Calypso Line of High Efficiency Washers

A while back, our sturdy old Kenmore washing machine finally gave up the ghost after over fifteen years of service. I sure wish it were still made. After much shopping, bargaining, bizarre occurrences (Sears sold one washer we had already bought) we finally settled on a Kenmore Calypso. One reason is that we like Sears (but that's another story). We like their return policy, particularly. Another reason is that this machine had all of the features we wanted. The final reason was that Sears, in embarrassment and in compensation for losing the machine we had bought, gave us a very deep discount.

The washer itself is an attractively designed top loader with a steel drum, a large capacity, and many features that looked great. It has twelve theoretically different wash cycles, purports to handle a wide variety of jobs, and is very stingy with water (which turns out to be its major problem). In fact, you cannot convince it to use enough water to get your clothes clean without major surgery on its sensors, which I am unwilling to perform. It specifies the use of a high efficiency detergent, strongly and correctly implying that it won't clean satisfactorily without it. The trouble is that it doesn't clean very well with it, either. In fact, it can deliver clothes that appear dirtier than when they went in. It also turns out that if you don't use a "high efficiency" detergent, it not only can't wash, it absolutely cannot rinse because it is unable to handle a high sudsing detergent. Moreover, instead of removing lint, it appears to glue it to the clothes.

After trying to come to terms with this for nearly a year, we received an addendum in the mail that told us that we would not receive the "...excellent results that the Kenmore Elite is capable of providing" unless we followed their strict instructions. This new sheet also makes it clear that the main design issues that generated this model were "...fabric care and ...environmental benefits." Although they also claim that it washes clothes (if you "...follow all of the instructions in the enclosed new "Use and Care Guide." A bit later, we were notified of a class action law suit specifying problems we had not yet encountered. (It was later settled.)

At this point, but with a good deal of embarrassment, I have to admit that we are still using this machine, two years later. This is due to a severe, lazy inertia, a disinclination to repeat the arduous process of getting another machine. But we certainly wouldn't buy one now, at any price, including free. Don't buy one, but for any of you out there who may be reading this and actually own one, I have several suggestions until you buy another washing machine. We have come to terms with it and it is doing a satisfactory job. However, it is important to note what must be done to obtain these results.

Only use high efficiency (low sudsing) detergent. We have settled on Tide HE.

Clean it, as instructed in the manual, a minimum of once per month.

Only wash on the maximum cycle.

Wash every load at least twice, preferably three times.

Don't expect much. Even with these procedures, as indicated in the enclosed pictures, there is still a tendency to overflow.

Just in case there are some intrepid souls out there who must consider purchase of this machine, here are their purported characteristics:

The cycles offered are: heavy duty, normal, delicate/casual, ultra handwash, wool/silk, jeans/color, whitest whites, bulky items, express wash, and a custom settings option. This is all 'window dressing.' The heavy duty cycle actually must be repeated on even ordinary loads. The other "cycles" are simply useless, except, perhaps as an extra rinse when used without detergent, a procedure I recommend. The advertised capacity is a bit elusive. When we first obtained it, we were given some large figures that have not reappeared in their subsequent literature. With respect to that, the very process of receiving additional 'updated' literature nearly a year after purchase is a clear admission that there has been substantial trouble with the machine. Perhaps the best way to get a feel for the (hoped for) useful capacity of the machine is to quote you their recommendations for this "King Size" (a phrase that was actually trademarked by the company to describe this) "Capacity Plus Washer." (Their phrases.):

Heavy work clothes
4 jeans 2 sweatpants
4 workpants 2 sweatshirts
4 workshirts

Towels
10 bath towels 14 washcloths
10 hand towels

Mixed Load
3 sheets (1 king, 2 twin) 9 T-shirts
4 pillowcases 9 shorts
3 shirts 10 handkerchiefs
3 blouses

Actually, my wife and consultant does the washing, but this sounds as though it is reasonable high capacity to me. The catch is, it doesn't matter; they don't get clean. I am operating on the assumption that the main problem is in the appearance and that the items are actually reasonably hygienic when finished. At least I hope that is the case. We use additives, bleaches, etc. which help the appearance some. If the cleaning ritual is not performed on some regular basis, however, I wouldn't (as an old professor of public health) swear to the hygiene, either. It appears to be very prone to mildew type molds. Tide has now released two new versions of their HE detergent that contain what are likely to be useful additives.

Obviously, the "high efficiency" of this machine is an illusion, as the necessary repeated washings more than obliterate any saving. In case it was too subtly stated, I strongly advise against purchasing this washing machine unless their new line is vastly improved.