Thank you for the tip! I detest these new machines! My white sheets that I have had for years were not getting clean. My habits have not changed. I could rant for days on this stupid invention.
Omg! So glad I found this! Just got my new LG and was almost in tears seeing the water barely covering my clothes! Your tip worked beautifully! Thank you
I wish I had found your video 2 years ago. I bought a new HE top loader, it has a glass top, I actually watched a few loads from finish to end, and some of the clothes never got wet! I watched a shirt that stayed on top the whole time. I even watched it when it got off balance, it would drain, refill, try to balance, if it didn't, it would keep draining and refilling, talk about wasting water and taking forever!!! I eventually figured out as you did how to fix the issue. I do have some suggestions, put the water in first instead of the soap, as you could be possibly having some of the soap drained out. And to make putting the pre-water in easier, I put a Y valve on the cold water side, very easy, just screws on, then I bought a very short garden hose, with a nice spray nozzle. I put a hanger on the wall beside the washer, now, after I put the clothes in, I just grab the garden hose, and spray about a 1/2 gallon to get the clothes wet/heavy. Then I put the soap in, and rinse out the soap cup. I bought a nice brass Y fitting that has the shutoff on each port. I thought about using a stainless braid washer hose, but was concerned about it scratching up the side of the washer, although you could put something like a bicycle innertube over it? If you are handy, you could adapt a sink sprayer to use. I am sure there is some way they could adjust the sensor, but as they come, they are WORTHLESS!
I have a Whirlpool Cabriola High efficiency top loader and I'm pretty happy with it. If I want more water in my tub I use the delicate cycle, or one of the deep wash or bulky cycles. I have a well and right now the water level in the well is rather low because of a low water table. The high efficiency washers are godsend to me. Anything that you can do reduce water consumption is sensible and I commend the washing machine companies for their work to conserve water. I like Deidre's idea of adding water to weight the clothes - it's a fine way to get your machine to add just a little extra water and to make sure the clothes get wet. I do have to make sure I get all the tissues out of pockets and to wash lint releasing items separately because the low water levels will surely deposit stuff in the water onto the clothes and not rinse it off very well. I guess it's all about knowing your habits (like tissues in pockets), understanding your machine (a little curiosity helps here) and a little planning ahead. Good luck everyone.
My top loading Kenmore that's 1 1/2 years old is an HE machine. What a mistake to buy. Our clothes, towels, sheets, etc. do not get saturated with water ever. I thought of doing this very thing the other day for a load of towels. ALL of the water drained out. The water level was 4-6 inches when it began "washing" the towels. I'm waiting for the repair person to arrive. Something isn't right. In the meantime +zoolanderfred is correct. Speed Queen is the best (they bought Amana). Someone in my sister-in-laws family has been in biz over 40 years supplying commercial washers throughout the greater Los Angeles area. They are all Speed Queen. You can't beat their warranty either. Unbelievable. As a kid in the early 50s I remember my mother owning first a Bendix front loader then later a Speed Queen. No more HE machines for me. Speed Queen makes an agitator. If this Kenmore purchase mistake get the boot by the repairman, I'm heading to the nearest Speed Queen distributor and buying their agitator Model AWN432. Fingers crossed! Thanks for this video. I'm glad that adding water to your machine worked for you but really, for what you probably paid for it and anyone having the same issue, none of us should have to do that to get clean clothes.
The fact I have had to resort to this to solve the low water issue in a washing machine is ludicrous. Every single person that has this issue should file a complaint with Maytag and maybe even move up to a class action lawsuit.
I was going nuts! We haven’t had it but a year and I swear it gets to be less and less water every time! Makes me so mad. Didn’t even rinse the fabric softener out. Stained my hubs white work shorts with blue all over it
I feel your pain! I have a GE Profile, should've paid attention to the comments that had less complaints about this issue since all of the washers had the same complaint!
It's not maytag, it's government and environmental communism. They have done this to all products from clothes washers to dish washer to shower heads and toilets.
Wanted to do just that until i priced a replacement transmission for my GE Profile Washer it's a 4 hundred dollar part and you have to rip the machine to pieces to replace it. Then you get to think about all the other 18 yr old parts waiting to Fail. And you want us to believe your still using a 26 yr old washer, Ya Sure.
Got screwed once and thankfully I was able to sell it not losing too much money in the process. It was a Maytag (cannot remember the model) and what a waste.
@@nobsatthistime I have 4 vintage washing machines.. The oldest being a 1951 Frigidaire.. They all still purr like brand new. Parts are hard to come by.. but you can make them work with more modern parts like the fill valves and water pumps. The washers I have will outlast any junk they make today.. I also have a 1974 Maytag that works well and parts for it are very much still available for it!!
