Best Washer for Cloth

[StrongFeather]

So we just purchased our first house (yay!), and the washer and dryer came with (yay, since I have DH on board with the cloth diapering and there is no diaper sevice out here), so the washer is a Maytag Neptune Front Loader (boo, hiss!). I say this because I noticed a distinct standing water smell in it. So after a little research, I have discovered there was a class action suit against Maytag for this particular washer. Apparently a mold and mildew problem..great...:

So, all this research, my awesome stash I have been building, they are all in jeapordy! I am scared of having a problem and DH saying we can't continue cloth.

So, help me be proactive, and find a good washer now. I do have a spetic system if that matters, and really don't mind if it's FL or a top loader, but DH will want what is most economic.

So give me your suggestions...oh yeah with the purchase of the house etc, it's gotta be reasonably priced.. $400 or less!

[dosergirl]

that super sucks.
is there no way to get maytag to replace it ?

we have this one
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...ame=Front-Load

and i love it. it is a high efficiency so it is great for the water and energy bills. it actually washes everything really well and it's a totally different experience from the previous washing situation we had.

of course i am in your boat so i haven't had to actually wash a poopy diaper yet but i am confident it will go well.

[hipmummy]

Strongfeather, If you do a heavy duty was with bleach and a rinse with vinegar this remove all of the "swamp junk" you may haveto use vinegar on the door gasket as well. Maytag will replace it if it is already damaged. They key is prevention. NEVER leave the door closed if the washer is not in use. even if you have a finished load and don;t have time to put it in the dryer; LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN. I used one for years and always left the door open and NEVER had issues. If the washer works fine I would not spend money on a new one. There is also a commercial product that I have seen at traget that is menat for keeping front end loaders clean, It might be called Afresh or refresh????

[hipmummy]

Originally Posted by dosergirl

that super sucks.
is there no way to get maytag to replace it ?

we have this one
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...ame=Front-Load

and i love it. it is a high efficiency so it is great for the water and energy bills. it actually washes everything really well and it's a totally different experience from the previous washing situation we had.

of course i am in your boat so i haven't had to actually wash a poopy diaper yet but i am confident it will go well.

I have the same one now and I still have the to leave the door open after washes. All the front loaders will accumulate mold if you shut them when they are wet it is common sense. Dark and wet with no oxygen will = MOLD and MILDEW. Also take care not to use liquid detergents they case extreme scum build-up. The HE ones are the only one you should ever use but the natural HE's build up and cause scum. I have the best success with Allen's naturally powder. I use 1/4 scoop- 1/2 scoop and never have build up. I use vinegar as a fabric softner and that keeps all things squeaky clean!


OHH and by this point I have washed THOUSANDS of poopy diapers in mine!!!!

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

I also have that Kenmore (a previous generation) and it has worked well, but yes, the foul build-up is par for the course with a front-loader if you close it while it's wet.

Interestingly, when our service guy came out while it was on warranty, he told us to never, ever use powders, even HE, in a front-loader because the soap builds up over time and gums up the works. However, I suspect most people completely over-use their detergents - I should try the Allen's powder after cleaning the gasket (yet again) and see what happens!

[phrogger]

Originally Posted by StrongFeather

So we just purchased our first house (yay!), and the washer and dryer came with (yay, since I have DH on board with the cloth diapering and there is no diaper sevice out here), so the washer is a Maytag Neptune Front Loader (boo, hiss!). I say this because I noticed a distinct standing water smell in it. So after a little research, I have discovered there was a class action suit against Maytag for this particular washer. Apparently a mold and mildew problem..great...:

So, all this research, my awesome stash I have been building, they are all in jeapordy! I am scared of having a problem and DH saying we can't continue cloth.

So, help me be proactive, and find a good washer now. I do have a spetic system if that matters, and really don't mind if it's FL or a top loader, but DH will want what is most economic.

So give me your suggestions...oh yeah with the purchase of the house etc, it's gotta be reasonably priced.. $400 or less!

I am copying this from another forum I am on and what a member did with her exact same washer. This is what the repair guy told her.

He said the biggest issue people have with the front loaders is that it starts to smell musty (and mine was, and so where my towels, and I know we've talked about that here). He says that it is because when we use liquid detergent the detergent is made with a fatty substance from cows (I think), and that because front loaders use less water it can't wash it all the way out of the clothing or the drum of the washer. After a while it builds up and starts to smell. He said the first thing to do is run Cascade Complete (yes dishwasher soap) in a load with the hottest water your washer can put out (I did a sani cycle) and run it like that several times (I did 4 I think). You must use "Cascade Complete" because there is some enzyme in it that breaks the fatty layer down. Then to switch to powder HE detergent and only use about half of what the recommended load dosage is (because they want you to use more, but you don't need it). And do not use liquid fabric softener, its even worse.

[phrogger]

Oh and I have an LG front loader and it is doing awesome with washing the diapers. Of course he is only 2 weeks old and it is still all the brand new breast milk poops, but they come out very clean.

[hipmummy]

Originally Posted by phrogger

I am copying this from another forum I am on and what a member did with her exact same washer. This is what the repair guy told her.

He said the biggest issue people have with the front loaders is that it starts to smell musty (and mine was, and so where my towels, and I know we've talked about that here). He says that it is because when we use liquid detergent the detergent is made with a fatty substance from cows (I think), and that because front loaders use less water it can't wash it all the way out of the clothing or the drum of the washer. After a while it builds up and starts to smell. He said the first thing to do is run Cascade Complete (yes dishwasher soap) in a load with the hottest water your washer can put out (I did a sani cycle) and run it like that several times (I did 4 I think). You must use "Cascade Complete" because there is some enzyme in it that breaks the fatty layer down. Then to switch to powder HE detergent and only use about half of what the recommended load dosage is (because they want you to use more, but you don't need it). And do not use liquid fabric softener, its even worse.

I think that is the similar ingridient in the "washer cleaner"

http://www.affresh.com/