So today the salesman got the best of me and I purchased the Maytag Neptune. I was looking for a front loading washer and have seen some (other brands) for sale in the $500-$700 range but I got suckered into the $999 Maytag Neptune. It will be delivered next week after the plumber installs my water lines and all that into my new laundry room so I haven't used it yet or anything. I started reading reviews online as soon as I got home from the store and noticed alot of people talking about having to use a certain brand of detergent. Is this true? Do you think they just say this so you'll buy "their" detergent? What kind of detergent do you use in a front loader, I always thought you used regular detergent, just less of it. I always used regular detergent in the front loaders in the laundromat. Anyway, I would love to hear what any of you use.

Also, the front of the washer doesn't have one of those clear doors that you can see through, does that bother anyone? I don't know why I feel that I need to see the clothes spin around but I wonder why they made the door solid. see...
http://www.maytag.com/products/images/products/bm6500awt2.jpg

hey!

my father in law has had one for about 5 years now. He used the HE detergent for about the first year then just started using whatever he wanted and it made no difference.

the only thing I noticed about it when we visisted in dec. was that at certain points in the cycle it was LOUD! weird kinda whiny noise, but not the whole time I think it was the rinse and spin cycles. Hopefully that was just his?

congrats on the new machine:)

Storm

Since KD hasn't posted yet, I'll butt in and answer for her:

Hi My name is KD, and I have a front loading washer. When I take Ian with me to the store, we look for the "high efficiency" kind, but if it isn't cost effective, or if the store is out or doesn't carry it, then I just buy regular stuff. It works just fine, just use a little less.

I may come on and answer again a little later. I'm sorry if I don't remember posting this one, as I'm feeling a little bit "not like myself" right now.

;)

.

I've had the Neptune washer and dryer for about a year now, and I love them. I only use the HE (high efficiency) detergents b/c I got scared reading some posts here by others with high efficiency machines about the way regular detergent could "over-suds" (for lack of a better term) and not be as effective.
You may want to do a search on front loaders to see if you could find any of the past comments.
I don't feel that the HE detergent is overly expensive, and I definitely don't use a full cap for each wash. You can get sooo much more laundry into each load, too.
I have extremely hard water, and my clothes still come out spotless. Even the dipes! Congrats on your new machine.

The product manager tacked $200 on to the price of the machine, just because. He also ordered that little car crest to be put on them. They are made in America.

You can read about it in the Wall Street Journal.

They are great machines. I would not buy one, though, because of the $200, just because.

ari

My brother has one, and he loves it. We argue all the time over who's machine is better - I love mine and it's a Kenmore Elite He3, he has the Maytag Neptune and we used to go rounds over who's was better. (It was all in fun) but by the way he argued his points, it is a good machine.

As far as the detergent goes - well - I used regular detergent for a long time. But if you want the low-sudsing detergent without the price, you can make your own:

2 cups grated Castille soap
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax

then just use 1 tbs per load

Castille soap is low sudsing, so it makes a perfect low sudsing detergent, and making your own will only increase your cost savings.

I use Fels Naptha instead of Castille, but I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure FN ISN'T low sudsing. I don't seem to have a problem with it though - my water bill still dropped $25 a month immediately after switching to a front loader, so even if I do use a bit more water to get rid of the suds, I don't use too much.

Originally posted by mikifrogspapa
Since KD hasn't posted yet, I'll butt in and answer for her:

Hi My name is KD, and I have a front loading washer. When I take Ian with me to the store, we look for the "high efficiency" kind, but if it isn't cost effective, or if the store is out or doesn't carry it, then I just buy regular stuff. It works just fine, just use a little less.

I may come on and answer again a little later. I'm sorry if I don't remember posting this one, as I'm feeling a little bit "not like myself" right now.

;)

BWAHHHHHHH!!!! Well I admit I didn't open the thread because off the top of my head i don't know what brand washer I have and I thought that may come up (too lazy to look! LOL!)
Ian came over and asked if I saw this post and what *I* had wrote.. errr.. LOL! Yeah what I said, except I got a years worth or laundry soap and so we use the kind for the machine. But before I got the coupons I used regular soap and like is errr... said above I use less. :) My mom does this too with her front loader.

thank you ian... i haven't laughed that hard in a long time

I've had one for about 3 yrs. I love it. I too really like the max extract.

As for detergent. The only HE to go into the machine was the free sample. I've used major "mainstream" brands, usally All Free and more earth friendly ones like BioKleen. I've been using bioKleen for about 9 months. I use just a bit less than the recomended amount. It's isn't high suds anyway. IMHO HE detergent is a waste of money.

I have one, and sorry to say, I'm not in love. In fact, I wish I'd never bought it.