My wife tried your idea and it WORKS GREAT! Finally, the clothes get cleaner and smell the way the old washer performed. Of all the suggestions on RU-vid you win. You are a genius!
Great tip. I’m going to try it tonight. I hate low efficiency washers. I get “laundry ropes” regardless of how many clothes I wash. I don’t think it gets clothes clean, doesn’t wet them, excessively twists them and I have to literally untie the laundry ropes. I want my old washer back. My water comes from a well. I paid to install my well, pay to have the water pumped from the ground, pay to have it tested, pay to have it cycle through a water softener... and I cannot get enough to clean my clothes?
Glad to know I'm not the only one with this ridiculously aggravating problem. I used to do what Diedre does but it takes so long. Today I ran the garden hose into the house to "out smart" the water sensor by adding water. It still took an enormous amount of time to get the water level to where it should be. At least it worked ... dang, I never thought I'd say this....I miss my old washing machine.
@@cyng5595 New Whirlpool. I added (slowly, so that I soaked the clothes really well) a couple of BIG water pitchers. When I checked on it later, the water was up OVER the clothes, just like my now-gone precious 20-yr old Whirlpool Gold did! I learned a long time ago how to hack the computer in my car to "fix" various things that it did that I didn't like. So this hack is well worth trying.
Just open the lid of my new HE machine while in the wash cycle and add gallons of water. What a waste of time and energy--toting water to wash closet like Laura Ingles Wilder !!!!! Grrrrr!
I've had the same troubles! 4 months we've lived in this house with this "HE" washer. I've had persisten odor issues that I never had before. Then I realized my clothes weren't even getting thoroughly wet during the cycle!!!! Now I'm on the internet seeing that thousands of other people are having this too! I started adding water during the cycle, and agitating the clothes manually. I keep telling my wife I feel "like Carolyn Ingals" from Little House!!!
That's what brought me here. We've had our Whirlpool 3 cycle Clean Touch since 1996 and our regular repair guy came out 3 weeks ago and said she was dead and there's nothing more he can do for her. Part needed is hard to find and going to cost around $400. I refuse to get a front load due to research about mold settling in it from improper drainage and from what I've read on a ton of reviews, the 'H/E' is out of the question as well. Researching more before I make my decision to stick with a Whirlpool traditional instead of 'H/E'.
I have an HE machine and I hate it. I can't wait until it breaks down. It doesn't clean clothes. There is no soak cycle. If you fill it an then just leave the lid open, it automatically drains after 10 minutes. I call it my 1984 Doublespeak machine. There is NOTHING High Efficiency about a machine that can take up to 2 hours for a wash cycle and you have to figure out work arounds to fill it with water or just put everything on a Bedding Cycle after soaking in a sink and hand wringing it. Then, it still doesn't come out clean. Hang on to what you've got for as long as possible. I hope yours is still running!
Ok, so you can have a shower with 10 spray heads that use 100 gallons of water a minute, take 15 baths a day, hand wash dishes until the cows come home but have to wash clothes in a thimble of water. Look, I pay for my water and electricity and would not waste any of it, it's just to damn expensive but what I don't need is the Government in my washing machine.
Everything you said and one thing more... If the stinking government is worried about saving water, why don't they force the commode manufactures to make flush kits that will last, instead of the kind with flappers that start to leak every six months and need replacing. That is fine until one day you go to Lowes and they have changed the design and you have to replace the whole kit which sometimes turns into a new toilet! By the way I wish I had one of those big showers, I could take a shower and do laundry at the same time.
eddieg780 I agree with you a 100%, the government waste millions of gallons of water when they open those fire hydrants, supposedly to check the quality of the water , well. Too late for that since the main line is the same that goes into your house or home, they should check that AT THE SOURCE with out wasting a single drop of water they also say they open the hydrants to clear the line, that’s a bunch of BULL , the line is clear , otherwise we wouldn’t ave any water at the house,it’s the same pipe that supplies the hydrants not only that ,all that water goes to waste into the storm drains and eventually to the ocean (millions of gallons of fresh water ,wasted) in the mean time we are supposed to save every drop of water “counts “.( you multiply the thousands of gallons been wasted (multiple by the thousands if fire hydrants in our country = billions of gallons of good fresh water,been wasted ,and they talk abut CONSERVATION well , they can fool me WATER IS LIFE, let’s conserve it . THANK YOU.
When I wash the dishes I always jam the hot water and hand-rinse each dish. I know its wasteful, but habits break hard, oh well. At least my china sparkles nice in the morning sunshine breaking through the window in my hand.
