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  • Introduction

  • Front

  • Controls

  • Drawer

  • Interior

  • Sides

  • Back

  • Electricity Use

  • Water Use

  • Cost Per Wash

  • Yearly Running Cost

  • Washing Speed

  • Washing Performance

  • Normal/Permanent Press Cycle

  • Cottons/Whites Cycle

  • Delicate Cycle

  • Heavy Duty Cycle

  • Quick Wash Cycle

  • Clothes Wear

  • Water Retention

  • Washing Cycles

  • Customization

  • Additional Wash Options

  • Detergent Dispenser

  • Washer Door

  • Ease of Use

  • Controls

  • Efficiency

  • Performance

  • Features

  • Introduction
  • Front
  • Controls
  • Drawer
  • Interior
  • Sides
  • Back
  • Electricity Use
  • Water Use
  • Cost Per Wash
  • Yearly Running Cost
  • Washing Speed
  • Washing Performance
  • Normal/Permanent Press Cycle
  • Cottons/Whites Cycle
  • Delicate Cycle
  • Heavy Duty Cycle
  • Quick Wash Cycle
  • Clothes Wear
  • Water Retention
  • Washing Cycles
  • Customization
  • Additional Wash Options
  • Detergent Dispenser
  • Washer Door
  • Ease of Use
  • Controls
  • Efficiency
  • Performance
  • Features

Introduction

Front

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Controls

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Drawer

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Interior

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The interior of the CDWT980VSS.

Sides

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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS side views

Back

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Electricity Use

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Electricity accounted for about 3% of the {{product.name}}'s yearly operating cost. That totals to about $1.14 a year. The Sanitize cycle rode the longest lightning bolt, using 1320 kWh. Not surprising, since that cycle vaporizes all life inside the interior by bring up the temperature to 157 degrees. Is the {{product.name}} a weapon of mass destruction? Only if you're a single cell organism.

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Water Use

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Generally, water usage adds the most to a washer's operating cost. The {{product.name}} is no exception. The thirstiest cycle on this washer is the Declicates cycle. It uses about 22.42 gallons of cold water. That equates to about 10 cents on your bill, if your costs are close to the national average. We estimate that the {{product.model}} will spend about $32.10 in water over the course of a year.

Cost Per Wash

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Using national averages, we've calculated that the {{product.name}} has cycles that cost somewhere in the middle of the road. Most people switch between Whitest and Normal to deal with their plethora of laundry. The Whites cycle costs about 15 cents to perform, while the Normal cycle will run you about 9 cents.

Yearly Running Cost

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Over the course of a year, the {{product.name}} will probably rack up about $33.24 of expenses. In the grand scheme of things, that's pretty good when compared to other front loading washers.

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Washing Speed

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Washing Performance

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Normal/Permanent Press Cycle

The Normal cycle took an hour and six minutes to complete. In that time it managed to do quite a bit of work. It did especially well with the cocoa stain, which many washers struggle with.

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Cottons/Whites Cycle

The Whites cycle finished in about an hour and six minutes. The cycle performed admirably, but see for yourself.

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Delicate Cycle

In theory, the Delicates cycle should be safe enough to wash your grandmother’s silks. However, we wouldn’t recommend you do that with your GE GFWS1500DWW, but your favorite shirt should come out none worst for wear. As for the actual cleaning, this cycle really surprised us with how good it was.

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Heavy Duty Cycle

The Heavy Duty cycle didn’t clean as well as we thought it was. It had some real trouble with sweat, blood and possibly tears stains. On the plus side, this cycle didn’t wear our clothes as much as other washers.

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Quick Wash Cycle

The Quick Wash cycle clocked in at 35 minutes, not the most speedy around. It had a very average performance. Like the other cycles, it had the most trouble with the blood and sweat stains.

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Clothes Wear

The GE GFWS1500DWW did a number on our test loads. Not an outrageous number mind you, it’s just that we wouldn’t put anything in there that isn’t already showing signs of damage. We found that out by placing in mechanical action strips, pieces of cloth with five holes in them, into the washer. After a cycle is completed, we take these strips and count every thread that has come loose. The more threads that come loose, the harsher the washer will be on actual clothing.

Water Retention

We were satisfied with the GE GFWS1500DWW’s ability to spin out excess water. This is important because the more water that a washer spins out, the less energy your dryer will need to expend. Most of the cycles spun out about 50% of the test loads’ weight in water.

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Washing Cycles

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The {{product.name}} carried nine cycles ranging from Whites to Bulky Bedding.

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Customization

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The My Cycle feature allows for the consumer to save their favorite settings. On the {{product.name}}, the soil level can be accounted for, as well as the spin speed and temperature.

Additional Wash Options

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If the preset cycles don't meet to your exacting standards, there are additional wash options to fine tune the {{product.name}}. The eWash option uses only cold water on selected cycles lower energy costs.

Detergent Dispenser

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The detergent dispenser is located inside a pull out drawer. There are compartments for fabric softener, detergent, and bleach. We did notice that after every wash there was a fair amount of standing water left over. If you are going to have a long stretch between uses it'd be best to dry out the drawer with a towel. Because like a paper cut, there is nothing worst than a moldy washing machine, not a chainsaw to the face, contracting Ebola, or being haunted by regrets of the untraveled path.

Washer Door

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The {{product.name}}'s door gave us no trouble. It opened when we applied outward force to the handle area and closed when we did the reverse. The door opens, the door closes, there was no miscommunication.

The interior of the CDWT980VSS.

Ease of Use

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The {{product.name}} gave us a few troubles while in operation. During the sanitize cycle, it got very loud. It was loud enough to wake us from our nap. Not that we were sleeping at work. The {{product.model}} also bucked a few times during a Whites cycle, even though we leveled it. That's never a good thing. This is a washing machine, not a mechanical bull. Other than that, the {{product.name}} had a smooth ride. We really appreciated the final gentle spin that loosened many of the pieces of laundry from the sides.

Controls

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The {{product.name}} had very straightforward controls. Cycles are selected via a dial. Turning the dial activated indicator lights under the labeled cycles. Within each cycle, you will be able to adjust things like spin duration, temperature, and soil level by pressing three designated buttons.

Efficiency

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In the rat race of washing machines, the {{product.name}} is a few places behind the leader in the efficiency department. However, with a yearly operating cost of $33.24, you won't be breaking the bank running this machine.

Performance

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The {{product.name}} had an above average cleaning performance. We were particularly impressed with its ability to deal with cocoa stains. However, the Delicates cycle did not live up to its name, causing a bit too much wear.

Features

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The {{product.name}} sated our hunger for features. At the same time, we didn't feel overwhelmed by the number options and features. We found uses for everything from the extra rinse to the ability to add steam to selected cycles. There was also a Sanitize cycle which raises the internal temperature to 157 degrees, killing most pathogens.

Meet the tester

Jonathan Chan

Jonathan Chan

Senior Manager of Lab Operations

@Jonfromthelab1

Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.

See all of Jonathan Chan's reviews

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Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

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