Whirlpool Calypso washer

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Whirlpool Calypso washer

by Ian McDougall
(Canada)

These washing machines should have been recalled as everyone I have spoken with agree they are nothing but trouble. Incredibly expensive not to last longer than 3 or 4 years.

In the 4 years I have owned it we have had the repairman in 3 times and he was unable to fully solve the problem.

The last time it was out of warranty and the repairman said it will cost $800 approximately to repair.

Without a doubt this consumer feels cheated and will never return to purchase a Whirlpool appliance which applies to all the other brands that are built by Whirlpool and sold under competitors names. One Star.

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Whirlpool Calypso washer

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Nov 16, 2009
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Problem with it draining properly
by: Jannie H

This machine was bought in 2003, and has been nothing but trouble. We had a problem with it draining properly, and have to spin it out twice. It streakes the clothes badly, and also lint is a problem. When we go on vacation and come back, the whole house stinks because mold forms in the bottom of the machine.

We need to dry everything on the line outside, so wind and air can make our clothes presentable. We bought a matching dryer at the time, and it works wonderful. It's hard to get anyone at Whirlpool that can give any decent advice; they just tell you to call a serviceman, which can cost more than the washer is worth...the dealer here won't even come and look at it...he says it is problem machine.

DON'T BUY WHIRLPOOL!!!!

Oct 28, 2009
Rating

Miracle: Clothes Last Forever
by: Charles Peterson

I bought my Whirlpool Calypso in Fall 2001. I had been following the sorry history of the first year of Kenmore Calypso production and decided to wait until the 2nd generation, and buy straight from the actual manufacturer, which has tended to be more conservative when their own name is on the product.

I am very happy with this machine, mainly because it is easy to use and it makes clothes last forever. Even clothes which were nearly worn out in my previous washer (which did more wear to clothes than actually wearing them) are still surviving, 8 years later!

I did have a pump fail after 3 years. That was replaced free under my comparatively inexpensive Best Buy extended warranty. The invoice cost for the repair, including part, was under $100.

Now there are things you must be aware of with this machine. You absoutely must use liquid HE detergent. Most of the failure reports I have seen involve use of other kinds of detergent. I did use non-HE liquid (sometimes the HE is not available at my local store) for a few loads, but quickly changed after I discovered my mistake.

For another thing, this machine will not remove lint and non-soluable dirt. Those things are readily removed in the dryer, even on zero heat. So this washer is not for you if you intend never to use dryer and only do line drying.

In most cases, it is the most gentle possible washer, even without using the "gentle" and "hand wash" cycles. However, certain poor quality washcloths, the kind you get in bundles for less than $1 apiece, and notably made in Pakistan, will fall apart in this machine (leaving lots of lint). The problem is those towels are made loosely assuming that the user will wash in a standard machine in order to tighten the fabric through wringing action. (You may notice a warning label "wash before first use".) I have not had any problem with washcloths made in China or USA, just Pakistan.

Also, though it has a large tub, I have had problems washing large non-porous rubber-like comforter allergen-proof covers in this machine. The problem is that these covers tend to trap air, and the Calypso motion tends to get them to inflate like a big balloon, and when that happens they get forced past the washplate seal and then pick up grease from the underlying machinery. The solution is to use a short wash cycle, and monitor the wash process every 5 minutes to make sure that balloon-like inflation is not occurring. I was able to re-wash the greasy cover without incident.

But most of the time, this machine is just a dream to use, and it saves energy without having to bend over. I doubt that even front loading washers are as gentle on clothes, though they might be better in the two cases that are a problem with this machine.

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Oct 28, 2009
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Submitted by: Charles Peterson

Title

Comment
I bought my Whirlpool Calypso in Fall 2001. I had been following the sorry history of the first year of Kenmore Calypso production and decided to wait until the 2nd generation, and buy straight from the actual manufacturer, which has tended to be more conservative when their own name is on the product. I am very happy with this machine, mainly because it is easy to use and it makes clothes last forever. Even clothes which were nearly worn out in my previous washer (which did more wear to clothes than actually wearing them) are still surviving, 8 years later! I did have a pump fail after 3 years. That was replaced free under my comparatively inexpensive Best Buy extended warranty. The invoice cost for the repair, including part, was under $100. Now there are things you must be aware of with this machine. You absoutely must use liquid HE detergent. Most of the failure reports I have seen involve use of other kinds of detergent. I did use non-HE liquid (sometimes the HE is not available at my local store) for a few loads, but quickly changed after I discovered my mistake. For another thing, this machine will not remove lint and non-soluable dirt. Those things are readily removed in the dryer, even on zero heat. So this washer is not for you if you intend never to use dryer and only do line drying. In most cases, it is the most gentle possible washer, even without using the "gentle" and "hand wash" cycles. However, certain poor quality washcloths, the kind you get in bundles for less than $1 apiece, and notably made in Pakistan, will fall apart in this machine (leaving lots of lint). The problem is those towels are made loosely assuming that the user will wash in a standard machine in order to tighten the fabric through wringing action. (You may notice a warning label "wash before first use".) I have not had any problem with washcloths made in China or USA, just Pakistan. Also, though it has a large tub, I have had problems washing large non-porous rubber-like comforter allergen-proof covers in this machine. The problem is that these covers tend to trap air, and the Calypso motion tends to get them to inflate like a big balloon, and when that happens they get forced past the washplate seal and then pick up grease from the underlying machinery. The solution is to use a short wash cycle, and monitor the wash process every 5 minutes to make sure that balloon-like inflation is not occurring. I was able to re-wash the greasy cover without incident. But most of the time, this machine is just a dream to use, and it saves energy without having to bend over. I doubt that even front loading washers are as gentle on clothes, though they might be better in the two cases that are a problem with this machine.

