High-efficiency washing machines have flooded the US laundry market. I have one and love it, but it is no secret that HE washing machines do have their drawbacks.
There are two big issues with my front loader that I battle on a regular basis:
1.) It doesn’t use enough water with my cloth diapers, which can lead to smelly diapers.
2.) The washer can’t sense how to spin out small loads well. As a result, I end up with a drenched load of clothes after the final spin. They’re clean, but soaking wet.
Why I Need to Trick My Washing Machine
With both of my issues listed above, I need more bulk inside the machine.
The cloth diapers need more bulk so the machine will empty more water into the wash and rinse cycles.
The small load needs more bulk so the machine will be weighted evenly when it does the final spin.
I’m sure you know that high-efficiency washers use sensors to do their work: they sense how much laundry is in the drum to determine how much water is needed. So you have to trick the machine into sensing the load is bulkier and heavier.
When the load is heavier, both of my problems are eliminated. The cloth diapers get more water, which makes them rinse cleaner and prevents the stink. My small load of delicates spins out evenly because the machine senses more bulk in the drum.
How I Trick My Machine to Make It Do What I Want
The solution is very simple: old towels.
I have several old, thin, color-fast towels that I keep on top of my dryer for this very reason. These towels are so old and thin that they literally do not produce lint any longer. While they do have some color, these towels have been used and washed enough times that I know the color won’t run onto my other laundry.
The towels add enough bulk and weight to make the washer do what I need it to. It’s a simple fix and I didn’t have to spend any money. Win-win.
Do you have this same problem with your front-loader? What do you do to solve it?
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Deborah
My problem is that no matter how much I put into the machine it washes everything at 53 minutes. Really 53 minutes? So how is it sensing anything if everything it washes at the same length of time? I don’t know how to trick out my washer. I will have to do some more investigating to figure out what to do. Any thoughts for me?
Blessings!
Krissy Brown
Mine does too!! Hate it!!
Linda Crabb
I really HATE these new washers. the water level is so low the clothes do not come clean. they might be trying to save water, But it takes the stupid things almost an hour to do a load, not saving on electric. The idiot that thought of these must have NEVER washed clothes before . They are junk!! I want MORE water
Bill
Thank Dept of Energy for ‘helping’ us poor dumb Americans.
Lief
Yeah but don’t you like your water savings? If not, they still sell the old top load ones that use 1/3 to 2/3 more water.
Beth A Christiansen
If you have to run it twice you are not saving water.
Evelyn
I agree! I want the lid open while the machine is filling. I won’t use the bleach and softener dispensers. I want to mix my own with water and pour it in once the tub is filled. I want to use a tub full of water. Where can I find a machine like that??
Memaw
I think you nailed it. These washers aren’t saving any resources. Mine was purchased FOR me by my well-meaning spouse. So when its found at the curb, thete will be much emotional baggage attached.
Ron Fuller
You can thank the climate change crowd who forced the EPA into water and energy conservation that now causes dirty laundry all over America! I am going back to my manual Kenmore machine that has an agitator, and I get to choose the water level and temperature…
Suanna
I have a new HE top loading washer. So far it does well for my cloth diapers. First I do a rinse and spin. I have several settings to choose from so I almost always choose, heavy soil, deep clean, and extra rinse. I use soap nuts and vinegar and occasionally add some salt on top of the diapers to help kill extra germs. If they start to seem like they are smelling not quite right I hang them in the sunshine for a couple hours.
Shanna
My ideal laundry room would have a top loader, I don’t even care how old as long as it works, and one or two front loaders, and two dryers. When I didn’t have kids the front loader worked waaayyy better. Once there was actual food, vomit, poo and dirt on my laundry I started to realize I would have to go through all sorts of shenanigans to get stuff clean. That tiny puddle of water just doesn’t leave enough space to swish stuff and get off even small chunks! I do all sorts of “prewash before I even start the wash” stuff. This takes longer and you don’t get to just soak something in tub with the lid open so your work is done in the night while you are asleep (I miss you top loader!). It’s so irritating to have to wring out stuff and transport it to the machine just to start!
Also, when people are kindly “helping” me with laundry and say “Oh, I just put it on the short cycle so it takes less time!” Well, there is still actual food crusted on the clothes and now run through the dryer that way. I am not wierd and picky, I just know how to best get 4-kid-household laundry clean with the fussy frontloader.
For normal stuff, it’s wonderful and the drying time is short.
mamalaundry
Shanna, YES! A top-loader and 2 front-loaders.
A girl can dream. 😉
Joy haddix
I’m guessing you are the reply person I can not find where to comment at but who ever put out this washing machine should be sued it is definitely the worst on the market it want ever wash 4 pairs of pants where is the water at made a big mistake buying this one plz people don’t buy this washer it’s more trouble than good
Deanna
I hate my high efficiency washer. My clothes don’t smell fresh and clean. Also, they feel filmy. I am looking to replace it with a used traditional washer.
Wanda Gates
We just pulled our front loader to the carport and bought a GE top loader to find out it has water sensing as well and will not fill enough water to cover the clothes. WTF? I would take my 20 yr old Kenmore set back in a New York minute!!!!!! Front loaders are just a trend and DO NOT CLEAN your clothes. Then they mildew inside and the clothes really smell yuck. But I don’t know where to find a basic simple washer like my old Kenmore.
MiTmite9
Try using a lot less soap.
Cathy
All washers in TN, from what I am told, are made like this. I don’t even know if I’m supposed to out the liquid laundry detergent in before the clothes, or after the clothes. It’s a joke. I’m stuck with it though, because they’re all made like this.
MD
I agree with you. My Samsung washer (and I’m sure all other HE washers) are the worse. The clothes do not come clean enough because there is not enough water, and it takes too damn long to do a load of wash. In my vacation house, I have a very basic no frills washer that fills with water, washes perfectly, and spins all within 25 minutes or so. I hate the newer washers. They’re stupid and dirty!
Barbara gleason
You are absolutely right! Yes, I have washed a load with one king sized top sheet and three pillow cases. Considering the huge size of the tub on my cabrio washIng machine, this should have been considered a medium load…at best! I set the machine for deep bulky/sheets, presoak, deep water, and two rinses. That gets me, at BEST SIX INCHES OF WATER, REALLY.??! How is that small amounAfter the two HOURS it took to accomplish my settings, I took the load out to put in the dryer and I found a MUSHROOM cloud formation in the washer. The sheet wasn’t even WET on the top center! I couldn’t believe it! Seriously there was a circle on the top where the fabric had never even gotten wet! This machine is a piece of junk and there should be a recall on it! I spent $1200 On a brand new set two years ago and I have absolutely hated both machines since I bought them.
Barbara Gleason
You are SOOO RIGHT!
Sue Boggs
So true!!
I have a bucket by my washer I fill with water 3 times & pour in washer while washing.. especially sheets
Gloria
So, let me understand this trick, when you do a small load, say bed sheets. I want more water added to my top loading washer, I trick it in the beginning and add some towels so the water level will go up? But do I take the towels out of the washer? I also do not like my agitator, there is no cone in my Whirpool Cabrio and I am researching to see if I can change the agitator to a cone like agitator. Any suggestions and/or reply would greatly be appreciated.
Doretta Parker
I have a watering can fill it up and add to the machine when it’s drawing from the mains. I usually put 2 full watering canvas full to the machine! It’s a standing joke at my home moms trying to make the machine grow lol but it’s the only way I feel that there’s enough water n to clean my clothes and then you will see the difference.
