General Electric’s HydroWave Washing Machine: A Review

Preface (feel free to skip to the next boldface heading!):

During the first five decades of my life, “washing machines” were of virtually no interest to me. Because I’d always been able to use coin-op washers (when living in a dorm or apartment) or, for more than two decades, had successively been the satisfied recipient of two free, used-but-functional, “hand-me-down” washers from close relatives (when owning my prior and present four-bedroom house), I’d been lucky not to have to purchase a new washer of my own.

That situation changed about three years ago when my prior (1981 Maytag) washer finally died an essentially irreparable death. At that point, I was faced with two alternatives (given that I had no intention of continually driving to a Laundromat at this stage of my life!): (1) I could have immediately bought a new washer (I was in no mood to take chances on a “used” unit from some stranger); or (2) I could make do without any washing machine and do my laundry “by hand”!

Given that (since my forties) I’ve been savoring an “early retirement” phase of life such that I’ve “endless” time but only “moderate” income, I tentatively decided to try yet another little experiment as part of my “frugal-living” lifestyle. I would see just how long I could tolerate “hand-washing” all my clothes using the double sink in the kitchen (or, rarely, a bathtub). [Note: My ancient Maytag dryer did/does still work fine, and so I’m only speaking of “manual” washing, not drying.] Given that I generally wore only casual jeans and shirts (and white-cotton socks and briefs), and given that I only had myself to satisfy, this experiment ended up lasting much longer than I ever would have predicted. Though hand washing/rinsing did seem tedious and time-consuming (taking me fifteen to twenty minutes per session), the thought of shelling out “$400 to $500” for a new washer continually gave me pause (and I had neither a truck nor any free human help available to carry home a dirt-cheap used washer from an auction house!); besides, I only did laundry about once every 12 days, and I largely mentally focused on the TV or an audiobook during each otherwise tedious session at the sink; consequently (and, in retrospect, amazingly), about three years passed before I finally began to feel resolutely unwilling to further forgo the convenience of “mechanized” washing!

If nothing else, my stoical “hands-on” experiment in voluntary privation prepared me to (belatedly) properly appreciate the virtues of a washing machine–any washing machine, please! 😉

The General Electric Model WHDSR316G Top Load Washer:

After window-shopping for washers at Best Buy, The Home Depot, and Lowe’s, I phoned a relatively small yet long-established appliance dealer in my city and asked what their “rock-bottom-cheapest” washer might be. The answer: a “scratch-and-dent” GE unit for $249.95–normally a “nearly $400” model. I decided to go take a gander.

When I arrived at the cluttered little appliance shop, I was ushered before the machine in question: a GE WHDSR316G Top Load Washer whose cabinet looked rather badly dented on the middle portion of its lower-left side (near but above the bottom edge). Though the damage was unsightly, I was informed it didn’t affect the washer’s functionality one iota (and the unit was still fully covered by GE’s standard one-year warranty including parts and labor). And since that dent would be totally unseen after the unit was installed next to my old Maytag dryer, I became increasingly intrigued with this steeply discounted “clearance item”. After contrasting it with various costlier, unscratched, less impressive makes and models, I pulled out my credit card and finalized the deal. The following morning my new washer was delivered and connected. And after operating it in each of its four main “wash-cycle” modes, I was thoroughly pleased with having nabbed a much more full-featured model than any of the alternatives I’d seen in its price range.

Visual appeal:

Regarding this washer’s subtly sculpted (gently and appealingly curved) control panel, if you demand the latest “high-tech-looking” bells and whistles–such as an LED (digital) counter, “idiot lights” or “membrane” pushbuttons [ugh!]–look elsewhere. This machine’s control panel comprises only three (electromechanical) rotary knobs. It isn’t downright “leading-edge,” much less revolutionary. But it is eminently appealingly designed (and easy-to-use).

I wish the above graphic allowed you to admire the main “cycle selector” (rotary knob) close up; that knob’s surrounding, graphical “dial face” is the most eye-catching feature of this product. I really appreciate the way GE’s designers tastefully (arguably artistically) combined text (in several sizes and colors) and graphics (in varying shades of blue, gray and white) around that primary control knob to designate the unit’s various cycles and features. With such a likable and well-labeled main-control knob, the majority of users won’t necessarily need to read the “owner’s manual” booklet to operate this machine.

