I don't know about the HE toploaders, but I had a front loader for a year and hated it.

It took forever to do laundry, and the cleaning wasn't that great unless I used enough detergent (at least 1/2 to 3/4) the suggested amount. The folks on here who advocate using a tablespoon of detergent for a full load must have clean clothes to begin with.

In any case, using adequate detergent resulted in extremely poor rinsing. Advocates of these machines will tell you how much better shallow multiple rinses are than a full deep rinse. Hogwash. MAYBE it would rinse better IF the machines did spins between rinses like the commercial front loaders used to. But most do not, and the rinse results are very poor.

The measured dose of a *triple concentrated* liquid detergent typically is about 1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons. I use Tide HE Powder in my Neptune TL, 3/8 to 3/4 CUP depending on load size and soil level. No particular problems with rinsing, the machine does spin before each rinse and has a spray rinse in each spin. I did run a couple loads using a lime-scented non-HE detergent and there was a fairly strong scent left in the clothes (it wasn't an overdose, I checked during wash and there was minimal sudsing) ... but then one should expect that a lime-scented detergent is *intended* to leave a scent, LOL.

Monica, give your new machine a chance before you get anxious about it.

I have to agree with curiousshopper. I got the bosch500plus and have never liked it.The vibrations, 1hr to wash one load of clothes, and what appears to more wear and tear on my clothes. Can't really say that it cleans any better than my old tl, and they are not as soft as before. IMO about the only thing it is good for is saving water. So, no, "green" is not always better.

Thank you for your opinions. It's much appreciated.
Anyone else care to opine? :)
Monica

Well, I use ONE tablespoon of a regular big brand powdered detergent in my FLs and get fabulous cleaning. I live on a farm and I imagine I get dirty stuff well beyond most people's normal soil level. My machines use about 12-15 gallons of water per load, even with higher water level options and an extra rinse.

It depends on your machine (some I think don't clean as well) and your water chemistry and the detergent product you select.

I believe it's important to have a beefy heater to raise the wash water temps so you get good cleaning without so much product. I believe that having the option of extra rinses with drain and short spin cycles between them is also very important. I believe having fast spin speeds is also good, but not as crucial as the previous two things.

The Cabio is a top-loading HE machine, right? Have you considered FLs' instead? I adore mine!

HTH,

Molly~

I returned the exact same model after 3 weeks of trying to love it. I hope your experience is different, but I found the washer mangled up my clothes terribly. The matching dryer also did not perform as we had expected (sensor didn't seem to work right).

We have a second floor laundry room and were reluctant to try a front loader there because of vibrations and noise. However, after sending the Cabrio W&D back, we went with the latest Front Load Samsung steam washer and dryer. I LOVE it. Cleans great and is QUIET. Much less vibration with this set than either our old top loader or the HE Cabrio set.

The Samsung front loader and dryer were quite a bit more expensive than the Cabrio, but well worth it in my opinion.

Your mileage may vary, of course.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Yes, the Cabrio is a toploading HE. Space restrictions are why I can't use a FL.
psnave..sorry yours didn't work out. I'm not having a good feeling about this purchase :o My gut is telling me to stick with an top loading machine with an agitator.
New isn't always "improved".
Monica

Hi Monica --

You may want to search around here on the Cabrio, there are a lot of postings. In all fairness, there are some folks here who do like the Cabrios, but certainly many that had the same experience I did.

I also didn't find this forum until after we had purchased the Cabrios. We were lucky to have bought at a store with a good 30 day return policy. When they came to pick up the set, the delivery guys mentioned they have picked up quite a few of the Cabrios for the very same reason. I hate returning things, but I knew I didn't want to be married to this set for 10 years or so, LOL. Again, your mileage may vary.

I would just make sure you know exactly what the last date to return it is.

I think the GE profile set has an agitator and people seem pleased with it. I mention it because my parents just bought it for their new house and they couldn't fit a front loader either. You might want to look at that one.

It's a hard decision, isn't it...I mean you can't exactly see how well it cleans in the store, or really know how much noise it's going to make in your particular laundry location.

Good luck in finding the right set.

Monica, I have no experience with the Cabrio. I bought a Maytag Bravos HE toploading washer in May, and from all I've read and heard, the Bravos is the best of the Cabrio/Oasis/Bravos family simply because it's the most current machine, thus has had the bugs worked out.

I have not had any tangling problems with my washer, not even when I use the highest spin speed. Towels come out about like they did in my old traditional toploader washers, except they are much dryer, which reduces drying time. There is a special cycle for sheets, and they come out great. I did read the book thoroughly before ever using my machine and have re-read it a few times, because it is so different from my former washers.

I had some of the same anxiety you're experiencing, mainly because they cost more, and are so different from traditional toploaders. But I have been more than pleased with my washer and dryer.

