Ours has no funky smell at all, and the spin cycle isn't any harder on clothes than any other washers' that we've used. We got the dryer to match, and both are in the laundry alcove off our kitchen, so, indoors. I don't know if that contributes to the lack of smelliness or not. We do use as scentless detergents as possible, regular bleach when needed, and no fabric softeners. And with the machines so handy, clothes don't sit in either washer or dryer, so that might make a difference, too.

I do have to tell you that there's no chugga-chugga agitator noise, which takes some getting used to. But to make up for it, the cycle-up to spin cycle sounds like a tiny little turbine, or a space ship. Our fridge also chuckles. We have a kitchen full of 'happy little appliances', apparently.

Yeah, we leave the washer lid open when it's idle, or when I'm not folding clothes on it.

You def can't rely on Netflix when travelling unless you use a proxy. It will dramatically reduce the scope of what you have to choose from, based on the agreement of the country you're in. My sister was so excited to get Netflix in Jamaica, and then she saw her choices, and she laughed and cursed and left.

That's all I could get from the app when I was there, and the website wouldn't let me stream at all from JA.

Can you buy Kindle books (from the Kindle) when you're outside a north American network?

Man, I am so freaking beat. Not sure why.

Can you buy Kindle books (from the Kindle) when you're outside a north American network?

Yep!

Spotted walking to the Y: lone fiddler in the middle of the field, playing traditional american folk, gazing out over the city. AWESOME!

Anyway, I did kinda awesome actually.

Remind me not to piss of Liese when she's holding her bow.

Yep!

When you're not on wi fi, what network does it use?

Steph, a few months ago I bought a new HE top-loading washer, with agitator, by GE. It's quiet, it gets clothes clean, it hasn't destroyed anything, and I've had no problems with it at all. I leave the top open when it's not in use, and I try not to leave wet clothes in it for too long, to avoid the musty smell. I like the HE detergents (the surprisingly knowledgeable salesman told me the HE detergent works using enzymes and only a little actual detergent, and it works fine in cold water and even does a good job getting blood stains out) and the precise-fill function that fills the washer with only just as much water as it needs. In short, I love it.

Yeah, those two elements are big factors for me. It's really nice to be able to launder in cold when I'm low on propane, and hang the clothes out after. And being in Arizona, of course, the less water I use, the better.

But I've been pretty dang happy with the soapnuts, too, although I generally use warm with them.

Man, y'all are very efficient! I spent the morning at my folks' place, straightened up a bit, fed them lunch, went to TJ's, came home, and took a nap. Then I walked the dog.

Now I really need to disassemble the trap on my bathroom sink before I go to the theater later. Bah.