Great Products are Born in the USA

December 26th, 2011

Why is it that during tough times we Americans become so attached and attracted to products made in the USA?  For some reason it seems that most big businesses need a strong kick in the pants to even consider producing their products at home in the United States.  But we at The Vibration Solution have always believed in manufacturing our Silent Feet vibration isolation pads in the US.  We know that the best quality products come from dedicated people working to build quality goods for their friends, family neighbors and loved ones.  That isn’t a trait that is possible when companies choose to outsource their goods overseas.  Many of our competitors are working hard to find the cheapest way to make their products even when it means sacrificing quality, durability, performance and patriotism.  But we believe that producing the highest quality and best-performing products is key to earning customer loyalty.  For that reason we have always and will always build our industry leading Silent Feet and Anti-Walk Silent Feet washing machine pads at our Kent, Ohio plant.  We are proud to be sustaining and creating American jobs, especially in today’s tough economy.  Every purchase from The Vibration Solution supports American innovation, ingenuity, and craftsmanship.  Be proud of the products that you trust to protect your home and preserve your peace and quiet, buy American made Silent Feet.

 

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Is Your Home in Danger of a Washing Machine Attack?

December 19th, 2011

Every year millions of new washing machines are sold in the United States.  Prior to making their purchase, customers struggle to make the best choice based on capacity, wash-cycle time, steam clean options, brand, style, appliance color and price.  But few people will evaluate the best location in their home for the washing machine.  Almost every new washing machine that is purchased to replace an old or out-dated model will be installed in exactly the same spot that the previous appliance was installed at.  But is that the best location?  Very few homes have been designed to adequately withstand the constant wear from vibration and impact caused by the washing machine’s spin cycle.  All washing machine manufacturers strongly recommend that your washer be installed on a concrete subfloor or a properly reinforced joist subfloor.  But “proper reinforcement” is rare.  This reinforcement normally includes adding joists, thicker or additional layers of plywood and up-rated fasteners and adhesives used to bond the joists and subfloor.  Without this reinforcement, the floor will begin to weaken and degrade resulting in squeaking, sagging, gaps, cracks, and eventually structural failure of the support joists.  But before you rush out to find a contractor to reinforce your laundry room, consider this, washing machine manufactures suggest that the best way to protect the structure and floor of your home is to install an anti-vibration pad like Silent Feet or Anti-Walk Silent Feet.  The special military-grade rubber in Silent Feet anti-vibration pads absorbs washing machine vibration and prevents it from ever being able to cause damage to your home.  The fix is simple and takes only a few minutes to install.  So next time you’re shopping for a new washing machine make sure to do your home a favor and pick up a set of Silent Feet anti-vibration pads.

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Washing Machines That Sound Like Jet Engines

November 21st, 2011

What do modern front loading washing machines and jet engines have in common?

Bosch Axxis Compact Washer

Bosch Axxis Series Washers Sound Like Jet Engines

The surprising answer is the sound they make when they spin up to full power.  We’ve been receiving more and more comments from people regarding the very loud and annoying noises that their washing machines make when spinning up to full speed spin cycle.  One of the most egregious offenders is the Bosch Axxis series compact washer.  It emits an almost deafening screech akin to a CanadAire Regional Jet at takeoff.  It’s so loud in fact that most people can’t even stand to be at home while the washer is running.  The problem with this specific noise is that it resonates particularly well throughout the home, apartment or condo that you install the Bosch washing machine in.  Simply closing the door to the laundry room is often not enough to quell the screeching noise.  And there really isn’t a full-on magic cure for it either (aside from choosing a different washer).  Silent Feet anti-vibration pads can help to contain this noise.  Installing the pads under the Axxis washing machine’s factory self-leveling feet will isolate the washer and keep the majority of the jet engine noise contained in the laundry room.  So if you’re tired on having a self contained airport in your home, take 5 minutes to install Silent Feet washing machine pads on your Bosch Axxis washer today and start enjoying a better quality of life at home.

