We recently bought a new washer, dryer, and dishwasher. Being able to buy new things are typically happy occasions (once you get past the research, the decision making process, price negotiating, etc.). The purchase and installations went well enough (that is a whole other blog topic...). We couldn't wait to have them delivered and start using them. Well let me tell you - fast forward 6 months down the road, and well, we are not so excited any more. The thrill of the new, shiny appliances has faded and in its place, disappointment reigns. If only we knew then what we know now.
Let me start with the dishwasher. During the first couple weeks of our dishwasher usage, some type of plastic black stuff fell out of the bottom of the door. Not sure what that was, but it's not leaking water when it runs - so that's good. My husband was going to call the company, but such is life that you don't get around to the things that aren't screaming at you. Then, for some reason, our cat saw something moving at the bottom of the door when it was running and decided to pull all the lining out of the door. Ahhhh...the joys of pet ownership! Another new development with our new dishwasher is that it no longer can clean chocolate off of the dishes. If the slightest bit of hot chocolate or chocolate ice cream is on a dish when it goes into the dishwasher, worry not, because it will still be there for you to enjoy when it comes out of the dishwasher. Another joyful fact I noticed was that the dishes were coming out cloudy. After calls to the manufacturer as well as researching on-line (not to mention completely replacing a new dishwasher x 2), apparently there was a mandatory removal of phosphates from dishwashing soap that is the cause of this residue (cheap tip: put a little of unsweetened koolaid lemonade packets in your dishwasher to eliminate this residue). Couldn't they simply have told us this was going to happen, and to not worry that it is your appliance, when in actuality it is your soap!!!
Now let me move on to the clothes washing machine. All I have to say is whomever created these 'water-conserving' machines, must not have EVER washed a full load of clothes in them!! I mean it. The research and development was quite sub-par. I am not sure how they became so main stream with how poorly they clean clothes. I seriously HATE it! I have listed the main reasons below:
1. One Big Knot. With the old agitator washing machines, my clothes would be easy to remove from the washer and put into the dryer. This is NOT the case with the NEW and IMPROVED washer! Now when I go to pull out the clothes, I can grab one item and the ENTIRE load comes out with it. I am not exaggerating. I can pull out the entire load by grabbing ONE item because they are all entwined together in one giant knot. Seriously - that is ridiculous!
2. Bring Out the Iron. Because of the fabulous knot-tying capabilities of this new washer, I now have to iron almost every shirt that comes out of it. With my old (wonderful) washer, I had perfected the technique of pulling clothes out of the dryer when they are damp and immediately hanging them up, which prevented wrinkles. I never had to iron and everything was wrinkle-free (well almost everything). Due to the fact that this new washer wrinkles everything to the point of no return, there is no chance for the shirts to come out wrinkle free. I now have a stack of clean clothes that need ironing before I can wear them. Yay me!!
3. Forget Delicate Clothing. Due to the fact that this wonderful, water-conserving machine ties everything in knots, don't even get me started on what it does to underwire bras...
4. Not Clean. I pulled out a black cami from my washer today, and there was still white deodorant on the underarm of it. That NEVER happened with my old agitator washer. It actually CLEANED clothes.
5. Mold. Today I went to rinse out the fabric softener holder and found that the sides of it were all moldy! This washer is only 6 months old! UGH!!
These new washers need to come with the following advertisement (aka warning): This new washer will not only conserve water, thus saving the environment, it will give you the added pleasure of spending hours ironing (since you have nothing but time on your hands and were desperately looking for a way to fill your days) as well as give you the joy of walking around in clothes that do not appear to be clean (as evident by all your stains, deodorant, etc.). Enjoy your new - very expensive - purchase!!
Speaking of washing clothes, I need to digress for a moment. Have any women out there noticed that men's clothes come out of the dryer wrinkle-free (well - when you used an older washing machine that is)? My husband and I both have "wrinkle-free" shirts and pants. And his come out of the dryer - completely wrinkle free!! All of my "wrinkle-free" clothes come out of the dryer a wrinkled mess. That is total, unfair crap!!! Alas, it is still a man's world. Lucky men!
The moral of this story is - you don't realize how good you have it until it's gone. *SIGH* I miss my clean dishes and my clean, wrinkle-free clothes!!
Disgruntle-ly Yours,
Me
Motivational Moment:
1. All great changes are preceded by chaos.” -Deepak Chopra
- particularly the chaos of dirty, wrinkly clothes and dirty dishes!
2. I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying. ~Michael Jordan
- and I can't accept failing appliances...keep trying inventors!!!
3. Change is inevitable. Progress is optional.” ~ Tony Robbins
- I love this quote for this subject. Because while I agree that water and energy conservation are so important for the sustainability of our planet, I disagree that these new appliances are an improvement, when they do not meet their main function - which is cleaning. I am urging for more progress that leads to energy-efficient appliances that actually clean very well while still using little water. I have confidence that we will get there!
4. We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” ~ Randy Pausch
- And apparently this means that my new hand is to get really good at - as well as enjoy - ironing!
Go forth and produce good, positive change!
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