Friday, September 27, 2019

Nice Laundry Room + My New Washer Update

I love this vintage sink between the washer and the dryer, don't you? I also like the marble countertops and backsplash. 

Now, back to my new Maytag top loading washing machine. When I first got it, I did four loads in a row in four days so I was pretty much caught up on my laundry. I did a mixed load yesterday because I didn't have enough for a white load by itself. I did 2 pairs of cotton slacks, 2 tee shirts, dishtowels, a small bathmat, one blouse, pajamas, underwear, and I can't remember what else. I watched a youtube tutorial about how to load the dry clothes. You aren't supposed to "wrap" a pair of long pants around the tub, but hold them up and drop them down. You are supposed to try to distribute the laundry evenly, so I did.
I used the "normal" setting that I knew to be a lot less water than I usually choose on the bulky/sheets setting.

I chose "light soil" and "warm water".

I did not want an extra rinse and I never do. I learned on the internet that if you turn the fabric softener dial, you will get more water even if you don't use fabric softener and I never do. My clothes weren't really dirty so I used the minimum amount of HE liquid laundry detergent (Tide Sensitive).

I set the timer on my phone for 45 minutes. I watched the beginning of the cycle. At first after the detergent was evenly dispensed in multiple squirts as the tub rotated and paused, the agitating began in not much water but the clothes were all wet. This was to get the concentrated water in all the clothes before the water was diluted. After a while more water was added and the agitating continued. Then I walked away and hoped for the best. 

I went down to the basement just before the 45 minutes was up and arrived at the very end of the spin cycle before the "done" light came on. The cycles using a big tub of water were over an hour so this was a shorter cycle and I liked that. I hung all my clothes outside in the sunshine and they were all clean so what can I say. Some days you just want a lot of water and some days you don't. Either way, your clothes will be clean so I am still over the moon with my new Maytag.

I love doing laundry now and don't put it off the way I used to. Another favorite thing is this vintage laundry basket with "make do" rope handles when the original ones broke. Another garage sale find, of course. 

13 comments:

minwks said...

Hi, What satisfaction our new washing machines offer. They spin so well that the washing dries in no time when hung. I was surprised to see you used warm water. Cold water is usually recommended except for sheets.
Regards J.

Content in a Cottage said...

minwks -- dear J --I have always used cold water but my washer recommends warm to make the detergent work better. My washer has so many choices: tap water, cold, cool, warm, and hot. I have a well so my cold water is frigid. You are so right about the final spin. My clothes also dry very quickly outside.
Happy washing, xo, Rosemary

jusaweecatnap said...

Thanks. This is so much more useful than the dubious reviews on other sites.

Pam said...

Rosemary, thank you for sharing information on your new washer. I still haven't replaced mine, but I probably should. So glad to hear that it works well and you are satisfied with it!

Lisa D. said...

Interesting about getting more water if you choose the fabric softener feature, Rosemary. I never knew that. You're so right: These new hi efficiency machines have SO many more choices. I think my Fisher & Paykel has a steam feature which you can use alone to remove wrinkles from clothes, but I'm not entirely sure. (I'm afraid I am not as good as you are about reading through the product manual, and I'm guilty of doing the same thing with my Iphone! Now there's a device where you really have to take the time to inform yourself. On top of that, technology on these smart phones advances exponentially every three months!)

Content in a Cottage said...

Lisa -- I learned nothing from the instruction manual. All you have to do is Google your make and model and the word YouTube and there are so many kind people out there who post instructional videos. Some are sales people with Mom and Pop stores and others are repair people. Some are just homeowners who want to share what they have learned after shelling out the money for their washer. You could probably see a demonstration of the steam feature of your Fisher & Paykel machine. The same goes for iPhone videos. I learn a lot by watching demos when I get a new phone. My iPhone is pretty old (6Splus) but it does everything I want and my phone bill is quite reasonable now that I'm not under contract so I'm not rushing out to replace it. I am over wanting the newest model as long as my old one works.
I plan on using every single feature of my new washing machine over time. I am curious about the "deep water" setting. Enjoy the weekend.
xo, Rosemary

Betty said...

My washer is a top load, no agitator. The regular cycle uses so little water and everything comes out so clean. I use my deep water for sheets, but I'm not really sure why.

Content in a Cottage said...

Betty == Thanks. I wonder how different the deep water cycle is from the bulky/sheets cycle? Slowly I shall find out. I need to take in washing while I learn each and every setting on my beloved new Maytag washer. Just kidding :) Remember those days when stay at home housewives took in washing to earn extra money?
xo, Rosemary

Betty said...

Oh goodness, i have enough laundry without taking in more! My Mom used to pay me to iron and for some reason, i like doing laundry. Maybe because I'm a clean freak!

Claire said...

I love this post and all others concerning your new washer and the comments! Due to a smallish laundry room and a large case of claustrophobia, I recently purchased a stacked " laundry center". They take up less space which has allowed me to have a folding table . I took the wall hung cabinet down -- not needed as there is a closet with shelves in the corner of the room. Lots more space now. Anyway, learning to operate the washer was a challenge. You are right. The owners manuel was useless. However, you tube was great. Strangely enough the one feature that irritates me the most is that the lid locks. Actually hate that with a passion. I haven't read your blog lately but am thoroughly enjoying catching up with you and your faithful readers thru their comments today. Love your new to you Windsor chairs, too! Great find.

Content in a Cottage said...

Claire -- My lid locks too but not until the first spin cycle begins. I have a button I can push to unlock the lid at any time after whatever cycle it's in stops. I doubt I will ever use it though. My old front loader locked the door immediately and I could never throw in an extra item. I hated that feature too. Your "new" laundry room sounds perfect.
xo, Rosemary

Peach Margarita said...

Do you think you could wash a queen size quilt in your Maytag? I hate having to take mine to the laundromat!

Content in a Cottage said...

Peach Margarita -- I washed my matelasse bedspread yesterday and was afraid to use my new Maytag. I am lucky that one of my real estate listings has an oversized washer and dryer so I washed it there. I would go to the laundromat otherwise.
You should call the toll free number and speak to a representative before you try to do your queen quilt. Good luck.
xo, Rosemary