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Become a 2011 Vibration Solution Distributor/Reseller

November 3rd, 2011

Since 2008 Silent Feet and Anti-Walk Silent Feet have been recognized as the most effective anti-vibration pads for washing machines and dryers.  They have received numerous accolades and recommendations including the Reed Business Association and Design News 2009 Golden Mousetrap Award for Best New Product.  As the reputation for our products has grown, so has the market potential.  Our company is now working to expand our distribution network to make it easier for customers to find and purchase our products nationally and internationally.

We are now in the process of evaluating our 2011 reseller and distributors. If you are interested in being considered for either please email Sales@VibrationSolution.com with the following preliminary information:

Retail-
1. Name of company
2. Number of locations
3. Size of company
4. Estimated number of washing machines sold per year
5. Best point of contact

Distributor
1. Name of company
2. Industries supplied
3. Number of reseller in or associated with “Appliance accessories”
4. Geographic areas served.
5. Best point of contact

This is an outstanding opportunity for your company to add our product to your offerings.  In the past four years, our products have consistently received high customer satisfaction scores and favorable reviews from industry experts including leading contractors and property managers.  We’ve worked hard to make sure that our products stay at the forefront of their industry by constantly improving them and taking innovative steps like adding designer colors to our line to match the latest colors of washing machine finishes.  The Vibration Solution strives to provide the highest quality products and services.  Contact us today to take advantage of this expanding market.

 

Sincerely,

The Vibration Solution Team

 

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A Brief Explanation of Front-Loading Washing Machines

August 23rd, 2011

The modern front-loading washer now accounts for early 35% of all new washing machines sold in the United States.  But it has not always been that way.  When top-loading washing machines first appeared in their modern form in the 1950′s, the front-loading washing machine started to take off in Europe.  There were a number of reasons why this occurred.  Front-loading washing machines offered increased efficiency and reduced appliance footprint size (floor space).  These two factors made this style of washer more appealing to the smaller homes in Europe.  Homes in the United States had more space in their laundry rooms to accommodate large capacity top-loading machines.  Low energy and water prices in the United States also contributed to the popularity of top-loading washers.  However, four decades after the modern top-loading washer took off in the United States, the front-loader would return to cater to the new energy and resource conscious culture that was growing nationwide.

The front-loading washing machine is actually a very simple appliance.  The wash drum in mounted horizontally with a door for loading clothes located on the front face of the machine.  A single drive motor and pulley set drives the drum.  Paddles located on the inside of the drum lift clothes and drop them down into a small amount of water sitting at the bottom of the drum.  This repetitive lifting and dropping combined with the detergent and absorption of water into the fabrics is what cleans the clothing.  The most complex system on the modern front-loading washer is the door seal.  This large gasket is responsible for preventing any water from leaking out of the machine during operation.  Most seals also incorporate a folded baffle design that attaches them to the drum and prevents small articles of clothing from slipping out of the drum and clogging the drain.  Early versions of front-loading washing machines suffered from leak problems but most of those problems have been resolved in the past decade.

Front-loading washing machines allow for the use of a relatively small amount of water to facilitate cleaning since the entire drum does not need to fill like in a top-loading washer.  Front-loading washers are also capable of spinning the wash drum at much higher RPM (up to 1200 RPM) allowing for more water to be removed from the clothes before drying.  While front-loaders offer many benefits, they are not problem free.  The horizontal alignment of the wash drum does allow for some water to remain between cycles which can allow the growth of mold and mildew in the washer.  This can produce unpleasant colors and scents in clothing.  This can be prevented by following manufacture’s recommended cleaning schedules which often include weekly cleaning of the door seal, monthly wash drum cleaning cycles and leaving the washer door open between loads.  If clothes do take on an unpleasant odor, washing them with detergent and 1/2 cup of white vinegar can remove the odor.

Overall, modern front-loading washing machines now offer an excellent combination of efficiency and reliability.  They still do have some drawbacks such as limited capacity, long cycle times and additional appliance cleaning steps.  Most front-loading washers are also still priced between $300 and $1000 more than their top-loading counterparts.  But the water and energy savings over the lifetime of the washer often offset these costs.  Find out more about how front-loading washing machines work.

