Haier HLP21N 6.6-Pound Pulsator Wash with Stainless Steel Tub
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Our Price: $259.95 Availability: Usually ships in 3-4 business days Category: Major Appliances See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Haier HLP21N 6.6-Pound Pulsator Wash with Stainless Steel Tub
Customer Review: Great washer, almost perfect!
Summary: 5 Stars
I live in an apartment without a washer/dryer hookup, so my friend suggested I get this as an alternative to the laundromat or the apartment laundry room (which is a LONG walk and only has 4 washers and dryers for an entire apartment complex). I got this washer a few days ago from a site/big box retailer (the one everyone loves to hate) that offered free shipping from the site to the store and boy has it been a lifesaver for me!
Here's a step-by-step of how it works:
1. You attach the black hose to the water faucet (very simple to do--it has a snap on/off attachment that's wonderful!) and turn on the water. This hose will provide the machine with water. You leave the water faucet running throughout the cycle--the machine will stop the water flow when the water level you've chosen (low, medium, or high) is reached. How this works I don't know, but the water faucet remains on, but no water comes through unless the machine requests it. My faucet is pretty old so it drips a bit when it's on and the machine isn't receiving water, so I keep the faucet pretty low, making it take longer for the machine to fill up. The stronger you turn the faucet, the faster it will fill up (obviously). If you want hot water, use the hot faucet (again, obviously). The machine will fill twice during the cycle, once at the beginning to wash and later when it rinses the clothes.
2. Attach the gray hose to the sink. This hose will drain the water out. Note that this this hose will not reach as far as the black hose, so you may need to extend it unless you want to roll your machine in front of a sink each time you use it, or unless it's directly next to a sink. My water intake hose was long enough to reach the sink but the gray drain hose wasn't, so I simply cut about two feet from a garden hose and attached it to the end of my cord with duct tape to extend it.
3. After the hoses are attached, select the cycle you want. You can choose between heavy wash and quick wash. You can choose to skip the wash altogether and go to rinse/spin or just spin. You simply click the "cycle" button until the cycle you want lights up--very simple. You also choose your water level. Note that "Low" is very low, so you will probably use medium or high unless you're washing a single item.
4. After you choose your desired cycle and click "Start," the machine will begin to fill with water. Throw your soap and clothes in and close the lid. Once the machine reaches its water level, the water will shut off and it will begin the cycle.
5. After the wash is completed, the unit will flush out all the water through the gray tube. It will then fill up with water again, rinse, then flush out the water once again. It will then spin dry three or four times before finishing.
6. Once its finished, it will make beeping noises for a few seconds (to alert you that it's done) and shut off. That's it--you're ready to dry!
Pros:
--Quick wash option is, well, quick! About 10-15 minutes for the quick wash.
--Easy to operate, even with multiple wash/rinse options.
--Fits a large amount of clothing. Other reviewers said it only fits a towel and a few pieces of clothes, but I've been able to fit 3 or 4 bath towels and a change of clothing into a single load without any problem whatsoever. This thing is definitely roomy inside.
--Has wheels so you can roll the unit around easily, even though it's pretty lightweight. You can lock these wheels (as I do) so the unit doesn't jostle around while washing.
--The electric control panel is idiot-proof and located right on the top of the machine.
--It looks sleek, not a cheapo fake washing machine. And it's very compact. About as large as a stand-up garbage can. Lightweight and has rollers, and the top lid is clear blue plastic so you can see through to your clothes as they wash.
--Very quiet. You can hardly hear it, and it's only noticeable when it's spinning the clothes dry.
Cons:
--May not be the most powerful washing motion. It pushes the suds around a bit, so it may not be great for someone who gets their clothes REALLY dirty.
--The hoses aren't super long, and the water intake hose (black) reaches farther than the gray flush hose.
--The black water hose connection on the top of the unit leaks unless you tighten it very, very strongly with a wrench. Tightening it with your hand will not suffice. After the first few loads the back of my machine was soaked, and water was dripping from this valve. I have since tightened it and it's dry as a bone.