Have you called the place where you bought the washer to ask about return policies in case there is a problem with it? If I were you, that's where I would start. Then, if you do take delivery of the washer, make sure you read the book thoroughly before ever using it. OTOH, if you really don't need the huge capacity, you could ask about getting a traditional toploader instead of the one you've ordered.

I've *heard* you can wash queen-size comforters in a Whirlpool Cabrio w/agitator - it has a 3.8 cu ft capacity, but that's second-hand information. Just something to consider.

I hope this helps.

Here is a link that might be useful: Whirlpool Cabrio with agitator, 3.8 cu ft.

I would think that Cabrios which are being manufactured now would also have the bugs from earlier models worked out? That seems logical.

My experience with the Cabrio was in July, 2008. We bought (and returned) the latest and most current model produced by Whirpool.

It's good to get opinions on both sides, and see what it is important to you and your family.

I agree with a previous poster that there is a learning curve to using any of the high efficiency machines. It's not hard, just different.

Cabrio is to be delivered tomorrow. Called Lowes to find ask about the return policy...30 days no questions asked. I spoke to the appliance manager (I know, they don't know as much as many here!) but he did say that he's had a few Cabrios come back and wanted to know what I'd read concerning problems. The feedback he's getting is not enough water because the water level is based on weight of clothes and if something large, but not heavy, (his example was a light weight comforter) was washed, people were complaining of not enough water to clean or rinse. I mentioned that the Bravos seemed to have better reviews. He didn't understand why since both were made by the same company. His suggestion for a top load, agitator-less machine was the GE Profile, model#: WPGT9150HWW. Thoughts? The Harmony is out of the question. The heater would have been nice but it's more than I need to spend on a washer.

The feedback he's getting is not enough water because the water level is based on weight of clothes and if something large, but not heavy, (his example was a light weight comforter) was washed, people were complaining of not enough water to clean or rinse.
This illustrates the need to use a proper cycle. The Bulky Items cycle fills with more water and is designed to deal with this kind of item. Some (early) Oasis models also have a specific cycle for towels that fills very high. I don't know if current Oasis and Cabrio models still have it.

I'd make a guess that a significant number of the complaints are coming from people sorting their laundry and trying to use these new HE toploaders in the same way they did their previous traditional-agitator washers. Habits and procedures must be changed accordingly.

I have the Cabrio HE, I got mine in March of 2007. It is slightly different than yours will be I'm sure, the companies are always "improving" things. I did want to chime in though and say how much I love my Cabrio HE. I first purchased the Bosch 800 which I hated and had a number of problems with. I ended up with the Cabrio HE, it was the third machine I tried. I purchased my machine at Lowes and I have to say that they were wonderful about trading in the first two machines, refunding the difference, and doing everything they could to make sure I was happy with my purchase. They never gave me any trouble at all. I have not had any problems with cloths tangling or detergent not rinsing properly (and I have severe skin issues so I know right away if my cloths are not rinsing properly). I use All Free and Clear Small and Mighty HE (triple concentrated) and I use between 1/2 and 1 TBSP per load. The most important things to remember when you start using this type of washer are 1. Dont use too much detergent, and the amount that the manufacture recommends and the package will be too much! 2. You must sort and load your cloths properly. I think loading is most important. Don't just shove a bunch of stuff in the machine. Drop the items around the wash plate. And don't over fill, there is a chart in the manual (which you can read online if you want) that tells you how much to put in for each cycle. 3. Pick the correct cycle. Towels will not tangle is you wash them in the towel/sheet cycle. I use that or the heavy duty cycle for towels. On heavy duty they can twist a bit, but not much. Use the bulky cycle for blankets, mattress pads, pillows, jackets... anything big that needs extra water. I generally use the perm press cycle or gentle cycle for cloths. I could go on and on, since I've had my machine for well over a year I have really learned to streamline my laundry habits. Today I did this weeks laundry. Sorted into three loads, two washed perm press and one washed heavy duty, all dried on the casual cloths cycle (I have a Whirlpool Duet drier, not the matching Cabrio dryer) and I started laundry at 3PM and finish taking the last load from the dryer at 7PM. I would have finished earlier but I got distracted a few times (taking out the garbage for trash pick-up tomorrow, taking a shower, cooking and eating dinner...) I love that I can finish my laundry so quick even while I'm not really paying attention. That time includes folding as well since I fold or hang cloths as I remove them from the dryer. I would say just to take a deep breath, relax, and try out your new machine. If you hate it Lowes will take care of you. If you have any other questions or concerns after you get your washer there will be people here willing to help! Good luck!

Joanne

I had the Cabrio HE for 6 long months and did not like it. It washed clothing terribly. Twisted things in knots so tightly that they never got fully saturated. Twisted clothing so badly that jeans had to be ironed.

