Thread Number: 29997
Question: Steam in a washer, something useful or just marketing hype? |
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Post# 455670   8/9/2010 at 13:57 (5,000 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Is there any actual benifit to having steam in a washing machine or is it just marketing hype to sell a more expensive machine? Yes I can totally see the benifit of having steam in a dryer, but in a washer? It seems like a total and complete waste to me, because I don't see how steam can be of any benifit in cleaning clothes (beyond) those already completely soaked in hot water and detergent. Please discuss.... Thanks! Kevin |
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Post# 455672 , Reply# 1   8/9/2010 at 14:05 (5,000 days old) by newwave1 (Lincoln, United Kingdom)   |   | |
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Kevin-I own an LG 9kg steam washer. All I can say is Steam is Awesome! Steam molecules are 1600times smaller than water, so they penetrate deep and loosen stains and kill allergens. I use it all the time on my 2 babies tough food,sick, the other stuff! stained clotheS! It really does work. I am upgrading to the LG 11kg steam when it finally comes out in black and we have moved house. I can be patient with my already awesome LG in the meantime.
The difference between LG steam and others is the LG has a dedicated steam generator. Many other machines merely fill enough to cover the wash element and steam at the end of a cycle. The Steam refresh for removing odours and creases is a 20minute cycle. I don't iron. I usually wash things according to their label and hang them up immediately and I have no problems. Whilst if something is odour tainted i think it's enough for warrant a wash. But i experiemented by washing my sons coat which had been left in a smokey room and amazingly...it was gone. That was just an experiment and I would generally wash things like that. So....I am all for steam. I won't buy another machine without it. I have owned ALOT of machines and my LG is probably my favourite. Darren |
Post# 455683 , Reply# 2   8/9/2010 at 14:50 (5,000 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Thanks for your comments Darren. Question: I assume so, but have you washed the same items (like your childrens clothes) without the steam option to compare or have you always washed them with the steam option? I guess I don't see how the steam can displace the water already in/on the cloths to make that much of a differene. I do actually have a steam washer, a TOL Kenmore Elite HE5T, one of the last Whirlpool built machines (see the link below). The main reason I bought it was I got a 65% discount off the price! Anyway, I've only used the steam option a few times and don't see a diffetence. Granted my cloths don't get as dirty as your childrens clothes do..... FYI, this washer also has a dedicated steam generator. Kevin CLICK HERE TO GO TO RevvinKevin's LINK |
Post# 455687 , Reply# 3   8/9/2010 at 15:08 (5,000 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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Is not a new concept. A Frenchman invented the process late in the 18th or early 19th century for cleaning linen textiles and general laundry work.
Soiled linen/laundry was inserted into a closed chamber where steam was introduced. Such items could have been soaped prior, and the idea was as alluded to above, properties of steam caused textile fibers to open and swell, releasing dirt/soils far easily and without all the rubbing, scrubbing and beating of common to the day laundry methods. Steam also helped santitise laundry and kill vermin. Benefit of this method was one required vastly less water than the common methods of soaking, boiling and other immersion methods of laundering. After the steamed laundry came out of the chamber, it needed only a quick washing and then on to rinsing. Today's steam washing machines again build on the theory that using water vapor lessens the need for soaking and with the rather puny amounts of water used in modern front loaders for washing, can give decent results. |
Post# 455698 , Reply# 4   8/9/2010 at 16:14 (5,000 days old) by newwave1 (Lincoln, United Kingdom)   |   | |
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Hey Kevin
Yea i've done experiments with an without steam. Whilst it is an outstanding machine without the steam, some of the boys foods stains are really difficult to shift. However a good scoop of just Ariel powder and the steam setting and all is clean! I kid you not! As Laundress said; steam allows for great water savings in the main wash. In my LG the action of the steam and the clothes rubbing together being showered by the recirculation jet is a winning combination. Your kenmore is a stunning machine! How are you getting along with it? Do you have any photo's of it action? The new LG's here have a smoked door. I'm looking to upgrade to the 11kg steam model next year which has a smoked door and i've inspected them closely in the stores here and don't think it will hinder my view to badly. Darren |
Post# 455836 , Reply# 5   8/10/2010 at 05:35 (5,000 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)   |   | |
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Consumer Reports found that cycles adding steam were able to do a better job on stain removal, but added they didn't feel it was enough of a difference to warrant spending more for a steam washer.