Ceci
You have saved my life! I never thought about that…. I just added more water :).
Jodie Lynch
Yes i used the trick from very beginning i have 2 large empty laundry detergent bottles i fill with water You have to trick the sensor load your dirty clothes and pour water from bottles on to make them heavier and the tub fills better but sometimes i take sheets out and there dry in the center blows me away Pain in the ass and we shouldn’t have to do this there should be a switch to turn High efficiency off
Vero
Do you have a top loader? I would love to do the same, not sure how with a front loader though! Thanks.
Barbara gleason
Will the machine actually hold the extra water ? I have thought of trying something like this. I am soooo sick of my new energy efficient washer whirlpool cabrio …that doesn’t clean my clothes because there simply isn’t enough water in it!!!! Even the deep water setting gets me, at BEST 6 inches of water….REALLY.?? How is that supposed to get a big load of dirty clothes clean??? and how can I SOAK a load of clothes??? No way to do that either! There should be a recall on this machine!!!
Don
I fill the machine with clothes and no soap and then start it. The machine begins to fill then I cancel it. The water drains, next add soap and start the machine normally. The wet clothes are now heavy and the auto sensor selects a larger load. Plus with the clothes already wet the new cycles water goes to washing rather than soaked up in the clothes.
Karel Riley
I think this is clever. I’m going to try that. But isn’t it sad that we have to resort to such things to get enough water. And, of course, your very clever idea wastes some water, which I hate, but people get desperate. I have read SO many comments on many websites of people with HE washers bitterly complaining about them. I support the government issuing regulations that require washing machines to use less water, BUT on so many of these machines, the water level is WAY too low to clean things thoroughly. Now why isn’t the government this aggressive about requiring vehicles to use less gasoline?!? The OIL LOBBY is very powerful. The home appliance sector of the economy is not. Think about that for a minute.
Marlene
I have an LG top loading he washer, and I notice my clothes don’t get as clean as they did in my old Whirlpool agitator, . Additionally, some of the clothes hardly get wet in the wash cycle because of too little water. I’m not sure if I’m hurting my washer, but I trick it by starting the wash cycle, and then I totally stop the machine and then restart it. It fills again with more water because it senses the load of water and clothes as a new heavy load of clothes. My clothes are beginning to get clean again. I used to manually add extra water, but this procedure saves time.
Louisa F Cauvin
I like to put my clothes in the already sudsy water, so the clothes absorb the detergent. I pour a few buckets of water into the top-loader tub and turn it on. (You know when you want to take a shower, the water starts out cold and you have to run it for a while so it warms up? I save that water and pour it into the washing machine.) When the washer goes through its “weighing the laundry” routine, it is fooled by the weight of the water. After the machine fills itself, I add the detergent and let it slosh around. Then I add the clothes. The washer will again weigh the clothes and add some more water.
Virginia
I’ve moonlighted cleaning homes for many years & have taken notice of something;
that there are two camps of people (this is on average) & that is, those who believe that bagless, upright vacuum cleaners are easier than canisters w/ bags.
And those who believe that when clothes are put into a washing machine, that magic will happen
& that no matter how much they cram into will come out clean…
These new, cheaply made (I don’t care how high end) washers can ONLY DO SO MUCH.
Last week I was at a house helping a client with doing her 91 year old mother’s laundry.
She has a H.E super expensive machine.
Her darling mother is a touch obsessive (admittedly we have that in common) & has asked her daughter to please separate her laundry into dark & light piles, but my friend insists on doing her poor mother’s full week worth of laundry in one load.
She caught me separating it into two piles and very snippily remarked that “this is a high efficiency washer & it is so sensitive that it does everything.”
“It knows how much water to use and turns everything every which a way before it is done.”
I looked at her and said “but how can water move THROUGH a jam packed washer barrel? it just scientifically can’t if there is no room.”
She snipped that it does and I walked away because I wanted to slap her for trying to justify what is just denial & laziness.
But then this is the same client who is wowed by the heavy, troublesome upright Dyson…
I sigh with disappointment every time I walk into a house with an upright bagless vacuum.
So much extra time is spent CLEANING THE FILTER, emptying the clear receptacle & going through the spacial ability brain game of switching out tubes & parts to do different flooring types.
It is the lazy person’s dream vacuum, but what they will NEVER admit is that they have to empty the damn thing constantly where if they had a simple, well made canister that they would probably only have to change the bag once every two weeks dependent on
their cleaning needs of course.
And unless you have a Meile where the bags are over 10.00 a piece it is no better than a basic model hepa Kenmore, Eureka or Hoover (yes the mile is great if you can afford it.)
What our mothers told us way back about shaking the clothes out, spreading them out nicely with even weight is just true.
Long live ANALOG technology!
Lauren Hill
Virginia, I find your comment so FASCINATING!! Isn’t it interesting to get a glimpse into how others run their household tasks?
I washed laundry for other families for a couple of years, and it was eye-opening to see how other people ran their laundry systems.
Yes, I completely agree that our mothers were correct on many accounts!! 🙂
Thanks so much for leaving such an interesting comment! I enjoyed reading through it.
xo, Lauren
Kristi
Guess it is all HE front loading machines. There is not even a puddle, heal the clothes are barely wet. I have seven kids and a sweaty muddy hub; I need water!! I bought my dream 5.6cu ft washer yesterday. I am so sad about the performance at the moment. I could turn the screw for more water, but that action will void my warranty. Wet towels here I come …
Trisha A.
You are so right. How are we saving water and other resources when we have to wash clothes 2 -3 times to get them clean. The old days were….dare me…dare me…they were oh so grand.
Winnie Kang
I have a top loading LG HE washer. I hate it. If used as directed, sometimes the clothes don’t even get wet. I trick the washer sensors by always selecting “bulky bedding” setting. That way at least the clothes get wet. But that setting really uses more water than necessary. Both my husband and I have watched the cycle, since the top is see-through. The clothes barely pulse at all in the water. The clothes don’t get really clean, but that may partially be due to using well water. We just got a water softening system, so we hope that will help get the clothes clean. It is certainly not a water saver using it this way. I don’t know what else to do. In my heart of hearts I hope this thing breaks so I can go get a traditional washing machine. I would never buy an HE washer again if given a choice.
Bev
I am with you. I pray ever time I use it for it to break. All of my black cloths end up with soap streaks. I run them through the game xtra rinse cycle.. how efficient is that.
MiTmite9
You’re using too much soap and not cleaning your machine often enough. Try doing smaller loads, less soap.
Jean Mcfarland
I hate mine too. My towels always stink I aways pray while I do a load that they smell good . My wash cloth’s are hard and practically crunchy. I’ve tried more soap less soap prewaah extra rinse deep water. Hot water cold water . Nothing works
Carole
My sentiments exactly. This is ridiculous. Who designed this…certainly not a woman who does laundry. I hope that when I buy a new washer that they still make the traditional kind. Mine is only 1 year old so it probably is not going to break down any time soon. Why do we have to trick the darn things into thinking the load is heavier than it really is? 😖😖😖
Terry
I do the same. Most of my loads are done on bulky bedding.
Katherine Giroux
I have an LG top load HE washer too. I also have watched it through the glass and it grosses me out. The clothes are barely swishing around, like a little shimmy, nothing more. Some aren’t even submerged, even though I always choose bulky bedding, heavy soil, extra rinse. It all gets wet as the water pours on while it adding water, but if the clothes aren’t submerged in the wash cycle, and just barley moving around some bit, how are they getting clean? I also never see suds. It’s gross. My clothes don’t seem to smell, but I really miss the old style basic agitator, use water, really wash your clothes machines.