This is ridiculous isn't it? We buy a brand new expensive washer and it doesn't even get the clothes completely wet. I but some of the crystal scent boosters on top before I turned the washer on ...and sure enough most of them were still there when the cycle was done. I am so aggravated!!!
RACHEL SNEDDON I don’t think you understand. If the detergent is still there after a cycle then the clothes up top never got washed. Adding detergent beforehand will help only clothes low enough to get washed. What this really means is there’s not enough water being used and a poor wash. Thank 2010 EPA for that.
Thanks again, I've been using your tip for about 3 months. I also took the lock off of the lid. Simple unscrew. I can check the water level at any time now, as a 'just in case' .....
Hi, just got a Whirlpool HE washer ! The Latch on the lid can be unscrewed. Did you take it off the lid and then put it in the Latch hole in the washer ? Is there anything dangerous about it ? Besides NOT opening the lid during the SPIN cycle ?
Thank you so much for this tip! I was so excited to get my new HE machine, but now I would love to have my old on e back! Your water tip is genius! Thank you!
Me too, i was so disappointed. I put my laundry in a bucket and get it wet that way amd always do second rinse, i wouls trade for my old one in a heartbeat. Have a good day
In California NOW all the diesel rigs are worth their weight in sawdust, new era reg's Jan ONE and you can't register if it's pulling on a traditional motor..global change, you know.
@Michael Wayne lawmakers don't realize this is defeating their purpose of conserving water...if you have to run an EXTRA rinse everytime you wash! Like flushing those low-flow toilets 15-20 times or low-flow showers that don't rinse your hair!!!
@@movingtoflorida7225 You're so smart you fail to realize washing machines with the older technology were built to last 15-20 years and in most cases they did. A lot of HE machines have issues within 5 years if not less. In term of cleaning your laundry HE is a disaster in general, you kind of need a good amount of water to clean, moron.
This is absolutely ridiculous. Really appreciate the tip. Thank you. It is just so ridiculous that we are living in such a nanny state that we have figure workarounds or not get water to wash our clothes. Disgusting actually. It's water. Man our nanny state are the worst idiots. We need to shrink the size of government. We have too many people sitting around living off my dime trying to make things harder to us to live our daily lives. Ridiculous.
Exactly!!! And they cause climate change, if there is such a thing and increase our taxes, regulations to help "fix" it!! I dont own a house and i have a 4 cylinder kia!!! What do the millionaires and billionaires and politicians and hollywood own?
@@denisemartin3603 Say what? You obviously are just misinfomed. Water doesn't cause climate change. NO water shortages in my part of the country. Obviously Califormia has mismanaged thier water just like everything else. Very very bad leadership.
@@grafton4152 elites, the rich, the leaders, big tech..would be the ones to cause climate change. I didnt say water did. Yes everything is mismanaged and our springs in Florida are being destroyed. Water bottle companies such as nestle bought off some of our springs, then the plastic they use to sell us water!! Not to mention all the runoff from agriculture and factories. Same story
if you all care about the environment in the least think about what you said...yes, there has to be a better way but we have to have clean water and enough water too blaming the government? really?
it's not ridiculous when you live in water-scarce areas, like the southwest. considering that old fashioned washers can use as much water as a bathtub, and that some people set the water level to max no matter the load size. all you have to do is read the directions and adjust the carefully calibrated settings to match your load needs. having to think about load size, the right setting, measuring detergent, and pretreating stains are all minor things to get used to considering the huge water and energy savings.
That was quite helpful but I got a better solution that works with front and top load he washers if you do still own this one that is something called the pressure switch inside the control panel it's basically like a circular shape weather valve with a little tube attached to it with a screwdriver you can't adjust it turn it clockwise to have more water and anticlockwise to have less water from 1 up to 5 turns depending on the size of your tub there is a lot of videos on RU-vid showing how to do it if you are interested all what you have to do is to enter the brand name and model of your washer to find the appropriate video anyway have a nice day or a nice night if you are asleep and thank you for the video once again 😊
HA I just unscrewed the latch and put it in the hole and can open the lid when I want and realized by watching that there's hardly any water...I filled a 5 gallon water jug poured in there and now there is 6 inches of water...whoopie do... I've got to get rid of this junk GE washer...the sales person didn't even warn me. I refuse to buy HE detergent as I like my detergent and will stick with Arm and Hammer!! No suds you say...okay I'll add dish soap to it LOL
Holy mackerel - You need to play manual games, like going to the well and get a bucket of water - to fool a "modern" machine to actually get the load "wet"? What happens when you have a comforter? I've never seen these machines demonstrated with a real 13-16Lb load - because they probably can't?
When something gets that big of a weight load on it in sheer gallons, something's gotta give. Go burn up a machine at the laudr0-mat; and if you got one of these stupid designs it don't matter if you break the machine cause what difference could it make?
