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		bogey666
 
  
  Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Location: Korea, the ass free zone
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				 Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:42 am    Post subject: Re: why isn't my Korean washing machine washing very well?? | 
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	  | blackjack wrote: | 
	 
	
	  
 
	  | bogey666 wrote: | 
	 
	
	  i got the instructions from my Korean teacher on what the buttons mean and I press them accordingly.
 
 
drying issues aside (despise the super wrinkly, stiff and starched dried product.. when I'd dry stuff outside in the US it was MUCH better, perhaps because it was outside in the wind)
 
 
but sticking to washing issues.
 
 
even at what supposedly is the strongest Korean washing setting, the thing basically does what I'd call a gentle  "slosh" one way, and then a gentle slosh the other way.
 
 
nothing even REMOTELY close to the strong pumping action one sees in a US style washing machine.
 
 
I don't think the action/movement is strong enough to really mix in the detergent either.. so the result is a sloshing around in dirty water (I'm exaggerating.. but not by much)
 
 
anyways.. my whites aren't coming out very white.. not even remotely close to what I'd get in the US.
 
 
they're not very "sparkling", thank you very much. 
 
 
what GIVES????? | 
	 
 
 
 
If it is like mine then make sure you put the spin on max (for me about four pushes (spin is 탈수)
 
 
you also have to use softner (never had to back home)
 
 
if you post a photo of your machine maybe could help more | 
	 
 
 
 
softener? what's that?
 
and why would I have to use it?
 
 
the other issue is of course I have absolutely NO CLUE aboue Korean detergents.. or even what is what..
 
 
maybe I should just tell my teachers at school that "I am a man" and I just don't know how to deal with laundry. Being Korean, they will all understand! | 
			 
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		ChinaBoy
 
 
  Joined: 17 Feb 2007
 
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				 Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:39 pm    Post subject:  | 
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	  | bassexpander wrote: | 
	 
	
	  
 
	  | ChinaBoy wrote: | 
	 
	
	  | why did you have to specify it's a "Korean" washing machine?   | 
	 
 
 
 
Because Korean washing machines lack the center agitator post that most upright USA-style machines have.  The center post helps agitate the clothes and clean them more, as well as keep them from tangling.
 
 
THAT is why he said, "Korean" washing machines. | 
	 
 
 
 
I thought the new style in America was to get rid of the agitator as well.  More energy efficient perhaps, or just cheaper.  Actually, since I'm used to front-loading machines, I don't know at this point. | 
			 
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		bassexpander
 
 
  Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
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				 Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:38 pm    Post subject:  | 
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	  | ChinaBoy wrote: | 
	 
	
	  
 
	  | bassexpander wrote: | 
	 
	
	  
 
	  | ChinaBoy wrote: | 
	 
	
	  | why did you have to specify it's a "Korean" washing machine?   | 
	 
 
 
 
Because Korean washing machines lack the center agitator post that most upright USA-style machines have.  The center post helps agitate the clothes and clean them more, as well as keep them from tangling.
 
 
THAT is why he said, "Korean" washing machines. | 
	 
 
 
 
I thought the new style in America was to get rid of the agitator as well.  More energy efficient perhaps, or just cheaper.  Actually, since I'm used to front-loading machines, I don't know at this point. | 
	 
 
 
 
No, the are pushing front-loaders as being more energy efficient, but another reality is that they can charge a lot more money for those front-loaders, and that's why they're being pushed.  There are wider profit margins on front-loaders.  People are used to a certain price range on the standard-style machines, and time has proven that they'll go with a cheaper brand before they'll spend more for a premium brand.   Front-loaders are far from cheaper.
 
 
Besides, front-loaders and the typical top-loading Korean-style machines are far less similar to each other than an American-style top-loader and the typical Korean top-loader. | 
			 
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		Lekker
 
  
  Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Location: Seoul
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				 Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:38 pm    Post subject:  | 
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				My Korean friend broke it down for me.
 
 
Korean washing machines suck.  They're no good.  He actually said those words.
 
 
Japanese and German washing machines are good, both of which you can buy here easily.  American ones are good as well but good luck finding them here.
 
 
The reason he said they suck is because they retain water at the bottom of the tub, underneath.  If you have the open at the top kind, open it up and press on the side of the wall of the tub, you might hear some swooshing around of the water.  Apparently German and Japanese washing machines don't do this.  They drain their water more effectively.
 