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A Brief Explanation of the Top-Loading Washing Machine

August 18th, 2011

While the washing machine has been around since the late 1600′s, it was not until the 1950′s that it began to resemble what we now have in our homes.  Early washing machines were little more than a primitive washboard and wringer.  However, following World War II, the industrial might of the United States of America turned its efforts towards modernizing the washing machine.  The first modern washing machines featured electric drums and agitators arranged in a top-loading format.  These early automatic washers were expensive and outside the financial reach of many consumers.  However, by 1953 sales of automatic washing machines had exceeded those of the more primitive wringer-type electric washers.

At the same time that top-loading washers were beginning to become popular in the United States, front-loading washers were taking off in Europe.  It would take another four decades before the front-loading washer’s popularity would bring it back across the Atlantic Ocean to North America.  Surprisingly, the modern top-loading washing machine is actually a much more complicated machine than its front-loading rival.  This is primarily due to the gearbox drive that is necessary to rotate the wash drum and agitator separately.  However, thanks to its vertical orientation, the rest of the washing process is aided by gravity.  The large upright drum of a top-loading washer gives it excellent capacity to wash generous amounts of dirty clothes in a single cycle.  However, this capacity comes at a price as the drum must be completely filled with water to accommodate these loads.  The agitator is designed to draw clothes into the center of the drum and downwards in a cyclical pattern during the wash cycle.  Large or buoyant items like pillows and sleeping bags often do not submerge fully and as a result are better washed in front-loading machines.

Overall, the top-loading washing machine has reached the maturity of its technology.  Today’s top-loading washing machines are significantly larger, quieter, efficient and reliable when compared to their earliest predecessors over 60 years ago.  Find out more about Top-Loading Washing Machines.

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Saving Money and Time With Washing Machine Spin Cycles

June 20th, 2011

Have you ever looked at your washing machine’s spin cycle settings and wondered what the real difference between all the different settings is?  What would happen if you decided to use the Ultra Extreme Super Spin option instead of just High?  We wondered the same thing and here is what it all means to you.

Everyone knows that using a higher speed spin cycle will leave your clothes dryer and reduce the time and energy needed to completely dry them.  But how much dryer?  And is there any danger to using super high spin cycles?  To answer these questions we tested out a number of leading front-loading washing machines using a standard mixed load of towels, t-shirts, jeans and socks just like what you probably throw in your washing machine at home.  We ran the washers on a normal cycle but adjusted the final spin cycle speed.  We weighed each item before and after washing on each cycle to determine how much water was left after the spin cycle.  Here is what we found.

Higher speed spin cycles remove more water.  On average each setting removed 18% more water comparatively to the setting below it.  That means that while loads run on super high spin cycles weren’t completely dry, they were significantly dryer than loads run on a high cycle.  Even more impressively they had nearly 38% less water left in the clothes than if we had let the washer use the standard “normal” spin speed.

High speed spin cycles save money.  With nearly 20% less water for each higher speed that you choose, that can decrease the amount of time that your dryer needs to run by about the same percentage.  The U.S. Government reports that the standard clothes dryer is the second largest user of energy in most homes so any opportunity to cut it’s usage by 40% represents a serious opportunity for people to save some money on energy bills.

High speed spin cycles can damage clothes. There is a reason why when you choose the delicate setting it usually uses a lower spin speed.  Modern front-loading washers can spin at speeds between 1100-1200 RPM which is fast enough to stretch and tear delicate fabrics.  Use high speed cycles with caution.  In our tests with towels, t-shirts, jeans, socks and other relatively durable clothing we noticed no damage to the fabrics.

High speed spin cycles can increase vibration. Most consumers don’t plan washing machine loads with a perfect mix of small, medium and large items. A perfect mix allows the washer to automatically counter-balance vibration during spin cycles.  More often we choose to wash a whole load of towels, sheets or area rugs at once contributing to washer vibration.  Setting a front-loading washing machine to super high speed spin with one of these loads can create some pretty significant noise.  Consider installing an anti-vibration pad like our Silent Feet to prevent this vibration from damaging your home and your hearing while still allowing you to take full advantage of the cost savings of high speed spin cycles.