I hadn’t thought of your tip but I like it. Part of the problem with these HE washers is that most don’t have an agitator to move the clothes from the top of the load to the bottom. I have had mine for over five years and after the first few loads, I was ready to call Sears and have them come get it. I finally figured out that if I did every load on bulky, it would fill the tub with more water. With the bulky setting the washers computer system assumes that the contents of the tub will be larger pieces but not weigh as much. I’ve not had a problem with dry clothes coming out after a wash cycle. I know this original post is a year old but I hope this helps someone?
Thank you for this idea. I often have clothes that have dry spots on them. I use the deep water cycle and extra rinse and it kinda works but I'm definitely going to try bulky instead of normal. The front load HEs are so much better than the top loads
So true about the agitator not moving the clothes from top to bottom. All it does is sit in the same position and wiggle back & forth. Would be great if only I can use the old style agitator (that continually move the clothes downward) in the new machine. At least I know my clothes would get completely wet instead of having to use the deep wash cycle all the time.
@Brookie91 I have heard that front load washers can begin to leak after a few years, so many people don't want them for this reason. This is also why some stackable washer/dryers still have a top loading washer on them.
Yes I used to just throw my clothes in and move on - now I feel like I have to buy it dinner and a movie after putting everything in the drum “just right” to get my clothes washed. As ridiculous as this is unfortunately it is true with most of new machines
I have the Maytag Commercial machine, as recommended by salesman. I have used this hack to increase water level by wetting clothes which increases the weight it senses. I also do presoak, but it drains after soak & then wash. I have also pushed through dirty clothes water with my hand leaning my weight on the bottom, as it fills. I detest this machine, as it literally beats up my clothed, makes a racket washing. It thins the fibers on everything, sheets, towels...as the clothes are simply not in enough water. Jeanne
Thank you works like a charm. Have been struggling with my washer since purchased a year ago. White lint marks on dark loads and parts of my clothing coming out not even touched by water from a 1/4 load.
I'm happy to know that I'm not the only one complaining about this issue. Thanks for the tip! Another thing that confuses me about the high efficiency washers is the fact that they take so much longer to wash a load of clothes. Some of the cycles are over an hour long. How is that efficient?
I finally have time to try and figure this machine out after over two years. I hate it, I mean I really hate it. White stuff on dark clothes, stinky towels, not enough water to get the clothes wet let alone clean. Give me back my old machine with the center piece that rips your fingers off (which is why they are now not sold, I hear) and beats the heck out of my wash. At least I know my laundry is clean. Further more, it does no good to have an energy efficient machine if we have to run a rinse cycle then the full cycles. Grrr
Mother Nature is groaning under the weight of this green washing. High-E, indeed. Destroy-your-clothing-in-a-heartbeat is what that is what we're experiencing here w/ our High-E toploader. Contemplating installing a laundry sink next to the washer, to add Big Orange Bucket loads of water to our machine before the lid locks, so we at least have a shot at getting our laundry half-clean. Hmm....reminds me of my grandma's routine with the ol' wringer/wash tub. Pre-wash, buckets of water in, machine is used only to wring out water. Tech-regression?
Thanks Deidre...we thought the reason the clothes were not washing, properly, was our fault. I have had to re-wash clothes because the clothes were not clean...I fail to see how this is "energy efficient. There are times when the soil level in the items aren't noticed until those items have been dried; so we wash and dry a second time.
Just got a new washer and I’m shocked how little water it adds on the normal cycle . More then half of the clothes is not even covered in water . I tried this trick , but since my washing machine spins really fast , to sense the load , unfortunately it makes the clothes a lot lighter again. I am so bumped. I was so excited and now I have no idea how to wash my clothes properly. When I wash on bulky, it adds way to much water and then won’t rinse correctly. I kind of find it unacceptable, that we pay so much money for washing machines and are left with problem like that
PS. I ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS use the 2-rinse option. The end result is probably that my method - in order to get acceptably clean and rinsed laundry - probably uses more water and electricity than my old (sadly missed) top-loading-agitator-type washing machine.
My high-efficiency washing machine drives me bonkers! I despise that thing! The hack I came up with is to wait about 13 minutes into the wash cycle until the machine is starting its "longest wash agitation period", pause the machine, and then pour in several gallons of water. Then I resume operation and watch my clothes dance happily in the water I just added. I do not do this with the rinse cycle as I value my sanity. All the water drains out of the tub at the appropriate time like it would normally. I haven't encountered any problems with my machine by adding additional water.
