The loads keep on spinning in the Consumer Reports washing-machine lab

The folks who test and rate washing machines for Consumer Reports have been doing a ton of laundry. Make that almost two tons over the past five months, as they measure the cleaning performance, water and energy efficiency, and other criteria of the machines in our continuously updated ratings of front-loaders and top-loaders (available to subscribers).

Among the washing machines we've recently covered for our Inside Consumer Tests Labs posts are the:

• Maytag MVWC6ES, which determines how much water is needed for a load;

• Estate ETW4400W, Whirlpool Cabrio WTW6500W, and Whirlpool Duet Sport WFW8400T, all of which proved tough on laundry;

• LG WM2010C[W], a real mover and shaker;

• Frigidaire FTW3014K[W], which automatically advances a load from the soak or prewash cycle to the wash and extra rinse cycles;

• LG SteamWasher WM2801H[W]A, which can hold a whopping 21 pounds of laundry; and

• Whirlpool Duet Steam WFW9750W[W] and Duet Sport WFW9150W[W] and Maytag Performance Series MHWE950W[W], which are designed to prevent laundry from developing an odor in case you've left it sitting in the washer.

As the testing continues for our February 2010 report on washing machines, we'd like you to tell us what you love and hate about your washer, speak about the features that matter most to you or seem superfluous, inform us of which cycles and detergent you use, and describe your dream machine. Leave your detailed comments below.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out our free buyer's guides to washing machines and dryers and find the best laundry detergent. If you're in the market for new laundry appliances, learn about the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, aka cash for clunkers for appliances.

Inside Consumer Reports Tests Labs: New front-loading washing machines from Whirlpool and Maytag

Reviews of the Whirlpool Duet Steam WFW9750W[W] and Duet Sport WFW9150W[W] and Maytag Performance Series MHWE950W[W]

What's the biggest laundry-related gripe Americans have? The musty smell that befouls clothes left to sit in the washing machine after washing is the top "unmet consumer concern in the laundry room," according to a Whirlpool Corporation survey.

To address the odor problem, Whirlpool has equipped some of its front-loaders with low-energy fans to circulate air and also programmed the machines to tumble periodically. As part of the testing for our continuously updated ratings of front-loading and top-loading washing machines (available to subscribers), we recently reviewed three washing machines* with these odor-fighting features.

Note that none of the loads we washed in any machine had an odor, either when the cycle ended or even after the load sat for hours. Further, there were no odors evident for these tested models regardless of whether the odor-fighting feature was turned on or off, so we cannot report on the claimed odor-preventing ability of these machines. Whirlpool is careful to indicate that these features do not remove an odor but can help prevent one from forming. Our experts suggest that some odors could be from residual soil and bacteria in the clothing or the machine that under the right temperature and moisture conditions are able to propagate.

The Whirlpool Duet Steam WFW9750W[W], $1,300 (shown), has what the manufacturer calls FanFresh, which is designed to prevent odors by circulating air with a fan and tumbling wet laundry every 15 minutes for up to 10 hours. This front-loader did an excellent job overall in our tests. It proved very good at our washing, gentleness, vibration, and water-extraction tests. The WFW9750W[W] also aced our energy- and water-efficiency tests, has a large, 21-pound capacity and was relatively quiet over its 65-minute normal cycle. Its NightQuiet option reduces noise by using a lower spin speed, though this mode also slightly reduces the amount of water extracted from loads.

The Whirlpool Duet Sport WFW9150W[W], $700, has an option, called TumbleFresh, that circulates clothes every 15 minutes for up to six hours. This front-loader, with a sizable, 18-pound capacity, performed very good overall. It aced our gentleness, energy- and water-efficiency tests and was very good at extracting water and in the vibration tests but was only mediocre in our washing tests. It also proved relatively noisy over its 55-minute normal cycle.

The Maytag Performance Series MHWE950W[W], $1,300, is made by Whirlpool and is basically the same machine as the Whirlpool Duet Steam WFW9750W[W], with a similar 21-pound capacity. Its Fresh Hold option tumbles wet laundry every 15 minutes for up to 10 hours and uses a fan to circulate air. The MHWE950W[W] was top-notch overall and excelled in our tests for energy and water efficiency and extracting water. It earned very good scores for washing, gentleness, and vibration. This model operates relatively quietly over its 65-minute normal cycle; its "quiet" option slows the spin speed to dampen noise, though this mode slightly reduces the water extracted from clothes.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential reading: If you need new laundry equipment, check out our free buyer's guide to washers and buying advice for dryers. If you're in the market for new appliances, stay up on the news related to the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, also known as cash for clunkers for appliances.