One miscellaneous suggestion: If you need a compact washer and dryer, buy a spin dryer! Compact dryers are not the best or most effective machines ever produced (which is understandable given the power restrictions), and you will wait all day for clothes to dry if you don't buy a spin dryer. You can find a fantastic spin dryer online for about $100, and it's WELL worth it. They get an astonishing amount of water out and cuts drying time by about 80%. In fact, I don't even dry my towels in the dryer anymore. I simply toss them into the spin dryer, watch about half a gallon of water pour out (not exaggerating) and then throw them onto the shower door to dry. With a spin dryer, you may not even need a dryer for your clothes if you have a clothesline, though I still use a dryer just because I like my clothes toasty warm :)
Anyways, this washer is a dream! I hate, hate, hate the laundry room scene, and along with the Haier compact dryer, I'm saved from it. Washing is simple again, and can be done in the comfort of my own home. I love this unit, even though I wish the cords were longer. Great buy!
Customer Review: excellent value, just enough features: what more do you need?
Summary: 4 Stars
UPDATE: ONE YEAR LATER
After an entire year I am still 100% pleased with this washer. The washer still works great. When I first got the washer I was storing it in a closet between uses, rolling it into my bathroom to attach to the sink faucet. A few months ago I decided to set the machine in a permanent spot near my kitchen sink. The washer came with both casters and adjustable glides (a set of feet that you can use for permanent setups). Now that the washer stays in one spot I switched to the glides and now find the machine is quieter and less prone to shake during the spin cycle (both are big pluses).
Over time I've realized that the machine does just as effective a job cleaning clothes with a very small amount of liquid detergent. Using concentrated HE liquid it takes about a tablespoon per normal size load.
I really like the Haier washer and definitely recommend it for anyone who wants to free themselves from the hassle of a laundromat.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
i've had my washer now for a week, and after 8 loads generally agree with most of the reviews here on amazon. this machine is my 2nd portable washer in the past 8 years (the 1st was a GE that was nearly full-sized). at this point i am happier with this machine and its smaller-sized load than i was with my previous machine that could handle 3x the amount of laundry.
this machine is very quiet, and somehow gets the clothes cleaner than the other larger machine. Haier claims this machine has a 6.6 pound capacity but in my experience a 5 pound load is what it handles well.
in pratcipal terms this 5 pound load of laundry equals:
* 4 bath towels
* a set of sheets (top, bottom and two pillow cases)
* 4 pairs of mens pants (3 khaki-types plus a pairs of denim jeans)
* about 8 pairs of socks, 6 boxers, 6 t-shirts
for me this means about 4 loads per week (i let a LOT of laundry piling up when i knew my washer was coming in a week). at the "Normal" setting a load of laundry takes about 40 minutes, and comes out very well "spun" and ready to hang-dry over night.
one thing i especially like about this washer is that while the tub is filling with water you can leave the cover open and add the detergent, then add the clothes before the agitation cycles begin. since this washer lacks a dispenser for detergent it is convenient to add the detergent to the machine while it fills.
there are three wash cycles (heavy, normal and quick), and three water levels. the other options are for a spin and a rinse. the control panel has membrane buttons similar to a microwave oven. the lid to the washer is made of transparent plastic which seems like a nice touch but in practice if you use even warm water this window clouds over from the steam.
using this washer is a bit more "hands-on" than a full size washing machine. for example you must adjust your water temperature manually, since there is only one hose that supplies water from a faucet. after the wash cycle begins you can turn your sink faucet to "cold" if you want cold water for the rinse, then you can walk away.
the drain hose must be in place in the sink, shower, or bath tub. the drain hose has a U-shape on the end that can be used to hang it in place. i've found the best arrangement in my bathroom is to hang this from the bar on the inside of my glass shower doors. this points the water into the tub and down the drain.
