LET'S TALK WASHING MACHINES: TOP OR FRONT LOADER

[Marg]

Hi There- Well, my washing machine broke today and I'm looking at Consumer Reports which favors front loaders in every category but I've always used a top loader and am wondering if you can even use a front loader for tie dye. With my tie-dyed items, I wash and then stop the cycle before it goes into a spin and wash again. Can you do that with a front loader? If you have any feedback, please reply. I don't want to buy a machine that is going to wreck my tie-dye. Thanks and Peace-Marg

[ecilA]

If I was replacing my washer I'd go for a top loader for one simple reason.  I unwrap them and throw them in while it's filling and then agitating.  I don't know how one would add items to a full of water, agitating front loader.  There are ways around this but I'd rather not have to take these extra steps.  I wish you could get the efficiency of a front loader in a top loader though.

[2D4]

I agree, seems like it would be kind of tricky to tie dye with a front loader.

Jo

[pburch]

Another thing to consider: I like dyeing in a top loader, whenever I need a solid color. The front-loading washing machines available in the US usually do not have the features you want so as to be able to add dye or soda ash partway through a wash cycle. I've heard of European front-loaders that are much more satisfactory for this, but the front-loading machines that are readily available here, in my price range, are not so good for dyeing in.

Paula

[steve]

We use a side loader because of ecological concerns. We currently rinse before throwing tie-dyes in, but I am not sure it is necessary. Front loaders extract more dirt from clothes using less water than top loaders. Unless I am wrong, it would seem to follow that they could extract more dye with less water.

You might want to explore the features of individual models, as tront loaders, like top loaders have vastly different features from model to model.

Steve

[Marg]

Well, my husband fixed our machine so I lucked out. I really like the front loaders for the low water usage but I can't imagine how to do tie-dye with one. Thanks everyone for your input. Peace-Marg

[ecilA]

I would imagine the process would go like this:

unwrap into your bathtub that's filling as you work.  Stop to agitate after each unwrap.  When all are in the tub agitate a bit more, drain, squeeze and move them to the washer.  But it seems like a lot of work (I've actually done this and transported to the laundromat in a pinch and it WAS alot of work and kind of scary because of fear of backstaining) and if you are doing anything that might have issues with backstaining, like I do white shirts with just a dyed collar or stripe, it might be a problem.

just...fwiw

[aeboaz]

Hello, I realize this is an old thread, but I wanted to jump in, since I've had to deal with this same thing.  I was hesitant to try tie dying with a front loader, but in my opinion it works just fine.  What I do is start the machine with Synthrapol and let just a little water in (since I need to be opening the door to add items as I rinse them).  My machine starts agitating right away, so the synthrapol gets mixed in right away.  Then as I rinse items in the sink, I open the machine and toss them in, then pull the knob out so it starts again.  I just let them toss around once or twice, then shut it off again, and continue sink-rinsing each item.  Once all the items are in, I pull out the knob and let the machine run its entire course.  What I've noticed is that the excess dye seems to come out pretty quickly - it's getting all the detergent out that takes a bit longer. 

Just my $.02, hope it's helpful.
Ann
Boise, Id.

[pburch]

Some front-loaders do not let you open the door to add anything once the cycle starts. It would be useful if everyone would specify which make and model of front-loading washing machine they are using.

Paula

[aeboaz]

Hi Paula, my washer is a Frigidaire, apparently from the Gallery series, according to the logo on the front.  My husband had it before we were married, so I don't know much more about it.  I estimate it to be about 6 years old.  I can open the door and add extra items if I shut it off, however, I have to be careful about not waiting too long when there's more water in it.  Theoretically the water level doesn't go above the bottom of the door, but I've still had some spillage if I wait too long.  No major floods or anything though.  Hope this helps!
Ann

[mishoga]

I have a front loader and once the cycle starts full run you can not open the door.
Mine is a LG Direct Drive Tromm. We had to get a front loader to lessen water release in our cesspool (cesspoll was backing up from too many loads a day with a top loader.

[Marg]

Well, my old 80 series top-loading Kenmore finally broke down. My husband and I went to Sears and I was determined to buy the same top-loader. But, after talking with the salesman and finding out the difference in water usage, 43 gallons per load for the top-loader and 13 gallons per load for the Kenmore He2t, I couldn't rationalize buying the same old top-loader, when I could afford the He for 2 hundred dollars more. (Sears was having a sale, $100 off the washer, 10% back and free delivery.) And where I live there is a water surcharge, so realistically speaking, we'd make up the extra $200 pretty quick, I wash about 10 large loads per week,  not including the tie dye. I haven't used it yet for tie dye, and admit that I'm nervous about it, but will try a few items sometime soon and will report back. FYI, I have never rinsed out tie-dyed items by hand, always threw them right into the machine. Happy New Year to all of my Tie-Dying Friends! Peace-Marg

[fun2dye]

We have a top loader 1988 Maytag (prior to Whirlpool buying them out). It's needing replacement soon, but I've already decided what will replace it. DON'T BUY THE NEW GLASS TOP MAYTAG! It twists the items so bad that they come out in knots!

Regardless of my choice, I've used toploaders as well as front loaders for rinsing tie dye. During our arts and crafts show season, I have a couple of shows where I need to tie dye at the show, just to fill in with new pieces for our next show. The only way to rinse them out is a laundry mat (they have never said anything YET). After all, I'm not dying in their machines, simply rinsing them out  .

Anyway, the front loaders do not enable you to have control over your items as top loaders do. When I use front loaders, I have to position the items so they don't touch...then fill the machine and allow it to do its full process. If you rinse as in tie dye 101 - 103, you'll note that you need to do a partial wash then spin, then wash again. At least the commercial units don't allow this.

[Marg]

Yeah, well I confess that I have not used my machine for rinsing newly-dyed items. I took them to the laundromat, let them go through a wash and rinse and spin and then took them home and washed them again in my front loading/low water usage machine. I just don't believe that the front loader with how little water it uses, is going to prevent backstaining. I recently emailed Prochem asking about the synthropol low suds version, if it were for use in a front loader machine and they replied yes, but that in their opinion, those machines were not going to do a thorough job on the pre-scour. I have pre-washed-scoured a batch in my own machine and there was undissolved soda ash in the washer when I unloaded the clothes. I tied them anyway and am going to dye them this weekend, so I'll report back if I have any problems with undyed splotches or anything like that. All in all, I think I'll be doing a lot less dying since I'm convinced I'll have to use the laundromat for the re-scour and for the first wash after dying. Thanks everyone for your feedback. Peace, Marg

[Michelle]

OK, I have to admit to wondering if this http://www.amazon.com/Wonder-Washer-portable-cyclonic-washing/dp/B000A7OWHA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1202867289&sr=8-3
would work for the rinse on tie-dye (with a spin dry in the washer or a separate spin dryer). You'd only be able to do 1-3 shirts at a time, but this might be sufficient for a hobby dyer at least.