Washing machine update
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I'd never heard of such a thing. Do they have little dryers too? I've been trying to convince Janet to install a small laundry unit in our walk in closet. It's right on the wall that has the waste and water lines. Easy peasy and we don't need nearly the closet space we used to when working.
I find it very strange bordering on criminal that appliances don't last any time at all but cars, infinitely more complex machines, can easily go 15-20 years. Surely they could build ones that last. I'd be willing to pay for them.
I've been trying to convince Janet to install a small laundry unit in our walk in closet. It's right on the wall that has the waste and water lines. Easy peasy and we don't need nearly the closet space we used to when working.
Thought about doing the same thing in a closet in a spare bedroom that is set up as an office that we basically don't use anymore. There are those dryers that vent moisture into the drain rather than to the outside.
Two story house here plus basement. Our laundry setup is currently in the basement. Installing a washer and dryer on the second floor would save trips up/down the stairs but doesn't eliminate them altogether. Of course I wouldn't have to carry the clean laundry up two flights, though now I bring small armloads up to the first floor and hang them in the front hall closet until I head up to 2. And I wouldn't be likely to hang out on the second floor while things washed and dried.
Part of me thinks that hiring someone to come in and do laundry for us once a week if I can't do it myself might be the way to go rather than investing in a second setup upstairs. Dunno.
Portable dryers:
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I can't recommend this company highly enough. I almost bought one of their washers but decided on the disposable Maytag because I need the the load capacity.
Washing Machines | Danby Appliances - USA https://share.google/9EsfpN04V2YlhGcVx
I've had two Canadian products that ran like Swiss watches. One was this washer and the other was a Honda Civic.
Go figure.
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Ack! The solution is simple. You buy Speed Queens. Laundromat machines for the home. If a new speed Queen is beyond your budget you buy a used Speed Queen set.
They’re a little small. They don’t have many cycles. All they do is wash clothes quickly and efficiently for longer than most of us are going to be alive. (Alas!)
The SQ washer in my apartments washed 40,000 loads with one repair - a belt. I know it was 40K loads because I counted the quarters.
So. Many. Quarters.
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100% agree.
I will do just that when budget and calendar restraints allow it.
This is my other favorite brand.
ASKO Laundry
https://share.google/z8qySTGUJOaYf0789
- runs and hides *
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Yeah, WTG, our laundry is in the basement too. We just remodeled it and it’s very spiffy but no way to install an elevator or dumb waiter. I’m ok with it now but I don’t like to see her have to. One day it won’t be ok.
“I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don't know the answer”
― Douglas Adams -
Don’t get an an Asko. Good stuff but not that good, impossible to find service and parts in the US.
Speed Queen is the answer. They are always the answer.
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@Bernard interesting! I’m glad you found a solution that works.
The whole thing about consumer electronics and other household products that don’t last is incredibly frustrating. And so unnecessary, given the technological capability humans have acquired over the last 150 years. Today nothing of the environmental impact of all these broken products that get thrown away because they quickly become useless.
My biggest household concern is our HVAC. It is working fine right now, but it’s 15 years old. When it goes, we’ll have to choose from whatever models are available. Besides the expense of replacing an hvac, what guarantee is there that we’ll get something that will last another 15 or more years?
@ShiroKuro Planned obsolescence was part of the reason I decided to go small. That, and wanting to put things in proportion to my needs. If this little washer doesn't pan out it won't be that big a loss. But I have a good feeling about it.
The industrial revolution cheapened everything.
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Yeah, WTG, our laundry is in the basement too. We just remodeled it and it’s very spiffy but no way to install an elevator or dumb waiter. I’m ok with it now but I don’t like to see her have to. One day it won’t be ok.
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We have two staircases that turn 180 degrees each so two curves on each floor. Plus they’re too slow.
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@ShiroKuro Planned obsolescence was part of the reason I decided to go small. That, and wanting to put things in proportion to my needs. If this little washer doesn't pan out it won't be that big a loss. But I have a good feeling about it.
@ShiroKuro Planned obsolescence
I feel like a lot of what we see with the shittiness of consumer products isn’t even “planned” though, it’s just slipshod work, a complete lack of commitment to quality, and zero sense of responsibility to consumers.
If a cost can be cut, it will be, regardless of the consequences.
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Yeap, I knew that @steve-miller would say Speed Queen.
Just looked it up. A new SQ washer costs about 3x the price of the typical new, non-SQ washer that I would buy for my own use.
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And that’s the problem. Domestic appliances just don’t cost enough. Manufacturers cut corners to stay competitive then add “features” to make up for it.
Maytag just introduced a new commercial machine that is set to cost only 2X the price of a regular domestic machine. Initial reviews are good and the design looks solid.
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@steve-miller - got a link to the Maytag units? I'm seeing a "commercial grade" and also a "commercial". People are grousing about the circuit board going on the home commercial grade models. Five year warranty (I think parts only, and maybe just a subset of parts). Repairs/parts availability complaints.
I wonder if the "commercial grade" is more of a marketing pitch.
Also wondering about Maytag in general. Wasn't it bought out by Whirlpool?
Our Maytag gas dryer is going on 30 years and has never needed a repair. That's never gonna happen again...
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Don’t get an an Asko. Good stuff but not that good, impossible to find service and parts in the US.
Speed Queen is the answer. They are always the answer.
Don’t get an an Asko. Good stuff but not that good, impossible to find service and parts in the US.
Speed Queen is the answer. They are always the answer.
Agree again. The all mechanical old school washers are the best.
My parents would buy Maytags and run them over 20 yrs.
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I’ve watched several of this guy’s videos and he seems to be a straight shooter.
Note that it’s not yet available and price has yet to be announced. The design appears to be similar to SQ
Link to video -
This guy is good too.
Link to video -
Interesting.
I'm not usually an early adopter of new models of anything. I'd prefer to see some real world data on performance and reliability. Have to admit I'd probably opt for the SQ even if the Maytag is cheaper if I needed a new washer in the nearish future.
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So @steve-miller ... Have to admit I prefer front loading washers to top loaders, though it's been a long time since I've owned a top loader. Yea, there can be issues with the stinky washer problem with front loaders but they are so much gentler on clothes than the top loading models. SQ makes a front loader but of course it has electronic rather than mechanical controls.
eta: The clothes spin out better in front loaders, too. Dries faster.
Thoughts?
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I’m sure SQ front loaders are terrific but they’re nearly double the price of their top loader, which is already very expensive, and I don’t trust the electronics.
We currently have an 8 YO LG front loader and have no complaints so far. No repairs, no smell problem. Big enough for comforters, easier to load/unload than that top loader we had before. Dunno how much longer it will last but being as I can buy 3 of them for the cost of a front loading SQ I’ll probably buy another when the time comes.
And do I really need a washer that lasts 30 years? At my age I hesitate to buy green bananas!
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We bought our Whirlpool washer and dryer in 1995 when we moved into this house. They still run like champs. Had to replace a belt once, but that’s it. I’m not buying a new washer and dryer until these plotz. I don’t want electronic circuit boards and bells and whistles. I just want clean clothes.
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