Hacking a Washing Machine? | Hacker News Reader

Hacking a Washing Machine?

9 pointsjustinzollars5 comments

Has anyone here ever hacked a washing machine? I find Washing Machines to be one technology that has significantly degraded in my lifetime. In the 90s when I turn a washing machine on it was like a wonderful waterfall and there was no question at the end of a cycle if your clothes would be clean or not. Today I have used several brand new machines - and my clothes are frequently dirty. Even after multiple cycles. I find this frustrating and disgusting. I've subscribed to consumer reports and the "best new machines" are ranked by 1. Energy efficiency 2. water use. Two completely irrelevant factors to me. All I want are clean clothes. I'm afraid regulations may be written in a way to require low energy and water use - I can not find a washing machine that works in 2023.

Has anyone ever tried hacking these machines to use more water?

There's the OpenWasher project https://github.com/smoluks/OpenWasher-V2

Not many compatible models, but might be a good starting point.

You might want to think less about the machine and more about your detergent. Detergent recipes have changed over the years, and they are not as effective as they used to be.

I’ve tried tweeting the fill settings and while it works the rest of the components are undersized for that load and sometimes the motor overheats and the whole thing shuts down. The side load also tends to leak at too high a water pressure.

You can make diy detergent by adding a teaspoon of TSP to the wash. It helps a lot.

It's more about tricking HE machines. Instead of the Smart Water setting, use the large. Always use the Deep Fill setting (if the machine has one). Always use the double rinse - gets rid of the detergent residue.

I've not tried hacking one, but given the relatively simple controller, it doesn't seem all that hard.

I don't own one but know that front-loading machines do achieve better results than top-loaders. If using the latter, don't try to wash too much at once and placing heavier/thicker items in first may be best. Am also aware that laundry powders are better than liquids!

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