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Sep 27, 2009
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Calypso Washer
by: Anonymous

I bought this machine over 6 mths ago and have had no problems whatsoever.Somebody had spoke abouthow the washer washes the clothes and that they could wash them just as well by spraying a garden hose on them,well to inform that person who isnt totally educated on the wash system ,it is suppose to spray concentrated detegent and bounce the clothes and rotate them,it is a very exceptional cleaning system that works very well on tough stains and heavy fabrics.Whirlpool has changed many of the parts that were defective design such as he pump,it is now made of metal,the wash disc doesnt tear or wear clothes due to redisign,gone are what people call are moldy spots which isnt whirpools fault cause there is a cleaner for high efficencey washers including front loaders,they will produce mold also because they use very little water,i highly recommend the calypso for people who care to conserve water and electricity,oh and another thing...there isnt a class action suite against whirpool...so silly!

Sep 24, 2009
Rating

Complete piece of garbage
by: Anonymous

Bought piece of garbage 1/04, serviced 6 times, twice just this week, still waiting, hopefully tomorrow. Control board problem. Have extended warranty, piece of garbage as well. Will never buy Whirlpool again or a GE extended warranty. Tempted to go buy a Kenmore our last ones lasted 18 years without problems.

Sep 09, 2009
Rating

NEVER again will I buy a whirlpool product.
by: Allen, TX

0 out of 5 stars
the first thing to go wrong with it was the water pump failed. reason for failure: crappy design of the pump. A lint ball collected in the rubber fins of the pump and caused it to seize up. The motor was just fine, but the actual pump is non-serviceable. So a new pump, motor included, was $180; only because I replaced it myself.

And I was disgusted when I took that thing apart to see how 'stupid' the thing was built. I noticed right off the bat that the where the water was pumped out, that there was no way all the water could be removed via the pump!!! so if you did not do clothes for a week, like if you were away on vacation, then that water would sit in there!! And the overflow tube emptied all over the inside of the machine; a lot of rusted parts and bottom pan.

The final straw came when I opened up the top. I watched it through an entire washing cycle. I was amazed and thoroughly disgusted. The thing did nothing more than spin the clothes and spray water on them. The 'calypso action' only kept the clothes off the bottom of the drum!!!! There was no 'washing' at all. I could do just as good of a job, and probably better, spraying my clothes with a garden hose on the driveway!!!

NEVER again will I buy a whirlpool product.

Sep 06, 2009
Rating

Whirlpool ??????? Never Again
by: Anonymous

I have to agree with everything I just read. We've had our machine for 8 years. We didn't start having problems until the second year of ownership. The machine has leaked since the second year and no one can get it to stop. We've replaced the instrument panel three times at the cost of another extended warranty. That's the only reason we still have it today.

Our clothes come out dirtier than they went in. Dark spots all over with no explanation, but what I read from another post, of being mold. We've even had little particles all over our clothes.

We will never buy another Whirlpool appliance. We were looking today at Lowes and a young lady wanted to show us a new Whirlpool product. We were very polite and said no thank you and walked away. It wasn't her fault.

Sep 03, 2009
Rating

Dirty Wash Job
by: Anonymous

We are going on 8 years with our Calypso. Now we get clothes coming out with dark/moldy spots all over them somehow from the spin cycle. Contacting the company on fix...if there is one.

Aug 31, 2009
Rating

Calypso is a lousy washing machine
by: Anonymous

I have had this machine for 5 years and it is a piece of garbage...we are on our third repair visit and I am seriuosly thinking of just ditching this machine and buying an LG or Bosch or even an Electrolux.
I have read comments all onver the internet and everyone seems to have the same problem. Where are the Consumer Protection people? This product should be recalled and never sold again.

Don't buy this machine, it doesn't clean the clothing well, breaks all the time and takes forever to rinse/spin. Very disappointing for $800-$900 dollars.

Aug 25, 2009
Rating

Calypso crap
by: Anonymous

I have had this stupid machine for 6 years and I have seen a repair man 9 times and its leaked and flooded my laundry room 3 times to the point where i have to replace the flooring in there. I went off on whirlpool so they offered me 40% off another machine well by the time you add the shipping it might as well be double price. absolutely disgusted on how the ripped off so many consumers. the guy fixing my washer says to buy a new dial up washing machine instead...problem its silver so i have to replace with a silver to match the damn dryer.....im at a loss

Aug 09, 2009
Rating

worst ever
by: Anonymous

i have this machine and have had nothing but problems. complained to company. they had recall but had to jump through many hoops just to get a response. nothing was ever done! i recommend to family and friends to stay away from whirlpool because of the problems and the way i was treated as a paying customer. all whirlpool employees should have the calypso machine in their homes for a few years and feel the financial pain

Jul 16, 2009
Rating

worst washing machine ever built
by: Anonymous

I agree with the previous post. This is the worst washing machine ever built. I understand there is a class action suit concerning the whirlpool calypsowashing machine

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Whirlpool Calypso washer