My Kenmore Front Loader Washer Cleans Like a Dream!!!
Written: Apr 10 '00 (Updated Jun 07 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Flexible, quiet, saves water, good for the environment
Cons: more expensive than top loader washers
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| toniroger's Full Review: Kenmore 29042 Washer |
(Updated June 2000): I am still in love with my new washer. Visitors, please check out http://www.epinions.com for the best consumer advice on everything from washers to parenting and everything under the sun!!! Don't forget.... my epinionating personality strives for ratings andtons of comments ,especially from all of you who write to tell me you bought this! So far I have had ten people write to tell me they purchased this!! Read on.....)
I am thankful that I have a new washing machine- even more thankful that it is a Kenmore Front Loader Washer! It was a little more pricey than purchasing a top loading washer. My mother in law told me that these front loaders were around when she was young. That's funny, as I thought they were brand new on the market! (Oops!)
Here are the reasons why I adore my new front loader machine:
1) IT'S QUIET:
Compared to most of the top loader washing machines I have used, it is quieter. The washer includes a Quiet Pack program that is designed to make it a nice, quiet wash. Although, the first time I put the washer through the final spin cycle (with the Fast option), I noticed that it sounded really weird and was spinning really fast. I thought I broke it! Whew! Now I know it was supposed to do that. (See options on spins)
2) FREE VIDEO:
The washer comes with a video that covers the basics for owning your new front loader. (There is also a paper manual included as well.) The Video was fairly comprehensive about things like:
- Checking to ensure that all of the packing material is out of the washer.
-Installing your new washing machine. This included information such as making sure the drain pipe is 24 inches from the floor, and where to unscrew the covers for the bottom panel and the back.
- Moving with your washing machine. It is important to brace the machine with special materials provided with your washer. (Hint: Make sure that when your washer is delivered that they remember to give you all of your packing material that comes with the washer. Otherwise, years down the line, when you are ready to move, you will not have it.) Note: To those who choose to pick up and deliver their own washers, this WASHER is HEAVY! (Mostly because of the steel drum used for the washer.)
- Operating your machine. They have a blonde woman demonstrating loading your washer, filling the dispensers and using the controls on the side of the washer. (Hmmmm. Now I have a question. Why did they not use a blonde or brunette man? That would have made watching the video much more appealing for this blonde woman! Nah, not traditional enough!)
- Problems that can occur.
They also describe problems that could come up with your washer such as overbalancing or too many suds in the washer. Their explanations are easy to understand. They give concise information in a user friendly format with clear headings (they make fast forwarding on the VCR easier.)
3) FLEXIBLE:
These washers are great, especially for those who are interested in purchasing the washer and dryer together at the same time. (Unlike me, who is praying my dryer will hold out until the washer is paid for!) Not only are they Stack-able, they will also fit under a counter! The lid of the washer will come off and fit under your counter top! Lovely!
4) DISPENSER HEAVEN:
Throw out the Downey Balls, forget about watching the clock to catch the rinse cycle! The dispenser for the Kenmore Front Loader has a place for detergent, bleach and fabric softener. The machine also knows when to dispense it! So throw in the clothes, put in your Tide, your Clorox and your Downey and start the washer. Then wait for the buzz while you sip a glass of Zinfadel and read that novel you have been trying to read all week! (Okay, okay, if you must insist, run around chasing after the kids while the machine does all the work for you.)
The dispensers are clearly marked for which item to put in and they have a maximum fill line on each as well! Makes using it real simple for me!
5) BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR ME:
Not only does this washer use a lot less water than normal washers, it also uses less detergent, bleach and fabric softener. This was the hard part for my scrambled brain to understand. In a normal washer, the washing machine uses almost a full (washer) tub of water to wash, and then again to rinse your clothes. With the front loader, only a small amount of water is used to fill only the bottom third of the washer. Then, the washer spins (similar to a dryer) and the clothes are immersed in water, then rotated to the top of the washer, then dropped down into the water again. Our washer uses around 214 kilowatts of energy/year compared to other washers who range from 460 to over 1000 per year.
Because the washer uses a whole lot less water, I use a whole heck of a lot less detergent, bleach (when I use bleach) and softener. This saves me money and is better for the environment as well!
The clothes rub against each other instead of being rubbed against the agitator in a regular washer. This means less wear and tear on my clothing and my clothes will last longer. This also means I will go through less clothes, which also helps out with the environment too!
The large capacity of this washer still amazes me! Especially when you see how little water is used to wash the clothes! Yet, my clothes come out as clean as before, with less residue from the detergent and softener.
6) SAFETY FEATURES THAT I ADORE:
One of the worries that I had about considering a front loader was the risk of flooding my utility room when the door was opened in the middle of a wash/rinse cycle. Aha! Says Kenmore, we'll just fix that right up for you! There is a special lock system that locks the door for three minutes during those times when the washer has water in it. When you push the button in to stop the washer, it takes three minutes before the door will open! No worried there!
Another feature I like is on the dispenser. There are two safety measures installed: The first is when you open the dispenser. You have to slide a hidden lever to the right before you can pull out the dispenser. The second feature works just about the same for when you remove the dispenser for occasional cleaning. I like these features, because I know that for now, my son can not get into the dispenser.
7) OPTIONS, OPTIONS, OPTIONS:
Okay, bear with me. I am almost done! These are really neat options that make washing easier:
- Hand Washables, which includes a gentle spin cycle for some of your delicates.
- Spin option, for the final spin you can choose whether you want fast or normal. (At times the fast feature is good because it helps to get more water out of your clothing.)
- Temperature Control: Choose between the following:
Cold/Cold
Warm/Cold
Hot/Cold
Hot/Warm
- Settings:
Pre-Wash
Regular Wash
Regular Short
Regular Heavy
Regular Permanent Press
(and Hand-washables)
8) ENTERTAINMENT:
Okay, now I know this review is really long, but I had to add this last part. ( I promise this is the last one!) I guess since its a new concept to my family, its quite an attraction. We have told some of our friends about it and they come over (sometimes unannounced!) to check out the new front loader washer. Actually, I have caught my husband sitting on the floor just watching out clothes spin around and around. My kids like to watch it spin too! Alright, I confess I did sit through an entire cycle just to watch the washer go 'round. I'm sure it was just for educational purposes, after all, someone had to write this review right?
Feel free to email me with questions or comments, as always, toniroger@hotmail.com
Recommended:
Yes
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toniroger
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Location: In the Wild Wild West!
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About Me:
Recently remarried. Proud mom of 5!
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