Do you have a front loading washing machine? You might want to take a look..

[ultrarunner]

We really could/did produce things that last in North America...

Great Grandma's Philco Refrigerator is still doing summer Duty in the Garage... guess about 1950.

 

[skipperbrown]

Up until recently, I owed 76 frontloaders at 2 coin laundries. The biggest problem with my frontloaders was oversoaping. The prevailing thought is if a little soap is a good thing, then 5 times as much soap should be better. And no matter what you tell people about the amount of soap necessary (the directions are on the side of the container), they will tell you they have been washing clothes for years and years and know more about soap than the manufacturer. I've seen soap suds overwhelm the emergency overflow and seep out the sealed door and, on one machine, end up on top of the $1500, 80 pound motor shorting it out. The second biggest problem was bra wires getting stuck in the drain. There is a reason such apparel states 'hand wash only'. And then there was the time the main drain clogged up and we found over $500 in change in 18' of 4" drain pipe.

 

[MossRoad]

+2 on Speedqueen. :thumbsup:

 

[AchingBack]

Only powdered detergents cause problems. I never use them in my front loading Kenmore, as per instructions.

 

[jwstewar]

We had this same issue with our Samsung washer. Had a hard time finding one for our washer. Then finally found it, and the gaskets along with a rear bearing. Worked for almost a year, then it started acting up again. Said, enough is enough, (after having already replaced the control board for it) we replaced the Samsung Front Load with a pair of LG w/ a top load washer. My wife is so happy, says the clothes actually smell clean again. It was fun taking the washing machine out and crushing it with the tractor.

 

[orangeandgreen]

Just removed our Samsung front loader and installed a Maytag top loader. Drum was flopping around and last load that came out was full of filings. We figured it was either bearing failure or broken spider but took the opportunity to upgrade away from the front loader and back to proven technology.
Might have to tear into the Samsung just to see what exactly is going on.

 

[Wakey]

This looks like solid advice. I'd do this once a week for a few months and then every 40 loads or so for maintenance.

We had an older repairman come out to work on a dishwasher several times. Got to talking to him about appliances and he said that 75% of his calls on front loading washers were the result of using too much detergent. He also said the mildew and smell problems some people were having were from using liquid detergent and he recommended using only HE powdered and a small amount of that. We changed from liquid to powder and have not had any problems since. His formula for cleaning the machine was to put two cups of powdered DISHWASHING detergent into the tub, fill all the dispensers (soap, bleach, and softener) with white vinegar, and run the machine on the longest, hottest cycle possible. Our new unit has a steam clean cycle but we still use the dishwashing detergent and vinegar while using it.

Most detergents today are formulated to use in cool or cold water.

RSKY

 

[Big Barn]

It was fun taking the washing machine out and crushing it with the tractor.

Be careful!

You’ll start looking around for MORE things to crush and first thing you know you’re purchasing new appliances that don’t need replacing.

 

[teejk]

Just removed our Samsung front loader and installed a Maytag top loader. Drum was flopping around and last load that came out was full of filings. We figured it was either bearing failure or broken spider but took the opportunity to upgrade away from the front loader and back to proven technology.
Might have to tear into the Samsung just to see what exactly is going on.

We got introduced to front loaders when we moved to Europe back in the 90's. We liked the fact that the wash cycle took a bit longer but the dryer time was cut in half. I guess the technology on top loaders has improved since then.

 

[ultrarunner]

I bought a home that came with a Philco Duomatic…

This is a combination front loading washer AND gas clothes dryer... worked like a charm and very heavy/solid... just load once and no transferring wet clothes..

Philco Bendix Duomatic Washer Dryer commercial - YouTube

When I was in Europe I found almost everyone had a Front Loader... a big reason is the Front Loaders there ALSO heat the water... so there is only a cold water line hook up... and Front Loaders use less Water so easier to heat.

When I have house guests from Europe they loved big American Top Loaders... no more stooping and the capacity was many times what they had back in Germany...

Another feature was you could open to add items anytime... at least with my top loader...

What is old is new...

 

[dragoneggs]

I bought a washer and dryer and fridge and stove from Sears (Kenmore brand) way back in 1981 when I bought my house. They are all still ticking, knock on wood!

The good ole days when Sears Kenmore was King. We still have a couple of mid 80's living Kenmore appliances. Our fridge finally had to be replaced because of abuse to the shelving on the back side of the doors (per our renter). It kind of pissed me off because they broke the shelving after them being fine for 30 years. Some people are just hard on equipment.

