Back in September, federal safety regulators advised owners of Samsung washing machine owners to go easy on their heavy laundry loads after several folks had complained about violent, almost explosive, vibrations. Now, more than a month later, Samsung is recalling nearly 3 million machines and disclosing that these washers have done some significant damage to users — like breaking one person’s jaw. [More]
washing machines
Are Front-Loading Washers Still Mold Machines?
By 5.4.15 — Updated: 5.23.17
Newer front-loading washing machines have developed a reputation for growing mold. Lawsuits also sprouted in the front-loader market, but washing machine manufacturers were ultimately not found liable for inflicting moldy washers on the public. That might make you hesitant to buy a front-loading washer, even if you find them appealing. [More]
LG Figures Out What To Do With Washing Machine Pedestals — Put A Small Washer In Them
By 1.5.15
For years, washing machine makers have been upselling consumers on pricey but pretty much useless pedestals to put under their front-loading machines. At best, these products have been expensive metal drawers that save your back by forcing you to not bend over as far. But this morning at International CES, LG introduced a novel idea — stick a smaller washing machine in the pedestal. [More]
Detergent Pods Shouldn’t Be This Hard To Figure Out
By 4.18.14
Lauren is upset with Procter & Gamble, the makers of Tide. While detergent pods are a boon to been laundromat customers and people who dislike measuring things. Some people have had trouble with the pods, though. Detergent isn’t supposed to stain your laundry. It’s supposed to do the exact opposite of that. Yet customers say that it’s discrepancies in the instructions that cause problems for pod people. [More]
Samsung Indifferent About Exploding Washing Machines
By 4.3.14
Maybe my standards are low, but I do expect my home appliances not to explode. When that happened to one Missouri couple, they called up Samsung for help. Since the couple had owned the machine for 14 months, the warranty was up and Samsung didn’t particularly care. They had spent $1000 on the machine, and expected more from Samsung. [More]
Supreme Court Won’t Stop Class-Action Lawsuits Over Front-Loading Washing Machines
By 2.24.14
After several years of shutting down class-action lawsuits or affirming businesses’ ability to preempt such suits with forced arbitration, the U.S. Supreme Court today chose not to hear challenges to a trio of class actions about supposedly defective washing machines from three leading manufacturers. [More]
Some Fancy New Laundry Products Are Utterly Pointless
By 8.19.10
Our colleagues at Consumer Reports test all sorts of products to determine which are worth buying, and which aren’t. This month, they rounded up some laundry products currently on the market that aren’t worth picking up in the store: including a detergent blessed by Martha Stewart herself that wasn’t any more effective than plain water. [More]
10 Tips For Extending The Life Of Your Washer & Dryer
By 6.15.10
Buying a washing machine or a dryer is a huge annoyance and expenditure; something you want to do as few times in your life as possible. That’s why the folks at FreeShipping.org have come up with a list of 10 things you can do to help keep your washer washing and dryer drying for years to come. [More]
4 Reasons Consumers Still Buy Top-Loading Washing Machines
By 4.14.10
Even though front-loading washing machines are generally more efficient and clean your dirty duds better than old-school top-loading machines, some surveys show that around 3 out of 4 American households are still loading from above. Our brighter brethren at Consumer Reports endeavored to find out why. [More]
Twitter Complaint Makes Maytag Step Up, Fix Problem Washer
By 4.14.10
Matt tells Consumerist that he was disappointed in his Maytag washing machine, which had required two service visits in as many years. Maytag’s social media team, monitoring the Internets for unhappy customers, saw his frustrated tweet about the washing machine, and reached out to him to set things right. [More]
GE's Washer Repair Service Puts Me In The Spin Cycle
By 4.7.10
Kay says GE is handling her washer repair about as well as Carlos Zambrano handled Opening Day. Repair techs have come out several times, suggesting various fixes, none of which have panned out. Now she wonders whether or not her washer will ever get repaired. [More]
How To Take Care Of Your Dishwasher, Washing Machine, And Oven
By 3.15.10
My friends broke the high-efficiency (H.E.) washing machine in their new apartment last year because they were using too much soap. Alina Tugend at the New York Times says it’s a common problem–one repairman told her that “most people use 10 to 15 times the amount of soap they need.” [More]
Help, Whirpool Replaced My Leaky Washer With A Brand New Leaky Washer!
By 2.2.08
Ken writes: “In February of 2007, we purchased a Whirlpool Duet Sport Washer, model XWWFW8410SW. The washer worked very well, and we noticed a savings in our water and electric bill. A few months later, we noticed it was leaking water. Fortunately, the washer is in the garage. We called our local appliance dealer, and they sent out a service technician. He “fixed” the leak. A couple of days later, it began leaking again. And it was fixed again. The door was replaced. The lock was replaced. The ring was replaced. Everything was caulked, adjusted, tweaked, etc. Again it leaked.”
Sears Front-Loading Washer Leaves Clothes Stinky
By 12.7.07
Karen, a self-described, “Stinky Mom,” writes:
I have had nothing but trouble w/ my high efficiency washer – my house STINKS, my clothes STINK, my towels STINK and now my FAMILY STINKS!!! I think as a Mom you’ve had enough when the kids at school laugh at your son because his jeans STINK!!!! I’ve had Sears out a number of times (will get my service) records – and even had the senior customer service person who deals with this type of washer say “I’m surprised they haven’t recalled the washers, we get this complaint all the time”!!
Lowe's Installers Fail To Follow 9-Step "Easy Guide To Quick Setup," Break Washing Machine
By 9.30.07
Poor Eric. He only wanted Lowe’s to deliver and install a Bosch washing machine, a tall order for any home improvement giant. Eric chose Lowe’s to escape Home Depot’s notoriously horrible customer service, but Lowe’s installers turned out to be just as incompetent. Thanks to their shoddy workmanship, Eric new washing machine has an uncontrollable urge to shake across the room when in use.
I finally realized why it was moving; the installer did not read the “Easy guide to quick setup” booklet with only 9 steps to follow through. The most essential step which was in big bold letters stating “removing the transport bolts is VERY IMPORTANT!”.
Bosch insists that the washer is damaged, but Lowe’s refuses to deliver a replacement. Eric writes:
Consumer Reports: GE Washers That Make Clothes Dirtier?
By 7.3.07
Consumer Reports tested some washers in June and found two that left stain-soaked swatches nearly as dirty as when they went in. Now further tests have revealed that the washing machines actually made the clothes dirtier! From Consumer Reports:
Door seals in the GE WCVH6600H[WW], $900, and WBVH5100H[WW], $750, frequently trapped washcloths during the high-speed spin cycle. The seals were abraded and deposited ground-up rubber on the cloths. We tested one unit of each washer before they were sold at retail and one unit each bought at stores anonymously. Door seals in all four washers left the residue, and we couldn’t completely remove the resulting stains with further washing.
Consumer Reports has downgraded the washers to “not recommended.”
Recalls: Attack Of The Unsafe Washing Machines!
By 3.22.07
Hazard: Water leakage onto the electrical connections to the washing machine’s thermal sensor could cause an electrical short and ignite a circuit board, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