As Darren mentioned, LG washers (and dishwashers) have dedicated steam generators and probably do more to remove stains (or food residue) than some other washers, like the Frigidaire I have on order. I wouldn't have another dishwasher without the steam option, as my LG does a better job on pots/pans with steam than without it. I'm looking forward to the option on my washer, even though I almost went an LG for its dedicated steam generator. I'll be interested to see if steam makes a difference in my Frigidaire washer. I've also noticed that, at least in dishwashers, Maytag markets their steam feature as effective on glassware, whereas LG markets their more powerful steam option toward stripping grime from pots/pans. |
Post# 455966 , Reply# 6   8/10/2010 at 14:19 (4,999 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Launderess, thank you very much for the info and history! What kind of effect can steam have on a fabric, or the color of the fabric that’s not normally washed in hot water? In other words, can the use of steam cause fading or shrinkage on an item not normally subjected to higher temps during cleaning? Also, should the water temp be hot or can it be warm when using steam? Darren, thank you! Yes I like the look of this washer too, especially in blue! I’m getting along with it fine and it seems to do a good job of cleaning, but the water lever is pretty skimpy. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t need or want the water level ½ way up the door glass, but I think another 1 to 3 gallons (3.8 L to 11.5 L) per fill would make things better. I actually don’t like the smoked/tinted plastic over the door glass, for me it obscures the view too much. Oh sure I could sit or stand there with a flashlight or other light, but then I have to hold it and always use it. So what I did was remove the tinted plastic from the door. Yes it’s rather ugly now without it (because of the exposed door frame and hinge), but at least I can see! LOL Also no, I have not really tried taking any photos of it in action, but I suppose I can do that….but I’ll have to put the tinted piece back on first. So I will have to play with the steam option more and see how things come out! Eugene, thank you for the info as well. I sounds like it makes sense having steam in a dishwasher too, but I’ve not thought about it. Also I would guess the “steam” models are at the TOL end of things and thus, expensive. Maybe some day. LOL |
Post# 455969 , Reply# 7   8/10/2010 at 14:30 (4,999 days old) by aegokocarat (United Kingdom)   |   | |
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my dream machine is a whirlpool aqua steam washer aparently it can kill bacteria and dustmtes plus steam relaxes fibers so detergent can penitrate deeply i suffer with hay feiver so steem would be xelent for line dryed clothes:) |
Post# 455979 , Reply# 8   8/10/2010 at 15:13 (4,999 days old) by newwave1 (Lincoln, United Kingdom)   |   | |
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Hey Kevin!-I have not noticed any shrinking or fading caused by steam. I am very picky about fading and have seen no ill effect. Steam can get up to 99degrees (210.2F) at it's peak which it does in stages. I'm asthmatic and I find it particularly helpful on bedding. I wash most clothes at 30degrees (86F) with steam and get excellent results. I have also washed at incoming cold water temperature but I can't use steam on that option. The new 11kg I will be getting has a 20degree (68F) Temperature which you can use steam with.
Honestly. Give it a few goes and i'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprized. I hardly ever need to pretreat anything. Just the correct dosage of Ariel! Yea I know what your saying about the extra water. I find my LG's medium water level and recirculation jet combined with high speed intermittent spins and up to 5 rinses give great rinsing. Does your kenmore give you the option of extra rinses? How many does it do as standard? I have read many sources say that the number of rinses is more effective than increasing the water level. I used to be really scepticle of low water levels but they go work! The droppin action and rubbing together with a long rinse time give a good rinse. Darren |
Post# 456489 , Reply# 9   8/12/2010 at 13:52 (4,997 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Hey Darren, Yes my Kenmore does offer an extra rinse option and I always use it. I believe there are normally 2 rinses and this just adds a 3rd, but I'll have to check that. It has another rinse option which is supposed to be for people who have skin sensitivities to detergent. I’m not exactly sure what is does or how it changes the rinses, all I know is it adds more time to the cycle. Kevin |
Post# 456515 , Reply# 10   8/12/2010 at 15:29 (4,997 days old) by newwave1 (Lincoln, United Kingdom)   |   | |
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Hey Kevin.
