Despite my frugal ways I hate that I often “waste” money by forgetting to take laundry out of the washing machine in a timely manner. Why is this a waste? Because I end up with smelly laundry that I’ve got to wash again to get rid of the odor. So now I’m using twice the detergent (or vinegar) and twice the water to freshen my already clean laundry. Even with DIY laundry detergent, I’m still wasting my resources. (By the way, my laundry room would never look this neat; I just think it’s a nifty-looking washer and dryer.)
Since I’m an olfactory-oriented person (remember my post on that wretched insulation?), leaving the clothes as is as they go into the dryer or onto the line just won’t work. I don’t want to smell like a wet dog when I put on my clean clothes, and I don’t want my family going around smelling like that either. (The dog can smell like a wet dog anytime he wants to–especially when it’s raining.) In some cases I’ve found that a few shots of Febreze on the offending attire can help get rid of the smell, but in most instances I’ve got to run the whole wash cycle again.
That’s why I was interested in this press release from Whirlpool about its new Duet washing machine (pictured above): it supposedly fixes this smelly laundry problem for absentminded people like myself. Here’s a blurb from that release:
The Whirlpool® Duet® steam washer’s FanFresh(TM) option intermittently tumbles clothes in the wash drum for up to 10 hours after the cycle ends. Meanwhile, a quiet fan draws out moisture through a vent to help keep clothes smelling fresh and prevents wrinkles from setting in. According to a 2007 online survey conducted by Whirlpool brand, 72 percent of respondents said it is important that their clothes never smell sour when left in the washer, yet only 47 percent are satisfied that their current washer completes this task.*
When my current top loader dies, I’m totally getting a front loader again (I had one in my old house), and I’ll seriously consider the Duet. A front loader like this will save me money in the long run by using far less water than my old top loader. The fact that it may also help me avoid my smelly laundry ways in the future–which, in turn, means I’ll use even less water and detergent when I no longer have to rewash my already clean laundry that just happens to smell bad? Well, that’s just priceless.
4 Comments
November 4, 2009 at 6:50 pm
I just bought the Samsung front loader. I am in LOVE with it. But this one sounds cool, too. How much is this one? We paid an arm and a leg (with a discount, of course), but it’s Energy Star-compliant, and is HUGE. I end up doing three washes per week. I had to do seven or so with my old washer, which was supposed to be a full-size machine.
November 4, 2009 at 6:57 pm
I have no idea about the price. Let me check and get back to you.
Leah
November 4, 2009 at 6:58 pm
MSRP is $1,599.
November 10, 2009 at 7:52 pm
I have the older duet set and have the same problem with the smelly laundry. The problem is also in the design of the door seal there’s a “pocket” where water collects and can’t drain. They sell those expensive tablets you’re supposed to use get rid of the smell, but it sounds like you know as well as I do that vinegar or baking soda work just fine.