Nearby (unobtrusively in the upper-right corner of the control panel), the following “idiot-proof” textual reminder appears in a stylish blue, italicized font:

“Pull Knob to START;
Push to STOP”.

At the opposite (left) end of the control panel are the machine’s only other (two) controls: the (water-level) “Load size” knob; and the (wash/rinse) “Temperature” knob. Those rotary knobs are somewhat smaller than the main “cycle selector” knob, but they’re complementarily, tastefully and sensibly designed, and they complete the picture of an admirably conceived and expertly manufactured control panel.

Dimensions:

This typically configured washer weighs about 145 pounds and measures (in approximate inches): 27 (width) x 26 (depth) x 42 (height, including the control panel).

Some noteworthy features:

The cabinet:

The glossy-white, galvanized-steel cabinet’s top and lid are exceptionally durably and beautifully coated using “ArmorGuard” (i.e., a technologically advanced, extra-shiny, extra-smooth, extra-rust-resistant paint). The cabinet’s four lower sides (including the front) are presumably conventionally coated with baked enamel (i.e., a reasonably durable and glossy paint). If you very closely examine the top’s impeccable finish–and then contrast it with the conventional finish of the lower sides–you’ll readily discern the improved visual and tactile properties that ArmorGuard provides!

Large (3.2 cubic feet), “PermaTuf II”, “high-extraction”, “auto-balancing” tub:

The molded inner (perforated, visible) tub is handsomely fashioned of “PermaTuf II”. [The molded outer (solid, largely hidden) tub, which actually holds the water, is made of durable polypropylene.] “Permatuf” is reportedly the same kind of polypropylene that’s used to make football helmets. It’s not subject to scratching, rusting, peeling or cracking (as are conventional metal tubs). From my phone conversation with a GE representative, I learned that Permatuf “II” adds a glossy, snow-white finish that provides virtually perfect stain-resistance. (In the unlikely event of exposure to an unusually highly staining substance, just run the washer through an additional wash cycle using hot water and liquid detergent. If that fails, just use a cloth to wipe the tub with undiluted liquid detergent.)

Not only is the white inner tub plenty large enough for the average family’s needs, but also it has two truly significant features that many competing makes and models lack.

First, the tub is smoothly perforated with 312 tiny, “snag-proof” holes (216 in the side, and 96 in the bottom) and isn’t molded in a conventional circular shape; instead, it’s attractively convoluted with large, vertical, intermittent “ridges” against which clothes tightly press and conform during the “spin” (water-extraction) phase of a wash cycle. The wall’s increased surface area promotes a greater degree of dryness in your clothes at the end of a wash cycle. Thus, your clothes will require proportionately less time and energy to dry thereafter.

Even more significant to me is the tub’s “automatic-balancing” (AutoBalance Suspension System) design. Unlike many competing makes and models in this price range, this GE washer won’t go “out of balance” during the high-speed rotation of a “spin” (water-extraction) operation. You can grab a top edge of the tub (when the machine’s empty and not running) and easily move it in various directions within the washer cabinet; there’s plenty of protective “give” to its suspension, yet the tub reliably, quickly “self-centers” when you let go. I’ve verified that this washer has no tendency to “walk” (vibrate) across the linoleum floor of my laundry room no matter the load size or the tub’s rotational speed.

The agitator:

This GE model implements a “HydroWave” wash system that is said to provide “longer, slower travel through the water” that “improves cleaning performance and is gentler on your clothes”.

Controlled by the washer’s motorized, belt-driven mechanism, the rather durable, white-plastic, “GentlePower” agitator consists of an upper portion that is a relatively small-diameter “spiral”, and a larger-diameter bottom portion involving four “fins” extending outward into the bottommost area of the tub.

Four (not just three) selectable water levels & temperature options:

Many competing models–especially in this price range–only offer three selectable water levels or temperature options. But this GE model offers four of each, as follows:

Selectable water levels (load sizes): (1) “small”; (2) “medium”; (3) “large”; (4) “super”.

Selectable (wash/rinse) temperature options: (1) “cold/cold”; (2) “cool/cold”; (3) “warm/cold”; (4) “hot/cold”.

Note: the “water-level” and “temperature” options are selected via two separate rotary knobs that are located at the left of the washer’s main control panel. You can rotate either of those knobs in any direction (clockwise or counterclockwise).

A bleach dispenser and a fabric softener dispenser:

The cheapest competing washers generally provide neither a (liquid) bleach nor a (liquid) fabric-softener dispenser; many “somewhat costlier” competing models offer a bleach dispenser but no fabric-softener dispenser. This particular GE model includes both.

