Candy Apple Bliss - part 1
Written: Jan 12 '07 (Updated Jan 21 '09)
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Pros: sleek design, steam cleaning, multiple cycles including delay, saves water
Cons: limited color options, door not reversible, the pedestal could be taller, moldy odor at times
The Bottom Line: Gorgeous, quiet and efficient machine that looks good in any color and works better than any I have owned.
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| criteeker's Full Review: LG WM-2487H Front Load Washer |
Recently, I lost my LG virginity when I purchased my Titanium French door refrigerator. I'm just as pleased with my second and third LG encounters with LG's TROMM washer & dryer set. In my mind, LG has come a long way in the quality and design departments.
The real eye catcher is the very hi-tech sleek design. The feature that sold me was the ability to steam clean clothes. After watching the display video all I had left to decide was the color. These are available in cherry red, white or dark blue. Very patriotic but I wish they offered this model in black or silver. This sumptuous red reminds me of the Dodge Hemi vehicles... without the pinstripes.
This machine is perfect for anyone who needs a "skidmark terminator," anyone who has a baby or two (or more) and anyone who needs cool factor in their laundry room. I feel as if men will actually want to do their own laundry because these machines are so easy to figure out and because they're so cool to look at and watch. Who knew laundry would ever become a spectator sport?
First things first. Adding the laundry additives like detergent for the main wash (and pre-wash if selected), bleach (as needed) and fabric softener. This is all handled in a pull-out drawer at the top left of the machine. You no longer need to add harsh bleach directly into the wash drum and run the risk of ruining the clothes.
A note for liquid detergent: The machine is designed to use "HE" or High Efficiency detergents. Tide is one of them, but I'm sure there are many more available. "HE" detergents are formulated specifically for front-loader machines and produce fewer suds with better results.
The next step is selecting your cycle. Looking at the controls can be daunting. There are so many options to choose from but it all becomes quite simple soon after you start using it.
"Steam Fresh" steam cleans dress shirts and blouses. It also steams wrinkled clothing to make ironing easier and faster. The machine will actually require you to enter how many items are put inside. How cool is that?
"Sanitary" is for heavily soiled items including underwear and diapers, work clothes, etc.
"Bulky/Large" is for blankets & comforters.
"Perm Press" cleans wrinkle-free clothing, poly/cotton blends, table cloths, etc.
"Cotton/Normal" washes cotton, linen, towels, sheets, shirts, jeans, etc
"Baby Wear" is for well, the messes our offspring create.
"Delicates" handles lingerie, nylons, etc
"Hand Wash/Wool" cleans items labeled hand washable
and finally "Speed Wash" does small and lightly soiled loads.
Each cycle has pre-determined temperatures and settings but all can be customized at the push of various buttons.
Those buttons include five levels of temperature for the wash and rinse (including extra hot), the choice of four spin speeds, the choice of five soil levels and the level of volume for the beep tones (yes, you can turn off the beeps if someone is sleeping).
Optional buttons (yes, there even more buttons):
"Pre-wash" implies just that. It washes your clothes before it washes your clothes - mostly for heavily soiled clothes. It adds about 16 minutes to the cycle and adds a spin cycle.
"Rinse+Spin" adds an addition rinse and spin to the cycle.
"Extra Rinse" provides an additional rinse to ensure detergent is removed.
"Stain Cycle" adds more time to the wash & rinse for better stain removal.
"Water Plus" adds extra water to the cycle for better results. I have yet to use this because my laundry is so clean already.
If you press and hold the "Rinse+Spin" button for 3 seconds, the interior light comes on for 4 minutes. We found ourselves actually watching the clothes dance around through water & steam. We were captivated by dancing clothes? Well, it's as soothing as watching a fish tank.
WHAT I LOVE:
The fact that this machine uses steam to clean clothes and that it uses so much LESS water to do a better job of cleaning than most other machines out there.
I love that the washer actually measures the volume of the load before it starts to wash and determines the cycle variables due to the weight of the load.
I love all the cleaning options and I love the racy red color. I love that we can load the detergent and clothes the night before and set it on "delay" so that the load is washed about the time we get home from work. The clothes do not sit damp all day. BONUS!
