Product review (2 stars): Efficient?
I didn't have much experience with Whirlpool brand until I bought the Duet set 3 weeks ago (8/15/12). I haven't had any issues with the washer (mechanisms, maintenance, other appliance issues) so this review will focus on the overall performance of this particular model. I had a top loading, high efficiency washer before this and had a real problem with clothes coming out not-so-clean, twisted up to the point of ruination, or not even wet all the way through. I endured it for a few years though because, evidently, returning a washer would have proven how picky and ungrateful I was to my husband. So we bought the Duet from Sears and I've had it for 3 weeks. A note about my household: I have two, very dirty boys and my husband is a plumber. I deal with dirt, grime and nastiness of epic proportions. I would love a commercial front loader! Unfortunately, I don't have $5K to spend on a washer. My expectations were pretty high for a front loader because I've seen some in action and everything seems to get sloshed pretty good which, I'm assuming, means they're extremely good at cleaning clothes. This particular model takes about an 1 1/2 to 2 hours to clean a load of my husbands work clothes to my satisfaction. That's on the warm, Heavy Duty cycle, with pre-soak, extra rinse, and an added deep clean (I just pushed that button, I don't really know what it does differently). HIS clothes came out good, although waiting 2 hours for one load seems excessive. It's the other cycles I tried that I really am unsatisfied with. MY clothes I washed on cool, Gentle cycle, with an extra rinse and I pulled out shirts that weren't even thoroughly wet! That's with TWO rinses! I watched my clothes for a few minutes as the water was being squirted on them and as they began to wash, and my opinion is that this washer is WAAAAY too stingy with water. I can understand being environmentally responsible. I try to use as many environmentally friendly products as possible in my home. HOWEVER, this is an extreme. You can't wash clothes without water. PERIOD. They do not come out clean. You must have water separating and then freely moving clothes before, I feel, they are properly cleaned. I don't think you need 13 gallons of water, like the old washers used to use, but using 2 to 3 gallons on a large load and thinking they're going to come out clean is utterly ridiculous. I tried asking some appliance sales people if they knew of any washer that was "water efficient" but not "high efficient" and, other than the old fashioned top loading kind, all washers are high efficiency. Drat. So, my pretty Duet set is a major let down. Perhaps, I'll figure out a way with my current settings to wash my clothes in a satisfactory way, or maybe I'll chuck the thing in the yard and slap a "Free" sign on it. I just thought consumers from average family size households should know that this washer, while very cute and sleek, is not at all efficient in the way I need it to be.