With the (built-in, non-removable) bleach dispenser, you just measure and carefully pour (perhaps 3/4th of a cup of) liquid bleach into the open top of the always-exposed dispenser. (There’s no dispenser “lid” to open or close.) This dispenser is conveniently located near the left corner of the top-front edge of the inner compartment (accessible when you lift the washer’s lid). According to the owner’s manual, “the water fill dilutes liquid chlorine bleach as the washer fills for the wash cycle.”

The (removable) fabric softener dispenser sits atop the agitator in the upper center area of the washer (accessible when you lift the washer’s lid). You pour a small amount (as recommended on the fabric softener bottle) into the open top of this always-exposed dispenser. (There’s no dispenser “lid” to open or close.) Then you dilute the rather thick, liquid fabric softener by adding a little (ordinary tap) water till the liquid’s level reaches the top line of the dispenser. During the subsequent “spin” (water-extraction) phase of the wash cycle, centrifugal force will dispense the fabric softener into the tub and onto the clothes. I readily noticed that the air of not only the laundry room but also the adjacent room of my house was pleasingly “freshened” once that dispenser had been thoroughly emptied! (So be sure to buy a variety of fabric softener whose fragrance you really like.)

On those (presumably very infrequent) occasions that you will want or need to clean the fabric softener dispenser, you can easily remove it from the top of the agitator by firmly grasping it and pulling upward. Then you can separate this (two-piece) dispenser’s bottom (“cup”) portion from its upper (“cover”) portion by simply inserting a finger from above and pressing downward. You can then soak both pieces in the following solution (as per the owner’s manual): one gallon (3.8 liters) warm water; 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy-duty liquid detergent; and one cup (240 ml) bleach. After the soaking, you can, if necessary, wipe the dispenser with a clean, soft cloth. Finish by rinsing. When reattaching this dispenser above the agitator, properly align it and press downward just firmly enough to fully snap it back into its original position. (This is all very easy and simple when you actually do it!)

Four (not just three) major (selectable) “wash cycles”:

Many competing washers in this price range provide only three primary “wash cycles” (that are variously named but basically mean): “regular”; “permanent press”; and “delicates”. This GE model includes those three cycles, although (don’t ask me why!) GE calls them “Cottons”; “Easy Care”; and “Delicates”. But what sets this machine apart from most others is the inclusion of a fourth major cycle called “Powerwash”. This is the “extra-heavy-duty” cycle that you’ll be glad to select for those occasions when you’ve got something unusually filthy and/or smelly to wash. Within the expansive “Powerwash” cycle are several “subsidiary settings,” including “heavy”; “extra heavy”; “auto soak 15”; and “auto soak 30”. [Note: The so-called “auto soak” function is basically the same thing as the “pre-wash” function on some other washer models.] If, for example, you begin a wash cycle with the “cycle-selector” (rotary/push/pull) knob pointing all the way to the beginning of the “Powerwash” cycle’s range, the knob will be in the “auto soak 30” position. The owner’s manual describes the “auto soak” option thusly: “For very soiled clothes. Begins with a brief agitation, soaks for a specified period of time [either 15 or 30 minutes], then moves through the rest of the cycle automatically.”

The four major “wash cycles” encompass a total of sixteen “Wash Presets” (subsidiary wash cycles), as follows:

(1) Within the “Cottons” wash cycle are the following four selectable “Presets” [you can turn (rotate clockwise) and point the “cycle selector knob” to any of the below settings and then turn on the machine by pulling the “cycle selector knob” to its outward position]:

–“Heavy”
–“Medium”
–“Light”
–“Drain & spin”

Note: the “Cottons” wash cycle includes “regular-speed” washing (agitator motion) and a “fast-speed” spin (water-extraction).

(2) Within the “Easy Care” wash cycle are the following five selectable “Presets” [you can turn (rotate clockwise) and point the “cycle selector knob” to any of the below settings and then turn on the machine by pulling the “cycle selector knob” to its outward position]:

–“Heavy”
–“Medium”
–“Light”
–“Extra light”
–“Rinse & spin”

Note: the “Easy Care” wash cycle includes “gentle-speed” washing (agitator motion) and a “fast-speed” spin (water-extraction).

