CALLING ALL FL owners...???'s

[3happygirls]

Hi. I just got my new LG Steam washer (FL) last week and so far, I love it. Just a few ??'s, though. I was using ALL Free&Clear (for all our clothes, but esp. for dipes and such). I haven't been able to find it in the HE formula. In fact, all I've been able to find is Tide scented. WHAT DO I USE FOR DIPES?!?! I was using Simple Green, Washing Soda, occasionally some vinegar, but how would I do that? How would I add TTO, for example? For this washer, you have to load all your detergents/softener/bleach in the sep. compartment b/4 starting the washer.

Other ?: the handbook doesn't say HOW MUCH soap to put in, just to use the special HE formula. I feel like I'm using the max amount each time, not knowing how much it needs.

Other ?: The book ALSO doesn't say, how much a full load is?? No load size chart or anything. It just says that the washer has a sensor that tells it how much water to use. Problem is...I don't know how much is too much. It's the largest capacity washer, but can I do my whole load of diapers without screwing it up? Can I do a mega-load of towels? There's NOTHING, zilch, nada..no info on load size whatsoever.

I feel like I'm completely changing the way I do wash (as natural as possible) just b/c of this new washer, which I LOVE : but, I want to keep out dyes, perfumes, petroleum-based surfactants, etc. Is there anything out there on the market yet for these HE FLs?

One more ? Do you use Steam wash for any other washes except diapers? Is it hotter than the "very hot" cycle? Should I use the "Sanitary" cycle or steam-wash for diapers, and what then for whites? When I push steam-wash, the light goes off of the "very hot" button.

Okay, I think I'm done now. ANY guidance you can give me is greatly appreciated! One down-side to this washer so far, is the lack of information in the book. If it's SO GREAT...I would think they'd spell it out for us!! Hope we did the right thing. I wanted the Kenmore, dh wanted the LG. :

[Maplecat]

I just got the Kenmore and I have a lot of the same questions you do--I hope someone here has some answers!

[3happygirls]

Shamless bump with hopes for more thoughts/advice.

[2babybees]

I have a front loader and love it. I use a low suds laundry detergent, actually something cheap from the grocery store. I put in about 1/4-1/2 the amount normally recommended. For dipes I put in 1/4 of the amount. Sometimes I would throw in some baking soda in the detergent compartment and put TTO in the fabric softner compartment. I always ran it on the longest cycle on hot with the extra rinse. If things were getting stinky I would run one cycle with detergent and one without. I rarely had problems.

I often cram mine full with towels. Never had any problems. My washer determines how long to run a cycle my the weight of the load. Each load is a tad different. The only thing that it doesn't like is too few clothes. Like don't wash just one shirt(but who here would? ). I figure if I can't close the door it's too full. I'm sure I am breaking some sort of cardinal washer rule but after 4+ years I've never had a problem.

[mesecina]

I have a slightly older FL (the HE3T), so we've been using it for 5 years now. I'm not the best one to give laundry advice, but here's what I know about ours. I use Bio-Kleen powder and haven't had any trouble with it. For diapers I put vinegar and a few drops of TTO in the softener spot. As far as how full to get it, I think I read that you should be able to put your fist in on top of the clothes, so don't pack it fuller than that. That's worked pretty well for me, although I leave a little more space than that when I do sheets, because otherwise they tend to get more tangled and don't really get clean. Also there's a great forum here that we did a lot of reading at when we were researching our washer/dryer. Haven't read it in five years though, so it may have changed...

[3happygirls]

Thanks for your replies! Check out this excellent link someone over on diaperswappers gave me!! It has TONS of info...now I just need to figure out where to find this stuff. I was using Tide on my dipes, b/c I couldn't find anything else. I'm sure, with time, there'll be more HE options than not. Waiting....
http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.co...entchoices.htm

[chel]

I remember reading, I'm sure on MDC, about a person that broke a "support" of some kind on her FL and was told it was from putting too much in the washer which made the load too heavy.
Currently I'm just waiting for my top loader to die so I can get a FL.

[RumiWithAView]

Ocassionally, DH will get the wrong detergent (non-HE) and after researching I found out that you can use it, just half as much or less.

I've got a Whirlpool Duet and it's got a line showing the recommended amount of detergent, so that takes out the guess work.

As for loads, I've filled my entire FL up and have never had a problem. I'll do a queen size quilt and sheet set!

HTH

[annekevdbroek]

I have a Kenmore front loader that is about 4 years old. I've always used regular detergent (I just will not buy that expensive stuff like Tide and had no idea that there was special HE detergent until very recently). I've always used 1/3 of the regular amount per load. I think I arrived at this amount because the washer uses about 1/3 the water of a regular machine?

I load it loosely to the top of the bin. It seems to work fine. In fact, the only "problem" I have is that the washer capacity is bigger than my dryer capacity.

If I want to add something to the load, like Oxyclean. Borax, or Clagon I just dump it in the detergent bin along with the detergent. Seems to work out ok that way....

[farmgirl83]

I have a Kenmore HE3 and have had it for 9 months without any problems.

1. Detergent: I use Allen's Naturally (purchased from their website), because that's what was recommended for Fuzzi Bunz, which I was using at the time. I am using bumGenius AIOs now and haven't had any problems. I think a tablespoon of this detergent is sufficient for most loads in a FL. I add vinegar to the rinse (in the fabric softener compartment) when doing diapers, and sometimes a squirt of BacOut in the detergent compartment, just for kicks.

2. Like I said, I use a tablespoon of Allen's for all of my loads, or less if it's a dinky load. I have a gallon of detergent, which lasts for e-v-e-r at this rate.

3. When the guy delivered our washer, he said that you can fill it up with clothes, and if you need more room, just rotate the drum and add more at the empty space at the top. No stuffing, and if you can't easily shut the door, then it's too much. I love love love that I never have to go in and rebalance the thing like I did with my old top loader.

4. I don't have a steam wash or very hot option, but I wash my dipes in warm water, because bumGenius says you can. I might do a hot wash once in a while, but my dipe load setting is: Cold prewash/warm wash/cold rinse/cold rinse/high spin. I have a dry pail and don't usually rinse poops and no stains! I wash about every other day.

Just don't be afraid to experiment to find what works best!

[3happygirls]

Thanks for the advice to experiment, FarmGirl!! I'm so afraid to do that! Afraid I might mess something up, or I won't notice the diff. anyway, so who cares and I'll get sloppy with my laundry. Goofy, I know. I'm just trying to stay as natural as possible and I feel I've been DUPED into buying this expensive, loaded with scents and whiteners detergent now. I've just decided I'm not gonna do it. I've gotta figure something out. I'm just mad, b/c my CHEAP, CHEAP washing soda and simple green routine is all messed up. I DO LOVE the washer, though! I'm picky about my dipes. I DID go out on a limb and throw in the SG with the detergent yesterday. I can't do the Washing Soda, b/c of having to mix it with water first and pour it over the clothes...it takes like 4 cups to mix with or it'll get rock hard...can't just add it to the detergent bin. Oh well. Will find something else.

I'm also experimenting with load size. Only time will tell on that, I guess.

[VisionQuest]

I have a Maytag Neptune front-loader and I use Purex Free & Clear most of the time. I never use HE detergent and just use about 1/3 of what a regular washer would call for.