*We purchased these appliances from the manufacturer before they were available in stores; we will confirm the test results below on versions that we buy at retail.

Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: Putting carpet shampooers through their paces

Last week we told you about a scary-looking tool our technicians are experimenting with to embed pet hair into carpeting as part of vacuum testing. This week, for our scheduled March 2010 report on carpet cleaners (online and on newsstands in early February), other testers have been using a big roller that grinds topsoil into panels of off-white carpeting. This device is designed to replicate the abuse the carpeting in your home might be subjected to by a gaggle of dirty-sneaker-wearing kids.

The testers let the dirt set for 24 hours then vacuum the panels with a conventional upright vacuum. Next, they use a carpet cleaner (shown) filled with the manufacturer-recommended solution. To determine how well each appliance cleans the carpeting, testers use a colorimeter to measure the color change from the cleaning process.

Known by a variety of names—carpet shampooers, extractors, carpet cleaners, deep cleaners—the 11 different machines we're testing include a rental model and two handhelds. Among the messes these cleaners have to tackle in the lab are coffee, red wine, and tomato sauce. And since wet carpeting can develop mold or mildew, testers also weigh the panels before and after each test to find out how much moisture remains. Beyond that type of quantitative analysis, testers also look at how convenient each machine is to use and which features matter most.

We're aware that many of you are deeply interested in carpet cleaners, so we'll continue to update you on our testing.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Our free buyer's guide to carpet cleaners offers helpful shopping advice. If you're looking for a new vacuum, check out our ratings of canister, upright, and stick and handheld models (available to subscribers).

Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: Latest tests of string trimmers

In the market for a new string trimmer for next spring or even now? If you live in the Sun Belt, you're still likely actively tending to your property, with those of us in northern climates taking one or two last passes at overgrown areas of the property during fall cleanup. Here's what's new from our tests of more than two dozen new string trimmers.

One interesting new battery-powered model, the Black & Decker NST2036, is intended to be the first such trimmer capable of handling the tougher cutting jobs normally reserved for gasoline-powered trimmers. Powered by a very large 36-volt nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery and equipped with a dual-string head, it's capable enough to rival some of the less-powerful gas models at trimming, including on tougher tall grass and weeds. But at 14.5 pounds, the NST2036 is among the heaviest string trimmers we tested, and with a price tag of $250, it's among the most expensive. What's more, recharge time for the NiCd battery is 12 to 16 hours, and a replacement costs $100. (Visit the Call2Recycle Web site or call 877-2-RECYCLE to find a local recycler of spent rechargeable batteries.)

New this year are propane-powered string trimmers with cleaner-burning, environmentally friendly fuel. But at $210, the Lehr ST025DC (right in photo above) and $290 Craftsman 79212 (left) are among the most expensive we've tested. And at 16 and 17 pounds, respectively, these trimmers are 4 to 5 pounds heavier than most gasoline models, and that doesn't include the nearly 2-pound screw-on propane tank you have to use.

Using pressurized propane gas, which come in containers sold at hardware stores, home centers, or sporting-goods stores, you might expect near-instantaneous starting. What we experienced, however, is that these engines often required one or two more pulls of the starter cord than did most two-cycle gasoline engines we tested. Also, the hose connecting the propane tank protrudes from the trimmer and can bang or catch on anything you brush past.

An additional concern, especially if you tend to ignore instructions, is that the owner's manual for these trimmers and a sticker on each product instruct you to disconnect the fuel line from the propane tank after each use. If you don't, the trimmer might leak and create a safety hazard.

When considering string trimmers, buy a model that not only feels right in your hand but also does the best job, considering your property's needs and your budget. For the most power against the toughest growth, the Stihl HomeScaper Series FS 45, $150, and FS 45 C Easy2Start, $170 (full ratings available to subscribers) remain among our top picks.—Ed Perratore | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out our free buyer's guide to string trimmers and make easier work of fall cleanup and end-of-season equipment maintenance.

Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: Review of the Sharp SuperSteam Oven AX-1200[K]

Sharp says that its SuperSteam Oven AX-1200[K], $900, can cook food in four different modes—microwave, steam, convection, and SuperSteam convection—and deliver healthful meals without compromising taste.

Using the steam mode on this countertop microwave, which can also work in a built-in application, we found that the Sharp did a good job cooking mussels, while steaming in a conventional microwave oven turned the mussels chewy. This oven draws the water for steam from an integral refillable reservoir.

The SuperSteam convection mode delivered a dish of pork loin with vegetables that was steamed and tasted like it. Cooking the same food using this Sharp's convection mode took about the same time as the SuperSteam mode and produced better-tasting, nicely browned food.

In traditional microwave mode, the Sharp was very good at evenly heating food and defrosting, though with only 700 watts of power, it was the slowest microwave we tested among more than five dozen models. This microwave was also relatively noisy. The Sharp has 43 preprogrammed settings and a sensor that automatically shuts off the oven when food is ready. Unlike most microwaves, it lacks a turntable.

Sharp touts the AX-1200[K]'s "unique combination of the healthiest ways to cook," but you can steam food in any microwave. Wrap the food in wet paper towels or place it in a microwaveable glass dish and cover or use microwave steam bags. To keep the calorie and fat count down, don't add fats and sauces before or after cooking.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Look for our new report on microwave ovens in the December 2009 issue of Consumer Reports, online and on newsstands today. Also check out our buyer's guide to microwaves (ratings available to subscribers) and watch this video on shopping for a microwave.

Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: Which vacuums make pet-hair cleanup less of a nightmare?

The menacing-looking device in the photo (right) isn't a prop from Saw VI or some gruesome Halloween slasher film, though it could play a part in Nightmare in Yonkers: Pet-Hair Perils. The photo is actually a shot of John McAloon, a project leader in our Technical department, holding a new device he and his team created to embed pet hair into the carpeting we use for vacuum testing.

About three years ago, we instituted pet-hair testing, having recognized that so many readers were looking for the best vacuums to deal with their dogs' and cats' (furry) droppings. We decided to use hair from Maine coon cats because it's especially long and provides a rigorous test for the dozens of vacuums we review each year.

We're always looking for ways to improve and enhance our testing. In this case, we're experimenting with a different way to embed it into the carpet.

That’s where the rolling rake above might come into action. Basically a row of washer and spacers attached to a handle, the rake weighs more than 19 pounds, heavy enough to create furrows that are more representative of how pet hair works its way into the carpet fibers in your home. The vacuum testers simply roll the rake back and forth over the pet hair they’ve laid down. 

If you don't own a cat or dog or other furry creature, you might not care so much about pet hair. But as anyone with a shedding animal can tell you—including folks on our vacuum forums—removing hair from carpeting or furniture can be a real nightmare.—Ed Perratore | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out our free buyer's guide to vacuums and read other Inside Consumer Reports Tests Labs coverage of vacuums designed with pet owners in mind, including the Bissell Lift-Off Multi-Cyclonic Pet 89Q9, $180; the Eureka Whirlwind+ Pet Lover 3276, $120; and the Eureka Pet Pal 4716, $80. To see how well vacuums do with pet hair and our other tests, look ay our continuously updated ratings of canister and upright vacuums (available to subscribers).

Cash for clunkers could help appliance industry . . . but companies might have to wait to see benefits

Year-over-year shipments of major appliances dipped 6.7 percent in September, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. This decline keeps the recession-ravaged industry in the red for the year compared with 2008, but following steeper drops in shipments the two previous months—9.4 percent in August; 19.1 percent in July—the outlook for appliance makers might be improving.

The Consumer Reports Index for September showed a similar uptick in "majaps," industry lingo for major appliances like refrigerators, dishwasher, ranges, washers, and dryers.

Amid the industry's cautious optimism over the upswing is concern that the nascent recovery could be squashed by the U.S. Department of Energy's $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, otherwise known as cash for clunkers for appliances. That's because many states won't roll out the rebate program until early 2010, keeping prospective buyers on the sidelines.

