Use this message board to communicate with fellow Casa Ybel owners! Please do not list weeks for sale or rent on this board. Use the website database for listing purposes.
Maintenance weeks are ongoing this month. When you return to Casa Ybel in October or later, you will find new kitchen appliances. The ranges have been upgraded with improved self cleaning ovens. Shortly we will be replacing the washers and dryers in the laundry rooms. The board will be considering installing front loading washers and dryers with the "booster bases" which elevate the units for easier loading and unloading. They are more expensive, but personaly speaking, my wife and I have had them in our home for a couple of years. They use less water and get clothes cleaner in the process. If you have an opinion you would like to present, let that opinion be known.
We have the premier resort on Sanibel, please enjoy it!! And if you find anything that needs to be improved, let that be known also.
For what it's worth, if these are high efficiency units, they will require different detergent. This could get interesting since many owners and guests may not know this. Also, I think I've read that many of these washers are prone toward a build-up of mold and mildew and require more maintenance that traditional washer.
The HiE has been discussed. That type of detergent could easily be stocked in the dispensers, but the regular detergents will also work in the washers for people who bring their own. If they buy the detergent after they arrive, hiE is easily obtained. We have had no problem with mold at our house.
I too recommend the top loaders inasmuch as they are kept outdoors. The mold issue is a very serious issue, and very very common (in outdoor units). Also, many people bring their own detergent (NOT HE) and non HE detergent is "too sudsy" for front loaders which use less water.
It seems front loaders were popular for a while but now they're reverting back to top loaders. And unfortunately, renters, and even some owners may not take as good care of the washers as you may in your own home, Lynn. My vote is for the top loader washer
It seems like we always have to go with the most expensive. I understand things need to look nice, but the price of front loaders with stands is very expensive. I have always had top loaders and they do what we need them to do . . . wash clothes. When front loader computers go out it is very expensive to repair. Just saying . . . .
I’m going to cast a vote for the top loaders, also. We switched to the front loaders at our home back in February. They do use less water, but do not get the clothes any cleaner. They look impressive, also, on top of the stands. But, they require HE detergent, and using non-HE would leave a mess. The washers must be left open when not in use, and this is a problem for a resort full of people not knowing this, or not caring. These machines require significantly more care by the users.
From my viewpoint, the only plus for a front loader is water conservation, and I don’t think that advantage is worth the risk of misuse.
Thanks for your input, that is what I asked for and it looks like I am out voted. I disagree that the washers are left outside, they are in a very sheltered location and that you have to use hiE, but none the less, I have your opinions which are invaluable.
While I started responses to Lynn's question and I agree with many of those who responded, I'd be very reluctant to say the the handful of responses on this forum represent a majority of owners.
Nevertheless, there are enough concerns and experiences to reconsider the issue.
I just saw this thread and wanted to share my input, if it isn't too late. After reading many technical forums while researching new washers for my home, I would also vote for top loading washers. To clarify the comment about them being outdoors, they are in a sheltered area, but they are in a non-conditioned environment, meaning the room is not temperature or humidity controlled, like the interior of a home. For appliance installation, this is considered outside and not recommended for front loading washers.
I too, find it refreshing to revisit the issue. Nice to have you on our board. We love Casa Ybel and are preconstruction owners, and want the best for our resort, but feel sometimes cost isn't considered when replacing items. One year, all the desks were replaced with new ones. The one in 220 was better than the one we have at home but since one need replaced. .all of them needed replaced (we were told). To spend our money because it is there doesn't always make since to me.
Ideclare you boys tslking about that sunshine and wind energy for washing clothes has got me tingling in just the right place! Ijust adore big ole strohg boys that use that alternate energy cause when you dont use that fissle stuff their is so much more i can have for my cadillac! Plus we can send more over to china to help feed those poor starving children my mother always told me about. well i'm going toput on my little bitty bikiny and go get me some alternate energy.
Well, the postings stopped being serious and entered inanity with the contributions from Hector, Jed, and Wendy (aka jones). We often enter this phase, and it’s been a few weeks.