(3) Within the “Delicates” wash cycle are the following two selectable “Presets” [you can turn (rotate clockwise) and point the “cycle selector knob” to any of the below settings and then turn on the machine by pulling the “cycle selector knob” to its outward position]:

–“Light”
–“Extra light”

Note: the “Delicates” wash cycle includes “gentle-speed” washing (agitator motion) and a “slow-speed” spin (water-extraction).

(4) Within the “Powerwash” wash cycle are the following five selectable “Presets” [you can turn (rotate clockwise) and point the “cycle selector knob” to any of the below settings and then turn on the machine by pulling the “cycle selector knob” to its outward position]:

–“Auto soak 30”
–“Auto soak 15”
–“Extra heavy”
–“Heavy”
–“Power rinse”

Note: the “Powerwash” wash cycle includes “regular-speed” washing (agitator motion) and a “fast-speed” spin (water-extraction).

Some features that this model lacks:

No “second-rinse” knob:

Unlike some costlier models, this washer has no “second-rinse” knob (or option) per se. However, in those presumably rare instances where you might feel an additional rinse is actually necessary, you can accomplish the same thing by just following up any wash cycle with either of the following two procedures:

(1) Set the rotary knob’s pointer to the “Power Rinse” option (clearly marked as such within the “Powerwash” cycle); then pull the knob outward;

(2) Set the rotary knob’s pointer to the “Rinse-and-Spin” option (clearly marked as such within the “Easy Care” cycle); then pull the knob outward.

Doing either of those things fills the tub with cold water (to your selected depth) and briefly, gently agitates the rinse water before draining the tub and finishing with a “fast spin” to extract most of the remaining water from your clothes.

No “status-indicator” lights:

There are no “status-indicator” (“idiot”) lights on this model. In other words, some costlier GE models include a horizontal row of little (“LED”? red?) indicators that illuminate sequentially to show when the current wash cycle is: filling; soaking; washing; rinsing; spinning. But, heck, you can pretty well figure out what’s going on anyway by merely noting the current position of the “cycle selector knob”, not to mention the tell-tale sounds of the running machine as it switches from “fill” to “wash” to “drain” and to “spin”.

No audible “end-of-wash” bell or tone:

Unlike my old Maytag dryer, this GE washer doesn’t emit any audible signal at the end of a wash cycle. [There are some competing washer models that do emit such a sound; but the majority don’t.] In any case, to me this isn’t a big issue. [By contrast, I do need my dryer to emit such an audible signal, lest certain clothes end up too long forgotten–and wrinkled.]

The owner’s manual:

Included with this washer is a 32-page, illustrated booklet, the first half of which is in English, and the second half of which is in Spanish.

GE evidently tried to achieve two objectives with this manual:

(1) To keep it as cheap-to-make as possible (thus its “generalized” content–slightly confusingly–covers not just this washer but also various other GE models);

(2) To keep its “product-features” descriptions as basic as possible for the “lowest common denominator” of consumer.

The result is a “fairly good” (or, at least, “adequate”) manual. Unfortunately, it’s far from the fully “excellent” manual that it could have been. I would have greatly appreciated more well-delineated, step-by-step details regarding precisely what is happening during each wash-cycle phase of my model’s operation instead of having to wade through a frustrating mishmash of features intermittently punctuated by such parenthetical expressions as: “Cycles vary by model”; “On some models”; and “Depending on model”.

Moreover, I would have appreciated the inclusion of a “Specifications” section regarding such things as: (1) the type of (motorized) drive system (i.e., is it “belt” or “direct”?); (2) the type of material used for the (white) tub; and (3) the type of exterior coating used on the (white) galvanized-steel cabinet. No clear answers are provided by the owner’s manual or GE’s web site (on its pages pertaining to this model). Therefore, I phoned GE’s “Answer Center” and spoke with a representative who had to put me on hold for several minutes while he did some research. Here’s what I found out:

(1) This washer is a “belt-drive” machine.
(2) “PermaTuf II” (a polypropylene compound) is the extremely durable “rust-proof/chip-proof/stain-resistant” material composing the perforated wash tub;
(3) “ArmorGuard” (a technologically advanced, extra-shiny, extra-smooth, extra-rust-resistant paint) is used to provide extra protection and beauty for the white coating on the cabinet’s top and lid (but not its lower front, sides, and rear, which are presumably coated with conventional “baked enamel” (reasonably durable and glossy paint)–GE’s representative wasn’t certain regarding the latter).