I traded it in for the Cabrio with agitator. It is a much better performer. Yes, it handles queen sized comforters. It can do 11 bath towels easily. 8 pair of mens jeans.

It does sense the water level. So, if you are doing a teeny load it fills accordingly. Or, I can set the water level manually.

Try your HE out. You may love it. If you don't, Lowe's may let you get the Cabrio agi. Standard but BIG traditional top loader with just a few more bells and whistles.

16 months with it and still loving it.

I have the GE Harmony and I love it. It was definitely worth the money! One thing I have learned about the TL HE machines is that you can't overload them. "Smooshing" the clothes down to fit more in will not result in a good wash. I just layer everything into the machine so as to get as much as I can in there. When it's full then I'm done. You also have to use the appropriate setting. If I'm washing coats or a comforter I use that setting in order to get the tub to properly fill. What I like the most about the HE machines is that I can do a small load, such as handwash items or white socks, and not use too much water. In my old, regular TL I always felt guilty about washing the socks separately. It seemed like such a waste to use so much water for such a small load. Now there's only enough water in the tub to cover the clothes so I don't feel so wasteful.

I've done two loads of laundry in the new Cabrio HE top-loader. I don't think I have anything negative to say about how the clothes cleaned. I did use more detergent than this forum says one should. Using Tide HE, I filled to the "1" mark. It was late, I was tired and well, it kinda looked like a 1 tbls measure (g) It's not. It's at least 2x that if not more. The first load felt a little "thick" after drying. Towels weren't "crunchy" tho. I may not have even noticed it if I wasn't looking for a difference. The work clothes load (jeans and dark tees) felt ok. I'm going to reduce it to 1 tbls and hope that the over powering scent is less as well. Didn't add Oxy or vinegar to either load. Couldn't remember which dispenser the vinegar went in and had already loaded the clothes when I read that the oxy powder would have to go in the bottom of the washer BEFORE the clothes if using liquid soap. The vinegar goes in the fabric softener dispenser, right? 1/2 cup? I don't use liquid fs or the sheets. I don't care for the feeling of "limp" clothes and I know it creates a build up, not to mention towels aren't as absorbent. All my clothes washing life, I've washed towels, washcloths, underwear, socks together. I did it with this first load too, on the normal cycle, warm/cold, high spin. I saw no twisting issues. Can I/should I not combine these articles for washing in this washer? It would result in having to do more loads if I have to separate the towels. That's more time, water and energy. I washed the work clothes in hot/cold, heavy duty, high spin. I normally do NOT wash work clothes on heavy duty, just longer on the normal cycle and they come clean.
What I do NOT like...I do NOT Like the locking lid! WHY in the world does a top loader HAVE to lock?? I know, I can pause it and look inside but I *need* to see it in action (lol) Really, I do! I remember seeing a YouTube video about how to disable the auto-lock feature on this machine....hummmmmmmm Can you REALLY see thru the clear lid? Seems like water and steam would prevent being able to clearly see the action. I have both water taps wide open. With the first load, I never felt warm water (I checked SEVERAL times). It was mildly cool. With the heavy duty load, the hot water didn't kick in till the "wash" cycle. The soak cycle was, again, mildly cool (what our cold water is here in Texas this time of year). The washer it's self is level (checked with a level) and doesn't move AT all when manually rocked back and forth, but, during the high speed spins, it vibrates pretty bad. It's not walking but it definitely jitters around and makes me worry about the integrity of the machine after so much of that kind of vibration. Yes, the clothes were distributed evenly.
lulundave, can you "add" water to a cycle if you feel it needs more or just reset it to high, med, or low levels? You said it (Cabrio with agitator) has "just a few more bells and whistles". What does it have that the HE doesn't? Also, it doesn't appear to be an Energy Star machine :( Are HEs the only Energy Star rated washing machines?
Thanks for ALL the comments and help. I truly appreciate the time everyone took to reply :)
Monica

Monica,

About the water levels, you can set it to Auto - which senses how much water to put in. You can set it to small, med, large or super. If you find that it is not as full as you'd like it once the wash starts you can press a larger amount of water and it fills accordingly.
The extra bells and whistles I spoke about were in comparison to a traditional top loader. ie. stainless wash basket, higher spin speeds, larger capacity.
No, it is not energy star rated. But I was willing to sacrifice after wearing dirty clothes for 6 months.
Actually we have not noticed a difference in our water bill.

I would think that the load you did with towels and undergarments would be just fine.

I found in the Cabrio HE that pant legs got very twisted and wrinkled. I learned also to never put pants in with long sleeve tops as they would also twist up in the mix. I also learned never to put in a load as large as they claimed as the clothing on top would rarely get a sloshing around at the bottom. In the end I was mostly using the sheet and towel/bulky item setting so that I could get a somewhat decent wash.

I am hoping that they re-vamped their design since I had one and that you are happy with yours. Good Luck and Happy Washing.