some of the other reviews mention that the user's guide is confusing. i did take the time to read through before i began setting up and using the machine and found that the instructions are about as good as you can expect with this type of product--and really not the worst i've ever seen.
one problem i did encounter was that the instructions seem to suggest that an item known as a "thread adapter" is included, but it is not (reading reviews on amazon and also walmart you will find several mentions of this item being missing). the "thread adapter" is a fitting that might be needed to attach the "quick connect" to your faucet, depending if you have "inside threads" or "outside threads" on your sink faucet. i happened to have a "thread adapter" on hand (it came with a Brita water filter) so i was able to set up my machine without an unplanned trip to the hardware store.
another minor problem that i have encountered is that when you're done using the washer and want to un-hook the water hose from your sink, the hose will be filled with about a cup of water that could spill onto the floor. on solution is to turn off the water, remove the hose from your sink and hold the free end up, then turn on the "power" to the washer and hit the "normal" wash cycles button. this will allow any water in the hose to drain into the wash tub. if you use the washer ever few days this small amount of water in the tub should not be any problem. you could also catch the water into a small container so that it doesn't end up in tub between uses.
Customer Review: Fantastic so far - and some important tips for use...
Summary: 5 Stars
I heard about it on a Wednesday, researched it Wed night, bought it on Thursday and I now it is Saturday I am head over heels in love with it. I feel like Wall- E!
For the past 5 years I have lived in a walk up NYC apt without laundry in the building or a real washing machine hookup. I am very busy, hate wasting my days off lugging heavy bags to the crowded, dirty, noisy expensive laundromat, and don't like the lack of control, poor quality, sock loss, stinky detergent and insane cost of dropping clothes off, so the laundry has been a thorn in my side for a long time. I was very suspicious of this machine but thought I would give it a try and I'm so very glad that I have.
FACTS:
The setup was super easy, it hooked onto my sink in a flash, I have had no leaks at all, and the wash cycle system is simple and intuitive.
I have been running it on the ' high' water level, and sometimes even adding more water to the top with the manual override. It's been working fine, no leaks at all.
I am using the water draining into the sink as a gray water pre wash for my dishes and will save the rinse outflow in the summer for my plants.
PROS:
The price is pretty unbeatable.
Total control- over the wash time and cycles- heavy to delicate - water temperature, and everything else.
Ease of use- it is very intuitive.
It's not silent when it runs but it's quiet enough. Certainly not disturbing or annoying.
My clothes are coming out way cleaner than at the laundromat. I mean WAY CLEANER.
The clothes come out dry enough so that they will dry overnight.
My cat is entertained by the sink outflow and likes to sit on the machine ...
If you work at home it's a no brainer to deal with and segments your work periods ( aka gives you excuses for little breaks!)
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Someone smart mentioned this in another review and they were right: it is IMPERATIVE that you attach some sort of filter to the outflow tube that drains into the sink. It will catch a LOT of lint that would otherwise go down and perhaps block your kitchen plumbing. They mentioned attaching a paint strainer with a rubber band but I am cheep and I used very small gauge plastic mesh 'baggie' that my fresh garlic came in at the supermarket. I clean this every 2 washes or so, it's a bit annoying but worth it, since it catches a surprising amount of lint.
You should attach the outflow tube to the inflow tube with a bungee or something so it doesn't jump around when draining into the sink.
I have had some in unbalanced loads, but that's my fault for overloading. When it gets unbalanced it goes into perpetual rinsing. It's easy to override. This has happened in 2 of my 6 large loads.
You can have the faucet on for the whole time the machine is running its cycle. I turn mine on in the beginning of the wash cycle and turn it off when the rinse is done. I didn't think it would work but it did.
It's kind of heavy to move around without wheels, and it seems the caster set is long gone but I just put it on a small wheeled dolly I had and it's no problem. It doesn't have locking wheels but the weight of the machine itself keeps it from moving without permission.
If you are washing anything with a drawstring waist like running shorts or sweatpants make sure to knot the drawstring before washing. The washing motion tends to suck the drawstrings out and I had one side of the drawstring of some running shorts disappear into the waistband wasteland.