Right out of the warranty period, the door latch went bad, which burnt out the computer. Maytag knew about the problem, but never issued a recall. I ended up paying a $400 repair bill.

Also, as a sewing, wool felting, and wannabe dyeing mama, I'm not thrilled with the capabilities of the machine. You can't just open the door any old time and check the progress of your felted project. And I have no idea if you can dye fabric in there, but I'm jealous of mamas with top loaders now :(

So all in all, I've paid $1400 for a washing machine that I don't love. I must be crazy!

About the detergent, I use the Kirkland brand regular detergent from Costco. I had been using about half the recommended amount, but the repair guy told me that I had been using too much, and now I just use a coffee scoop of detergent. Everything seems to get clean.

I have the Kenmore HE front loader. I use whatever is on sale at the co-op. I just use 1/8 of a cup instead of what it calls for. Works fine. Or, I use a small squirt of Dr. Bronners. I love the smell of the lavendar on the towels and undies.

Phunkymama, on my Kenmore, you can open the door after you hit stop and let it unlatch. Can you not on the Neptune?

Originally posted by mpeel
Phunkymama, on my Kenmore, you can open the door after you hit stop and let it unlatch. Can you not on the Neptune?

You can do that, but it takes 2-3 minutes for the latch to release. I guess I'm too impatient. "Back in the day" I could just lift the lid and peek ;)

Have you tried to dye in your washer? I'm tired of swishing PRR in a bucket, LOL. I just don't trust the washer! I guess I could always overdye if the results are not good, but I haven't experimented yet.

My latch releases in like 3 seconds. More if it was spinning but not more than 10.

I have not dyed anything yet. I just have not had time. I used to dye stuff all the time. Two kids took me by surprise -- much more work than 1.

same here. It takes only a few seconds for the latch on my Neptune to release.

Originally posted by EarthRain
same here. It takes only a few seconds for the latch on my Neptune to release.

Don't tell me this! If this thing dies again, it's hitting the scrap heap! Maybe mine takes longer because it's the original model? I got it when they first came out. Yeah, keep telling myself it's because it's older. Probably the biggest purchase I've made that I really regret.

I've been wondering about soaking. Can you soak?

Originally posted by kimi
I've been wondering about soaking. Can you soak?
I guess you can, if you let the washer fill and then shut it off. I end up soaking things in a bucket. Ugh, stop making me think about this stupid washer!

I have one, too. Paid $600 three years ago at the scratch & dent.

My door latch went bad, too, just after the labor warranty expired about a year ago. Maytag wanted to charge me $90 for a service call but I started *****ing and they immediately recanted and said they'd pay for the whole thing. It would have been a $400 repair total including the new computer.

I did spend $90 on the extended service warranty last year and have had someone out to check it once and a support bracket screw was missing (it was getting loud). He told me to call back in a month and they would come out and replace the boot which has gotten moldy. He also told me to wipe out the boot with a dry towel after every load to avoid that (we live in humid Florida, and I won't leave the door open for fear a kid will get stuck in there).

I use 7th Gen detergent and between the front loader and our softener I use 1/4 to 1/3 the recommended amount.

I've been looking and keeping my eyes open for a scratch and dent one for so long. I haven't been able to find one :( I actually bought this one at my Maytag clearance store where they have all the scratch and dent stuff, but this one is new and perfect. I have no idea why people care about scratches and dents, anything I bring into this house gets scratched and/or dented within minutes LOL! I just couldn't wait to get one anymore because DH and his friend are waiting on me to get the old stuff out of the basement and set up my laundry room upstairs so they can finish building a bedroom for DS down there. I got the extended waranty on it so at least if any of that stuff goes wrong I'm covered. I am so excited. I have never bought a new washer before in my life. I have always bought them used and the one I have now is almost thirty years old. I was walking on air the rest of the day after I purchased it, I have never had something so new and so nice, I can't wait to see my utilities got down- the washer and dryer I currently have are such energy hogs, I mean they were made in the 70's :p Thank you for all your suggestions and opinions on this washer, this is a huge deal for me for some reason, I feel ten feet tall.

I pipe up since no one has said anything about my washing machine yet. :D
I have a front loading Bosch.
http://www.boschappliances.com/laundry/1492_WFL2060_detail.asp
I love it. Not sure about the other brands but mine has never broken. It works great. It might be a little small for more american households, but since I grew up in Europe I'm used to it.
The spin cycle does sort of sound like a small airplane taking off. I also just use whatever detergent I can. DH is very sensative to detergents so my selection is limited to the baby detergents. They work just great. I only put a tiny bit in anyway. Another reason to love the front loading.
Oh and mine has a glass door, I can see everything that goes on in there. ;)
Blessings,
Divo