The appliance industry yesterday held what it labeled the "Federal Appliance Rebate Media Briefing." During the teleconference, one reporter asked representatives from Bosch and Sears whether they're concerned that sales will be hurt by the delay in launching cash for clunkers for appliances. "Half of appliance purchases are based on upgrades or people moving into new homes. Those sales might be delayed. But you really can't delay a broken washer or a refrigerator that's not working," responded Doug Moore, president of home appliances for Sears.

John Farley, senior brand and environmental-marketing manager for Bosch Home Appliances, conceded that promotion of cash for clunkers for appliances might be a bit premature. But he added that it "has driven a lot of conversation in the press to raising awareness of the benefits of high-efficiency appliances. As awareness is raised, consumers go online and find out that there are [other] rebates available right now." Farley plugged the Bosch Rebate Resource Center, which includes special offers from Bosch alongside details about individual state incentives. One example: Bosch is offering a $100 to $200 rebate (in the form of a prepaid Visa card) on the purchase of any eligible Vision series washer. (We're expecting  manufacturers and retailers to introduce pages on their sites where you can find information on rebates related to cash for clunkers.)

Whether you're going to buy new appliances now or wait for the cash for clunkers kickoff, we recommend you consider not only how efficient a product is but also its performance, reliability, and cost.

For example, the Bosch Vision 500 Series WFVC5440UC front-loader, earned an excellent score for energy and water efficiency. But the $1,100 front-loader's washing performance was just middling—most front-loaders deliver much better washing performance. What's more, based on its vibration and noise test results, you might not want to install this model near main living spaces or on a second story with standard wood-suspended floors.

As always, we'll keep you up to date on the new models we've tested in our Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs posts and the latest news surrounding cash for clunkers for appliances.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Lean about the best places to buy appliances and visit our appliance-reviews page to find links to free buying guides for appliances large and small.

Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: Latest washing-machine reviews

Tests of the Frigidaire Affinity FAFW3511K[W] and LG SteamWasher WM2801H[W]A front-loaders and GE Profile WPRE8150K[WT] and Speed Queen AWN542 top-loaders

Four washers, four price tags, and a mountain of laundry. Our experts washed 265 pounds of laundry to find out just how well the Frigidaire Affinity FAFW3511K[W], LG SteamWasher WM2801H[W]A, GE Profile WPRE8150K[WT] HE, Speed Queen AWN542 perform. Once again, they found that spending more doesn't guarantee you'll get a better washer. Here are the details:

At $700, the Frigidaire Affinity FAFW3511K[W] is one of the lower-priced front-loaders in our continuously updated ratings of front-loading and top-loading washing machines (available to subscribers). But unlike most front-loaders we test, which are very good or excellent at washing, this Frigidaire was mediocre. It does have a short cycle time, 50 minutes compared with 65 to 105 minutes for other front-loaders.

This washer scored a very good overall, as it aced our energy- and water-efficiency tests, excelled in extracting water, and notched a very good score for gentleness. The stainless-steel tub holds 17 pounds of laundry, earning it an excellent in capacity. While the FAFW3511K[W] earned a very good in our vibration tests, you might not want this machine adjacent to main living areas, as it's relatively noisy.

LG touts that its $1,200 LG SteamWasher WM2801H[W]A front-loader (shown) offers "ultra capacity." Indeed, the stainless-steel tub on this front-loader holds 21 pounds, giving it an excellent score for capacity. Overall, it's a very good washer, performing very good in our washing and vibration tests and excelling in our extraction and energy- and water-efficiency tests. Cycle time is 100 minutes, and while that longer cycle time could lead to frayed fabrics, this LG scored very good in gentleness. It is a relatively noisy appliance, however. Features include a steam function designed to refresh garments and reduce wrinkles.

You won't find an agitator in the $650 GE Profile WPRE8150K[WT] high-efficiency top-loader, which allows this washer to hold 16 pounds of laundry, more than most conventional top-loaders. The WPRE8150K[WT] was very good overall and provides very good washing. Typical of HE washers, it uses less water over its 50-minute cycle because it fills only partly. It aced our water-efficiency tests but was mediocre in our tests for gentleness, noise, energy efficiency, and extraction. Features include a stainless-steel tub, a sensor that determines how much water is needed, and second-rinse and extended-spin cycles.