Chris
I feel the exact way. No matter what cycle you put it on the agitator is always slow. I absolutely hate it. It’s like I am washing my heavy duty load on gentle…it sucks! Why have different cycles if the agitation is the same speed for them all!?! We just moved into a new home with the appliances included & everything is Frigidaire. I have a glass top so watching the washer go through a cycle is sickening. It looks as if there is no soap included in the load!!! I’ve tried putting the soap in the dispenser, I’ve tried running water in the tub & pause the cycle & put soap in the load, & last night I bought liquid detergent & pods….that didn’t make a difference either!!! I’m all out of ideas. Please, any ideas to share would be great!!! My clothes come out smelling ok but just knowing that the water looks disgusting & have no suds & the agitation is slow sets a bad tone with me. I really HATE this “Energy Efficient” washer. I just gave my old washer & dryer set to my aunt but I wish we would have kept it because I may need it lol!
Patty
I have a top loader, but it doesn’t use enough water in my opinion. And I would like to be able to have the tub fill while the lid is open so I can do some rinsing of items and such, but I can’t seem to figure out how to make it do that. I love the top load better than the front load I had, but neither of them use enough water. **Sigh** I miss the old style of machines!! Sometimes progress isn’t always a good thing…….:)
Jamie Phuah
My experience with front loading machines are frustrating. I have used both LG brand and Electrolux brand. They did a good job for washing but they don’t rinse well because the water used is too little. For electrolux, you don’t see the water level at all. Even with extra rinse, the clothes are not properly rinsed. I tried rinsing it manually using a large basin of water after the extra rinse of machine to prove my point. True enough, you see milky water in the large basin of water. And when the water settled, you see a lot of lint settling at the bottom of the water.
Can someone recommend me a brand which does not have such problem? Its so annoying that i cant find a machine that can do its job properly.
Marie MeLancon
YES!! My husband has a skin condition that requires me to remove soap or he will immediately break out. I have a new LG front loader machine and it has drove me crazy. I have used only 2 Tablespoons of HE liquid soap. I then have, crazy as it sounds made 7 additional short rinse and spin cycles and still see soap suds in the water. I now want to scream!! My time is too valuable than to spend it on this crazy ridiculous washer. STAY AWAY if you want to get the soap out of your clothes.
Aerylin
Thank you so much for posting this! I just started cloth diapering and I have been so frustrated with my washer every time I try to wash my diapers. I wash wringing them out by hand which is not very effective. Thanks again!
Silas Knight
I had never thought to trick a high efficiency washer before. It makes sense though, I can see why you would want to do that. I need to start keeping really old towels for the same reason!
Lucille Wong
After washing a load of dark clothing the items come out with white streaks. I tried using less detergent, but it still happens and I always use Woolite for dark clothing. I’m sure there is a lack of water. I really hate my machine.
Chell
Mine too so I then wash them again with white vinegar only and that takes the white streaks off. I hope that works for you.
Sandy
Its very simple. Just fill up two large empty laundry bottles with water and lower them into the washer as it fills. Leave the lid up so it can’t start agitating if you walk away. It will fill with lots and lots of water because of the extra weight. Take them out, add soap and proceed.
Lauren Hill
Sandy, that’s a helpful tip if you have a top-loader. Most HE Washing machines are front loader, however. And regardless of top-loader or front-loader almost all machines require that you close the door/lower the lid first to allow the sensors to sense accurately.
This might work well if you have one of those rare machines that doesn’t require the lid to be closed! 🙂
Lindsey
For the top loaders, I use a magnet to get around having to close the lid. There is a small raised rectangular piece one the frame and one on the lid (shaped like a magnet, because it is). That’s where you put your magnet.
Doing this is what led me here because I could then see that there was no way the clothes were being washed. I now loathe he washers.
E DUSHAS
My top loader will not fill if the top is open even though I put deep water wash there is barely enough water to wet the clothes if I put water in befor starting the machine drains befor it senses the load someone must know some way to get around these ridiculous machines is there a way to make the machine think the top is down
Lauren Hill
E,
In my experience, there’s not a way to trick the machine into thinking the lid is open. That would be nice!
But even if you could, the machine has water sensors and will drain the tub when it thinks there’s too much water. Such a pain! :/
-Lauren
irene hoffman
you bet. the maytag handbook states to “add more water” under the solution column for several troubleshooting categories, with NO INSTRUCTION on how to do it. So far, I wait until the sensor cycle is over, stand over the machine as it fills for wash, then put a large bucket of water, as the wash cycle begins, JUST TO COVER THE CLOTHING SLIGHTLY MORE THAN THEY ARE. (A youtube suggestion stated to dampen the clothes first.) I can still see portions of my clothes that have never gotten wet-53 minutes of agitation still not pul these garments under the shallow water. This prewash routine does nothing for my rinse cycle because I can watch through the glass top that is a feature of this maytag. Also, Deep water wash setting does nothing more than the normal setting, and I am so disappointed that the solution has not been resolved before these machines were marketed. The lengthy cycle, with such little water to adequately get the dirt out, in spite of the detergent, leaves me with less-than-clean clothes, making me put them through another wash/rinse cycle – which DOES NOT SAVE WATER. HELP!!
Precious
I bought this washer 2 weeks ago and I’m debating on returning, not enough water clothes were still dirty and not fresh !! I tried all tbe cycles then I tried the wash your washer cycle !! So much water with nothing in it to wash so for the past 3 loads I
I put my load to one side in the washer put detergent and use that cycle then when the sensor light goes to wash I turn it to bulky cycle and It adds water to the top !!! Clothes get clean..☺ hope this helps
Martin R Gutzmer
small magnet placed on the magnetic switch
Julie B
You could press the pause button after the washer has filled up ( that releases the lock latch )
Fill with more water then close lid and press Start.
Steven w
I trick the machine into thinking that there was less water in it then it thought.Heres how,on the back of most top loaders there is a air line that goes to the control board,cut this line and install a tee fitting in it.Install another air line into the tee,the other end of the line goes to a two inch piece of pvc pipe 20 inchs long with caps on both ends.drill a hole in the bottom cap and tap in a small valve with a hose barb on the other side of the valve,now attach the other end of the hose to the valve.On some cycles you will want to turn the valve to off because the program is wrote to add a lot of water as in clean washer drum cycle. If you don’t turn the valley off you will have water on the floor.But on cycles that don’t add enough to water open the valve,as the machine fills with water the air in the pvc pipe compresses and there is less. Pressure on the sensor, making the machine think that it needs to add more water until the pressure is high enough .
Jan
Unfortunately that would void your warranty on the machine.
Ronda
Wow! I have to really think about this! You can remove the locking mechanism, and then snap it into the mechanism below permanently to make the washer believe it is closed. There is a yt video on it, and how to bypass the temperature sensor by moving it under the hood….in front, with the 2 screws on the top back… these machines are STUPID! I’m going for a used Speed Queen.
Haley Tyndall
Or just go buy a GE either-or washer! At least GE has smartened up and gives customers a choice about this silly “water-saver” stuff. How is it saving water if you have to rewash your laundry several times to even get it wet??????