In conclusion, using a higher speed spin cycle on your washing machine can save you hundreds of dollars in energy costs over the life of your appliance.  It will also save you lots of time that would have otherwise been spent waiting for loads of clothes to dry in the dryer.  But caution must be used when washing delicate loads as high speed spin cycles can damage delicate fabrics like sheer, pattern and ultra soft types.  On everything else, save yourself the time and money by taking an extra second to press the Ultra Super Hurricane Spin Cycle button at the start of each load of laundry.

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Innovative Washing Machine Products – GE Profile Series

May 19th, 2011

If you’re looking for one of the world’s most advanced home washing machines then

Side by side GE Profile washer and dryer

The stylish design of the GE Profile series can make it the center of attention in your home

look no further than the amazing GE Profile series.  The latest GE Profile washers and dryers include a huge range of cutting-edge new features like SmartDispense, Overnight Ready, Adaptive Vibration Control, HydroHeater, SteamRefresh, eDry, eWash and Stain Inspector.  Today, we’ll cover these key features and how they can make your life easier.

All washers make claims about great cleaning performance, gentle and fast cycles, efficiency and high tech options, but GE has taken their Profile series to the next level with these great options:

SmartDispense: Unique pedestal that features 3 large capacity detergent and fabric softener reservoirs.  This pedestal can hold up to 6 months of detergent and will automatically integrate with the washer to ensure that the right amount is dispensed with each and every load.  It even dispenses at the precise time.  This great feature ends the mess and hassle of having to measure out detergent manually before each load.

Overnight Ready: Now you can start the washer before you go to bed and in as little as 8 hours your load will be washed and dried without having to move the clothes to the dryer.

HydroHeater: Special internal water heater that boosts water temperature to 160 degrees F to assist in sanitization.

SteamRefresh: Rejuvenates clothes and fabrics using a special steam cycle to remove odors and wrinkles.

CleanSpeak: The washer and dryer can communicate electronically to preset cycle times to help you save time.

eDry: GE’s unique dryer sensor that can reduce drying temperatures and allow for an additional 10% energy usage reduction.

eWash: A very effective cold water wash option that is the eco-friendly way to cut energy usage in the washer by an additional 10%.

GE SmartDispense pedestal

The unique GE SmartDispense pedestal can hold up to 6 months of laundry detergent

Stain Inspector: On-screen program built into the washer and designed to integrate with the SmartDispense system to clean even the toughest stains.  It uses specific combinations of pre-wash detergent, cycle tweaks and temperature adjustments to make sure that your clothes always come out clean and fresh.

Adaptive Vibration Control (AVC): This active vibration reduction system is the latest in a long line of technology features on washing machines designed to reduce the amount of noise and vibration caused during spin cycles.  This system allows the washer to adapt to changing load balances and spin patters to reduce noise caused by out-of-balance loads.  It is still recommended that owner’s install an anti-vibration pad under the washer to absorb the remaining vibration noise.

Now that you’ve heard what makes the GE Profile series so impressive, remember that if you plan on installing this or any other washing machine on a second floor or plywood sub floor laundry room you will need to install a washing machine mat or pad.  Anti-vibration mats and pads assist the washer and dryer’s built in vibration reduction technology and protect against the structural damage that long term appliance usage can cause.  This is no place to penny pinch if you’ve just invested in a great new washing machine and dryer, spend the extra few dollars now on a set of Silent Feet anti-vibration pads and save yourself costly home repair bills later.

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Washing Machine Vibration Facts

April 19th, 2011

Here are a few quick facts on washing machine vibration.