I always had used equipment & was happy the day I finally at 62 got to buy a brand new washer & dryer. Immediately hated it & then found out they're all the same. Thank you for this tip. I'm trying it on my next load. Update: made a world of difference & my clothes got clean. Thank you for this lovely and accurate tip.
@@deidre-restlessmind4305 I instead of adding water myself. I start out on Heavey. Than let the water fill up and wash a bit & than change it to normal. Yes o have to use the spin cycle twice but it works like a charm & really cleans the clothes. Hope this help!!
Front loaders do not need very much water. The clothing tumbles, so all of the clothing will get wet. HE is designed for front loaders. Some drunk thought of flipping a front loader drum upright, and putting a cut stick in the middle.
Well thats cool.but when ya pay 8 hundred to a 1000 dollars for these washers that should not be necessary.why wouldnt the manufactures no this before putting them on the market.
Thanks for this tip. I'll try it. I'm not against HE washing machines but manufactors should have taken into account that the weight of the clothes wasn't a good water indicator. Instead, they should have made the sensor mark the level of the clothes in the machine to know when to stop the water.
@@carolb.6350 Or they could have just let a human tell the machine how big the load was the way they used to. Humans are much better at judging load size.
My Samsung machines are the absolute worst I’ve ever used. Not only do the loads NOT get covered with water, they come out with permanent wrinkles that don’t even come out after drying. I’ve got pillowcases and other items that have spots of twisted wrinkles that don’t ever go away even with ironing them. These new machines suck and whoever designed them are very stupid ppl. You’re better off buying older machines from estate sales than this junk.
Maytag says ball up the clothes and put them around the outside of the drum. They say that the amount of water is based on how full the drum is not the weight of the clothes.
They also say wash SMALLER loads. I'm an appliance tech and I say this SUCKS!!!! Lots of complaints bout not washing, cloths still dry, and not removing stains. Don't even get me started on that damn lid lock!!!!!
Same issue with our new HE washer, and I almost called Whirlpool when parts of some shirts were completely dry after being “washed.” I will try this. Thanks.
thanks for your advice... this machine really takes a lot of time from people using it because now we have to search online and find the solution and put the extra water in carefully every single time! GREAT!!!
This video has inspired me to make a little modification to my Whirlpool Cabrio top-loading HE washer: Cut a round hole in the cover and add a clear, plexiglass lid with a hinge on it. I can open at my convenience and add water and/or clothes without having to stop the cycle and lose water and/or soap. These washers won't last 20 years anyway so it's not like I will be able to resale it anyway. Another step I already take: I run the shower until full hot water comes out. Doing so guarantees that hot water will immediately dispense in the washer, which is located between the path of the water heater and the shower. Considering that these HE washers use less water, I'm pretty sure that a "hot" cycle never really gets "hot" because it fills up and then shuts off the water before it even gets "hot".
@@tmo.48 I don't have a video at this time. All I did was unscrew two screws under the front of the lid where the catch is located. Then I slipped out the catch mechanism. In order to get the machine to run, the lock mechanism needs to be placed in the hole on the machine because it uses a magnet to activate the switch. (Do not short any wires for you will find yourself purchasing a new printed circuit board.) The catch will need to be inserted into the hole in order for the machine to operate, but at least you will be able to open and close the lid while the machine is running. Once the machine has completed, lift the lid and then the catch in order to trick the machine into thinking you opened the lid as normal. I intend to make a dummy latch with a magnet inside to mimic the manufactured one so that the lid will close all the way down. In either case, the magnet will need to be removed at the end of the entire cycle to power off the green finish light. Opening the lid during operation with the latch still inserted allows for adding more water as needed. You will be surprised how terrible the agitation is for these low-water machines.
You are a genius. I just got the HE washer and thought perhaps I was going to lose my mind or have to call the repairman. THANK YOU for sharing your trick. CANNOT WAIT to try it. I have used the traditional machine for 40 years and have never been disappointed with the system, but our washer was 15 years old and we needed to update. You just made my day.
I positively HATE my HE washing machine. I had loads that were streaked with my blue detergent when they were supposed to have been washed and rinsed! Like you, I read that the washing machine puts water in based on the weight of the load. My machine has a rinse and spin cycle. I use that first and then go back and add detergent and put it on a wash cycle. Whatever way you choose, we're all still having to 'cheat' the idea of using less water. I'm just fed up and feel an old wringer washer would do a better job than this "HIGH EFFICIENCY" machine. It must have been designed by a man who has never, ever done the wash!