Rich
GE Energy Star top load washer — ( first off, it’s a JUNK -) I removed the 2 screws which held the plastic switch actuator to the LID , so the actuator or contactor can stay engaged in the switch / lock portion , but I can open the lid at will. When I want to simulate ( or to signal the electronics ) that the lid was opened or closed, ( such as END or START NEW cycle, I can simply pull out or insert the plastic actuator into the switch / lock … I needed to do this just to see how the wash cycle performs because my clothes was never clean… — The problem is WATER LEVEL TOO LOW. to wash clothes properly .
I’m left wondering where all the ” energy savings ” comes into play as I have to rewash my stuff – and the wash cycle goes on for about 45 min. — used to be less then 20 min. using my old machine ….. JUNK – JUNK – JUNK ………..
Robert
As for a front-loader: what happens if you add the extra water yourself? What I mean is, wait for it to stop filling, then open the slot meant for putting in detergent and just pour in a gallon of water. DISCLAIMER: I haven’t actually tried this, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.
Lauren Hill
Robert, It might work, but it would throw off the water sensors and might even make the tub drain. As I’m sure you know, the water sensors are pretty sensitive to an increase/decrease in water.
If you try it, let us know if it works!
-Lauren
Nanci Sandel
I add water to my washer every time I use it. I complained so often to A&E that the repairman told me to add enough water that it splashes on the door. Government regulations only allow 1 inch of water and you can’t get your clothes clean in 1 inch of water. I’m on my second front loader the first was the Maytag with the mold problems, I have a Whirlpool duet now. It’s a great washer but you have to add water to get your clothes clean. I’m looking for an older front load SpeedQueen
That I won’t have to add water and won’t take 101 minutes to do a load of laundry. What we really need is for the government to get the hell out of our laundry rooms!
Lauren Hill
Nanci, I agree!
Speed Queens do have an excellent track record. That’s a great idea to look for an older front load model. Smart.
-Lauren
Becky Hansen
I totally agree! I know how I want to do my own laundry! I’m super picky and end up having to babysit it no matter what I do.
The funny thing is that I Love to do laundry!
I have a new LG Top Loader from RC Willeys. I am still trying to find a way to trick it to use more water! I only put in laundry soap and wait for it to fill up all the way to add Clorox I I Liquid. It’s my favorite to kill bacteria of any kind. I usually end up pick the bulky setting no matter what. After the rank is filled then I hit pause and add the liquid. I like to use my hands to help mix it into the laundry machine. A broom stick would probably work better.
I also put it on second rinse. If I don’t see that the water is pure clean then I wait and run an extra rinse cycle.
I’m trying to figure out to over ride the lid on the initial filling up the tank, but haven’t yet!?!?
Any suggestions please email me at [email protected]
Christine S
Amen!!! I wish the government would just take care of stuff that’s actually important. And that’s not my laundry room. I put my clothes in and then I pour water over them so they get wet it makes them heavier. I have a front loader so then I close the door. Sometimes I just use the pre wash. I absolutely hate the thing. My boyfriend just recently bought a top-loading LG that fills up with water. I am so jealous. I’ve only had my washer 2 years and I’m ready to get rid of it and buy one like his!
Jo
It works great. When you put your clothes in add a couple buckets of water, so washer thinks it’s a heavy load, then keep adding pitchers of water to detergent drawer & yeah baby plenty of water in the wash now!!
Cheryl R Zarns
It does work, but I add 2-3 ice cream pails of water about 3-4 minutes into the fill cycle. Makes a world of difference. Sad we have to do this. I have searched online for machines that use MORE water but there are only sites for he machines. Wish I had my old one back, too. I have a Kenmore. Anybody out there who has found a way to adjust the water pressure part to make it add more? I watched the Queen Bee yt video but it wasn’t for a Kenmore. Thanks.
Steve
You have to stand by and pause the cycle when the fill ends and remove to jugs of water before the washing starts
Pamela
that would help on the first wash… but what about the rinse? great idea though!! I’ve been thinking… what can I add that would be safe for the machine 😀
Betty
I recently bought an LG top load washer and dryer. I wondered if you ever came up with any solutions?
I’ve sometimes had to wash my husband’s dirty work clothes through three or four ‘Heavy Duty” cycles in order to get them clean. Usually when the cycle is complete, and I begin taking the laundry out of the washer I can feel that there is grit left in the tub. When that happens I feel that they have to be washed again because I do not want to put dirt in the dryer. The main problem, I’m thinking, is that there isn’t enough water to thoroughly clean the clothes. Granted, My husband often gets extremely dirty working as a farmer and working on his farm equipment. He often has both ground-in dirt mixed with tractor grease on his clothes.
Please let me know if you have any ideas!
Jimmy
I do the same. Pour water on the clothes when I load it to make it heavier for the sensors. Then always do extra rinse.
Karen
No mind doesn’t start until lid is shut. Open it stops and also locks. Hate hate it. Just got in march of this year can’t stand it. I want a old washer with water settings. Can raise lid to add fabric softener. And my clothes are never wet either. Top always dry.
Aeh
My top load will not do anything with the lid raised. It must be closed and locked!
Stephanie
I have a newer HE top loader (only 3 years old) and it doesn’t use enough water! I use HE detergent even less than what they say to use and still can see soap residue especially on the dark clothes! I always add the extra rinse and do small loads! I had a front loader for a short time and got rid of it! I would love to have my old whirlpool back I had for years! To get more water I have to use the bulky items cycle but then I often have to deal with it doing the uneven load thing! It’s a Whirpool Cabrio not top of line but close.
Lauren Hill
Stephanie, I’ve heard your same complaint many times about the Whirlpool Cabrio, so you are definitely not alone!
Try using medium-size loads and see if that will help at all. If nothing else, it will help get rid of the unbalanced load problem.
D
I’m having the same problem. I have been battling with my cloth diapers. I’m having to wash 5 times and still don’t get it all off and now they are developing a stink. I love cloth diapering but with this washer it is a nightmare. I just want an old beast to get the job done. I have 2 in diapers and is 5 so hard to get the time to hand wash.
cheryl
i wash many loads on ‘bulky/bedding’ cycle….this one fills the tub to the top….check the water temperature on this cycle. The new HE machines use very little water unfortunately.
Lauren Hill
Yes, a great tip, Cheryl! That cycle does use more water, so should get the load more wet.
-Lauren
Dave
Solution for the low water level. We had the same problem with not enough water to wash the clothes. I hooked up to the hot and cold water lines a splitter and have extra hot and cold hose lines with shutoff valves on them, and at the splitters there is a shutoff valve. During the sensing water level, you can not add any water or the machine will empty the extra water added. WAIT till the wash cycle and open the lid. You may now add all the water you want using the extra hoses off the splitter hot and cold. Just slowly open the shutoff valves and let the hoses fill to the desired level to cover the clothes. Then close the shutoff valves and shut the lid. You will not loose the water using this WASH cycle. This is the only solution I found that works for all settings and cycles to get desired water level. Oh, this will only work best on top loaders. Hope this helps many.
Sandy lovett
I may have gotten this idea
From you but that is what I do.
I also have found that if you push start and open the top right away to stop it-then put my water in that it won’t drain the excess. I can’t hardly reach the bottom of the washer but have never been able to wash more than 1/3 of the tub. Why don’t they just make a mini!!!