  1. All washing machines and dryer vibrate.  Dryers usually have less vibration than washers because the load is only wet clothes (as opposed to a drum of water and clothes).  Front loading washing machines cause high frequency vertical oscillation while top loading washers usually have horizontal oscillation.
  2. Almost all front loading washing machines are not recommended for use on standard joist-construction floors (most common floor type, compared to a concrete slab sub-floor).  Manufactures like GE, LG, Maytag, Samsung, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Bosch and more, all recommend installing a pad like Silent Feet under the washing machine to absorb the vibration.
  3. Prolonged use of a front loading washing machine on regular joist floors will cause structural damage.
    Joist construction sub-floor

    Most laundry rooms are constructed on a joist type floor. Here long wooden joists support a plywood sub-floor. Vibration weakens the joints between all the parts of the floor.

    This can result in minor issues like creaks and cracks in the floor all the way to sagging and collapse of the floor.

  4. The only alternative to using Silent Feet pads to prevent structural damage is costly upgrading of the sub-floor.  This usually involves adding a second layer of plywood sub-floor and adding sister boards to the rafters that support the floor.  But even this won’t reduce the amount of vibration noise that you hear.  Sub-floor upgrades can cost thousands of dollars.
  5. Vibration can also cause appliance “walking” (unwanted movement) usually during the spin cycle.  Simply installing a pad designed to prevent walking can solve this problem and mean that you’ll never have to reposition your washer after every load again.  Both Original Silent Feet and Anti-Walk Silent Feet prevent walking, however for washers that move a lot or stacked units it is recommended that you install Anti-Walk Silent Feet for the best results.

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The Secret is in the Sorbothane

April 10th, 2011

It’s no secret that the market is flooded with many different types of washing machine vibration damper pads.  There are pads of many different shapes, sizes and materials.  There are pads made of recycled tires, neoprene, foam rubber, cork, natural rubber and even complex platforms of steel and springs.  But amongst all the options today, one has stood out year after year.  That product is Silent Feet Anti-Vibration Pads made with Sorbothane.

Sorbothane is so much more than just a polyurethane rubber.  It has been designed to offer the absolute best vibration absorbing characteristics.  This means that it is actually what is called a “visco-elastic polymer.”  This fancy term means that it has characteristics of both a liquid and a solid.   Think of the ideal vibration isolation situation, it would probably involve a material that could significantly deflect and deform to smoothly absorb all impact and vibration energy, much like a thick liquid syrup.  But syrup wouldn’t work well for long because it wouldn’t hold it’s shape, so the ideal material would also need to have shape memory, like memory foam.  But all foam rubber is made with millions of tiny bubbles in it.  Over time these bubble pop and wear out causing the material to become less effective and fall apart.  So the ideal material would be a solid rubber with perfect shape memory and a fluid like feel.  That is what Sorbothane is.

If you touch Sorbothane you will notice that it feels soft like the palm of our hand.  It feels this way because it was actually modeled on possibly the best impact absorbing part of the human body, the soft flesh of your heel.  It has very similar characteristics to this natural anti-vibration pad.  When you run or walk, the impact energy of your foot on the ground is smoothly absorbed by your foot and heel.  If you took a ball of Sorbothane and dropped it on the ground it would only return one tiny bounce before coming to rest.  Compare that to a ball made of normal urethane rubber or foam which will return a bounce at least half as high as the original bounce height and then continue to bounce for a long time.

That comparison is the true secret to why Silent Feet washing machine and dryer pads continue to be the number one most effective product.  All other rubber pads no matter what material they are made of, even fancy and expensive metal platforms with springs all will cause a violent and strong rebound force.  Any time your washing machine is installed on those inferior pads the vibration will amplify and spread.  Just like if you dribble a tennis ball with a racket, the ball retains more energy than is dissipates.  So make the right choice today and install Silent Feet or Anti-Walk Silent Feet under your washing machine to see a dramatic reduction in vibration and noise.  The Sorbothane rubber in your set of Silent Feet pads will continue working just as hard 10 years from now as it will on day 1 to absorb and smoothly dissipate spin cycle vibration.

One final benefit of Sorbothane rubber is that it is made in the USA (Kent, OH) by a skilled American workforce and is comprised of materials sourced only from the USA.  The Vibration Solution supports the creation of American jobs for American workers and is committed to delivering the highest quality products to the world.

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