How Washington Ruined Your Washing Machine

WSJ ^ | 3/17/11 | Sam Kazman

[SoFloFreeper]

...In 1996, top-loaders were pretty much the only type of washer around...Consumer Reports tested 18 models, 13 were "excellent" and five were "very good." By 2007, though, not one was excellent and seven out of 21 were "fair" or "poor." ...The culprit is the federal government's obsession with energy efficiency...washer standards demonstrate the harmfulness of the ever-growing body of efficiency mandates.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

” Look at what the SOBs did to the toilet!”

Yeah. But that’s easy to fix with about $10 in parts, and 30 to 45 minutes of easy labor on your part. Simply buy and install a taller fill tube/flapper valve assembly. I managed to get 3” more water in my tank. Flushes perfectly every time. For efficiency, follow the old adage;
“If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, let it drown.”

[AnAmericanMother]

Come to think of it, we do get some mold in the dispenser for the fabric softener.

But that's why people use dryer sheets - any fabric softener dispenser is going to get moldy because fabric softener is basically just mold food.

Fortunately it's no big deal. The dispenser pops right out and I rinse it in the laundry sink (with a little bleach if I'm feeling like a clean freak) and pop it back in. The entire dispenser unit can be taken out and cleaned, and once in awhile I do that just for grins. But obviously there's no mold problem in the bleach dispenser!

[ReverendJames]

I used one once, just once. After following the instructions implicitly I have to admit they clean quite well. My clothes had clean dirt on them when they came out. And yes, yes, to using phosphate free detergent.

[listenhillary]

Google this

Savogran 10622 TSP 4.5 lb Heavy Duty Trisodium Phosphate

[Deaf Smith]

"And shower heads!"

One can take the shower head apart and drill out the restrictor. I opened mine back to 0.500 inch...it flows.

[EBH]

[GOPJ]

It’s NOT ‘Washington’ that ruined washing machines, toilets, detergents, cars, french fries, etc.etc - it’s LIBERAL ELITES. Let’s put the blame where it belongs.

[FrogMom]

I’ll pass that on to FrogDad. I have trouble getting enough water to rinse my hair when I wash it!

[Blennos]

You can still get the real stuff (with phosphates) online. It is used by commercial outfits.

real cascade

[oh8eleven]

For efficiency, follow the old adage; “If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, let it drown.”
Ah, thanks, but no thanks, we don't particularly care for 19th Century standards.

[The Sons of Liberty]

I’m glad that I’m not the only one who dislikes what they did to my toilet!

[43north]

I buy TSP in the paint department at Home Depot. Add a tablespoon in your dishwasher and 2 in the clothes washer and things actually get clean.

[businessprofessor]

“To make matters worse, last year congress quietly pressured the makers of dishwashing detergents to remove phosphates from their products, supposedly to reduce pollution. However, phosphates are what get your dishes clean. If you dishwasher appears to be working less well than it did a year ago, this may be why.”

The impetus came from Washington state, not Congress. Washington state passed a law banning phospates in dishwashing soap (only non commercial products). The manufacturers responded by removing phosphates from products in all states rather than sell separate products in Washington state. The Washington state law was based on poor science and no cost-benefit analysis. The proposed benefit from banning phosphates has not materialized.

[MulberryDraw]

ethanol in gasoline, ... the list goes on and on.

I've occasionally been using non-ethanol gas instead of 10% ethanol gas and keeping track of the mpg difference. My car got 9% better gas mileage with the non-ethanol gas (3 non-ethanol fillups so far).

[Victor]

Is there any source at all for a dishwashing detergent that still contains phosphates?

[Pure Country]

And shower heads!

You want great shower heads with lots of power? Go here...

http://www.highpressureshowerheads.com/

We live in the country and have a shallow well with low pressure. Got a shower head from these people and it about blows you out of the shower! Never thought that I would have this kind of pressure in our home. Amazing!

[RightField]

Is there any source at all for a dishwashing detergent that still contains phosphates?

Try janitorial supply stores. The phosphate ban does not include commercial products. I just bought a big box of Cascade "Professional Formula" at a G&S Restaurant supply in Florida. Clean dishes at last!

[wtd]

Where do you find non-ethanol gas?

[Victor]

Great to know. Thanks!!

[PUGACHEV]

I agree. We switched to a front loader about two years ago and it's much gentler on fabrics that the top loader with an agitator. Our things are just as clean without being twisted in knots and beaten to death. It uses far less water, it's much quieter, and has never jumped up an down while trying to walk across the floor like out old washer did. The only small drawback is that you have to pay a small bit more for HE detergent. Other than that, front loaders are much better.