Maytag Bravos (5.0 cf ) MVWB450WQ

by ShopMavenVA
(VA)

Discovered that the Maytag Bravos (and the Whirlpool Cabrio twin) use the Fisher & Paykel AquaSmart technology. It works by using the plate at the bottom to sort of "knead" the clothes. (Explained here http: //whirlpool.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2912/session/L3NpZC9fQkJVaGhBag==/sno/0 )

It can be tricky to choose the right cycle for different types of clothing -- it's not like the old days when "Normal" cycle worked good enough for everything except "heavy duty" loads like towels. (As someone who had to use the heavy duty cycle for the last 12 years of a 17 year life span on a Kenmore/Whirlpool 80 series, I've become very experienced with untwirling and untangling wrinkled clothes!)

So, I researched this machine pretty thoroughly and found an additional $100 rebate on the pair at Lowes, plus the Maytag Energy Star 20% discount and a tax-free weekend, convinced me to choose the Maytag rather than either the Cabrio or the Fisher & Paykel model.

So, first load I discovered that "Normal" is a hearty wash that handles jeans well but is too tough for light cotton pants, blouses and even school uniform skirts. Instead, the cotton cycle handles those lighter things better -- less twisting and tangling. Also, I discovered an entirely dry (but seemingly clean) sock in a "Normal" cyle load that was interrupted by "add a garment." Somehow, we confused it and dumped the cycle. Rerunning that set of clothes with a higher soil level (on Normal) solved the problem.

So, my limited experience says to keep trying the combos until you know what will work for your clothes.