Sandy
I never knew if it was soap residue or dirt as mine doen’t use near enough water. I think the clothes should be covered with water not just damp. I hate mine too. I have a Kennmore
Haley Tyndall
Hi, Lauren–I have a Cabrio too. Hate the blasted thing, even though it was a freebie with this new house! Fortunately, we have a laundry sink next to the washer, so I’m able to stretch the faucet hose over to the washer and fill it the way I want it. But I have to let the beast begin its own fill cycle before I add water, or it’ll just empty the machine. I let it start filling itself (always choose the Bulky item cycle and select the presoak option–that way the clothes really do get thoroughly wet), then hit the pause, lift the lid when it unlocks (sometimes an almost-interminable wait!) and fill to the desired depth. I have to do the same thing for the rinse cycle if I want the clothes rinsed properly. After months of running back to the laundry area to check on the *@+!* thing’s progress, I’ve pretty much figured out how long I have between the presoak/wash and rinse cycle. If I miss it, I just reset to rinse/empty and try again. Oh, how I wish I could afford a new either-or washer that gives the customer a choice regarding this silly-a***d “water saver” nonsense! Doing laundry with my old Maytag large-capacity stacker was a dream compared to this monster! Who has time to coddle a stupid washing machine??????
Lauren Hill
Ain’t nobody got time for that!! Surely not this Mama! 😉
xo, Lauren
Teresa Harshbarger
Why do we have to trade HE for clean clothes? I live in a dirt bowl. We MUST have water and a lot of it in the washer. These HE machines are a joke! This one I have now doesn’t even have an agitator. Nothing gets clean anymore. As much as these things cost, they should fold the laundry too.
So frustrated!
Lauren Hill
Teresa, I totally get your frustration. I don’t think ALL HE washing machines are this way, however, especially the newer models.
You’re totally right – dirty clothes need ample amounts of water to wash effectively, and then rinse effectively!
Lisann
Totally agree. I am so frustrated with my kenmore HE top loader. The clothes routinely come out with the original dirt spots and the dark clothes frequently come out with smeary mystery marks that are impossible to get off. Sears was not helpful at all when contacted.
Lauren Hill
Lisann,
I’m sorry you’re so frustrated. 🙁 What kind of ‘mystery marks’? Are you sure they aren’t grease stains from dryer sheets? Take a peek at this post and make sure they’re not: http://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/grease-stains-on-clothes-from-dryer-sheets/
joanne
I have a new Kenmore washer and I hate it. It has no agitator and will not fill with enough water to clean or rinse properly. The dryer works fine.
Shirley
I have a 2017 Kenmore HE top loader, so it is a newer model. I get white residue on ALL of the dark clothes and have to put them through a rinse/spin cycle and sometimes twice to get rid of the marks. Service tech said to use 1 cup of vinegar in the machine, every 2 weeks (no clothes) to clean the machine. So taking his advise, I ran at least a dozen loads of vinegar water and guess what – still get white residue on my dark clothes. He said I didn’t use HE detergent (wrong, I do); then it was I load the machine wrong (only been doing this for 50 years); then it was I had to use either Tide or Gain, manufacturer recommended (I switched & got the hypoallergenic) and guess what – same problem. He also accused me of using powder detergent – I told him to turn around, there were 4 bottles of HE liquid detergent right behind him (no powder). He was of no use.
Called Sears Customer Service, told to sell my machine & buy a different one from them and they would transfer my extended warranty to the new machine. Isn’t that kind of Sears!!! My machine isn’t even a year old and they want me to sell it myself and purchase another one from them – not a chance.
Pamela
i so agree!!! I didn’t want to get one… but there is like no choice ;-(
holly
I agree Pamela. How can we get manufacturers to listen to us- the people who work, get dirty and need to soak their clothes longer than 10 minutes and need more than 2 cups of water to wash with. This needs a protest! This is worse than a communist country. We have to buy what they sell. It’s not right. We end up doing the laundry 5-6 times and using more water than we would have with one good wash!
Rhonda
My top loader will not spin towels without me having to stop the machine–remove extra towels–try to ring out the water–place it in a basket until I spin 1 towel at a time. THIS is frustrating. I was fine with my Kenmore as well. I had it for years until it just didn’t work anymore. This LG HE is nice to look at but not worth the money.
Just spoke to LG customer service. He advised me to rinse & spin without clothes. If the error code shows then I need service. Really??? This washer has been a pain since day one. I am no longer under warranty.
Things/appliances are not made as they once were–many years ago.
WHEREStheH2O
I also found this issue since changing from a top loader to a front loader doesn’t matter what setting it is on it’s always low on water. My solution,and I don’t know if I’m doing any damage to the machine,I don’t think I am,but I just fill up a couple of empty bottles with water and as the machine has put the washing powder in I simply open the tray and pour the water down into the machine
I know it’s a pain but it seems to fix my issues
It should not be made this way, but hey what can you do.
Melanie
I have a GE topload… It is horrible! There maybe 1 inch of watch in it… MAYBE! I have to add 15-30 minute soak to each load, just to get them wet. I have 5 pair of jeans in a load now, 1 inch of water!!! Nothing gets clean… It takes forever. I told my husband it would be like us trying to bath and shampoo hair, effectively with 1 cup of water!
Lauren Hill
Oh Melanie, how awful! I’m so sorry 🙁
Hope you can find a good solution for you and your laundry.
-Lauren 🙂
Sher
I pour up to a gallon of water on top of the load before starting the machine, this tricks the sensors into adding just enough to cover the load with water. Takes trial and error to not add too much or too little. Good luck!
Martha Winn
My new Amana with auto water fill-level sensor puts TOO MUCH water in for both wash and rinse regardless of the setting. And all the cycles (fill, wash, drain, spin, fill, rinse, drain, and spin) take FOREVER! Clothes come out relatively clean most of the time, but it’s impossible to adjust for a different water level or a different cycle time. My older Whirlpool was way better!
Lauren Hill
Too much water is not typically the problem! Most of the time, people complain that there’s not ENOUGH water.
But I do understand your dilemma – the cycle takes forever with all of that water going in and out.
So frustrating!
-Lauren 🙂
Wendy
I have a whirlpool cabrio that I just bought (11-13-16). I washed 6 dress shirts and there were tons of dry spots on at least 3 of the shirts! I washed them on the casual cycle, heavy soil, steam clean, pre soak, and extra rinse. About an hour and a half to complete the load! So little water, the clothes couldn’t even get completely wet!!!! They can’t be clean since they didn’t even get wet. The water was only about 2″ deep in the tub! Are there any washers that use more water? The Samsung top loader I bought 2 years ago, used much more water! The clothes were under water and the tub would fill at least half way. Unfortunately, they recalled the Samsung because some exploded!
The salesmen at Lowes have told me all the he top leaders use the same amount of water. So no help there! I just want a washer that will use more water so my clothes actually get wet in the washer!
Lauren Hill
Wendy, that is SO frustrating! That hasn’t happened to me personally because our front loader is now 9 years old. The HE washers have really changed in that amount of time, in that they use even less water.
I don’t agree that all HE washers use the same amount of water, but I don’t know the stats on them off the top of my head.
I’ll research a bit and post back here.
So sorry for your frustration!
