This washer works!

My wife and I bought the Cabrio pair after our washer died unexpectedly. Being 20years old, it was time to upgrade. My wife had her eyes on the Cabrio since they came out. To me it didn't matter what we bought, so long as my clothes were clean.

We bought the pair and had them delivered. The guys set up the machine, leveled it and connected the hoses. We were told from the appliance store what to expect, its need for HE detergent and how different it was conventional washer.

We read the manual and did the empty test wash. I was amazed how QUIET the machine was when running. I honestly didn't know what to think because it is that quiet! No vibrations, no constant droaning humming sound. We were like two curious kids looking through the glass lid! LOL.

After the test wash it was time to put it to the real world test. In went the clothes, HE detergent, fabric softener and away we went! I wish the dispensers for the detergent, bleach and fabric softener were all up front. It would make it more convenient IMHO, but its no big deal. As it is, they are on the front left, and back corners. The glass lid is spring loaded so it lifts easily. It also comes in a metal lid version. But that would take all the fun out of watching this crazy thing work. The controls are easy to read and illuminated (for washing in the dark? LOL) The display clearly tells you when you can add clothes. Just push pause, the lid unlocks and you can add/take away or do whatever... Ours has 10 cycles, including settings for bulky items, whitest whites, and a wool setting. It also has an auto water level setting so you use just the right amount of water. The washer will even tell you when it will be done!

I'll be the first to admit. It doesn't look like it uses enough water to do much of anything. It looks like a mess when the agitator starts. But, it works! The clothes are clean! Some say the clothes are wrinkled or knotted up. We have NOT encountered that problem. I wouldn't think a washer would be responsible for wrinkling (always thought that was operator error and the dryers fault).

The bottom line, I think the Cabrio is so different from a conventional washer that people can't accept it. I do not believe the other reviewers when they say it doesn't clean. I know people have their own opinions, but I know what I experience and have seen first hand.

The unit does use HE detergent. It costs a little more than the traditional stuff. But you honestly don't use that much of it per load so the cost to run it isn't any different really. Read the instruction manual before you use the machine. The sales person should have demonstrated or told you what to expect when you bought it. The machine operates so different, that as dumb as it is to say,...its fascinating. If washing clothes to you is to have your undies swirling around in a drum full of soapy water you're going to be disappointed.