This Machine Made Me Like My Laundry

I never thought I'd ever consider doing laundry fun, in fact fifteen years ago or so I'd have thought someone who did think so really needed to get out of the house more. But since my new Maytag Neptune washer and dryer arrived in my home, I can actually say doing laundry is cool, maybe not fun but definitely cool and easier.

You will see I've given this "major appliance" great ratings for several reasons: 1) It's attractive 2) It's saved me a great deal of money on my electric bill and finally 3) It gets my clothes really, really clean!

So here are the finer details about the Maytag Neptune. I selected this particular model because I wanted a front loading machine. When ever I've had to wash my comforters I've had to take them to the cleaners and spend small fortunes on getting them clean or go the cheap route and visit the neighborhood washateria (otherwise known as a Laundrymat, in other areas). I personally do not enjoy washateria's as I have no idea what could have possible been in that washer before the object I sleep with at night, that covers the body of my child and family. So when it came time to get a new washer and dryer I wanted the largest one I could afford and it was this model.

How To Use This Washer

1) First find some dirty clothes, towels, linens, whatever floats your boat, but fabrics work best. And be sure to remove the child from the socks left standing in the corner of the room, moms with teenage boys and some husbands will understand that one!

2) Open the front door and load washer, it's best to do a full load and you'll be surprised at how much you can fit in this baby, it's equal to at least a load and a half that fit in my old washer, if not 2 loads. You don't want to jam pack the washer, but do get it full. Ensure that there isn't anything obstructing the door and shut it. You will find that the tub is a stainless steel wash basket without an agitator that is slightly tilted up so that you can see inside better. The lack of the agitator makes this washer much better on your clothes and will keep them newer looking longer.

3) Choose your fabric from the Select Fabrics buttons. All the buttons on the face of the machine are flush with the face, more like a microwave, than any other appliance. There are no knobs, everything is digital and makes for a very attractive appliance. You have 4 selections for you fabrics: 1) cotton sturdy - for normal clothes, towels & linens 2) wrinkle free - this setting uses a lower spin to reduce wrinkles, it works best for dress shirts/pants, wrinkle free clothes & poly/cotton blends 3) delicates - great for lacy garments, nylons and other delicates 4) hand wash - for those items normally delegated to the bathroom or kitchen sink!

4) Choose your water temperature from 4 different settings - Hot & Cold; Warm & Warm; Warm & Cold; Cold & Cold. This washers uses IntelliFill™ - technology which automatically sets water level depending on amount of clothes you place inside.

5) Choose your dirt level - depending on whether it's the mud soaked soccer uniform (heavy soil) or maybe your winter clothes just coming out of the closet after summer (quick) you have several selections to choose from. Heavy soil, normal, light, quick rinse, and spin.

These settings all play a significant time consideration on your clothes. For example if you choose Heavy Soil in the normal mode it will take 77 minutes for your load; 68 minutes for heavy with an extra rinse; 92 minutes for heavy, extra rinse, and stain cycle; and finally 99 whopping minutes for all the above cycles plus a pre-soak. On the other end of the spectrum you can choose the Quick cycle and you will find that with all the above selections except the stain cycle it will only take 51 minutes for a load. I use the normal with an extra rinse frequently and that is a 58 minute load and when I'm in a hurry the Quick cycle with no options gets the job done in only 30 minutes.

6) Choose your options:
PreSoak - you can at 15 minutes of soaking time to any cycle.
Stain Cycle - adds a few minutes to both wash and rinsing and automatically adds a 4th rinse to your load.
Extra Rinse - Adds a 4th rinse at the end to completely remove laundry additives & perfumes.
Max Extract - this setting always stays on with our machine (by choice) because it removes more water during the spin cycle and shortens my drying time. Not suggested if you are concerned with heavy wrinkling.
Delay Wash - this is great if you want to wash while you're at work and have it start so it's finished when you walk in the door. You can delay the start for up to 9 hours.

7) Choose whether or not you want a signal on and the volume.

8) Add your detergents to their appropriate locations on the top of your washer. Each area is well marked and you have a space for detergent, bleach and softener. The two compartment container is easily removed for cleaning detergent build up.

9) PRESS start.... shortly after you will hear the door lock. Yes the door locks for obvious reasons. On a front loading machine you really don't want your two year old walking up and opening the door during the rinse cycle. If you forget an item, and just started the load, simply push the start pause button again and the door will unlock.

One of the greatest things about this washer and probably the most amazing is how quiet it is. Frequently I think the load is done ( I don't use the signal) because it is so absolutely quiet. The only flaw I've discovered on this machine is the volume of the signal, even on it's highest setting I cannot hear it from two rooms away.

Another definite plus to this washer is the adjustable doors. If you need to switch the opening direction of the door it's a cinch and can be done with simply a phillips head screwdriver and a martini. Just kidding, I just happened to be having a delicious martini while changing my door and that should tell you on it's own how easy it is to do. To change the door direction simply unscrew the two screws which hold the door in place, unscrew the covers from the side where you will place the door, swap the hinges from their current position to the other side of the door, replace the covers to the location where the door used to be place and rehang and affix the door in it's new location. This is especially handy when you move and may have your washer hoses in a different location. I choose to do it so that my washer door and dryer door opened and I didn't have to lean over one door, just throw the clothes from one hole to the other.

Maytag backs up your purchase with a Lifetime Tub™ warranty, Dependable Performance™ Warranty
Maytag® 5-Year Dependable Quality Warranty on LED touchpad controls and Priority One Service - toll-free assistance and priority service scheduling.

So now that I've written more than I ever thought possible on a washing machine, I hope if you're in the market for a new front loader this is the one you will get. I've be washing 2 - 3 loads a day for the last 3 months in mine and haven't had a complaint yet.