-Lauren 🙂
Doug
Hi Lauren, From the start i would like to know how you managed to get a modern HE washer to last 9 years. My wife looked into ALL available types and brands of washers before we settled on a large size Whirlpool top loader with the extra fill button and a 1 yr mfg warranty costing around $ 400.00 on sale w/free delivery, set-up, and removal of the old washer from Lowe’s in early 2017. Our large size Frigidaire top loader was on it’s last leg after 34 years. Thirty four years, one pump, three timer/controllers, three sets of water hoses “one of which was expensive”, and a master shutoff valve for the water lines but, hey 34 years. They put in the new washer and i hooked it up because i wanted to use my 1 yr old expensive armored hoses. All was well until the 11th month of the 12 month warranty. First it quit running altogether. Then it wouldn’t run a full cycle. And then the problems with the amount of water and/or temperature started. Whirlpool paid 3 different people from 1 company 7 different times in 1 month to fix our washer. After charging Whirlpool $ 600.00, they ended up changing everything. It ran fine for 2 months, then started in again with water fill/temperature problems. At the time of this email the most we can put in this huge washer is 6 inches worth of clothes with any expectation of getting them clean. We put in a full load of clothes, set the machine to cold wash and rinse, push extra fill, and end up with 6 inches of water at god knows what temperature. What a piece of garbage. It isn’t worth the cost of explosives to blow it straight to hell. Is the 9 yrs you’ve had yours full of expensive repairs? How did you do it? I need a way around the low fill problem. I can always put a diverter valve on the hot side and run cold water into the hot side also. It pumps out any extra water i put in it. Thanks, Doug
ma Holt
I just got a new he maytag. It doesn’t use enough water, and even on the deep fill, it starts churning dry clothes. I think the deep fill is only for the rinse cycle, which doesn’t cure the dry churn problem. Since the lid locks, I will be filling the washer from a faucet until all the clothes are wet, then let the sensors do their thing. It takes such a long time to wash now, that it is definitely not high efficiency.
Lauren Hill
So frustrating! I’m sorry. 🙁
ma Holt
I’m so glad I am not the only one with the problem washer. To trick mine in order to get my towels clean, I poured my soap and several gallons of water into a large plastic tub. I added a couple dirty towels to soak up that water, added more water, and more dirty towels until all my dirty towels were soaking wet. I put one large wet towel into the washer, closed the lid, set my washer for bedding, deep fill, extra rinse, max extract. (you can’t change settings later, so do it first) Then I started the washer. It sensed the one wet towel, started trickling water in (which never touched the towel), and I waited for a minute until I was sure the cycle had “set”. I interrupted the wash, opened the lid, arranged the rest of the dirty sopping towels into the drum, and poured the rest of the soapy water in with it. I closed the lid, and let it add more water. When it began churning, I interrupted again and added enough water to cover the towels. It does not deep fill during the wash cycle. That happens sometime later so the towels did get some clean water through them at one point. The extra rinse spit water onto the agitator while slowly spinning the wet towels that clung to the sides. I am assuming that the soap all got rinsed out, so when they had been spun, I put them into the dryer.
I described to my husband what I had to do. He solved the problem once and for all. He returned the washer. Now I just have to check my credit card to make sure they credit me for the cost.
db
I do not like my brand new HE (top load). My towels/comforter smell musty and my clothes do not get very clean. Adding more water or hand washing the stains/stinky clothes is not what I paid over a thousand dollars for. I am doing more work and feeling frustrated often. I am going to try to return the washer and dryer I bought. A matched set means I have to try to return both.
Jason L
I have a LG top load HE washer. Never uses enough water, in my honest option. Simple solution! I add a gallon of water to the clothes before turning on the washer. The extra weight tricks the washer into filling fuller and, I think, washing my clothes better. But… this does take away the intended purpose of a high efficiency washer…
Andrea
so i am from the old school of washing as most of us are and we cant get past the concept that so little water can wash clothes good enough. So I started adding detergent loads of water to the tub after I started the cycle ( I would pause it to open the lid ) Because I did this I totally threw off my washers sensing. now all my clothes are drenched when the cycle is finished. I have to wring out everything before putting them in the dryer. How can I fix this? How can I trick my washer? I am trying to collect the water in the soap containers so when the cycle starts Ill just take out the containers hoping that when it spins it will think it has to spin and drain out all the water that it poured out (but was taken out already in the collected containers of water). Will this work? or does it sense it by water level rather than weight?
Lauren Hill
Andrea, that is a LOT of work just to wash a load of clothes! Because you’re adding water, the washer doesn’t know how to sense the water level accurately. This also happens when your load of clothes is too small in a front loader.
I would stop trying to “trick” it with every load. That just gets old.
Any chance you can sell this washer and get a different one?
-Lauren
lori ash
I just bought a new washer and dyer, Kenmore HE. I really don’t like the washer!
Lauren Hill
Oh Lori, I’m sorry. 🙁 It’s hard to make such a huge purchase and then be completely unhappy! Hope you can figure out how to make it work for you.
-Lauren 🙂
Lisey
I agree. I loved being able to fill the washer and go to bed, letting my clothes soak out stains. Now I do that in the sink and then put the wet clothes in the washer. I choose spin only and after that I wash them. I do miss my old inefficient washer. Thanks for having this site. I don’t feel so alone.
Chuck Brock
two pairs of old tennis shoes in lingerie bags trick the weight sensors and the tub fllls up with more water. It is a perfect solution for me.
Chuck
Tom
just add several cups of water before the cycle start, it will trick the washer thinking heavier load, and will fill more water.
Angela
I’m going to get some towels and a gallon jug of water to trick the load sensors with but what a pain! I do not have access to water in the garage where the machine is so will be hauling water out there through the living room and the front door of the apartment to there. Be that as it may, it’s when I do big loads of wash that not all clothes get wet during the wash cycle so will this help?
My washer lid locks after a couple minutes so it’s really hard to tell what’s going on in there. I rent and have had to move twice in 6 months so I’m stuck here for a couple years or no new landlord will take me. :-/
Oh, and I just gave away my 20 year old washer and dryer set that I had in storage for the last 15 years (so that it was essentially 5 years old) right before I moved into this rental with the new HE washer. Little did I know about HE washers. I could cry.
Dave
I have a newer 2016 GE washer and dryer , it has a deep fill option , and is HE top loader with 4.2 drum , it will fill the tub to the top , the only problem I have is the washer times are over 1 hour and 15 min’s … it also doesnt sound like ur normal washer , so something to check out if you just want more water .
As for me I’m going to take a loss on this set and just ordered a set of speed queens , only company for now still making old school washer’s .. until 2018 when every thing has to go HE . =/
One of the top reasons I’m wanting the speed queens 35 min wash times
When I get this set the washer is only 3.3 drum so I will do a king size comforter test on youtbe to see if its possible
Where my GE 4.2 washer right now fits both king size sheets “2” and the comforter no problem
Patrick Carroll
According to Consumer Reports, a front loader washer should fill to just below the bottom of the door gasket. I have a Whirlpool Duet washer that never puts anwhere near that amount of water into the tub. The clothes absorb the water and leave nothing visible in the tub. How that little water can do a proper wash is beyond me. The rinse cycles do use more water, but by then the clohes are heavier than when they first go in, and there is some visible water in the tub. I think the idea of soaking the clothes before putting them into the washer is the best solution.
I had a Whirlpool tech check the washer. He ran a special cycle and said the machine was up to specs. He wouldn’t allow me to show him how it worked doing a real wash, however. I suspect Whirlpool knows they have a problem with the water levels in these machines but won’t issue a fix because it would probably affect thousands of machines and cost too much.
cathy foiles
Bought new Samsung top load just like everyone else not enough water leaves some kind of spots on clothes. Maybe they need to be sued!! Pissed
Jake
All the he machine uses a small amount of water, after my wife got mad I fixed the machine my way. I put a switch on the front panel and thru a relay rewired the water control valve, now with a push of the button my wife can add water as much as she wants, piece and quite now😁 My machine for you techies theb valve is 12vac installed 11 termial relay 3 contacts NO 3 NC pri coil 12v dc, plus switch. Washer wiring I isolated thru the NC contacts. Works great. Obama’s better idea save water and have dirty clothes. Also make everyone put their machine on max water on bulky setting use more water.
