[Electronics-Talk] Accessible Washing Machines

Sun Jan 8 22:40:56 UTC 2023

Mine does not have an agitator.  It is simply a drum.  With top loaders, I
have seen items with ties or smaller items work their way under the bottom
edge of the agitator and become hung.  That is harsh on the agitator in that
it works harder.  I have found that agitators are actually very harsh on
more delicate materials as well.

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of
Annette Carr via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Sunday, January 8, 2023 7:26 AM
To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: amcarr1 at verizon.net
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible Washing Machines

Yes, mold can be an issue with the front loader washers if you keep the door
closed all of the time.  It is easy to leave the door for the top loader
open, and not so easy with the front loader.  We roll up an old washcloth
and prop the door open with it.  We also leave the dispenser drawer open an
inch or two.  We only occasionally use the cleaning solution and cleaning
cycle, but once a month or so wipe down the inside of the washer, including
the rubber collar that is around the front edge of the drum, with a
washcloth dampened with water and white vinegar.

I have found that my clothes and other items have lasted longer with the
front loader.  I find less of an issue with everything coming out in a big
knot.  I do however, take the time to layer the clothes in the washer so
that they are not a knotted mess when they go in.  This also stops the
clothes from jumping out at you when putting them in the washer.  When I
have to use a top loader, I spend even more time strategically placing the
clothes in the washer.  I put the jeans in first and try to evenly
distribute them around the agitator.  Next are the sweatshirts, then
sweaters and casual pants, followed by everything else.  

I'm going to do research today on Alexa skills.  I'm pretty sure they will
be in line with what was mentioned here on the list in an earlier message.
I will let you know what I find out

Annette

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of
Donald Moore via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Sunday, January 8, 2023 5:33 AM
To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: don.moore48 at reagan.com
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible Washing Machines

True on both counts.

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of
Andy Baracco via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Sunday, January 8, 2023 12:45 AM
To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Andy Baracco <wq6r at socal.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible Washing Machines

I was always told that top loaders clean better, and that if you use a front
loader there is some kind of chemical that you need to run through to keep
mold from developing.

Andy

----- Original Message -----
From: "Annette Carr via Electronics-Talk" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
To: "'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'" 
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: <amcarr1 at verizon.net>
Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2023 5:38 PM
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible Washing Machines

