Laundry is one of the most basic domestic tasks, performed all around the world on a daily basis, but the technology we use to help us maintain our clothes’ cleanliness has evolved to be far from simple.
These days, shopping for a washing machine can feel overwhelming. Consumers are constantly bombarded by new features, additional dials, and costly extras, all marketed as essential. But what if all you’re looking for is a practical, affordable machine that delivers thoroughly clean clothes with no added fuss?
If you’ve been searching for a simple, easy-to-operate washing machine that gets the job done to a high standard, Whirlpool’s WTW5000DW could be exactly the appliance for you!
This classic, top-loading washing machine has all the settings you need to effectively launder your clothes and other household fabrics whilst streamlining the user experience to be as easy and accessible as possible, and all for an affordable price.
Read on to discover the features that the Whirlpool WTW5000WD has to offer, along with answers to the most frequently asked questions surrounding this model, to determine whether this is the right machine for you.
Main Features
Top-Loading, Hamper-Style Door
The WTW5000DW’s hamper-style door makes loading your laundry into your washing machine as easy a task as possible.
With this machine, there’s no need to bend or stoop to load your clothes into the appliance; simply upturn your hamper or laundry basket over the top-loading door and push down to close.
Whilst top-loading washing machines generally have a worse reputation than front-loading machines in terms of cleaning and energy efficiency, the convenience of this top-loading, hamper-style door design is a great selling point.
Additionally, many users find that top-load washers are easier to clean and maintain because water is less likely to sit and get trapped in the machine due to the natural gravitational pull. So, if convenience in terms of loading and maintenance is your priority, you may actually favor the WTW5000DW’s loading design.
Smooth Wave Stainless Steel Wash Basket
The stainless steel wash basket has a spacious capacity of 4.3 cubic ft, making it suitable for larger loads of washing as well as bulkier items, such as bedsheets, curtains and tablecloths.
Additionally, the basket is designed to be gentle on your laundry, minimizing the risk of fraying and other damage.
Moreover, the drum’s stainless steel material ensures strength and durability, reducing the risk of the drum warping under repeated load weight and water pressure.
High-Efficiency Washing Impeller
Smooth washing action isn’t the only advantage of the WTW5000DW’s wash basket. The basket also contains a high-efficiency washing impeller designed to push clothing from the outer areas of the drum towards the centre, ensuring thorough cleaning.
The impeller has several advantages over the traditional agitator pole mechanism of many washing machines. Where an agitator creates friction against clothing inside the machine to assist in the cleaning process, an impeller instead creates friction between the clothes themselves, which minimizes the risk of your clothes getting damaged inside the machine.
Because an impeller also takes up less space than an agitator, the WTW5000DW’s use of an impeller also contributes to its high capacity, leaving more room in the basket for laundry items.
12 Wash Cycles
The WTW5000DW’s 12 wash cycles provide every setting you need for every occasion, including:
Deep Water Wash, which adds more water to the machine for when tough stains are involved
Bulky Items/Sheets, for use when washing larger items such as bedsheets
Quick Wash, which can take as little as 28 minutes, for smaller loads or for when you’re pressed for time
Fast Spin, which spins your washed clothes at a speed of 660 RPM for quicker drying
Clean Washer, which does exactly as advertised: it cleans the washer from the inside, removing limescale buildup and unpleasant odors to keep your laundry smelling and looking as fresh as possible after washing
Other cycles include normal, delicate, soak, rinse and spin, drain and spin, cold wash, and casual wash, so whatever your laundry requirements are, the cycles included in the WTW5000DW can cater to them.
All of these settings are clearly labelled around the relevant dials in word form, so there’s no need to spend time familiarizing yourself with numbers or symbols once you purchase this machine - it’s all written out simply and effectively.
However, you will need to make sure that you are using high efficiency detergent for best results, as this machine does not include a steaming or sanitation setting.
Automatic Water Levels
This machine uses automatic water levels, meaning that the machine judges how much water to use based on the quantity of clothing inserted.
This feature not only reduces the guesswork involved in figuring out how much water is needed for any given load, but it also saves energy, maximizing the machine’s energy efficiency.
Temperature and Soil Level Controls
The WTW5000DW’s automatic water levels don’t fully take all control out of your hands when it comes to your washing. The machine also offers temperature and soil level control options, allowing you to adjust the required temperature and level of staining according to your own judgment and preferences.
Temperature control settings include ‘Tap Cold’, ‘Cold’, ‘Cool’, ‘Warm’, and ‘Hot’, giving you a good deal of incremental flexibility in terms of the temperature of your wash.
The soil control settings include ‘Extra Light’, ‘Light’, ‘Medium’, and ‘Heavy’, so whether you’re dealing with a few flecks of mud or something much more drastic, this machine has you covered.
Like the setting labels, these settings are written around the dials in word form, so they’re easy to find and there’s little risk of selecting the wrong setting by mistake.
This type of clear labeling can also be found on the light-up progress indicators and the ‘Start/Pause’ button, which helpfully specifies how to cancel your washing, should you need to.
Presoak Option
The WTW5000DW’s presoak option is a great additional feature for such a simple design. This feature allows you to soak your laundry for 10 minutes before washing in case of serious stains, reducing the amount of time and effort you need to put into soaking your washing beforehand.
Advanced Vibration Control
The WTW5000DW utilises advanced vibration control technology to reduce the vibration that often occurs alongside spinning or heavy-duty washing.
Some customers have reported that their WTW5000DW model makes loud, vibrational noises when in use, however, it is important to remember that factors such as uneven flooring and incorrect installation can also contribute to this problem.
Specifications
- Width: 27 1/2 Inch
- Depth: 28 Inch
- Height: 42 1/4 Inch
- Capacity: 4.3 Cu. Ft.
- Gross Weight: 150 lbs
- Drum Material: Stainless steel
- Control Type: Electronic
- Volts: 120
Advantages
- Hamper-style, top-loading door for easy loading
- 12 wash cycles for catering to every eventuality
- High load capacity (4.3 cubic ft) for larger loads
- Smooth wave, stainless steel wash basket reduces risk of fraying and other damage to clothes inside the machine
- Presoak setting minimizes need for soaking outside the machine
- Adjustable temperature and soil level control settings
- Clearly labeled settings for ease of use
- Avdanced vibration control
Disadvantages
- No steam or sanitation setting
- Requires high efficiency detergent for best results
- Customer reports of loud vibrational noises when in use
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the WTW5000DW may not offer all the bells and whistles available on many recently manufactured washing machines, but it certainly does the job, and if you use the correct detergent and the appropriate settings, it does the job well.