Three rinses have been standard on european Front loaders for a ages. Older ones used to do 4 or 5! But the interm spins were either non existant or short. Some machines here have only 2 which are fairly deep with long interm spins! Every model apart from some hotpoint/indesit machines have an extra rinse option. Perhaps your sensitive skin rinses are extended rinse phases with a small amount of extra water? The rinse is my favourite part of any cycle. You'll have to let me know if you find out :-) Darren |
Post# 456667 , Reply# 12   8/13/2010 at 06:41 (4,997 days old) by aquarius1984 (Planet earth)   |   | |
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Post# 456668 , Reply# 13   8/13/2010 at 06:44 (4,997 days old) by paulinroyton (B)   |   | |
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Bloody hell that was quick. Will post them to you if you like. Give me your address, my email is paulinroyton@yahoo.co.uk. Paul |
Post# 456670 , Reply# 14   8/13/2010 at 06:55 (4,996 days old) by aquarius1984 (Planet earth)   |   | |
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Post# 456676 , Reply# 15   8/13/2010 at 07:38 (4,996 days old) by Iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)   |   | |
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I have the Maytag 5000 series with steam and the steam cycle does a fantastic job. Now to be honest I couldn't say it was the steam per se that does it, or if it's the longer cycle, or the stepped washing; or a combo of all.
I had a comforter that had the dark yellow stains where it rests under my chin at night. Having previously taken it to the laundry several times a year I could bleach the hell out of it, over suds it with tide and pretreat and the yellow only lightened. I ran it through one cycle in the Maytag on Heavy Duty and a scoop of Oxi-clean. The stain was gone. |
Post# 457325 , Reply# 16   8/16/2010 at 16:55 (4,993 days old) by paulinroyton (B)   |   | |
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Hi Rob, Have they arrived yet?. Been on to Post Office in Royton. They said it takes a couple of days due to the size of envelope. Let me know when they arrive. Cheers Paul |
Post# 796244 , Reply# 18   11/27/2014 at 16:39 (3,429 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)   |   | |
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I have used the steam feature on my mom's lg washer with a load of whites. In my dad's GE, he soaks the whites. In my mom's lg tromm, I don't need to soak my whites anymore. CLICK HERE TO GO TO GELaundry4ever's LINK |
Post# 799198 , Reply# 23   12/15/2014 at 11:41 (3,411 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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I think steam has of more benefit in the dryer than the washer. Specifically if you have wrinkled clothes and you want "unwrinkle" quickly. I assume it would be easier to toss in the dryer for a quick 20 minute "steam cycle". It's easier than ironing!
As for which "water" the steam generator uses, think about it. If it used water recycled from the from the washer sump, the steam generator would so screwed up so fast, the company would have tons of warranty service calls due to non-working steam generators (if the customer even noticed it wasn't working, that is. So it uses fresh water (cold) for the steam generator. The dryer is the same, some require a water connection, others have a reservoir that must be refilled.
Kevin
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Post# 799200 , Reply# 24   12/15/2014 at 12:24 (3,411 days old) by logixx (Germany)   |   | |
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Post# 799274 , Reply# 26   12/15/2014 at 18:12 (3,411 days old) by logixx (Germany)   |   | |
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Post# 799425 , Reply# 27   12/16/2014 at 15:34 (3,410 days old) by jerrod6 (Southeastern Pennsylvania)   |   | |
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When steam is being used do the clothes tumble or do they sit still? Wouldn't a 190F or 170F degree wash clean as well as steam? |
Post# 799457 , Reply# 28   12/16/2014 at 18:59 (3,410 days old) by logixx (Germany)   |   | |
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Post# 799522 , Reply# 29   12/17/2014 at 01:56 (3,410 days old) by Newwave1 (Lincoln, United Kingdom)   |   | |
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