Does anyone NOT love their front loading washer?

[friend of pooh]

I often hear people say they like their front loaders but I was wondering if there was anyone that didn't and why that was.

 

[castleview]

My mother loves her. I have small kids and am too paranoid to get one right now.

 

[TheZue]

I used to have one and it wasn't great...but I had a TERRIBLE one (it was a first gen maytag aqua). It always had a bit of standing water in it after the clothes were done and it broke multiple times after coming out of warranty. We got a new one after the third time it broke and I started googling the model and found a bunch of other people had the same problems...so we went back to a plain old cheap top loader. I wouldn't mind getting a front loader at some point; but I'm not sure I'd pay the premium again so I'd have to get a darn good deal on one.

 

[rie'smom]

When my front loader breaks, I'm getting a top loader. The front loaders are made in such a way that the water never completely drains. Unless you leave the door cracked, the washer will smell like stagnant water. Every so often, I call the repairman to come out and drain the water.

That's the experience with my 2nd one.With the first one, the washing drum came completely disconnected from the housing!

 

[Pomlover2586]

I have used both a front loader and a top loader.....and I agree with PP. The front loader has a tendency to smell like stagnant water......though this does not affect the smell of the clothing thank god!

But the other thing I don't like is if your trying to grab a lot out of the washer to transfer it into the dryer you end up dropping stuff onto the floor. Though that could just be because I'm clumsy?

In truth though for our next purchase Im going with a top loader!

 

[TheZue]

Oh another issue with them is you have to use the liquid soap with them, and they recomend special soap just for them. So if you are cheap and want to use powdered soap it doesn't work as well.

 

[Chicago526]

My old washer bit the dust and I almost got a front loader, figuring if I was going to replace it I may as well do it right. But money was tight so DH looked around on ebay just to see what was out there. I got a top of the line top loader for $75, three years old but barely used. I love it so much I'm keeping it and not bothering with a front loader. It gets the clothes so try that they aren't really wet, just damp, and it hardly takes any time at all in the dryer. The only thing I wish it had was a buzzer that went off when it's done. Thing has every feature you can imagine, but no buzzer!

 

[2BigKIdz]

I have used both a front loader and a top loader.....and I agree with PP. The front loader has a tendency to smell like stagnant water......though this does not affect the smell of the clothing thank god!

But the other thing I don't like is if your trying to grab a lot out of the washer to transfer it into the dryer you end up dropping stuff onto the floor. Though that could just be because I'm clumsy?

In truth though for our next purchase Im going with a top loader!

I am so glad to see you post this. I have the same problem, I am always dropping things on the floor. I didn't have this problem with my old washer. I like that it uses less water but if I had it to do over again I think I would stick with the plain old top loader. I end up re-washing so many things because they fall on the floor. I think it's one of the reasons I loathe doing the laundry now.

I have noticed it gets a buildup on/around the rubber seal, mildew I guess, and probably where the bad smell comes from.

 

[NAB]

What I hate most about the front loader is that you can not put clothes in after it has started. I am always finding a piece or two after it has started...grr.

Plus if it goes unbalance you can't just open it and move the clothes around I have to listen to it balance itself and that it is a lot of thumping and shaking of the machine.

 

[ticktock]

I love my front loader. I've never had standing water in mine. It does get musty if you don't leave the door cracked because it seals, unlike a top loader, so what little water is left in it (especially around the gasket) gets funky from not being able to air out. If a top loader's lid sealed instead of just laying down it would get musty too.

This weekend it was making a terrible noise and I thought after 6 years it would need to see a repairman. I figured out later that one of the underwires from a bra had got inside the drum . Luckily I didn't find that out until the washer had somehow managed to rid its self of the offending wire and stop making the noise or else I would have called someone or had DH trying to tear it apart and voiding whatever warranty it has left. So, it is a self maintaining machine. You can't beat that in this day of dishwashers that are designed to last 2 years (if you need a dishwasher bit the bullet a get a Bosch I learned that after 3 dishwashers in 7 years).

You don't need to use the special liquid Tide for front loaders. Just use a FOURTH or less of regular Tide. I LOVE my front loader!!! BTW it's just a cheapy Kenmore I got at Sear's scratch and dent store .

