Whirlpool Duet Washer

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Whirlpool Duet Washer

by Eric
(Kingsport, TN)

My wife and I purchased a Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer just over a year ago. We have them stacked, and they fit nicely into our laundry closet.

The washer offers many different cycles, which my wife loves. There is a sanitary cycle that we use for towels, washcloths, etc. and it works very well. Almost no need to use bleach at all. One of the reasons we decided to go with the duet was because it is Energy Star rated and also uses less water than top-loading washers.

Overall, we have been happy with the washer with a couple of items to mention. One, the washer is bad to wad up large items like jeans, sheets, etc. Often they will come out almost tied up and intertwined. Just today I took a load of sheets out of the washer, and there was a football shaped wad of pillow cases wrapped up into one of the sheets.

We usually have to shake out and separate larger items before putting them into the dryer so they do not get knotted up any further. If we do not, then they will get wadded up even more causing them not to dry properly. Second, the rubber gasket that seals the door is vulnerable to zippers, buttons, and anything made of metal that may rub against the seal.

From an engineering standpoint, I wonder about the reliability of constant friction on a rubber gasket that could be a major failure point. We recently had our seal replaced under warranty, and it had several holes in it which cause water to leak onto the floor.

The water only leaked on the delicate cycle, and from what I have read the delicate cycle uses more water than the other ones. On the bright side, the washer holds quite a bit of laundry. In comparison to our old washer it probably holds twice as much, but it does not use as much water.

Also, the washer only needs about two tablespoons of the High Efficiency detergent to run a load. Being able to stack the washer and dryer also gives us more room in the laundry closet for shelves that we use for laundry baskets, detergent, etc.

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Whirlpool Duet Washer

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Aug 14, 2009
Rating

Wash large loads with ease
by: Anonymous

I would have to say the best thing about this washing machine would be the amount of clothes you can wash at once. I also like how it automatically dispenses the detergent, bleach and fabric softener at the proper times during the wash cycle.

The one thing I don't like about it or would change is that being that its a front-loading washer and some of the loads can get tangled up if not properly loaded.

Aug 14, 2009
Rating

Nice and spacious
by: Patrick Zwayze

I purchased a home a few years ago and with it came a Whirlpool Duet HT washing machine. I had never owned a front-loading high efficiency washer, and quickly came to love it. The system makes a bit of strange noise as it clicks, whirls, and then stops for a moment before taking off again. If you’ve never owned one of these before, make sure you use the special “HT” type of detergents (I use Tide) as they are specifically designed for this type of washer.

Our washer came with the pedestal, so loading and unloading clothes from the unit is simple and not as hard on my back.

I would definitely recommend this washer to anyone in the market, there haven’t been any problems 3 years into ownership and my clothes are as clean as ever. The inside compartment is nice and spacious, even though the first time I looked at it I though it was tiny.

To give you an idea I’ve gotten a blanket, sheet, pillow cases and a few towels in the washer without having to over-pack it. I have yet to get the washer off-balance as would happen with my old style washer. It’s nice not having to carefully spread the distribution of clothes in the tub, or running downstairs quickly as you hear the “Bang! Bang! Bang!” coming from the basement. I think I get by with a lot less detergent, and I know I get use a considerable amount less of water with the Duet HT.

When looking for washing machines I think you have to take the environment into consideration, so pay close attention to the energy and water efficiency information that should be available.
The only problem I seem to have with this model is the design of the door. It doesn’t exactly look very appealing; it looks like it belongs on an old boat.

This is only when it’s open, and you see the water and/or residual soap that always seems to cling to the door itself. Closed the unit is very appealing, but as time goes on I find myself always noticing that when I change the laundry.

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Aug 14, 2009
Rating

Submitted by: Patrick Zwayze

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Comment
I purchased a home a few years ago and with it came a Whirlpool Duet HT washing machine. I had never owned a front-loading high efficiency washer, and quickly came to love it. The system makes a bit of strange noise as it clicks, whirls, and then stops for a moment before taking off again. If you’ve never owned one of these before, make sure you use the special “HT” type of detergents (I use Tide) as they are specifically designed for this type of washer. Our washer came with the pedestal, so loading and unloading clothes from the unit is simple and not as hard on my back. I would definitely recommend this washer to anyone in the market, there haven’t been any problems 3 years into ownership and my clothes are as clean as ever. The inside compartment is nice and spacious, even though the first time I looked at it I though it was tiny. To give you an idea I’ve gotten a blanket, sheet, pillow cases and a few towels in the washer without having to over-pack it. I have yet to get the washer off-balance as would happen with my old style washer. It’s nice not having to carefully spread the distribution of clothes in the tub, or running downstairs quickly as you hear the “Bang! Bang! Bang!” coming from the basement. I think I get by with a lot less detergent, and I know I get use a considerable amount less of water with the Duet HT. When looking for washing machines I think you have to take the environment into consideration, so pay close attention to the energy and water efficiency information that should be available. The only problem I seem to have with this model is the design of the door. It doesn’t exactly look very appealing; it looks like it belongs on an old boat. This is only when it’s open, and you see the water and/or residual soap that always seems to cling to the door itself. Closed the unit is very appealing, but as time goes on I find myself always noticing that when I change the laundry.

