American Washing Machine, got one?

[Rhiannon]

Do you have an American top-loading washing machine that takes a large load? If so how does it compare with the standard British type and where did you get it and how much was it? Thanks.
I live just north of London.

Yes I have one and I love it. It takes an 18lb load and cost around £500. Best thing is you can open it after the cycle has started to put extra stuff in and it has a great cold wash cycle. Only problem is that you have to use handwash detergent which is quite expensive. I only do 3 loads of washing a week now as opposed to 6-7 in the old days. I bought mine from "Buyers & Sellers" in Notting Hill. I know Harrods have a good selection if you want to look at one.

Dear Bells

Thank you so much for replying to my plea! More questions, can you let me know it's measurements and does it take less time to wash a load. When I've been to the States the washers I've used only seem to take about half and hour (but maybe that's because they're industrial hotel ones?)
What make and model is yours.

Thanks.

DO you really use Persil Tablets? I can't believe I've been faffing about with handwash in that case.. When I bought it, it came with instructions that you should only use handwash as detergents for front loaders would create too many suds....... Something to do with the size and power of the washing mechanism. I know in the states and Oz you can buy special top loading detergent but I haven't seen it here. Will certainly give the tablets a go as having a mountain of small handwash boxes in our utility room is a real pain. Anyway Rhiannon, mine is 27" wide by 36" high. It is the Whirpool Heavy Duty model. The shorter cycles take about 30 mins and the longest around 50 mins.

Thank you Bells and Suew, I love this website!
Now I just have to figure out where I'm going to put it and I'm off shopping!

Suew, hey a Boden fan, I just discovered them, aren't they great. The bright colours and designs make Next catalogues seem downright dull. Are they Australian?

Hi Lil, no they're english and fantastic. I discovered them about 3 years ago, the kids stuff lasts so well and is being passed down to baby 2 in immaculate condition, apart from the recent tartan trousers that were worn to death!

We went to The Old Bell in Malmesbury last year and I thought I was on a boden photo shoot, mothers and kids in it everywhere! Hasnt put me off too much though!

Bells and Suew and anyone with experience!

I'm looking at an Admiral AW22, which as it's name suggest takes a 22lb load but it also takes 172 litres of water per wash which is 100 litres more than an ordinary machine. This is coming directly out of your hot water tank as the American ones don't heat cold water like the English ones do. How does this affect the bills, anyone noticed? As they use a different method to wash the clothes, do they get battered by the washer?? Thanks Rhiannon.

In Australia and the US, a cold wash is pretty much the norm and those machines generally cold wash very well. I do all my washes with cold water and while I sometimes have to soak things first, I never have problems. It is also much kinder to your clothes.

I presume your comparison on hot water usage doesn't take into account the bigger load size?. Our load size is 18lb which from memory is almost double the average load size of a front loader so the increase in bills overall probably isn't that bad.

Also Rhiannon, if you get a chance would you mind posting what the official advice on detergents is? I have rushed out to buy my Persil tablets already...

Don't worry SueW - you are clearly a true laundry afficionado so if Persil tablets are good enough for you, they are certainly good enough for me!!. Just curious to hear what manufacturerd other than Whirlpool tell their customers.

I hate to disagree, but having used both American and European machines for extensive periods, I find the American ones, although a fantastic size, do not give anywhere near such good results as a similar-priced front-loading model. I lost count of the times I had to wash things 2 or 3 times to get them clean in an American top-loader. I hate having to do a job more than once, if I don't have to. I agree American machines are wonderful for quilts and other large items, but for your standard filthy 4-child family, give me my Bosch Maxx any day!

Mooma, thanks for the advice. Can you remember the make of the US machine you had?

Rhiannon

Rhiannon - re: American machines, I think it was a Phillips Whirlpool in one house and a Maytag in the other, but it was a few years ago. My friend lives in the USA and agrees with me about the relatively superior cleaning power of European machines. I was interested in the postings about cold washes though, as I never thought that would work, especially as most powders & liquids are designed to work at 40 degrees.
The Bosch Maxx is less than £400 and takes a 13lb load, but be warned, that's on the cottons cycle. If you stuff the same amount in for easy-care or woolens, the laundry doesn't rinse adequately. The manual does recommend smaller loads on the other cycles - I was just hopeful!
My daughters are telling me I am too sad for words, to be posting enthusiastic messages about laundry, so I will stop!!

We now have an Indesit washing machine, I had a Servis before that, and my mum has a Servis as well. I thought I would never have anything but a Servis, but, my friend has an Indesit and when the other went on a very ill trip, friends husband had given it a lot of attention, she recommended an Indesit. it is a great washing machine, holds a good load of dirty clothes, and they do get dirty in our house (farm dirt etc) and spins them well, and it was only £199.99 from Curry's last April, it is on every day twice a day. I can remember my mum having a top loading Hotpoint, I never have liked them, couldn't get enough in for me!!

The majority of people in Australia would probably use a top-loading washing machine. They clean very well but, depending on the action, can mangle the clothes a bit. I am forever losing underwires, having seems split and press-studs ripped off baby clothes if left done up during the wash. The majority of laundry powders/liquids on the market in Australia are for top-loading machines, the front-loading ones, apparently, need lower sudsing detergents. My SIL has a front-loader and raves about it, except that she has to bend down to put the load in/take it out and she can't empty nappy buckets straight into it like you can with a top loader. I am considering buying a front-loading machine next time as they use a lot less water than top-loaders and this is a serious consideration on a farm in Australia!

Well, I've made up my mind, seen one in Costco for less than £350. A Whirlpool one that takes an 18lb load so I'm going to get it tomorrow. I'm going to make sure I put the delicates in a pillow case. Thanks for all the advice.

Sounds like my model. I've never had any problems although I do use stocking bags for delicates as a matter of course. I get my mum to send them over from Oz - not sure if you can buy them here. Welcome to the world of being able to do a whole kingsize bed linen change is a single load - bliss!.

To all u lot interested in BIG TOP LOADERS ETC....I used to work for a washing machine company and they specialised in Industrial washers, including the american MAYTAG type and others which fail my memory bank at the moment for names....Although they mainly supply to the commercial lauderettes and nursing homes in this country we often had orders for people in they're own domestic abode so if anyof you are interested the company was John Laithwaites Ltd (JLA Ltd) based up in Halifax Tel 01422 822282. Haven't worked there for years though so don't know what the latest models etc are.....

Rhiannon how did you get on with your Costco washer? I'd looked at that one too - did you have to have special plumbing for it?