Another great thing is the fact that both the washer and dryer are so very quiet. My wife remarked that the machines are much quieter than any other machine she's ever used or heard. The cycle beeps can get annoying to some, but they can be shut off or lessened.
Being able to wash a king-size comforter is wonderful. This means not having to go to a laundromat.
WHAT I'M ON THE FENCE ABOUT:
I have to look inside the machine and up after every load. Due to the centrifugal force in which the drum spins, various clothing items get stuck at the top inside area. If you don't remember to check inside, you'll wind up washing things two or more times. Another reason to purchase the pedestals - looking into the machine is a bit easier.
WHAT I DON'T LIKE:
Unlike the dryer, the door to the washer is NOT reversible. It only opens right to left.
With all of the design features and planning, couldn't they have made the pedestal a bit taller? Liquid detergent or softener containers (unless tiny) will not fit standing up. So I am forced to lay them down horizontally and pray they don't leak all over the inside. For taller people, the height of the pedestal does raise the machine to a better level, but it could be higher. So designing the pedestal higher will cure two issues. Maybe the fact that the price went from $179 (for the red) down to $99 for any color means that they are designing a newer pedestal.
Every once in a while, a moldy stink comes from the washer. I used to leave the door open to air it out but the stink just lessened. I started to examine the inside and found the problem. There are drain holes at the bottom of the rubber seals in two channels. I used my finger to open the channels up wider and plucked out an enormous clump of wet dog hair. The dog hair stopped the water from draining properly so it just sat and started to stink. Once I cleaned out both channels the stink went away. This issue could have been better designed for better drainage, but we keep an eye on the drain holes now and the stink had gone away.
Also, we recently switched back to powdered laundry soap and that seems to knock down the stink factor big time.
Optional Accessory: LG offers a remote display called the RLM (Remote Laundry Monitor). This enables you to plug the RLM into any A/C plug and get the stats on the wash & dry cycles. Pretty cool for someone who might be deaf or someone who is just that lazy.
As a side note: The customer service from both Home Depot and LG was impeccable. The delivery guys put a small dent and scratch in my washer. I called their 800 number and was connected with someone who offered me money back or a new unit. I told her that the scratch was right on the front and that I wanted a new machine. A new machine was exchanged five days later. BRAVO!
Also, since Home Depot offers a rebate for the $55 delivery fee AND they are sending me a $150 Home Depot gift card for the washer and $100 card for the dryer, I saved even more. Of course they'll also price match for up to 30 days after the purchase.
We're very happy with this duo and I hope they last 20 years. By the way, Home Depot offers a 4-year extended warranty for a mere $89 (each machine) which is MUCH less than everyone else. The warranty that comes with the unit is 1 year parts & labor and 7 years for the drum. And since there's no belts or pulleys (it's direct drive) it's one less headache to worry about.
There's one model above this one and for about $300 more, you get a small digital LCD screen. I didn't think that was needed.
These units are stackable but keep in mind that the washer weighs 192 pounds and the dryer weighs 126 pounds. The washer measures 27" wide x 38-11/16" high x 29-3/4" deep.
Please read my review for the matching LG dryer HERE
Specs taken from www.lge.com
Performance
• 4.0 cu.ft. Ultra Capacity with NeveRust™ Stainless Steel Drum (IEC)
• Direct Drive Motor for the Ultimate in Durability and Reliability
• 10° TilTub™ for Easy Reach into the Rear of the Drum
• 1200 RPM Powerful Spin for Efficient Water Extraction
• SteamWash™ System for Better Washing Performance and Higher Water and Energy
Efficiency
• SenseClean™ System for Intelligent Fabric Care
• SteamFresh™ Cycle
• 9 Washing Programs
• 5 Temperature Levels
• RollerJets™ and Forced Water Circulation
• Sanitary Cycle with Added Steam Option
• Delay Wash (up to 19 hours)
Style and Design
• Upfront Electronic Control Panel with Dual LED Display and Dial-A-Cycle™
• White LED Tub Light
• Large Chrome Rimmed Door with Clear Glass
• Stackable with Matching Dryer
• Optional Matching Drawer Pedestal
Technology Benefits
• Remote Monitor Ready
• LoDecibel™ Quiet Operation
• Highly Energy and Water Efficient
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1399.00
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