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Aug 14, 2009
Rating

tears up my clothes
by: Anonymous

I bought this washing machine when my other on broke. My laundry is very lacking in counter space, so I went for the front loader. I bought this machine from Lowes. I have had this washing machine for maybe 3 years. About the only thing I like about it is the extra counter space it gives me.

There are 3 major things that I dislike about this washing machine 1 it tears up my clothes when it spins them the get all twisted together and ripped up 2 it does have a soak cycle, but it does not soak like a mother of three boys needs to soak. And it always smells moldy no matter how often I wash it out with clorox.

I do not think I would recommend this model, or any front loader for that matter.

Aug 14, 2009
Rating

only lasted six months
by: Morgan

Where you brought the washer from?
*I bought my Whirlpool® 4.0 Cu. Ft. Ultra Capacity Plus Duet™ Washer (Color: White) ENERGY STAR® from LOWES.COM

When did you buy it and how long did you have it?
I bought it in September 2007 and I still have it.. It is still is running great to this say, I am so happy!

Why did you like it and what made it special?
I liked it because its an energy saver, has a great look to it, and it has a very large capacity.. Great for my whole family (with 2 kids and a husband, we go through A LOT and I mean A LOT of laundry!!!

Tell us about your experience with it - was it reliable? how did it wash? would you recommend it?
So far this has been the best washer I have had yet! Not a single complaint!

Can you compare it to another machine?
I can compare it to an old Maytag model I had before this one, which was half the size and didn't agitate well. My last washer I had only lasted 6 months (well I bought it used) and then died!! I couldn’t believe it..

Aug 14, 2009
Rating

Found it quieter with large loads
by: James V. Reagan

We moved into our current house three years ago, and it came with a 3.1 cubit foot, front loading kenmore washer. After about a year (it had intermittent problems), we replaced it with a Whirlpool Duet HT we found on sale at a local appliance store, along with accompanying dryer. We couldn't be happier with our purchase!

First, the larger Duet is quieter than our smaller Kenmore. Our laundry room is on the upper level of our house, and the Kenmore would shake the house during certain cycles. No shaking at all from the Duet.

Second, we are now actually able to get stains out of our clothes! I do a lot of outdoor activities, and the Duet was able to get years-old dirt and grass stains out of my clothes. Not sure if its the Duet or the HE Tide detergent we use, but either way our clothers are better off.

Third, the large load cycles really help. A normal laundry day would be seven loads for us, now its down to three. Doesn't decrease the number of clothes we wash, but definitely saves the amount of time transfering clothes and checking on the washer/dryer.

Overall an excellent purchase, and we highly recommend.

Jul 18, 2009
Rating

Never needed service after four years
by: Kacey

We built our home 4 years ago and decided to purchase all new appliances. After much research, we chose the Whirlpool Duet. At that time, we did not know anyone who owned this combo, so our decision was based solely on various consumer reports.

One of the features I most enjoy is the wide range of washing options. This machine has everything from a quick wash to a sanitary cycle. Any family that has ever used cloth diapers can appreciate the convenience of the sanitary cycle!

It has worked wonders on multiple offenders over the years, from kitchen grease to grass stains to workout clothes. And the quick cycle is perfectly efficient for those clothes that aren’t quite clean enough to put away but aren’t dirty enough to waste the time and water on a regular cycle.

Pro #2: The dryer has multiple drying cycles, including a manual, timed dry. This is great for synthetic fabrics that can’t withstand the long, high heat drying process. Our model also came with a sweater rack, which when inserted does not permit the drum to tumble. This has saved us a lot of money on dry cleaning.

One of the biggest drawbacks to this set is that the washer is loud and it vibrates like crazy in the spin cycle. If storing detergent and fabric softener on top of the unit, be prepared to find them on the floor at the end of the cycle. At first we thought the unit wasn’t balanced, but it is, it just shakes and rattles.