Lauren Hill
Wow. That’s some serious fabricating. My husband and father in law would be most impressed!! 🙂
Susan
Jake, you should do a how to video!
Sharon
The Kenmore HE large load machine I have tears clothes up at an alarming rate, I’d like to know how that is energy efficient. It never gets all the clothes wet so I ended asking hubby to make me a short piece of garden hose and hooked it up to the deep sink next to the washer, I use that to add more water. Its still takes to long to wash as it spends more than half of the 56 minute cycle sensing. It also dumps all the soap and water if you forget and hit the power button rather than the start button. Using that machine is just a painful experience. My husband and I both hate this machine more than anything we have every bought. He got very angry with it when he bought a pair of heavy twill shorts and the machine ate them (8 inch rip) on the first wash. Replacing clothes after one wearing is not a good option for the landfills. We ended up with a new speed queen (water level options like the old days) and the Kenmore was put in the garage, hopefully soon out the door for good.
Donna
I am an exhausted middle aged working mother, and that means that little things make me happy. Finding this forum of people who hate their HE washers as much as I do, with the accompanying tips, just made me very happy as I do laundry at 1:37 a.m. I have a new top-loading HE Maytag. (I actually tried to buy a decent old school non-HE washer, and they are hard to come by in my area.) The good news: it allows you to pause the cycle and soak for as long as you want (thank you, Oxi-Clean) without draining. It also has a deep fill setting, but I am not sure if that only helps on the rinse cycles. The bad news: my basic solution is to run every load twice; first with extra detergent (always Tide) and double rinses; then a second time with no detergent completely through the wash and double rinse cycles. This gets clothes clean, but takes forever and is not saving water or energy. Bummer. But rock on, laundry perfectionists. And thank you.
Lauren Hill
Donna, your comment totally made me laugh out loud! Laundry at 1:37am….oh BTDT, unfortunately. Actually, you have several washer features I would love to have, especially the pausing the cycle. That rocks.
Carry on, Laundry Mama. xoxo
Carol in San Diego, CA.
Thank you for your comments – Donna and everyone else ! I am looking at new washers and feel quite disheartened at the choices. It really seems as if “we” (the average hard working busy American) are being fooled by manufacturers/marketing. I have to laugh at all the tricks devised to fool our “smart” washers. For this I am going to pay close to $1000 ?!?! Hmmmm…
Brandi Kelly
I am just as happy as you are about this website and emphasize completely because I am in the exact same situation!! I have become a compulsive complainer and VERY IRRITATED woman! I am picky about my laundry so I have chosen to torture myself endlessly for the family ( 1 electrician husband, 3 teens & 7 furry friends) because none of us would have clean clothes and non stinky towels if they had to go through these heroics!! I DESPISE our year old Samsung HE… I was super excited to have a new washer & dryer set, I felt like I was finally living the proverbial “American Dream”! Bah hahah, boy was fooled! 😛
Hang in there ladies, hopefully we can get clean clothes and some sleep eventually!!
Connie
I just bought a top loading he whirlpool and have discovered that I want control of my water level again !!! To be honest I appreciate that I can finally do bedding at home because without the agitator I have a larger tub now. I despise laundromats! Also our regular loads seem to be getting clean. But here’s the real rub. I often have to do items by themselves that bleed fabric dye (jeans, both black and blue, and reds are the worst) I have yet to figure out how to wash them in this he topload machine without ruining other clothes (towels)!!! Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Lauren Hill
Hey Connie – Are the jeans (blue, black, reds) ruining the other clothes because the dyes are bleeding? Is that the trouble?
If so, have you tried you something like a Shout color catcher? They’re usually effective.
Let me know if it’s a different problem and I misunderstood. 🙂
-Lauren 🙂
Connie Johnson
Never knew these color catcher sheets existed…. Now to give them a try… Thanks Lauren!
Janet
I bought a new whirlpool top load washed last year at sears . I am so disappointed in he washer it does not get the clothes clean. I wish it would clean as good as my old one with large agitator. I guess I’ll have to start going to the laundry mat to get my clothes clean. So disappointed. If friends ask I will tell them not to buy whirlpool. I have had whirlpool appliances for years but will not buy anymore.
Tammy Litke
Reusable Carbona Color Grabbers are amazing for keeping dye off other clothes you can use them for 30 washes and they work great.
I got rid of a pretty good Frigidaire front loader set last year for a Maytag HE top loader 1) because we had it for about 10 years and the gasket was starting to get gross and 2) the home we moved into with it the laundry room is quite a bit smaller than our old one and it was taking up a bigger footprint than I wanted. But I’m sorely disappointed in my choice since it leaves the white marks on some of the dark clothing. I haven’t tried the bulky setting yet so after reading this, I’m going to try it otherwise after having it for only a year, I may be looking for a new set again. I’ll go back to a front loader or an agitator when I do.
Debra Wickliffe
I hate that new HE washing machines. I sent mine back to the store. I bought a used washer instead that was not HE. If you want to trick your washer on to filling all the way,fill 2 bleach bottles full of water set them in the machine while it fills with water and it tricks the machine. But this is wrong that we have to pay for a machine that does not clean our clothes. What happened to freedom of choice. Everyone should refuse to buy the new washers and purchase a used washer that is not HE until the manufacturers get the message.
Louisa Cauvin
I have always believed that it is best to fill the washer with the desired amount of water, then add the detergent at some point so it is dissolved in the water before adding the clothes. In that way, the detergent-laden water is absorbed directly into the dry clothes and will theoretically do a better job cleaning them. Now with my new LG top loader I have not figured out a way to do it. Is there no way to fill the machine without clothes in it short of doing major modifications that would void the warranty?
Rebecca
I absolutely agree, and they will only take it back if it’s broke????? How is not getting my clothes clean and have lint and dog hair all over them in a large tub only filling with clothes like a small load …….NOT BROKE….. MY TOP LOADER IS AWEFUL. My other was a front loader, smelled aweful but at least got my clothes clean, I just needed to clean the tub and rubber seals and clean out lower drain often. I could live with that, this I can’t live with so tried to return , they came they saw said it wasn’t broke!!! Really? Lint and hair all through my clothes, explanation was, “ we should have chose one for animal hair????? Didn’t notice a big red tag saying for dog hair, and lint, seems like it’s a common sense thing, just like my other lg that washed my clothes beautifully. So for the ramble, just very angry with lg and home depo for not letting me switch. Never again all my lg appliances I currently have when the time comes will be replaced with a reputable companies appliance, clearly LG is no longer one.
Willi Kool
I am so glad I found this side Because now I don’t feel alone with this blankety blankety machine What a pain .
WILL TRY SOME OF THE TRICKS THAT WAS MENTIONED
Willi
sas
I have heard some people keep empty Gatorade bottles, fill them with water and put them in the washer at the start of the cycle. The weight causes the washing machine to load more water. Worst case scenario, the bottles pop open and spew water on the garments. But, that isn’t the case. It’s said this works.
