Not the Best for My Situation
Written: Sep 10 '01 (Updated Sep 11 '01)
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Pros: easy to use, 3.4 cu.ft. capacity, high efficiency washer, concentrated sudsing action to pre-treat wash
Cons: price, not good for washing pet blankets, bleach spots, must dilute softener
The Bottom Line: I do not recommend this machine. The technology is too new. Wait for Whirlpool to work the bugs out.
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| lthompso's Full Review: Whirlpool Calypso GVW9959K Top Load Washer |
In July 2001, I purchased Whirlpool's new Calypso washing machine model GVW9959KL along with the matching dryer. I decided to buy Whirlpool's Calypso based on Consumer Report's # 1 performance rating. The Calypso has a 3.4 cu. ft. capacity. There is no agitator to speak of, instead the wash barrel bounces the clothes, and shoots a heavy stream of sudsy water into the clothes from the top rim of the machine.
My first wash in the Calypso was a small load of whites. When I started the first wash, I was unsettled by the unusual sounds made by this machine. Since the wash barrel rapidly bounces clothes around while spraying highly concentrated suds on the load it makes different sounds than most top loaders. Despite the sound proofing package, the machine I received was not quiet during agitation - other parts of the wash cycle were fairly quiet though.
This first wash of whites came out extremely clean and bright. Encouraged, I decided to start washing everything -- next was the king size mattress pad off my bed. I used the bulky item cycle but the results were not so impressive...the white mattress pad came out with dark gray streaks that would not come out with further washing. My expensive mattress pad was ruined. I should note that when the machine was first delivered I ran a complete wash cycle through without clothes to wash away any chemicals left over from manufacturing.
Although puzzled by the gray streaks, I went on to wash two twin size blankets that my dogs sleep on. Once again I was disappointed in my new washer, as the blankets did not come clean. When I started to take the blankets out of the washer, I found sandy grit down in the folds of the blankets. After re-washing and tumbling the blankets dry I found a big hand full of dog hair in the dryer's lint filter, so obviously the washer didn't remove much of the dog hair during the two wash cycles. Further the dog hair that did wash out apparently clogged the sump drain of the Calypso so that not all of the dirty water was able to drain. At least that was the opinion of the service technician. Brown, sandy particles washed in on subsequent loads of wash so that clothes went into the washer cleaner than they came out. I took a sample of the wet, dirty wash to the store where I purchased the washer. The salespeople were amazed. One sales person told me that the machine has a water filter. Apparently water passes through sand in the filter to trap particles so that theoretically, only clean water gets recycled during the wash cycle. When I asked the service technician check the water filter to see if it was clogged, he could not locate a filter in the machine. Anyway, my clothes were coming out of the wash cycle with gritty brown dirt spots and I work in an office, so my clothes never really get dirty.
Another problem that showed up was bleach spotting. I have since learned from another service technician that Whirlpool has just recently identified a problem with premature bleach dispensing. Another dispensing problem I had is that fabric softener had to be diluted otherwise it would not wash out of the dispenser. And finally, the fabric softener dispenser would still hold a small amount of water after the wash cycle completed.
One month later, repair service was called out due to a number of complaints I had with the machine. When the service technician removed the top of the washer he found that there was a lot of stainless steel polish residue around the rim of the machine - which should have been cleaned away before the machine was shipped from Whirlpool. The gray, oily residue was not visible without removing the top of the washer. Now I knew what had caused the dark gray streaks on my white mattress pad.
After the technician left I called Whirlpool to tell them about the problems I had with this new machine, the customer service representative left me with the impression that she did not believe me. In fact, a comment was made to the effect of 'that's impossible, we've not had any problems with this machine'. I showed the repair technician the physical evidence, but he was not able to fix the multiple problems with my new Whirlpool Calypso. I had the store come pick the set up.
The sales person contacted his Whirlpool area manager and she said that there have been a few other complaints about the sump clogging and bleach spots, so I felt vindicated at last. I've yet to make a decision on a replacement machine.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 1177
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Epinions.com ID:
lthompso
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 1 member
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