The good news is, the clothes are slightly more than damp after this intense spinning which makes for less drying time. The second con is a bit hard to articulate. There is a bit of a gap between the seal and the drum, in which small items get caught.

Particularly common items to find are socks, undergarments, small children’s clothing, etc. If you don’t remember to check this area, there is the potential for leaks.

It is also extremely important to run the sanitary cycle once a month with Whirlpool Affresh cleansing tablets. Otherwise the drum retains an odor that transfers to the clothes.

All in all, we are satisfied with these machines, and after 4 years of hard use they have never needed service. Rating: 4

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Jul 18, 2009
Rating

Submitted by: Kacey

Title

Comment
We built our home 4 years ago and decided to purchase all new appliances. After much research, we chose the Whirlpool Duet. At that time, we did not know anyone who owned this combo, so our decision was based solely on various consumer reports. One of the features I most enjoy is the wide range of washing options. This machine has everything from a quick wash to a sanitary cycle. Any family that has ever used cloth diapers can appreciate the convenience of the sanitary cycle! It has worked wonders on multiple offenders over the years, from kitchen grease to grass stains to workout clothes. And the quick cycle is perfectly efficient for those clothes that aren’t quite clean enough to put away but aren’t dirty enough to waste the time and water on a regular cycle. Pro #2: The dryer has multiple drying cycles, including a manual, timed dry. This is great for synthetic fabrics that can’t withstand the long, high heat drying process. Our model also came with a sweater rack, which when inserted does not permit the drum to tumble. This has saved us a lot of money on dry cleaning. One of the biggest drawbacks to this set is that the washer is loud and it vibrates like crazy in the spin cycle. If storing detergent and fabric softener on top of the unit, be prepared to find them on the floor at the end of the cycle. At first we thought the unit wasn’t balanced, but it is, it just shakes and rattles. The good news is, the clothes are slightly more than damp after this intense spinning which makes for less drying time. The second con is a bit hard to articulate. There is a bit of a gap between the seal and the drum, in which small items get caught. Particularly common items to find are socks, undergarments, small children’s clothing, etc. If you don’t remember to check this area, there is the potential for leaks. It is also extremely important to run the sanitary cycle once a month with Whirlpool Affresh cleansing tablets. Otherwise the drum retains an odor that transfers to the clothes. All in all, we are satisfied with these machines, and after 4 years of hard use they have never needed service. Rating: 4

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Jul 16, 2009
Rating

It fel apart
by: Anonymous

I have a whirlpool duet washer that is not even 3 years old yet and has fallen apart. I just got the repair estimate. It's $920.00.

That's more than I paid for it less than 3 years ago. I am very disappointed because it was very highly rated by CR at the time I bought it. I never thought I would be replacing this expensive appliance in less than 3 years.

I found a LG on sale at Sears and that is what I am replacing it with. A friend of mine has had a LG front loader for 7 years and has not had any problems with it.

Mar 05, 2009
Rating

Very quiet
by: Anonymous

This model has several controls to maximize the cleanliness of your clothes. It operates very quietly and has a convenient front loading feature. This unit minimizes the use of water and works best with ultra detergents. The model has a modern look and comes in several colors to complement your home's deco

Feb 15, 2009
Rating

very quiet - very happy
by: Anonymous

My husband and I recently purchased this washing machine, and we couldn't be happier with it. It's certainly the nicest washer I've ever used. The front-load style allows us to wash large loads in less water than traditional top-load machines, and it uses less detergent as well. This machine is faster, as well. It calculates time needed for each load, and saves on many loads.

The controls are highly customizable, and incredibly user-friendly. Even my husband can't ruin any laundry! Because the machine has no agitator, clothes won't stretch or warp.
The hand wash cycle has been a lifesaver. It's so gentle I was able to wash a sequined silk skirt safely. I used to dry clean that same skirt. I use the hand wash cycle on delicates that I used to wash in the sink.

The machine runs so quietly, you can barely tell it's running. This is especially amazing, given it's high rpm speed and its efficiency.
It may be a little silly, but I also love the cheery noises the machine makes. All button presses and alarms are pleasant, not the loud, annoying buzzers of many washers. The volume is fully adjustable, too.

We purchased our machine for $800. Though that is a bit steep for a washer, I found it to be well worth the price, and we will continue to use this machine for many years into the future.

