Need Gentle Washing Machine

My maytag Neptune washes my clothes great and they look really wrinkled coming out of the washer, but come out of the dryer wrinkle free. Also, if my kids leave a Kleenex in their pockets, the Kleenex comes out of the dryer in one piece and looks like it could be used again!!! Not kidding about that. That is a gentle washer!!

I love my LG front loader, I've washed several things that were "dry clean" only in the hand wash cycle, they've come out just fine. It uses very little water and is extremely efficient. I read about the other person's response to mold/mildew in a front loader, you do have to wipe down the rubber ring on the door, it only takes a second. I leave the door open after doing several loads to "air it out" overnight sometimes. A friend told me to add baking soda to every load, and vinegar in the softener compartment which keeps the clothes and unit fresh. We bought my mother-in-law an awesome top loader in Ecuador. It was an LG also, and had NO MIDDLE agitator, that is what kills the clothes as they tend to get bound up on it and can tear or stretch. It had similar features to my front loader, and the price was in our budget. Whether you decide on a top or front loader, think about reach too. If she needs to bend down for a front loader, and she has a bad back or knees,you'll need to put on a pedestal, or with a top loader that she'll have to reach into it. What is better for her body, height and health. BUT do get one without the middle agitator.
Good luck! (and go to Abt, they are great)
Also, if she's hanging clothes to dry and has a wrinkle problem, I throw my stuff in the dryer for about 5 minutes before hanging to dry to get the wrinkles out before hang drying.

S.,
About a year ago we purchased a front loading washer and dryer and I absolutely hate them! The dryer is not too bad, but the washer is horrible. In order to do a load, you have to fill it up which is more like two loads in a top loading washer. There is no where to adjust load size! If you do not have enough clothes in it, it will spin so loud that it sounds like it is going to take off. If you have too many clothes in it, it clunks and moves all around and will stop...so then the clothes sit soaking wet. I would love to have a top loading set again! I miss being able to soak delicates or whites in bleach for a while. In a front loader, you cannot leave clothes to soak...it is impossible. Plus, you have to take the clothes out right away, otherwise they smell like mildew and then when the washer is not in use, you have to leave the door open to prevent the mildew smell. We have the GE brand. I would suggest buying your mom a new top loading machine and I would check consumer reports and not rely on the salespeople to guide you. Good Luck!

Hi S.,

Clothes wrinkle in the washing machine because we use too much detergent. If we use what is suggested on the box it's usually too much, especially for your Mom's smaller loads. And when we use their prescribed amount guess what that leads to - more buying of detergent! It's their way of getting us to buy more often. Have her use half the amount prescribed on the box, or even a third or fourth. We use the bare minimum and our clothes still get cleaned and smell great. Plus no wrinkles.

Try that first then good luck with the new machine if you still want to upgrade.

E.

I don't know about the gentle cycle, but do your research if you are considering a front-load style machine. They can have some problems with mold/mildew.

Check with consumer reports

The front loading types are much gentler on clothing, regardless of the setting. They are also much more water saving and energy efficient. I like the front loaders because they are easier to load and unload. There are a few different brands out there nowadays, though I don't know what the specific differences are between brands. We got ours W&D set from Costco and have been happy with it. BTW, I think the wrinkling factor has more to do with the dryer, but the washer definitely affects the wear and tear of the clothes.

Hi
I have alot of clothing that I would normally want to handwash until I bought my current washer. It is actually the second one like it that i bought....it is a Whirlpool....it has a selection for delicates and handwash setting. The handwash is the one you want to make sure you get....it doesnt agitate the clothes so much. Good luck.

She probably needs to set the water level higher and use a liquid fabric softener to get rid of the wrinkles. Also, hake sure she doesn't dry or wash on HOT.