My daughter had a high efficiency front loading washer that used almost no water. You could see in the window and I'd watch the entire cycle and I swear it used no water! When the clothes came out they smelled like detergent. So strongly that I was sure there was still soap in them. So one day I took a load of just washed laundry she had to my house and put it into my 1978 Kenmore top loading washer and I added no soap. As it washed the clothes, they started sudsing up anyway. I let it go through the cycle and then I rewashed them again. The same thing. The new efficiency washers don't use enough water to clean the clothes or even get the soap out. She got a top loader and is much happier now,
Front loaders aren’t new...They have been around as long as top loaders and just like the old top loaders, front loaders used more water in the past than they do now.
TOP LOADERS SAME WAY NO GOOD THEY DONT GET THE SOAP OUT AND THEY SURE AS HELL DONT GET THE CLOTHES CLEAN IT MAKES ME WANT TO PUKE I CANT EVEN HAVE CLEAN CLOTHES ANYMORE THANKS TO THE MENTAL CASE LIBTARDS IN WASHINGTON
@@NumaticVacuum My mother bought a White-Westinghouse front loading washer when we emigrated to Canada in 1969 and it always did a good job of washing and rinsing because it used enough water. I bought a Figidaire front loader about 25 years ago and it too worked great. When I divorced about 15 years ago she kept the washer and dryer so I bought a new Frigidaire front loader but it was an early "high-efficiency" model and I didn't realize how badly it was working compared to the older ones I'd experienced until my new wife told me that either the washer or I would have to go because she was sick of our clothes not being clean and smelling funny. We went back to a traditional top loader and she was happy but now we need a new top-loader and now all of THEM are "high-efficiency" too, which simply means not enough water to actually clean anything. The problem today is that there is no alternative. Nobody makes old-school non-high-efficiency top loaders any more. I'm going to try to repair our 7 year old washer and hope for the best
We just used your tip in our brand new Whirlpool and it was amazing! I was so mad at the mistake we made in giving up our 20-yr old Whirlpool Gold, but you have brightened our day. Now, if someone (hint, hint, Deidre) could figure out how to get the impeller to be more effective. I prefer the old-timey buttons and knobs, but it is what it is. Will learn to live with the lesser product we are now stuck with.
I'm so glad I found this video! We just moved into a new complex and we have a auto sensing washing machine. I was getting so mad because it wasn't adding enough water. Definitely going to try this trick next time. I even filled my machine all the way to the top to make it as heavy as possible and it still wouldn't fill not even a quarter of the way. I'm like come on now!
So disgusted. My washer (LG) not only skimps on water, but skips rinse cycle entirely most of the time. Repairman says tiny amount of water sprayed during spin cycle is water- saving rinse!!
I pour 5 gallons of water into every load to wet the clothes. Then, I add 3 gallons of water after the machine stops "filling" with water. "HE" washers are a joke.
Your tip made all the difference. I've also found that if I do a pre-soak it really wets the clothes & helps in the cleaning process. Most people don't have the time so your gallon trick is quicker. I'm retired so I've the time. You've helped me a lot since I'm stuck with this. Thank you for your video.
This was a very helpful tip. Spent close to $800.00 on my Maytag commercial grade washer in 2018. I stuck with the name because of the reliability of the brand. Owned Maytag washer & dryer before buying these. Older washer was only serviced 3 times in 28 years of owning it, and the dryer once in 28 years. Wish I would have kept them, they were working just fine...my Maytag dryer is another animal of complaints, which dont belong in this post
Install a “Y” fitting on the Cold water inlet at the wall water connector. Add a short water hose with a nozzle. Use this to fill your tub to desired level.
Agitation of the clothes with such a small amount of water is compared to washing clothes on an old fashion washboard… The manufacturer of Whirlpool says rubbing the clothes together is a way to loosen the dirt in the clothes… Many people, like myself, wash their clothes to freshen the fabric & remove body odors… not because we work in a coal mine… My clothes aren’t covered in dirt… Beating clothes to death in the clothes washer shortens the life of your clothes & fades colors… The rinse cycle only trickles a small amount of water while the basket spins… There is no true rinse cycle… While the manufacture declares clothes must be washed in cold water to save energy… when the machine goes through the periodic cleaning cycle, it uses ONLY Hot Water… I Hate my Whirlpool Washer!
Very good idea Deidre, I just bought my Mother a new whirlpool washer ( the last one lasted 18 years ) and she's so mad with the water level she wants me to take it back. Thanks!
I appreciate that you did this, but we shouldn't have to work harder to do our laundry. These "new and improved" washers are not impressing me. I would rather use an old machine!!