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Feb 15, 2009
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Submitted by: Anonymous

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Comment
My husband and I recently purchased this washing machine, and we couldn't be happier with it. It's certainly the nicest washer I've ever used. The front-load style allows us to wash large loads in less water than traditional top-load machines, and it uses less detergent as well. This machine is faster, as well. It calculates time needed for each load, and saves on many loads. The controls are highly customizable, and incredibly user-friendly. Even my husband can't ruin any laundry! Because the machine has no agitator, clothes won't stretch or warp. The hand wash cycle has been a lifesaver. It's so gentle I was able to wash a sequined silk skirt safely. I used to dry clean that same skirt. I use the hand wash cycle on delicates that I used to wash in the sink. The machine runs so quietly, you can barely tell it's running. This is especially amazing, given it's high rpm speed and its efficiency. It may be a little silly, but I also love the cheery noises the machine makes. All button presses and alarms are pleasant, not the loud, annoying buzzers of many washers. The volume is fully adjustable, too. We purchased our machine for $800. Though that is a bit steep for a washer, I found it to be well worth the price, and we will continue to use this machine for many years into the future.

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Feb 11, 2009
Rating

Saves on water
by: Anonymous

The great part is that this washer does not use as much water as some of its competitors but the bad part is that it simply does not have as much capacity as a greater gallon per wash machine. This means that I am limited to a few small loads instead of getting it all done in one. So this changed my washing habits to work on washing more than once a week.

Feb 11, 2009
Rating

Spin cycle gets loud
by: Chris H.

I've owned my Whirlpool duet for several years now, and it's provided me nothing but amazing service. When it was first installed, I was in awe of its size - it's pretty big. It's a front-loading machine, so it has a large see-through window on the front door, which is handy for seeing the status of the clothing being washed.

My favorite feature is the timer for estimating time remaining. It really helps me in my crazy life because I can run down to the basement, look to see how long my laundry has, and if it needs another hour or so, i can go grocery shopping without leaving my delicates to get damaged by sitting in the machine. It uses a soil sensor in the washing machine itself, which makes the time remaining more accurate, and so it also always cleans clothes fully. I was completely covered in mud one day after getting back from work, but I just threw my clothes in the machine and it cleaned them no problem (Just took a little longer than usual).

In addition, this washing machine has a tray for loading bleach, detergent, and any other wash agent that could possibly be added. I always used to eyeball how much cleaner I was adding, but having a measuring cup for more accurate measurements is a really great thing.

The machine gets loud, though. When it's washing laundry, it's not loud at all, but the last ten minutes or so of the cycle is a spin period. The machine is really powerful, so the spin cycle becomes really fast near the end. The first time it spun up to full speed, I was freaked out, because it spins so fast that it shakes the entire house. Next time I ran a load, I watched it spin, and it has reason for shaking the house. When clothes come out of the machine, they're very dry, which leaves less water for the dryer to remove.

One thing I don't like about it is the control method. It has a number of presets, and I've actually found that some, like 'Whitest whites', are the best setting for other types of clothing too. This means the washer has a learning curve, but it's not too steep, and it's far outweighed by the positives.

This is a superb machine - I would give it 4.5/5 stars.

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Feb 11, 2009
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Submitted by: Chris H.

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Comment
I've owned my Whirlpool duet for several years now, and it's provided me nothing but amazing service. When it was first installed, I was in awe of its size - it's pretty big. It's a front-loading machine, so it has a large see-through window on the front door, which is handy for seeing the status of the clothing being washed. My favorite feature is the timer for estimating time remaining. It really helps me in my crazy life because I can run down to the basement, look to see how long my laundry has, and if it needs another hour or so, i can go grocery shopping without leaving my delicates to get damaged by sitting in the machine. It uses a soil sensor in the washing machine itself, which makes the time remaining more accurate, and so it also always cleans clothes fully. I was completely covered in mud one day after getting back from work, but I just threw my clothes in the machine and it cleaned them no problem (Just took a little longer than usual). In addition, this washing machine has a tray for loading bleach, detergent, and any other wash agent that could possibly be added. I always used to eyeball how much cleaner I was adding, but having a measuring cup for more accurate measurements is a really great thing. The machine gets loud, though. When it's washing laundry, it's not loud at all, but the last ten minutes or so of the cycle is a spin period. The machine is really powerful, so the spin cycle becomes really fast near the end. The first time it spun up to full speed, I was freaked out, because it spins so fast that it shakes the entire house. Next time I ran a load, I watched it spin, and it has reason for shaking the house. When clothes come out of the machine, they're very dry, which leaves less water for the dryer to remove. One thing I don't like about it is the control method. It has a number of presets, and I've actually found that some, like 'Whitest whites', are the best setting for other types of clothing too. This means the washer has a learning curve, but it's not too steep, and it's far outweighed by the positives. This is a superb machine - I would give it 4.5/5 stars.

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