I have had FL machines most of my life and have never, ever had a problem with any of them smelling or leaking. I bought a TL after my divorce, because it was cheaper, and couldn't wait to get back to a FL.

That said, all my FLs have been 240V models with internal heaters and it is my understanding that there can be problems if only the cold temperature wash cycles are used.

Check your manuals carefully. Some makes and models do allow you to add extra water on certain cycles. Also, most of the models with heaters do not use them on all cycles. The laundry forum on gardenweb.com is a great place to find out what the capabilities are of any given machine.

Not all FLs are the same. I can, and do, add items to my machine after starting the wash, and was able to do the same with my previous FL also.

chiaraquilts, I need to cut my electric bill in half, what brand is your front loader?

chiaraquilts
Oops, I meant high efficiency TOP loader.

I have had my Maytag Neptune FL since 1999......never had a smell come from it and have even washed horse blankets in it (with no after smell). I can push the start/stop button for 5 minutes after it has started to add something else. It does not have a soak cycle.........but pre-soaking in the sink works for me. Also, Retayne is for commercially dyed fabrics and Synthrapol is for hand dyed fabrics (ie. batiks). I have not used either product in the past but since I made a totally batik quilt, I plan on using the Syntrapol on it once the LQS gets her order in, and I guess I'll pre-soak in the laundry tub.

My FL has also been used for washing a lot of horse blankets, saddle pads and leg wraps, lol. One day, if I manage to win the lottery, I will buy one of the Miele professional machines specifically designed to do horse laundry ;-)

I asked about using it in our front loader and was told to soak the fabric in a sink or bucket as it wouldn't work in the front loader.

Cheers, K

thanks for the correct info. I have never heard of either of those products and did not know that they should be used. How would you know what fabrics require this? I do not know enough about fabrics and so far have not run into this problem.

I also love my energy efficient front loading washer. It gets my clothes clean with cheap detergent. I can add a forgotten item if I need to, and it spins them so well the dryer doesn't take long. I have never used Retayne, but I have used white vinegar in this machine. I don't know that it made a difference that it didn't soak.

DITTO to this reply. Love my top loader with pause and can add also.

for the stinky machine, leave the door open after your last wash, it works like a charm.

I love my front loader and will never go back to a top loader, because it is super energy efficient, and also because it uses significantly less water than a regular top loader. It also washes like a dream. I never use a soak cycle, so no problem there for me. I don't pre-wash fabrics unless they are red, but I do use a color catcher sheet. I

so far I love my front loaders. They clean so well and almost dry when done washing. I did forget a sock, paused it, then added with no problem. I had to clean my old machine sometimes. My FL seems so much cleaner and the clothes alot brighter. I think I'll use ratayne in the sink. I don't use the stuff very often though. I don't soak but with this washer I didn't think you needed to.

We have the Maytag Bravos quiet series, got them at Home Depot. Our electric rates are sky high here (Massachusetts) and the savings are amazing! I am really happy with the HE washer, yes, I use the cleaning cycle once a month, no big deal. The savings on detergent are also impressive. My old washer averaged 40 gallons of water per load, this one uses 7!

Actually, Retayne is for any fabric (commercially dyed, batik, home-dyed). It is designed to permanently set the dye into fabric so the dye doesn't "bleed" out. Retayne would be used on a fabric before it is put into a quilt. You would never use Retayne on a finished quilt because it would permanently set any bleeds into other fabrics.

Synthrapol is different. It is designed to suspend any unset dye particles in water so they are rinsed away and don't get a chance to settle into fabric. It also can be used on any fabric (commercial, batik, home-dyed), but its purpose is different. If you are washing a quilt, you use Synthrapol to prevent mild bleeds from settling into other fabrics. It is sort of an "insurance policy" first wash.

Synthrapol is often used for home-dyed fabrics after the dyes are set, to wash out any unset dye particles. Fabric can become saturated with more dye than the fabric fibers can absorb; washing with Synthrapol will allow those dye particles to be rinsed away without affecting other fabrics.

I have an LG High Efficiency Front Loader (that I love) that has a short soak cycle that probably wouldn't work well with Retayne. However, I do use Retayne in my Front Loader whenever I dye fabric (at least half a dozen times a year). I simply use the sanitary cycle (heats the water and takes about 40 minutes so plenty long enough). It fills with enough water (if it doesn't I add some through the detergent drawer) and I have not had any problems. I've never had a fabric that bled after doing this - I dye cottons, silks, and wools so use different types of dyes also. I absolutely love my front loader, find that it washes clothes cleaner, and doesn't beat them up like my top of the line Top Loader did. To each his own - use what works for you.

I also use Synthrapol occasionally on purchased fabrics that have bled, but you have to be careful because it creates a lot of suds (a few drops of Syntrapol is all you need) and that could ruin an HE washer. Just a few drops.

I would guess some people might notice a smell if they don't air out the machine after washing. I just leave the door open while the clothes are drying & then open up the dispenser to ensure air can flow into it between wash loads (hubby's working overseas right now, so I only do a load/wk). Mine's an LG & I've never had issues w/ leaking or odor. I've added things to mine after starting a load w/ no issues. My DIL got a HE front-loader that has the steam option in the dryer - quite handy, but my salesman discouraged it. So I got the steam option in the washer. I would think that would kills any bacteria that could possibly cause any smells. I think I'd use chemicals by soaking manually in a tub then put in the dryer - seriously, how often would you need to bother with it?

Prism99 - You do an excellent job of explaining Retayne and Synthrapol. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around what is used for what. Thanks.

We recently purchsed a Maytag Bravo top-loader and I love it. Clothes come out much cleaner and less wrinkles. I've never tried Retayne or Synthrapol, but appreciate all the info on both for when I DO need it!

I LOVE my HE front loader

The more I see about the HE machines, the less I want one.