You’d think that the owner’s manual would have included a conventional “specs” page containing such information, but nay. 🙁

That said, I must admit that I’m much pickier regarding “owner’s manuals” than your “average consumer” likely is. (Let’s face it, more than a few busy consumers nowadays scarcely even glance at their new washing machines’ manuals beyond the most basic, illustrated sections. Accordingly, most such consumers won’t be unduly disappointed with this washer’s “one-size-fits-all” manual.)

“Reality check”: There’s no such thing as a “silent” washing machine!

Of course, no reasonable consumer should expect any washer to be downright quiet. But there are degrees of noisiness from one model to the next; and a minority of consumers will probably consider this GE washer to be a bit noisier than they’d like during certain stages of its “water-extraction” and “spin” phases. (The “fill” and “washing” phases of a cycle are less noticeable.)

Page 12 of the owner’s manual explains:

“The drain pump will make a humming sound when pumping out water after agitation stops and continue until spin is complete.”

I must admit that when I first heard my machine emitting that sound (that is somewhere between a “hum” and a “buzz”) during the water-extraction operation, I momentarily wondered if I’d gotten a slightly defective unit. But then I read various customer reviews of other GE washer models, and some owners did opine that GE’s washers are at least somewhat loud (at certain intervals during a wash cycle).

Having now lived with my new washer for several days, I can report that familiarity breeds contentment. I no longer consider my washer unduly “noisy”. It simply has its own idiosyncratic “voice” when pumping out the water, and it’s far from irritating, much less intolerable. In fact, I’ve rather come to appreciate its unique “singing”. 😉 But my sensibilities are bound to differ from the next person’s; and there will likely be a minority of highly sensitive souls who won’t tolerate this GE model’s noise as easily as I do. If your home’s floor plan dictates that you must position yourself extremely near this unit while trying to read, chat, or watch TV, you’ll likely be irked. But most consumers of this full-sized washer likely won’t have to hover over it during its “water-extraction” and “spin” phases, and thus they should find it quite easy to live with–especially considering the many features this model offers at a reasonable price.

Come to think, neither of my prior washers (by Maytag and Kenmore) was significantly less noisy than this unit (and my old Kenmore’s tub, unlike this “auto-balanced” GE model, was prone to get out-of-balance and “jam” during its final “spin” phase and emit a truly loud “error” buzz), so take any other “customer-review” complaints regarding GE washers’ ostensible “noisiness” with a grain of salt. 😉

The bottom line:

I like this affordable, large-capacity washer very much. It cleans my variously colored “casual” clothes very well but also does a superb job on (for example) white dress shirts (especially when I pour some liquid bleach into the built-in dispenser). It also does a fine job dispensing liquid fabric softener via a separate, easy-to-use, removable dispenser. Along with the frequently used “Cottons” (i.e., “regular”) and “Easy Care” (i.e., “permanent press”) cycles, it provides a much gentler “Delicates” cycle. Finally, it includes a fourth, ultra-heavy-duty, “Powerwash” cycle encompassing an optional “auto soak” (“pre-wash”) operation for which you can select either a 15-minute or a 30-minute duration.

Afterthoughts:

The average American has long forgotten–or, more likely, never experienced–the inconvenience of having to “manually” do one’s laundry. The “washing machine” has been affordably available for so many decades that we no longer fully appreciate just what a marvelously ingenious invention it truly is. Having “rediscovered” the unavailability of any washing machine these past few years, I, for one, will never again look at my present and future washers in quite the same (unappreciative) way. 😉

Some readers might wonder why I didn’t instead purchase a front-loading washer. Admittedly, probably very few “top-loading” washers–at least not the ones implementing conventional agitators–are going to be quite as gentle to your clothes as would be the case with a front-loading washer. [But recall that my GE model’s design implements a so-called “HydroWave” wash system that is said to provide “longer, slower travel through the water” that “improves cleaning performance and is gentler on your clothes”.]

In any case, though I myself have always admired the alternative approach (and appearance) that a front-loading washer could provide, I didn’t recently consider such a washer for the following reasons: (1) the higher initial cost; (2) the necessity to bend over to load and unload the washer; (3) the inability to interrupt (open the door of) the typical front-loader during a washing cycle; and (4) the lack of any need for me to “save horizontal space” in my laundry room, which is designed for a “side-by-side” (rather than an “above-and-below”) washer/dryer arrangement.