found a good way to do this with my fron loading machine. I just keep a 5 gallong pail handy and use that when I need to soak something.
i have found myself using the prewash cycle. it isnt still but at least it is something.
You know what? A front-loader cleans clothes so well that you usually don't need a pre-soak anyway. I use a pre-wash when needed but basically use only detergent and Oxyclean. I always have a spotless wash.
I wait until the washer has finished filling and then just turn it off. When I'm ready to finish the load - turn it back on.
Annie (or anyone else),
Do you add the additional items (such as Oxyclean, borax, whatever) in the detergent slot of the machine then?
I have found that I don;t need to soak. I use the white cycle and my 3-yrd-old's socks come out like brand new. I use a bleach or oxyclean also. It took getting used to a front loader but I'll never go back to a top loader
I agree with Melanie; I miss my top loading washer. Clothes that have been stored for a long time, or taken over by the cat, etc. need to be soaked. Using a pail - which I do - doesn't seem like something I should need to do in 2007. Sometimes I want to add something for the last 2 min.
I miss my top loader. With all the extra water it uses, I feel the clothing is cleaner. Sometimes I forget to empty my kids pockets in the front loader, the finish product is quite messy because there is so little water to flush the tissue paper away.
Pooh! all the "I'm happy" posts are from 2006, the front loaders do not get clothes clean, unless you pre-treat like crazy, bunck! the top loader got simple things like salad dressing out, not the front loaders.
I just let my washer run about 5 to 10 minutes and pause for how ever long I want to soak the load. Then I turn the washer back on and let it run through the cycle.
Not all of front washers have a soaking cycle. In my experience you don't need that, as front load cycles are at least double in time used for washing. You can chose different parameters that come close to what you want. Some cycles are very long other are short.
From remove and replace :
Step 1 Add clothes in the front loading washer and shut the door and make sure it locks.
Step 2 Add 1/4 cup of detergent into the detergent pull out drawer. Liquid OxiClean works great to soak your clothes no matter what color. (Do not add detergent directly to the inside of the washer drum)
Yes! Just start a normal cycle. After it fully fills, pause (or stop/off and restart/on), select any another cycle, select the cycle you want, press delay wash to choose when to resume, press start!
What is the difference between HE detergent for washing machines and regular washing machine detergent? HE stands for what? It is necessary to use in a front loader washing machine or is it a marketing technique?
By Barbara from Boerne, TX
HE means high energy. Using HE creates less suds which is good for a front loading water. Use less water.
I should have said HE means high efficiency.
Front-load and top-load high efficiency (HE) washers are designed for low energy and high efficiency operation. These washers are loaded with convenience and energy-saving features. However, high efficiency washers do require the use of HE detergents and a substantial investment to purchase, over the traditional washer.
I'm with Barbara on this question. I purchased a good used set last year & have no problems so far. Since I only clean for 1, I do no more than 2 loads a week, & thus use little detergent. So far, HE types. But I'm wondering, too.
Since so many people advise that we need quite a bit less detergent in the wash of any sort for any machine, what about just cutting back the amount of regular or even 2X detergents? Wouldn't that cut suds? Or am I being too simplistic?
BSVGS Thats exactly what I think, less detergent.
I think it is all a marketing gimmick with the detergents.
I am very frugal and always cut back when I wash.
Thanks for responding and if you find out anything different let me know. Thank you.
I believe the main difference is that HE is a different concentration and low-suds. (But then, many detergents today are low-suds.) I discussed this question with an appliance repairman and he said normal detergent is okay in an HE machine, but use 1/4 to 1/3 of the amount you'd use for a top loading machine. We find it is more economical to buy the normal detergent and use the smaller amount. We also add about a tablespoon of borax and/or washing soda per load, and use vinegar for fabric softener. In 10 years we have had none of the odor problems some people complain about with front-loading problems, and we are on a well, not chlorinated water.
Can I use powdered detergent in a HE front load washer? It is a Bosch?
Michelle from Oxford, GA
I would like to know this as well.
I HAVE A FRONT LOAD WASHER. I USE POWDER IN MINE, HOWEVER I HAVE TO REGULARLY CLEAN MY DETERGENT TRAY. THE POWDER DOESN'T DISSOLVE COMPLETELY SOMETIMES. SO THE TRAY GETS THAT GUMMY PASTE BUILDUP. NOW THAT I THINK ABOUT IT, USING LIQUID MIGHT JUST CURE THAT PROBLEM. THANKS!
The manufacturer calls for HE liquid soap because any other type of soap generates too much soap suds and will make a mess and you may have to redo your wash to get all the suds out.. The new front loaders use less soap and less water, so I would stick with what the manufactuer suggests.
But that does'nt mean you can't try it once and report your results to see if the manufactuer is correct.
We had a front loader for six years (it wore out and we miss it, the water bill goes up after having one). I used nothing but powder in mine because one of the first times I usd liquid it stained the clothes. I just cut back on the amount that I used and it worked fine. Also I think the powder last longer therefore was a whole lot cheaper.
I have a front loading clothes washer. The "detergent" tray has a "slide" inside it and on it, reads: "powder" with an arrow in one direction; the other reads "liquid" with an arrow going in the opposite direction. Maybe you do not have the tray "open enough" when you use the powdered detergent. just a thought
With this said, I have to tell you I had the washing machine for more than one year when my adult children pointed out this information to me. It really does pay to read the instructions and look at the "parts" manual.
Happy laundering to all.
H from Alexandria VA
Is there a front load washer that has a "spin only" cycle? I have seen only "rinse and spin."
Hi Maudie,
My Beko WMB 71231W has a spin only cycle.
Marg from England.
I have spent endless hours researching the new high efficiency (HE) washers and dryers. A big consumer complaint is inability to "spin only" -- only option is rinse and spin -- I'm sorry. I am quite disgusted with the enforced changes that have been imposed -- other countries are not experiencing this same difficulty. The government regulations insisting on High Efficiency has left us machines that require the clothing be washed more than once to come out clean... or in your case an unnecessary second rinsing (I'm guessing from my research, due to unbalanced load). I have been absolutely astonished with all of the bells and whistles on these machines that we can't get a successful-clean-wash... the limited water allowed isn't all that efficient nor is the energy reduced if we have to repeat our efforts. I've recently talked with a couple from Europe and they are here for 3 years and are having their families purchase and send machines from Europe. The sad thing is they are made by the same manufacturers we are using; but they're not forced to comply with the US restrictions.
Can you use Sta-Flo Starch in a front load washer?
By Jon from Texarkana, TX
