Be careful! Side loading washing machines are not heavy duty. Do not wash small heavy items in them. Also, have your phone handy to call the number posted in case there are any problems, as (from my experience and other reviews posted here) there is not generally an attendant on the premises.
I had to wash a few small heavy items, so I put them in the side loading washer. I usually use side loading washers for small heavy items, however, this was my first time coming to this particular laundromat. I read the sign, made sure the clothes were loaded loosely, filling a little under half the tub when dry. When I came back later, the clothes had not spun properly and there was water all over.
Since there was no staff on hand, I called the number on my cell phone and got someone to come out. To his credit, he helped me put the items in several top loading machines to spin out, at no extra charge. That's why they get three stars. However, the reason for no more stars is as follows.
I told the man that there needs to be a sign on the double load side loading washers, advising not to wash small heavy items in these machines, instead to use the larger triple loading machines. He said, the sign was there, saying load clothes loosely, do not overload. I said, I did load loosely so I figured I was ok, I said, the sign needs to say specifically, no small heavy items (even if loaded loosely). He said, people don't read signs, and accused me of not reading the sign till now. I said, I had read the sign beforehand, I generally read everything I see. He replied, people don't read signs (so there's no point in putting them up.) I wondered, I read signs, does that make me not a person? Also I wondered, why bother have any signs at all then, if the assumption is that people don't read them. However I did not say these things or continue the discussion, just thanked him for putting my clothes in several top loading washers for me, at no extra charge.
Later I saw him in the parking lot and offered to make him a sign. (I know how to make good, professional looking signs.) He said no he didn't want a sign. I'm sorry to say that he hurt his hand as he said this, I didn't mean to make him hurt his hand. But it seems to me that the sign I suggested could save a lot of trouble like this in the future. (Especially, I thought but did not say, since there is no one on hand to help with problems as they occur, and if I hadn't had a phone on hand I would have been out of luck.)
Since he refused to inform customers of this limitation of the machines, preferring instead to come out, deal with a mess, and hurt his hand, I"m posting here that the double load side loading machines are not heavy duty washers and should not be trusted to function as such. Also, be sure to have your phone with you to call the number posted in case of any problems. read more
