Granted, I lean towards being cheap when I am considering new, large purchases and I tend to own “things” for a long time. As long as it works, why replace!  Plus, I am a financial planner and I would rather save money then spend my hard-earned money.  Putting that aside, my 20-year-old washer was finally dying. I’m being forced into the purchase mode – research, evaluate, google, etc. 

A LOT has changed in 20 years. I was looking for a simple machine that fit into my laundry room. This alone was a project.  I live in a 68-year-old house with rooms that are sized to 68-year-old appliances and plumbing.  First challenge was to find a machine that would fit through the interior door or was low enough to clear the water hook-ups.  Not possible with today’s machines.

I settled on a top-loading, no agitator, machine because it would almost fit and they tend to be smaller than the front loading.  Besides, you hear all the stories about front loading and how they take on odors and need “cleaning.” Last thing I wanted was to clean something else – I have enough chores.  The day came and the machine was delivered.  We only had to take the doors off in the house to get it into the laundry room.  Not so bad.  I was excited to try it.

First, I had to download the instructions from a scan code on the warranty paperwork and then print. Good thing I have a SMART phone (LOL) that reads scan codes. It didn’t come with any instructions other than how to plug it in.  The dashboard was offering all sorts of cycles, temps, spin levels, soil levels, and so on.  It also offered a “clean tub” cycle???? Didn’t notice that at the dealer.  I tried a small delicate load first.  Because the machine has a glass top, I watched it work, sort of.  My jaw dropped. The tub, after a small amount of water was dispensed, moved for maybe 10 seconds about ½” in each direction, left-right, reversing direction as it went through cycle. It paused, dispensed a little more water, and moved side-to-side for another 10 seconds.  The clothes in the middle did not move, at all. Okay, it’s a delicate cycle, but I seriously thought the clothes should move a little. It eventually went to the spin cycle and finished. 

I thought that cycle was weird so tried another load with sheets and selected the heavy duty, extra water, extra rinse (because I used way too much soap the first cycle), and extra spin. The dashboard showed the time for the cycle: 2 hours!  So much for the high efficiency. I actually filmed this cycle because I was so taken aback.  The clothes moved side to side maybe a total of 1-2 inches instead of the ½ inch on the delicate cycle.  The sheets in the center of the load only got wet through absorbing from the bottom of the load.  They barely moved in the center and never went below any water line. 

I hated the machine immediately.  I’ve never returned an appliance after it has been installed but I did this one. The very next day.  While at the dealer the salesperson said the machine was built to have long periods of soaking and that I needed to use good soap to clean the clothes. If that’s the case, then there should be enough water to at least cover the clothes, right?  Has he ever done a load of wash?  I might as well hand wash everything.  Why pay more for all the extra cycles and why have all the extra spins, extra water level (yes, you need to override the built-in water conservation), extra rinses, if there is not much difference between all the cycles – they all just move slightly left to right, periods of soaking, and then spin.

I ended up purchasing a front load machine because it at least tumbles the laundry.  I was able to get it through the door, but it sticks out in the room and blocks the door to outside. Oh well, it is what it is without moving walls. Again, I had to download the instructions and print. There is an option to hook up an app to start your machine remotely – why wouldn’t I just start it when I put the clothes in? The WIFI in my laundry room gets lousy reception anyway.  It offers 16 plus cycles and various combinations but if I want to set my own default, I can login to some site and create my own combinations to download.  That’s way too much work and too complicated. All these options give the manufacturer the ability to charge more.  And, more gadgets to break (old-time thinking?). I had to take out an extended warranty with the Geek Squad in case the dashboard (mother board) breaks, not an appliance warranty.

What happened? Where is my simple washing machine?  I have senior clients that would never be able to figure out how to run the machine, let alone print the instructions.  Is our technology leaving a large group of people behind? Technology is good, but it changes so quickly the aging population has difficulty keeping up.  What choices are they left with? I wonder if my local senior center offers classes for various appliances like they do for new phones.

Just wait until I need to buy a new car or refrigerator.