Conventional top-loaders, in which a tall center post like an agitator swirls the laundry, are the least expensive type of washing machine but tend to perform less impressively as a group. The Speed Queen AWN542 costs $800, more than twice the price of some conventional top-loaders, and was just good overall, ranking near the bottom of our ratings. The AWN542 was mediocre in washing, energy and water efficiency, extraction, and noise, though it did excel in our vibration test. Its stainless-steel tub holds 12 pounds of laundry, earning it only a fair in capacity.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential reading: Check out or free buyer’s guides to washers and dryers and find the best laundry detergent to use. If you're in the market for new, more-efficient appliances, read our FAQ on the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, aka cash for clunkers for appliances.

Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: Reviews of new vacuums from Eureka, Miele, Panasonic, and Electrolux

Hoping to save the world as well as your carpets? Looking for the ultimate vacuum for pet hair? Our testers weigh manufacturer claims as part of testing for our continuously updated ratings of upright and canister vacuums (available to subscribers, along with our October 2009 report on vacuums), and what they find is often less than meets the eye.

Eureka says its EnviroVac 3041 upright, $72 (shown), "delivers powerful cleaning results while using 33 percent less energy than a typical upright vacuum." We judged this 16-pound vacuum very good overall, especially for cleaning bare floors and picking up pet hair with low emissions, though carpet cleaning was only good. The energy-use claim didn't bowl us over either. That's because using an 8-amp upright vacuum instead of the typical 12-amp model would save you only about $3 a year—assuming you vacuum an hour a week and pay the national-average price for electricity.

When it came to pet hair, another newly tested Eureka, the Pet Pal 4716, $80, wasn't so friendly. “Plastic teeth loosen it, rubber strip grabs it and bristles remove it” is how the manufacturer details the pet-hair process, which may be how the stair and upholstery tool works, but on two models of the Pet Pal 4716 the agitator brush jammed and quickly wore the belt to breaking when picking up large amounts of cat hair, earning it a score of poor. This upright also scored a poor for airflow with tools.

Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: Electrolux UltraSilencer EL6986 canister is quiet, but does it clean well?

Most vacuum cleaners whine or whir their way through our noise tests without getting loud enough for us to recommend that you wear hearing protection during regular use. Still, countless reader letters and user reviews tell us that noise is a big concern among consumers.

So we were pleasantly surprised when one of the six upright and canister vacuums we just tested aced our rigorous noise tests. Claiming "whisper-quiet cleaning that a baby can sleep through," the Electrolux UltraSilencer EL6986 canister, $300 (shown), wasn't quite as quiet as a whisper. But this Electrolux is the quietest of the canisters in our continuously updated ratings of canister and upright vacuums (available to subscribers).

Most consumers also want a vacuum that does a strong job cleaning carpets, but those that do the best at our carpet-cleaning test tend to have a larger, noisier motor and, on canisters, a powered head that adds to the noise. The UltraSilencer lacks a motorized powered head and is geared more toward hard surfaces. The combination of a nonmotorized powered head and quiet operation seem to impact carpet cleaning, for which it earned a good. That's typical for many canisters but below the best for this key test. The UltraSilencer EL6986 scored impressively on bare floors—ideal if you don't have rugs or carpeting at home. Its airflow with tools, used when cleaning drapes and upholstery, was mediocre.

Manufacturers are obviously aware of the noise issue: The newly tested Miele S 7580 is one of only two uprights judged very good in our noise tests. (The other is the Dyson DC24 Ball All Floors). Unlike the Electrolux, the Miele was among the best at cleaning carpets, with fine bare-floor performance, excellent pet-hair pickup, and low emissions. A swivel-steer handle is supposed to make handling and turning easier. But at 22 pounds, the Miele S 7580 is among the heavier uprights in our ratings, and it costs a pricey $800.

If you want an affordable vacuum that cleans well and isn't too noisy, consider that the better a vacuum cleans, the fewer passes you'll need to make with it and the sooner you'll be done. Among the canisters and uprights we've tested, you'll find several reasonably quiet models that do a fine job with carpets and bare floors.—Ed Perratore | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: If you're in the market for a new vacuum cleaner, check out our free buyer's guide and our latest Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs posts.