>I too will do everything I can to be able to use a front load washer.  
>They  are easier to get things in and out, they use less water, they 
>are gentle  on  the items being washed, and they clean better than the 
>top loader.
>
> Annette
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf 
> Of Aaron Spears via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Saturday, January 7, 2023 6:44 PM
> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances 
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Aaron Spears <valiant8086 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible Washing Machines
>
> Hi.
>
>
> I love front loaders for a variety of reasons. I'm trying to make a 
> rule here at the house that we'll never get another one that isn't a 
> front loader, but that's just us. I think they clean better, they use 
> less water, they may last better, at least the one we have now is 
> older than we managed to get the previous 3 sets to go.
>
>
>
> Cheers:
> Aaron Spears, AKA Valiant8086 General Partner at Valiant Galaxy 
> Associates "we make (VERY GOOD AUDIOGAMES) for the blind comunity"
> http://valiantGalaxy.com
>
> On 1/7/2023 4:15 PM, Sherry Gomes via Electronics-Talk wrote:
>> I just replaced my LG washer and dryer with traditional buttons and 
>> knobs
> washer/dryer by whirlpool. I got them at Lowe's. I had really liked my 
> friend's LG set, and had used it for two months while waiting to move 
> into my new house. but on my set, the digital display was so sensitive 
> that I swear breathing too hard near it changed thing. walking by and 
> a sleeve touching it, a dog's wagging tail. I loved them because I had 
> wanted a front loader for years. I can't reach the bottom of top 
> loaders. But I broke down and got these whirlpools and I'm reasonably 
> happy with them. My sister helped me put some locator dots on them, 
> and they are 100 percent accessible.
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On 
>> Behalf Of Annette Carr via Electronics-Talk
>> Sent: Saturday, January 7, 2023 1:08 PM
>> To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'
>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: amcarr1 at verizon.net
>> Subject: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible Washing Machines
>>
>> As you can probably guess from the subject line, we are in the market 
>> for
> a new washer.  Saw 4 potential options at Lowes, so was wondering if 
> anyone has experience with any of them.  I am pleased to report that 
> the sales person went and got an extension cord and plugged in the 
> machines we wanted to look at.
>>
>>
>>
>> Here are the models with notes about what I was able to observe.
>>
>>
>>
>> LG washer model WM4200HBA
>>
>> And
>>
>> LG washer model WM4000HBA
>>
>> * Has a stand-a-lone physical power button.  I think it also had a
>> stand-a-lone physical button for starting.
>> * The cycle selector has defined clicks that you could easily feel as
>> you turned the knob, along with an audible tone.
>> * However, the knob did not have an indicator/pointer, and a complete
>> revolution of the knob did not return you to where you started from.
>> * When you turn the machine off and then turn it back on, you are back
>> at the "Normal" cycle and its default settings.  You could keep a braille
> list of the cycles in the order of their position around the knob, and 
> just
> count the clicks/beeps.
>> * There is a touch screen with buttons along the sides and bottom.
>> There is a very thin seem around the outer edge of the touch screen.
>> * If you drag your finger across the buttons on the touch screen or
>> accidentally touch one of the buttons, it will be activated.
>> * There is some room around the outside of the touch panel to place
>> abbreviated braille labels or at least an indicator dot so that you could
> get lined up with the button.
>> * When you touch the touch screen, there is a beep.  There are only 2
>> different sounds.  One indicates that something changed, and the other
> indicates that there was no change.  The beeps do not tell you if you have
> cycled through all of the choices, so you do not know how many options 
> there
> are.  Whether a feature is available and the number of options for it, is
> different for each cycle.  For my current washer that just bit the dust I
> had a document on my computer that outlined each of the cycles, the
> available features and their options.  I had always planned on brailling 
> it
> up, or finding someone to do it for me, and never did.
>> * Although we did not test the dryer, it looks like the controls are
>> set up like the washer.
>>
>>
>>
>> GE washer model GFW550SSN2WW
>>
>> * The Power and Start Button are combined on a small touch pad, but it
>> is easy to use it.  The Power is at the top edge, and the start is on the
> bottom edge.  I can't remember if they required pressure to activate, I
> think it was just a touch.
>> * The cycle selector knob clicked and had beeps, along with a pointer.
>> You could add braille labels and this would be pretty accessible.
>> * There is a touch screen to change the settings for the cycles.
>> * There are buttons on the sides and bottom of the touch screen.
>> * There are thin lines between the buttons, but if you drag your
>> finger from button to button you will be activating each button you 
>> touch.
>> * There is some room around the outside of the touch screen where you
>> could place tactile indicators or abbreviated braille labels.
>> * You will need a cheat-sheet of some type to know which features are
>> available in each cycle, and what the available options are for each
> feature.
>> * There were audible beeps, but they were hard to hear in the store.
>> It was not apparent if there is a volume control.
>> * Although we did not test the dryer, it looks like the controls are
>> set up like the washer.
>>
>>
>>
>> Samsung washer model WF45B6300AC
>>
>> * There is a touch screen to control everything accept select the
>> cycles.
>> * The buttons are on the sides and bottom of the touch screen, but
>> there is some braille and tactile indicator dots.  Yes, actual braille 
>> and
> tactile marks.  The sales person was as shocked as we were.
>> * The Power button is on the top-right corner and there is a braille
>> "P" off the right edge of the touch screen.
>> * Below the Power button is the start button and there is a braille
>> "S" off the right edge of the touch screen.
>> * All other buttons along the left and bottom have a single dot to
>> indicate where they are.  You would have to add your own braille labels.
>> * If you drag your fingers across the touch screen, you will be
>> activating the buttons.
>> * There are beeps for every time you touch the touch screen.
>> * If a feature being activated on the touch screen has multiple
>> options, the pitch will change for each press of the button, and when you
> get back to the top of the list the tone starts from the first pitch. 
> This
> helps you know how many options there are for that feature, within that
> cycle.  This is how the beeps worked on my now non-working Whirlpool Duet.
>> * The cycle selector knob does click and does beep as you turn it.  It
>> does not have an indicator/pointer and one revolution is not equal to
> navigating through all of the cycle options.  Did not test to see if when
> you turn the machine off if it goes back to the default settings.
>> * Although we did not test the dryer, it looks like the controls are
>> set up like the washer.
>>
>>
>>
>> These were not the actual models we were looking for, but they are what
> Lowes has.  We are going to do a bit more research and I will let you know
> what I learn.  If anyone has any additional information about these 
> models,
> good or bad, I would love it if you would share.  Of course, any
> recommendations for a washer you found to be accessible is welcome.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Annette
>>
>> hear
>>
>>
>>
>> Annette Carr
>>
>> Let me make you sparkle!
>>
>>
>>
>> Independent Consultant
>>
>> ~Touchstone Crystal by Swarovski~
>>
>>   <mailto:amcarr1 at verizon.net> amcarr1 at verizon.net
>>
>> 703-915-2837 (call or text)
>>
>>
>>
>> View the online catalog and see all that TouchStone Crystal by Swarovski
> has to offer!
>>
>>   <https://sites.touchstonecrystal.com/sites/annettecarr>
>> https://sites.touchstonecrystal.com/sites/annettecarr
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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