Nice tip, doesn't work with mine but was worth a try, just got a new washer, after 20 yrs on the old one, I have brought back and gotten 4 different new washers they all suck. Maybe if your clothes aren't dirty they work great. But as someone who actually works and gets dirty, no way is it ever gonna be enough water. Even on super with the deep fill button, Enough Is enough I'm drilling a hole in it and putting a tee on the water line. Then I can drown the energy efficient garbage. I swear we are going backwards with tech soon it will be a bucket and a board.
maybe we need to wash a couple rocks along with the load...... haha. Seriously, maybe a couple of gallon jugs of water in there to add weight, Better yet, make little holes in the gallon jugs, then they can dribble extra water in throughout the cycle. Thoroughly disgusted with these machines.
exactly! and with no agitator, the clothes are not really washing and agitating/rubbing against each other to rub out stains and dirt. they sit in a few inches of water and slosh back n forth like u would do while hand washing items in a sink of water. they then spin like crazy to the point of wrinkles that do not come out in the dryer. I took 2 sets of HE's back to the store and come to the conclusion that I need to go find and old washer and dryer at an auction so i can wear clean clothing again!
I wait till it fills then add a bucket of water, then the machine adds more to it. If I want more I add another bucket and it repeats adding more water. A real pain but I flipping want more water. I hate my new $ 800 watching machine! I'm thinking if buying a used one. Mine was 28 years old and could not be repaired.
I think these new HE machines SUCK. How is only using a smidge of water going to get the clothes clean? You need a good amount of water so your clothes have room to agitate and get clean. I've had many of my older relatives over the years tell me not to overload the washer because the clothes need room to agitate through the water to get good and clean. Who would have thought that common sense would prevail.......🙄. Obviously these people that invented these new HE machines don't think about that. I think they are doing the same thing with dishwashers now. Where I used to work, they got a new dishwasher about a year ago and it does not get the dishes clean like the older one did. You have to pre scrub a lot of the dishes before you run them through the machine now which kind of defeats the purpose. I don't know if the older one used more water or just had better pressure or what. The older machine you could stack the dishes, give a quick rinse with the sprayer and send them through and they would come out good and clean.
Thank you so much for this video. I HATE my new top loading washer. The more money you pay the worse they are. I can't wait to try it this method. I actually had clothes come right out of the washer smelling bad. Also the lint filter on my dryer fills up where it was maybe 1/4 full before.
I hated using the HE front loaders in my community laundry facility. The clothes always came out smelling awful. I am not allowed to have a washer in my apt but bought a portable twin tub washer and have never gone back to the laundry room. The HE are horrible.
People have time to go to all this trouble and furthermore, what use is a washing machine if you are pulling clothes out and they are dry. The machine obviously isn't worth it's salt!
I feel like with this low water level the clothes come out soooooo wrinkled, I’m going to try this trick. Unbelievable we have to do this, next will have to pound it out on a rock outside!!
Thanks for the tip! Last time I washed a few jeans with 3 or 4 sweatshirts there were actual dry spots on most of them after the complete cycle. Looking forward to trying your tip. 👍🏼
Deidre TAHNK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH!!! We just bought our new high efficiency washer and dryer and I was bummed out, of how these new washers wash(NOT). I couldn't believe the lack of water and the feeling of throwing away $$ I finally searched for high efficiency washer hacks and you POPPED UP!! YOUR TIP HELPED INCREDIBLY!! I actually added more water because I had a full load. I added 3 full, big plastic pitchers of water and that did the trick! Now I know that if I have half of a full load I'll only use 1-1/2 pitchers of water. Very grateful!😻😺👍🏼
Bulky or Deep Water wash cycle selections have no effect on the crazy-low water amount in the Maytag Centennial top loading HE.... at least not on mine.
Thumbs way up, Diedre! This video is the 1st relevant search hit I got when trying to find solutions for my laundry coming out with *dry patches* half the time in our new high efficiency washer! I'm surprised I wasn't able to find others w/similar complaints in my search. I was very impressed that you did your own research & came up with a thoughtful, clever, original solution. Thanks for the tip! -Michelle
Such a pain in the ass to have to do this to an expensive appliance, mine is less than a year old, and also a Maytag. Thank you SO VERY MUCH for this advice!!
Don't use the normal wash cycle if this is a concern for you. That cycle is mandated by the government as the he cycle for the machine. You cannot choose the temperature - it is usually always warm, even if hot is chosen. If you have a deep wash or heavy duty cycle, try that instead. But most importantly, water does not clean clothes. Friction does. She also might have a faulty pressure sensor as well 😬😬
i bought a 'traditional' washer with high efficiency made by GE...it is the 3.8 cu ft washer model GTW330ASKWW. Btw, that is a great idea Mrs. Deidre by adding jug of water before hand. I guess it is a bit of an inconvenient having to add that step, but HE machines have given so many owners headaches will so low water fills that it is better than a headache.
