Another question for CD mothers

MoFree

We don't have children yet but hoping our upcoming IVF or a subsequent one is successful.  I had always planned to use CDs for environmental reasons.  However, I'm reading about how much water and energy usage is involved and that HE washers are not the best for CDs.  Doesn't have negate one of the reasons for CDS, especially in a state where responsible water usage is a major factor. 

We are buying a house soon and need to buy all new appliances.  Do you use a HD washer for your CDs?  If you do, which one do you use?  We are in the process of buying our appliances and don't want to have to replace a HE washer with a conventional one exclusively to wash CDs.  Thanks.

Tayrusso

We have a verrrrry old W & D, and I haven't noticed an increase in our electric or water bill.  I know this probably isn't the answer you're looking for, but I'd just buy something off CL.  Laundering CDs shouldn't/doesn't require special appliances.   

b15chik

water is a replenishable resource, diapers sitting in a landfill for 500 years isn't, lol.

i had a regular non energy efficient washer and dryer at our old house, and at the new house i now have a top loading he washer and he dryer. i have never noticed an increase in my water or electricity from using cd's, and i definitely did keep track to see. in the beginning i was line drying everything instead of using the dryer, but i got sick of that and started drying them too and still haven't noticed a difference. i only do laundry during off peak ours with aps.

water really isn't all that expensive to use, it's the extra fees and stuff that get you on your water bill.

there are plenty of people that successfully use he washers to launder cd's. it might take a little bit of time to get the amount of detergent right to get them clean, but it's definitely do-able! i wanted to get a top loading washer so i would be able to add extra boiling water if i need to, because the he uses less water...but that hasn't been necessary and i have no problems getting my cd's clean (and i cd 2 kids)

NewYorkerinAZ

We have not seen an increase in our energy or water bill since CDing. We have a top loadinfgw&d since i've heard mixed reviews on the front loaders.

CTri17

We have a top loader, I think it is HE but it isn't a low water one

enjoylife

We had a regular washer but when we moved the new place had front loading HE machines. I never saw increases in our utility bills. I do line dry though with an occasional machine dry off peak hours if the weather is not good or I wont be around to hang the diapers. Our HE is a samsung. I like it so far the only different thing I do is add a soaking wet towel when I do diaper laundry to help it think there are more diapers and get more water and more friction when I wash.

luvbeingmom

I've had both really old washer/dryer and newer but not an HE washer/dryer and I've never noticed a spike in my water or electric bills. But also, living in AZ means you get faster drying results with the good old sun out here. So I only end up tossing my cd's in the dryer after they've been sunned to soften them up a little bit.

I wouldn't say that HE's are bad for cd's, they just make the washing process a little more difficult.

jayefay

b15chik:

water is a replenishable resource, diapers sitting in a landfill for 500 years isn't, lol.

i had a regular non energy efficient washer and dryer at our old house, and at the new house i now have a top loading he washer and he dryer. i have never noticed an increase in my water or electricity from using cd's, and i definitely did keep track to see. in the beginning i was line drying everything instead of using the dryer, but i got sick of that and started drying them too and still haven't noticed a difference. i only do laundry during off peak ours with aps.

water really isn't all that expensive to use, it's the extra fees and stuff that get you on your water bill.

there are plenty of people that successfully use he washers to launder cd's. it might take a little bit of time to get the amount of detergent right to get them clean, but it's definitely do-able! i wanted to get a top loading washer so i would be able to add extra boiling water if i need to, because the he uses less water...but that hasn't been necessary and i have no problems getting my cd's clean (and i cd 2 kids)

This this this.  All of this.

I internally laugh at people who seem to have a bigger problem with the water usage of CDs than the MASSIVE landfill piles of toxic waste thanks to disposables.  Interesting fact - did you know it's illegal to not remove the poop from a disposable diaper before throwing it away?  Apparently it's on the diaper packaging somewhere.  Toxic waste, wrapped up in a package, chilling out for 200 years.  Nasty.

Yes, water is a concern...but at least water is relatively renewable.   

Anyways, back to your question.

We have a non he top loader, and think it works great.  I've heard mixed reviews about front loaders, so we're sticking with top.  I also don't feel like going through the hassle of having to "trick" the machine into filling with enough water, so I'm not going the he route - but I honestly didn't put much thought into it since I wasn't buying a new w/d.

My electric or water bill has never increased from CD usage.  We hang our dipes outside to dry and it's amazing - especially at sunning out stains!

Tayrusso

jayefay:

b15chik:

water is a replenishable resource, diapers sitting in a landfill for 500 years isn't, lol.

i had a regular non energy efficient washer and dryer at our old house, and at the new house i now have a top loading he washer and he dryer. i have never noticed an increase in my water or electricity from using cd's, and i definitely did keep track to see. in the beginning i was line drying everything instead of using the dryer, but i got sick of that and started drying them too and still haven't noticed a difference. i only do laundry during off peak ours with aps.

water really isn't all that expensive to use, it's the extra fees and stuff that get you on your water bill.

there are plenty of people that successfully use he washers to launder cd's. it might take a little bit of time to get the amount of detergent right to get them clean, but it's definitely do-able! i wanted to get a top loading washer so i would be able to add extra boiling water if i need to, because the he uses less water...but that hasn't been necessary and i have no problems getting my cd's clean (and i cd 2 kids)

This this this.  All of this.

I internally laugh at people who seem to have a bigger problem with the water usage of CDs than the MASSIVE landfill piles of toxic waste thanks to disposables.  Interesting fact - did you know it's illegal to not remove the poop from a disposable diaper before throwing it away?  Apparently it's on the diaper packaging somewhere.  Toxic waste, wrapped up in a package, chilling out for 200 years.  Nasty.

I actually quoted that fact in my speech on why people should cloth diaper, last year in my public speaking class.