As far as capacity, I was worried, some people on youtube are talking about washing one full sheet at a time. I haven't washed sheets yet and I may take those to the laundromat, but I'd say it takes about one third to one half a normal load.I only wash one 'big' thing like jeans or sweatpants per load, then add a lot of little things like underwear socks a couple of T shirts to finish the load etc. Based on reviews, I'm not going to wash my comforters or curtains or klippan sofa cover in it at all.
Definitely use liquid detergent and definitely let the water load first and add the clothes second. Very soon you will be able to eyeball how much soap and clothing it can take. I 'll be honest and say that am using 99 cent store HE detergent and it's fine.
I was worried about cost of electric use but at 10 cents per kilowatt it's rated to use $25 of electricity a year. Even at 14-16 cents/kw in NYC it's still low. Nice!
OVERALL
If I have trouble I will update this but so far so good. Obviously it's not for the Duggar family, heavy duty work or for people who don't want to ever think about loading or detergent, but for the price for the apartment dweller, it's potentially life changing. Beyond cost of laundry, it's already paying for itself in the time I can spend to work at home while it's working versus wretched wasted hours at the dreaded laundromat.
Customer Review: Wonderful little machine
Summary: 5 Stars
OK first let me start off by saying that anyone with anything negative to say about this machine must either have a defective model or is using the machine improperly. It is what it is...a compact washing machine. If you are expecting the machine to wash a huge load of clothes the same as a full sized washer look elsewhere...otherwise if you are like me with limited space and are just looking for a few clean clothes this washing machine is a winner.
This little machine is fantastic. I don't know how I lived so long without this. I live in NYC and technically we are not permitted to have washing machines. However after years of schlepping heaps of dirty laundry downstairs to the community laundromat and seeing some nasty things down there (bugs in the washing machines....ewww, mildew inside the washing machine windows, etc) not to mention the loads of $$$ wasted I decided to bite the bullet and buy a small washing machine. I just had a baby and refused to wash her clothes down there and honestly I'm tired of fighting for washers, dryers and spending so much $$$. So I was able to find this fabulous little machine on Craigslist for a whopping $50!!!
I figured what the heck...if it doesn't work it's only $50 but to my surprise this machine is absolutey fantastic. Now with that said keep in mind this is a compact washing machine...DO NOT OVERLOAD! If you use the washing machine correctly you will get sparkling clean clothes in the comfort of your own home. Here are some suggestions:
I prefer to wash with the water set on the medium level. High makes the water rise too much and in my opinion the clothes do not wash as well. Although I have washed a few loads on high with decent results I have received the best results with clothes washed on the medium level.
First with that said do not overload. My husband is a big guy (XXL shirts and size 38 waist pants) I typically do one pair of his jeans and maybe 3 or 4 of his t-shirts at a time. Towels I do one or two medium sized towels and maybe 2 or 3 tshirts. Not a lot but pretty good for a small sized machine. Now with my baby's clothes I'm able to do pretty much 4 days worth of onesies, socks, pj's, clothes etc with no problem. With my clothes (size 12 women) I can fit considerably more than with my husbands...lets say 3 or 4 workpants and a shirt or a few shirts etc. Whites I can do a decent size like 5 tshirts and 4 pairs of socks. Not bad at all.
Second I use high efficiency detergent. A little goes a long way. If you use high sudsing detergent like Tide or Cheer use only a quarter of a cap full. If you use too much detergent it will create too many suds and cause the machine to overflow and not wash as well. Personally I prefer Method detergent. It's HE, Eco Friendly and smells wonderful. I use the regular Method for me and my Husband and the baby Method for my Daughter. I do use fabric softener (again Method softener) I put a little in the Downy ball and it works perfect.
Third this machine washes clothes very clean if you follow the instructions above. I have seen white socks with black bottoms come out looking like new not to mention some questionable stains come out fabulously.