Orrrr just start a wash cycle.. when it starts filling, get the clothes wet.. turn it off n restart cyle.. it doesnt matter if drains little extra water out 1st.. itll weigh n start cycle with more water... who wants fill a jug..
The way the washer senses is a pressure sensor. There is a hose that is connected to the bottom of the tub to the sensor on the board. The hose fills up with water. The problem is that the hose can have residue water trapped in the hose. This is a problem since it fails and you do not have enough water. There really needs to be a class action lawsuit for all manufacturers, since this issue is common for all that use this technology. One trick is to remove the safety switch and always leave it in the machine. This way you can actually see the water level. Also you can add or remove clothes. I hope this helps.
Has anyone reached out to Maytag and complained? I did when I bought my first machine with no agitator. It always left detergent marks on my clothes. Now I have a Maytag with an agitator and not enough water. Stop reinventing the wheel. The old ones worked just fine!!
I fill the empty laundry bottle with water and then put it in the washer. I will never buy a washing machine again that has a sensor on it for water conservation. I have a Maytag and it has no agitator. The other problem is you have to do your laundry in a timely fashion. If you put in a load and go to bed, you wake up to mildewy smelling clothes. These machines suck!
All of the new washing machines have this feature, it it mandated by the governments energy star rating. You will have to find an older model without these features or find a hack.
yes I just bought a new expensive Maytag washer, with high hopes that it would be a good one. I researched and shop for a month before I settled on this one thinking that Maytag was reputable and I would be happy. I'm ending up staying up till 2 in the morning agonizing over a load that takes an hour and a half to wash. I hate it I hate it I hate it. and it goes off balance constantly. it seems really unfair that we purchase a thousand dollar Appliance and end up having to lug a gallon of water do baby it along. I seriously considered returning it to Home Depot, but I'm afraid I won't find anything any better out there on the market. they're all ridiculous. I need to go to an estate sale and buy a 10 year old washer for a couple of hundred bucks and I would be better off
Julia Titus Emerson true, that's why I always add a little baking soda or Borax to each load of laundry. It inhibits mold growth and helps eliminate smells.
I HAVE A 1000 DOLLAR MAYTAG THAT WONT CLEAN ANYTHING HOW CAN IT WITH A THIMBLE FULL OF WATER TIME FOR NORMAL AMERICANS TO REVOLT AGAINST THIS LIBERAL LEFTIST TREE HUGGING INSANITY
you should not have to trick a machine to get clothes clean. I had one returned it , did not clean. I got a GE with deep fill and agitator. love it. also these no water machines wash forever thus using more electricity. how is that energy efficient? Here water is plentiful and cheap and electricity is not
Lot of hassle there. No thanks. I'll just stick with my 21 year old Whirlpool direct drive that actually CLEANS clothes in one washing, AND in way less time than any of these new fangled POS HE type could ever hope to do. If/when my old machine needs service or parts, I'll pay the extra for them just so I don't have to buy the junk made today. Not bashing you BTW, you're just being helpful. I'm just frustrated with the JUNK, of which is pretty much all you can get these days.
All I have to do is lift the lid after it starts agitating and this will override the water saver feature. The washer will continue to fill with water after you close the lid.
OK Deidre, I was using your method, which does seem to get the "sensor" to add more water. Now I just start the cycle and let it put water in for 1-2 minutes, then I cancel the cycle. The water drains but does not spin. The clothes are now heavier (my washer turns while filling up the tub so all the clothes get "moist") and I don't have to walk back and forth with water. I still must use the bulky setting to get more water in. Big loads call for both bulky and deep water settings.
Yeah, I wish I could. I have to walk 25 steps ( I counted) to the nearest faucet deep enough to fill the empty detergent container and then 25 steps back ▬ two or three times so I came up with this hack. Thank you.
I don't mind conserving water at all, but there are times when I need a full tub of water to clean my clothes - especially for a pre-soak with a capful of bleach. Remember when you could do that? I do. I also remember when washers and dryers lasted 17+ years. I had a refrigerator that was, and I"m not kidding, over 40 years old. Plus, I find it weird that a washing machine has to clean itself once a month. My old washer never had to clean itself. I hate Samsung washers and dryers in particular. I'll never buy another Samsung product. The world has gone insane.
Exactly! We live in Las Vegas, so I can relate! We bought a new HE washer, which I _would_ otherwise love, but it's low water levels are not sufficient to wash most of my loads. My clothes come out w/dry patches, and if the bf's man-deodorant got streaked onto a shirt, forget about it! All of the clothes have deodorant streaks by the end of the cycle! Very frustrating. It's not like I'm over-filling the basin w/ridiculously packed loads. I feel like if there was just a _little_ more H2O, it'd be fine. Trying this tip ASAP.