My better half closes cabinet doors and most everything hard. I cringe... I am gentle with things I want to last. Then she wants new. Can't tell her how to behave. :banghead: ullinghair:

 

[ultrarunner]

Classic on both cases...

Renters are very hard and things in general... there are exceptions.

The standard reply is "Things Happen" and I have one tenant that can destroy a refrigerator in a couple of years and it is always the door liner and/or bins... funny thing is I have the same box at home, bought on the same day and mine is perfect 16 years later and hers was trash in 3 years... her kids would jam things in and force the door closed... especially because of her... I no longer supply ANY free standing appliances with new rentals...

Among friends and tenants it got to be real bad... the women hated me for "Fixing" their old appliances... the plan was to buy new and I just thwarted it...

Same for those expecting new kitchen and bath floors... I would demonstrate how a little elbow grease would make a 2x2 section like new... and then get the look of disgust saying they are not janitors... and I would say neither am I...

At 4:30 am to 5 am I am generally on Security Detail at the Front Hospital reception... gives me time to check emails and help open... the desk drawers look like a tornado came through every morning... and the nice multi-function copier has had issues... all from staff slamming the drawers closed... desk and copier...

Who would think 115 pound women could reeks such havoc? It could be because if something breaks they only need requisition a replacement?

As for appliances and especially Front Load Washers my money is on people not reading the instructions... and it is very important and probably why new Washers and Dishwashers come with a sample pack of detergent.

 

[MossRoad]

When I was in I.T. for 25 years, I was amazed at the damage people could do to printer trays and access doors. We finally started charging the departments for repairs instead of taking it out of the I.T. budget.

As for refrigerator bins, we have not had much luck with the clear plastic ones. If they are left out half way, and someone closes the door, they crack. So let that be a lesson if you're ever in the market for a new fridge.... don't get one with clear plastic drawers. They break easily.

 

[4570Man]

Just removed our Samsung front loader and installed a Maytag top loader. Drum was flopping around and last load that came out was full of filings. We figured it was either bearing failure or broken spider but took the opportunity to upgrade away from the front loader and back to proven technology.
Might have to tear into the Samsung just to see what exactly is going on.

I used my backhoe to remove the stainless drum from recycling. And we all know the real reason behind it.

 

[ultrarunner]

In a large enough organization with multiples of the same item it becomes quickly apparent those that take care and those that don't...

Some of my best Nurses and Housekeepers will bag any screw or clip they happen to find... immensely helpful because sure enough... it won't be long for a problem to surface.

We no longer have in house laundry... when we did... there were daily problems with staff/docs leaving things in scrubs... expensive things... meds, pens, door key cards, etc...

Anything can happen to anyone so I would concentrate on trends...

Got in trouble once for asking if Gorillas worked in the Back Office Pool because keyboards and printers had a high mortality rate...

Good thread on Front Loaders... as this is most of the market now and the place I'm in Escrow has a pair that will stay...

Oh... that old Duomatic… I kept it when I sold the home... I just liked the way it was built and how it looked... even better at night with the built in florescent tube light illuminating the controls...

 

[Wakey]

My better half closes cabinet doors and most everything hard. I cringe... I am gentle with things I want to last. Then she wants new. Can't tell her how to behave. :banghead: ullinghair:

My neighbor installed new soft close cabinets in his kitchen. This weekend they came over and he was slamming my cabinet doors, he got used to the soft close. Same with the new soft close toilet lids :laughing:

 

[jrsavoie]

We really could/did produce things that last in North America...

Great Grandma's Philco Refrigerator is still doing summer Duty in the Garage... guess about 1950.

We used my Gramma's first fridge up until about 15 years ago

On a related note, we have an older Maytag dishwasher that is no longer cleaning the dishes. We have previously had to clean the holes in the arms.

Everything seems to be working as it should. Hard to tell what's going on with the door closed.

Any thoughts?

 

[MossRoad]

If it sounds normal when you run it, maybe the internal pluming is limed up. Run a couple loads of CLR through it with hot water. Maybe that'll break up any calcium deposits. Worth a few bucks to find out.

 

[Wakey]

Also check the filter. Water does not distribute that well if the filter is gunked up.

 

[herm0016]

I like to run a few cups of vinegar in my dishwasher every few weeks. keeps the deposits at bay.

agree with others here on many points. My rental lease states that if appliances are in the unit when they move in, they are free to use them but are responsible for repairs. I like to supply the big stuff they need, but am not responsible for its abuse. I find i get better renters if the units start out in good shape and i make a point to drop by with minimum notice every so often.