 
Korean washing machines breed bacteria if the water stays in them for too long.  You should look in the washing detergent section next time you do a shop.  Look for some kind of washing machine cleaner.  You just put it in, set the machine for a cycle, and it should kill any bacteria in there and you'll be good to go for a few washes before you do it again.  Add some bleach as well, not too much, but make sure you do two more cycles afterwards to get rid of all traces of bleach.
 
 
Also you should use a good fabric softener.  Pigeon is no good.  Way too dilluted.  Go to Costco and get some of better value.  They sell Kirkland brand from the States.  It smells pretty fresh and it makes your clothes softer.  Works well if you are hanging up your clothes to dry, which is better for your clothes anyway.  Oh yeah, it also makes your apartment smell great as they are drying.  Girls like that when they come over.    
 
 
Also, keep your filter clear of lint after every few washes.
 
 
I agree.  I have a Korean washing machine and it sucks.  When I was in Japan visiting a friend, I used her machine and it was much nicer.  My clothes never felt so clean.  
 
 
Anyway, good luck, have fun, happy washing.  
 
 
And just because your a man is no excuse to not know how to do wash.  I've been doing it since I was 5.  My parents gave me no alternative.  Been doing it for over 20 years now.  It's simple.  Get what smells good so your clothes don't stink.  
 
 
Whatever, good luck. | 
			 
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		wings
 
 
  Joined: 09 Nov 2006
 
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				 Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:29 pm    Post subject:  | 
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				| To compensate for the lack of 'power' that my washing machine has here I usually leave my clothes to soak in soapy water overnight. Just pause the machine after it fills up.  You can get some oxigenating type stuff (near the detergent, with a big O2 on the jar) to add to your regular detergent, which also might help. | 
			 
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		Pooty
 
 
  Joined: 15 Jun 2008 Location: Ela stin agalia mou
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				 Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:49 pm    Post subject:  | 
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				Bet you guys didn't know that the LG steam washer (front loader) has about 40% of the US market share did ya?
 
 
It's true. | 
			 
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		ChinaBoy
 
 
  Joined: 17 Feb 2007
 
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				 Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:01 am    Post subject:  | 
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	  | Pooty wrote: | 
	 
	
	  Bet you guys didn't know that the LG steam washer (front loader) has about 40% of the US market share did ya?
 
 
It's true. | 
	 
 
 
 
actually, I did know this because I did a search for bacteria, water, laundry a few weeks ago and everyone was complaining about their new front-loading LGs!!  haha
 
 
I wish I was making this up, but I'm not.  I've actually had no problem with them in Korea.  Just lucky, from what everyone else is saying. | 
			 
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		laserprinter
 
  
  Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea
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				 Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 4:30 am    Post subject:  | 
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				| yes! my clothes have clumps of lint. they are wet and smell nice after 1 hour and 26 minutes. then my clothes don't dry fast enough and start to rot and stink after a day or two.  i'll have to replace my cotton with polyester. so far only 2 polyester shirts. | 
			 
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		mmarshalynne
 
  
  Joined: 23 May 2008
 
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				 Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 5:06 am    Post subject: Keeping clothes fresh without bacteria smell | 
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				| Hydrogen peroxide is color safe.  You can add about 6 oz, preferably to your rinse cycle and this will prevent the bacteria from populating in your washer or on your clothes.  Gives a fresh clean smell as well. | 
			 
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		yupkime
 
  
  Joined: 03 Nov 2004 Location: Somewhere far away from Seoul
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				 Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 6:09 pm    Post subject:  | 
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				I think it may also be a soft water/hard water issue.
 
 
Because of all the minerals and ph level of hard water systems it is hard to build up the soapiness and results in alot of residue as well.
 
 
any scientists out there to confirm?? | 
			 
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		i4NI
 
 
  Joined: 17 May 2008 Location: Seoul
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				 Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 10:52 pm    Post subject:  | 
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				| yupkime where's your avatar from? | 
			 
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		yupkime
 
  
  Joined: 03 Nov 2004 Location: Somewhere far away from Seoul
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				 Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:15 am    Post subject:  | 
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				I can't remember where I got it from .... I think it is from the launch of the new uniforms for Korean Air ... I have yet to meet her on one of my flights  ... I guess she doesn't do international ...    | 
			 
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