So, is there a washer out there that will actually get clothes clean these days? I know the front loaders will generally get them "clean enough", but I've just been using this top loading "high efficiency" piece of junk the past week, and it seems like not a single ounce of dirt has been removed from the loads. If anything, it takes the dirt off and puts it more evenly on all of the clothes.
Ugh, I'd rather be working on the car than doing and re-doing laundry.
Here is some GRM chatter from 6 months ago on the same topic. Ironically, with similar title.
The good news is that you can use that washing machine to make fender flares or other body panels.
We have a Maytag centennial that is a top load eco (depending on the settings) that does well on my grimy stuff...cough again depending on the settings...cough cough
I think you'll find it has a large amount to do with the chemicals used in your detergent, just like what happened with dishwasher chemicals.
Yep try different detergents. Also smaller loads.
Speed Queen. Doesn't cost more than the others, cleans like you wouldn't believe, made in USA, wherever that is.
My old Hotpoint top loader, Tide and warm water get my whites super white.
Our LG high-efficiency washer gets my clothes clean, no matter how much I overload the thing.
Dr. Hess wrote: Speed Queen. Doesn't cost more than the others, cleans like you wouldn't believe, made in USA, wherever that is.
Bingo! Our Speed Queen works great! Made to commercial standards too! Same unit as in a laundromat, just doesn't need quarters to run it..
iceracer wrote: My old Hotpoint top loader, Tide and warm water get my whites super white.
Yeah, my old Hotpoint worked great. However... am I the only one who can't stand the smell of Tide?
Janel has a new HE LG front loader. I've given her some challenges, and it's done a hell of a job despite what I manage to roll in. She loves it. The machine wasn't cheap, but the wash room to her is what my garage is to me, and you don't skimp on tools 
You know your getting your cloths seriously dirty when you wife insists that you get ANOTHER washing machine to wash the really dirty stuff. Yes my wife has two washers. My really nasty things (like gear oil soaked jeans) go in the 2nd one as well as rags I use around the shop and any dog related laundry.
At first I was like you got to be kidding me when she asked for the 2nd machine but as Keith said these are my wife's tools. The laundry room is her domain. She never questions the need for the welder or the 2 stage compressor or any other tool I want. So we have two washers. By the way both are Kenmore "Professional" Series top loader units.
No matter what I get on my cloths my wife can get it out. I don't know how or exactly what she does. About the only thing I know is that with really dirty cloths she will add another 2-3 gallons of water just after the wash cycle starts.
Dr. Hess wrote: Speed Queen. Doesn't cost more than the others, cleans like you wouldn't believe, made in USA, wherever that is.
Ripon, Wisconsin. I grind parts for them.
Lesley wrote: Yeah, my old Hotpoint worked great. However... am I the only one who can't stand the smell of Tide?
I am actually allergic to tide and I get a pretty significant rash when I put clothing on that has been washed by tide; weird.
We just bought a Samsung top loader in March and we love it. I'll never get another front loader.
We got it at Best Buy. Home Depot had a lower advertised price, but Best Buy had it in stock and HD did not. Best Buy matched their price.
Don't understand the hate for front loaders. We just switched a couple years ago, and our FL does a ton of laundry and gets everything cleaner than our TL did.
Lesley wrote: Yeah, my old Hotpoint worked great. However... am I the only one who can't stand the smell of Tide?
Switched from Tide to ERA... and it's Chuck Norris approved
We use a powder called Charlie's Soap that seems to get the job done pretty well. They make it in a liquid form too. Pretty much instant death when sprayed on ants and other bugs - as a bonus, when you wipe up, the floor is clean.
Lesley wrote: Yeah, my old Hotpoint worked great. However... am I the only one who can't stand the smell of Tide?
We buy the perfume and dye-free versions of the popular laundry detergents. Otherwise, my skin gets really itchy.
Pre-treating works well. Water hardness plays a key role in effectiveness. I do most of the wash in our house because I'm the best at it.
Duke wrote: Don't understand the hate for front loaders. We just switched a couple years ago, and our FL does a ton of laundry and gets everything cleaner than our TL did.
Yep, mine does great too. It fits more clothes than the old top loader and the clothes come out cleaner. It also uses a ton less water and power to operate. You do have to actually follow instructions and not let the laundry sit.
I went with Bosch since they were made in USA. My biggest complaints are that you can't cancel the current cycle and have it drain and you can't manually select the spin cycle. I got the 510 "plus," and apparently the 510 non-plus would have those options. The plus is for more sucks I guess?
Bought a budget Admiral toploader recently, it works great. The Hotpoint before it was ~18 years old, it developed a habit of overfilling randomly. It's double plus ungood to open the laundry room door and see water everywhere. Replaced the water level switch then the problem happened again. Nope, in the recycle with it.
My dad is a repair man and has to answer this question a lot. He says back in the day, the old maytag top loaders could clean a farmers filthy jeans just fine, but used TONS of water. These were obviously overbuilt for the average family. The modern ones use far less water, but will only clean clothes of sweat and general stains that most people get from day to day. If your clothes are filthy, you may need to soak and scrub a bit before putting them in the washer since there just isn't enough water being used to carry off all the dirt. As you say, normal clothes will be 'clean enough.'
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