Robin
After 27 years, my trustworthy Kenmore died (top load). Like everybody else, I bought a new HE washer (top load, because I worry about a seal failure on front load door). Anyhow, I was stunned at the dingy clothes coming from my new HE Maytag. My trick is to start the washer using the “deep fill” option. When I have enough water, say 1/3 – 1/2 full, I add the detergent (maybe some Oxyclean too), close the lid and agitate to dissolve the detergent. Then I change the cycle from “deep fill” back to one of the other cycles (normal, bulky, power wash, etc). True, it is a pain in my butt, but this way my clothes aren’t dingy. I hope Maytag’s engineers and all of Maytag management burn in hell for what they have done to the trusting consumer.
Deirdre Wildman
Does anyone have a top loader they don’t HATE? I have been doing a lot of research and cannot seem to find a washing machine that is ‘mostly’ liked. I need to buy one but am SO confused about which one to buy. I would really appreciate help!
Dr. Hardcrab
I’m a maintenance supervisor at a large retirement community. Almost ever residence has a stackable unit (because of space constraints). I’m starting to see that ALL washers have the “auto fill” feature. Let me tell you: The residents do NOT like it! Unfortunately, I can’t find any brands that do NOT have it. I read somewhere that in order for a manufacturer to get an Energy Star rating on their washer, they HAVE to have the auto fill feature. Someone needs to tweak it a little better if you ask me!
frank
We’ve a LG top load WT 1101–no agitator design HE unit
It leaves residue on clothes- L G will not recognize the problem-which seems to be that there is insufficient water levels when in cleaning and rinse.
You can look at the wash load from the top since there is a window on the top lid of the machine. You can see portions of the clothing not get wet even with the agitation via the drum’s vigorous action. We have an extended warranty and each repair session led to either replacng the control panel or recommending we use less detergent. Has anyone had success in getting a replacement from LG or the supplier. In this case, Best Buy. I might add that Consumer Reports rated this an excellent machine back in 2013. They have not revised their review of this flawed machine. I will try some of the tricks that have been suggested. However, once the unit is in rinse cycle, it will sense the actual weight/volume of clothes and thus not fill with adequate water volume.
Anyone have recommendations on a new make and model?
Kathy Pollard
I have both top and front load HE machines (one in Florida home). I HATE BOTH OF THEM!!!!!!! Wish I had my thirty year old Maytag back, it actually got laundry clean in less than 30 minutes a load. Miracle? No, it was FULL of water! I would personally like to tar and feather the moron who approved doing laundry with a quart of water! Currently it take 2 days do do the laundry that used to be done in 3.5 hours. How does it conserve water and power when I have to wash 1 sheet at a time TWICE with extra rinse to get the same cleanliness as my old washing machine that I could cram full? And before any snarky replies come back; yes, we shower and shampoo daily; no, we are not fishermen, firemen, HAzmat workers, or any other profession that generates unusual amounts of odor. These washer aren’t worth $20!
Miffed at making more work for me
I feel so tricked! I “gave” away my top loading, perfectly working, Maytag washer with an agitator for $100. I’d pay $500 to have it back instead of the LG he top loading machine I have now. Like all those before me have stated, My clothes don’t get clean! Toothpaste spots on nightshirts don’t come out and that isn’t even a stain! All kinds of lint remain on the clothes. My old Maytag had a filter that collected all that stuff (lint. cat hairs, etc.)
With the new he maching what does come off is in the dryer filter. There must be some fix to this with the electronics. They can diagnose what is wrong with the machine with an app on your smartphone, so make it add more water!!!
Val
I also hate my front load! There is simply not enough water to clean clothes properly. It seems to use the same amount of water for a very small load or a large load. It is a pain cause more often than not, I take clothes out of the washer and certain items still stink like they have not been washed! So that means have to run the machine a second time for same load, that’s right, another one and a half hours! It takes forever to do laundry and have clean clothes. Not to mention the clothes that was only half wet after a full wash cycle with max water selected ! I am very frustrated with my front load but cannot afford to buy another machine. I would never recommend this to anyone! I think the only people that like front load he are the people who are in a/c all the time and never get dirty, so they dont really know how badly the front load he washes.
Dmitri S
This article old but still current! Here’s my fix – water level – simply adjust water pressure sensor in your front loader and you can adjust it as much as you’d like! it may be tricky for some so pick someone who’s handy enough 🙂 on my Samsung washer I twisted dial two full rounds and I swear by my supper-bright-white-socks! 🙂 That problem solved. To solve the spinning nightmare – most these smart HE front loaders are simply dumb piece of metal with motor – they all the same so what matters is the man who makes them. The only smart man who solved spinning issue apparently works in Electrolux. My Samsung can take hours to spin at times, then at the end just give up and leaves laundry soaked it’s because it just trying to spin then stops, then repeats – it’s like trying to walk through little doggie door – no matter how you try not going to happen so stop there 🙂 My Electrolux machines (I have two 2000s model and 2017 model) both have no spin cycle issues because it re-arranges clothes without stop and on the fly. don’t know how to explain it better but instead of completely stopping it just slows down enough to rearrange clothes then trying again, if not perfect it’s slowing down a little again, rearrange and then spins – never spent more than 5 minutes to take off! I swear by these as far as spin cycles but still use too little water so I just adjust water pressure sensor to get perfect washing machine! 🙂 good luck to all!
Heather
To fix the water level issue, I finally came across the hack of a lifetime! Remove the screws holding the top (Front end loading) on and then push it back and lift it up. Take a screwdriver and turn the water sensor screw (may have to remove red rubber looking stuff surrounding the screw) make sure to hold the bottom part of where this screw is so nothing gets broken. Turn the screw so that it goes further down into the hole not out of it. This opens the valve and will give you more eater in the tub, the further down the higher the water level. Hope that will be helpful, we finally have clean clothes again!!! Now the sensing timer, still looking for the hack on that stupid thing.
Me
You’re not doing it right:
https://www.consumerreports.org/washing-machines/yes-your-washing-machine-is-using-enough-water/
Unzufrieden
Is there some electricians who can tell us how to remove the auto sensor and replace it with a water level switch???
That’s my dream! I don’t care that it would say 2 settings and yet I could change the water level manually with a choice of 3-4 water levels. I could just use a sharpie to mark where the switch needs to click for each setting!
August
Got a frigidaire washer/dryer and selecting max fill still doesn’t fill it with enough water.
Gabe
WORST EVER!!!!! Just bought a new LG top loader washer and dryer. So many complaints I don’t even know where to start! Dryer doesn’t dry. HELLO! Dryer doesn’t dry!!! Is that not the definition of a dryer??????? I was told to just fluff the clothes and turn it on again. It will sense that the clothes are still wet and dry them further. Not acceptable. Spoke to a few ladies at work. All replied with the same answer–use a timed cycle and crank the time up as high as possible. Thank goodness I have that option!!! So now I skip every option and just crank the crap out of that timer. Really! These complaints date back 2011. 8 years later we are all trying to outsmart our smart appliances.
Same complaint with the washer. Clothes not cleaned. Not enough water. I washed a jacket with dirt on the front zipper where the jacket gets used most. Do you know the jacket started washing with the zipper on the top (I can see this because I have a glass top) and never, never, never, flipped. The zipper part of the jacket never ever got a thorough cleaning. It stayed on top the entire time. WOW!!! A washer that does not wash. Is that not a definition of a washer????? As far as the water level, before I start the wash cycle I add water myself as others have stated. I think this way the machine senses a heavier load and adds more water.
All the eco friendly updates are actually causing everyone to use more resources!! Genius. Brilliant.