This washing machine is extremely compact...about 17" wide by 17" deep by 2.5 feet high. I am constantly doing laundry so I pretty much keep it stationary in my small kitchen and it fits perfectly. You can purchase castors for it to move it around easily if you wish but for me I keep in one spot and use it about 1-2x a day depending.
I have never had any leaks on the machine. Inititally we had to purchase an extra adaptor piece for our faucet in order to make the hose fit snug enough since our faucet is ancient. Another plus with this machine is that it spins the clothes so well they come out basically damp. I hang them on a drying rack and within a few hours everything is pretty much dry. Jeans and towels of course take longer than t-shirts but that is a given. I make sure to take the wet clothes out as soon as I hear the beep so that they don't get too wrinkled...another benefit is that this machine has a bell type signal to let you know when the clothes are done. If you are concerned about noise don't be. On top of everything else this machine is extremely quiet even on the spin cycle.
Overall I give this machine 5 stars. Hands down this has been the best purchase I have made in a long time if ever. I reccomend this machine to everyone I know without laundry facilities. It's definitely worth it's weight in gold.
Customer Review: How did I live in New York City for ten years without this?
Summary: 5 Stars
No seriously, how have I been living in apartments for a decade without this machine? Through single and couple-dom life, I've been dragging my clothes to the local (and not-so local) laundromat resulting in frantic minutes scrounging for quarters, two hours of boredom, whites slowly turning yellow in those questionable big machines and a less-than-enthused significant other. Sometimes, I would just give up and wash those needed socks or undershirt in the shower praying they would dry hung up overnight. It was one of those nights that I finally had had enough and the boy started scouring the internet for a solution.
This machine is *my* miracle of modern technology and has significantly improved my life in quantifiable hours - and I bet has saved me money in the long run (if you consider it's five dollars per `big' wash load at the laudromat, and they only have `big' load machines.)
At about 2 1/2 feet high and 17 inches wide, this machine easily plugs into a three-pronged outlet, screws into a normal sink (normal screw-in adapter included - thank God!), and drainage hose hooks over the side of the sink, super easy. And it packs a powerful punch - everything comes out clean and surprisingly lint-free. I did have my doubts about the weird lint collector inside - which completely works, although a bit difficult to remove and empty. It's also surprisingly light - at 5'3" I'm not exactly a brute force of strength, but I have no problem sliding the machine back into the corner easily once finished, although I would have a problem lifting it up entirely. It's also quiet, there's only a slight audible hum when it vibrates - about the same level as a person humming, which you can barely hear in the next room. It's nowhere near as loud as regular machines and doesn't bothers anyone.
Any problems? Well when we first received, like others here we screwed in the bottom plate (there isn't much installation, just the one plate) backwards - curving away from the ground and it did make a weird crunch sound while running - however, it's a pretty tell-tale signal, and we flipped it around (like a cup sitting on a counter) in five minutes. Also, I was so excited about my first wash and over-loaded it - so we had a little puddle on the ground, but not since.
There are three water levels to choose from and at the high level it washes about two pants, a shirt, and three little items (say socks or underwear), or two towels and a facecloth, etc. I've easily fit in four t-shirts and five undergarments plus socks. By carefully ensuring everything is evenly distributed, I've even managed to wash my comforter cover - heaven! Realistically, it's about a half-load of laundry to a normal household washer. You control the water temperature by your sink. Being a girlie-girl when it comes to underwear, I can even throw in my delicates without worry. In two months I've had no problem with lace, silk, cotton or nylon ripping, and I haven't even used a mesh bag to protect them. Horray! The machine even allows for prolonged soaking if needed. Best of all, nothing comes out dripping. The spin cycle on the machine thoroughly drains water so many things dry overnight. After about a half hour wash, everything is ready to hang.
Definitely now part of my *must have apartment appliances* along with a microwave and toaster oven, I love this thing so much that I've actually named it Einstein and joked that should the significant other and I split up - the machine stays with me.