Originally published in the Observer Eccentric Newspapers
Here are just a few of the many emails I have received on
the subject of today’s washing machines. They are typical of the comments I
receive in person. Patrick writes: Can you recommend a reliable washing machine
mfg. That really washes clothes. I purchased a top loader a few years ago only
to discover that its sole purpose is to be a federal government agency mirage.
It doesn't clean but does knot and wrinkle everything. This is a fraud! How do
they get away with it? These are Rube Goldberg machines that take an hour to do
nothing, but they sure do save water. Where are the class action lawsuits to
sign up for? Mary writes: Your recent article in the O&E newspaper was so
informative! We are about to purchase a new washer and dryer but have some
serious doubts about their quality. We have talked to salesmen in stores, and
researched each machine online and we are more confused than ever. The dryers
are so large now that we will have about 2 inches from the wall when the door
to the dryer is open! You have written about the lack of water in the new
washers. That scares me a lot. I don’t have time to redo laundry that comes out
of a washer still dirty. Also, one of the big things with the new washers is
the locking lids! Whose “not so bright” idea was that? I hope that my husband
will be able to take that lock off the new washer. Diane Armstrong, a noted
author and columnist in Timmins Ontario dedicated a whole column to the subject
of clothes washers. She writes: About ten years ago, the Green Movement came
into being. We were told to cut back on water usage and electricity or natural
gas. Why, in the interest of saving water and utilities, don’t the
manufacturers to back to the Suds Saver? They already have the blueprints. But
this would be logical. Good Grief!! Consumers must buy and use a product to
clean a machine whose initial purpose is to clean? What’s wrong with this
picture?
A few columns back I informed you about this recent
invention that mounts on the wall behind the washer where you hook up your cold
water line. This product allows you to wash clothes with little or no soap and
use only cold water. There is a whole video presentation on this product and if
you’re interested you can go to greentechenv.com. I saw the video, didn’t
believe it but had one shipped to me. I have been washing clothes for 2 weeks
now and that’s a new venture in my life. I just can’t believe it but it works.
It’s made washing clothes an experiment for me and the results give me the
confidence to write about it. This may be the best invention since the
microwave oven. I took a 6 year old Carhart jacket that has never been washed
and it came out clean as can be using no soap and only cold water. I washed
several other jackets and I was pleased. I took a green T-shirt and covered the
backside with blueberry juice and mustard. I let that dry for 4 hours and then
washed it with no soap and cold water. All that stuff just plain disappeared. I
did about 10 of my under shorts and all that stuff disappeared as well. Not
only that, but the clothes smell so good and fresh. Suffice it to say that this
old guy who is such a skeptic has been made a believer and it will take a team
of horses to remove this from my home.
To my knowledge I don’t know if there is anyone selling this
product in the area and even if it was sold around here, this column cannot be
used as an advertising format. I can tell you it will be soon available at
retail locations in the appliance business. I expect this product can save between
3 to 5 hundred dollars annually, depending on how many wash loads you do per
week. Isn’t it a shame that the appliance manufacturers couldn’t build this
product directly into the design of a new washing machine? I bet that sure
would stop a lot of complaints from unhappy consumers.
