The OCD Method of Washing Microfiber Towels

[Mike Phillips]

I’ll share a story and pictures next week.

[PaulMys]

Just to chime in...

I feel your pain - everyone that owns a modern washing machine. There’s all kinds of GREAT reasons for new technology.

That said - the BEST washing machines for actually getting stuff clean are old school top loader washing machines with AGITATORS!

The new style top loaders with VANES are useless.

I feel your pain if you have a front loader or a vane-style top loader as they will never work as good to clean as well as old school agitator machines.

We call this - progress.

Big time.

If it ain't broke, FIX it mentality.

[DUBL0WS6]

I'm triggered by your "clean dirty towels" label on the bucket.

[Me Time]

I completely agree. Our old Whirlpool bit the dust a few years back and the only true old style I could find was a SpeedQueen. They are not cheap compared to the generic vain/agitater machines, but it does the job very well.

If I have to take something big to the laundry mat to wash, I'll always throw in the detergent with the clothes. I was always taught to fill first also. So I think this is as close as you are going to get to that with a front loader.

[acuRAS82]

Feeling grateful for my top loading, agitating old school washer that came with my house in 2012. My wife is all into kitchen appliances but I’m pretty sure I can convince her to go old school washing machine with our next house too (that’s cause I’m the main laundry person, yay!)

[Markymapo]

Yes, our 29 year old Maytag with agitator finally went to the scrap heap (I was actually having a difficult time finding parts). Now we have one of these new fangled ones without an agitator n conserves water resulting in not cleaning my towels like the old one ( which would actually ruin delicate clothes if not careful). I now make sure I run a long cycle n extra rinse

[Dry Bones]

The trick to getting more water to fill with an HE washer is to toss your dirty towels in wet. It senses a much heavier load so will fill with more water thinking you have much more clothes in there.

[Markymapo]

Good to know. I actually wet all my towels in a bucket as a presoak prior to washing. Looks like that aided the washing process

[MIsnowman]

The new HE washers are the product of stricter water usage requirements, NOT because of technology advancements. With the lower amounts of water used, the agitator design is not practical because there isn’t enough water in the tub for the agitator to do its thing.

The idea behind the new “impeller” style top loads is to move the water through the clothes using centrifugal force from high drum speeds during the wash cycle.

Agitator type washers move the clothes through the water using mechanical agitation.

You can still find agitator type washers and there are even some new large capacity models available. These still use less water in regular cycles than old school washers, but most have a “deep fill” or “full fill” option where it will fill the tub. Basically a workaround for the manufacturers to get a washer that meets the water usage requirements, but still perform like a washer should.

[kingkakarot]

I have a newer HE front loader washer that works wonders! It washes clothes much better than any other old washer I've used in the past. This thing literally shakes the floor so hard when its spinning that you can feel it everywhere in the house. Its a beast. Maybe they're not all so good, I don't know. But mine works fine for me and I use it to wash microfibers all the time, although I do that on a gentle cycle - maybe I should change to a heavy duty cycle???