I do drop things on the floor, but I did that with the old washer. If the floor isn't filthy I don't think the clothes need to be rewashed? Just pick them up and toss them in.

 

[denisekayt]

I don't own a front loader, but my Mom does and we use hers whenever we go home for an extended visit. I have to say that after using hers over the years I would never own one myself. I just don't like how it loads, I find that it seems like it's "full" of clothes before it really is full and I end up doing more loads of laundry then I would if I had a top loader where you can really "see" when it's full.

Not sure how to explain it, but loading from the side really screws up my sense of how much clothing the thing will take. It may use less water, but if I'm doing more loads it kind of defeats the purpose.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

What I hate most about the front loader is that you can not put clothes in after it has started. I am always finding a piece or two after it has started...grr.

.

You can pause mine and add clothes during the whole wash cycle.

I love my front loader. I'll never get a top loader again.

 

["Got Disney"]

I have used both a front loader and a top loader.....and I agree with PP. The front loader has a tendency to smell like stagnant water......though this does not affect the smell of the clothing thank god!

But the other thing I don't like is if your trying to grab a lot out of the washer to transfer it into the dryer you end up dropping stuff onto the floor. Though that could just be because I'm clumsy?

In truth though for our next purchase Im going with a top loader!

As for the odor if you dont leave the door open after washing than you will have trouble with that. You are NOT suppose to close the door.

Oh another issue with them is you have to use the liquid soap with them, and they recomend special soap just for them. So if you are cheap and want to use powdered soap it doesn't work as well.

You can use FE poweder soap that is also for front loaders...they do make them. The liquid is just easier and like liguid better anyway even when had reg. washer. The reason for the FE detergent is that it will not make a lot of suds. No difference in price.

What I hate most about the front loader is that you can not put clothes in after it has started. I am always finding a piece or two after it has started...grr.

Plus if it goes unbalance you can't just open it and move the clothes around I have to listen to it balance itself and that it is a lot of thumping and shaking of the machine.

As for stopping mine you can and can do it even in a full cycle of washing. Also to balance it out all you do is make sure that the rubber things on the corners are balanced...like all washers.

I have the Red GE TROMM Steam/ washer 4.0 and the matching Dryer Ultra capacity #WM2487HRM...I also got the bottom things/pull outs they sit on so I dont have to bend down. This set was worth every penny. It is a big capacity so can fill over 2 loads in it to my one from my regular washer from before. The dryer will take 3 full loads...WOW...talk about saving me time energy and water. And love how my clothes come out so much cleaner. Also not a problem throwing in a couple of huge quilts or like 3-4 blankets at a time.

Cant say anything I dont like about this set...and know that this is not what you were asking but added this info because not all front loaders are created equal....

I also get no moldy smell at all and anyway this washer has a tub clean if I were to need it. But it is always left open when not in use.

Maybe you should also have a thread on who has one and model and why they love there's.....also year they purchased. I got mine last year....maybe the older ones have caused more people problems than the newer ones.

Good luck...and i will from now on purchase only a front loader

 

[Piecey]

We love ours, too...

I dropped stuff on the floor at first but anymore I just stick a basket there and pull everything out and then dump the basket in the dryer.

I never re-washed stuff that fell on the floor, though? Maybe because we just re-did the laundry room with all-new tile and the only person that ever goes down there is ME. It's not that bad.

 

[DVC Sadie]

You can pause mine and add clothes during the whole wash cycle.

I love my front loader. I'll never get a top loader again.

Psst, I love mine, too and never plan on going back to a top loader.

I have never seen my whites so white (without using bleach). I cringe to think that the clothes I had on prior to my front loader were not nearly as clean as I once thought.

 

[2BigKIdz]

We love ours, too...

I dropped stuff on the floor at first but anymore I just stick a basket there and pull everything out and then dump the basket in the dryer.

I never re-washed stuff that fell on the floor, though? Maybe because we just re-did the laundry room with all-new tile and the only person that ever goes down there is ME. It's not that bad.

Mine is right next to the kitty box, and I'm a germ freak so if it hits the floor it goes back in the wash.

I try to use laundry baskets and that is a help but my husband is always stealing them for something and I don't always have one handy.

 

[magicgirl]

Front loading washing machines are the norm here in the UK. A big topic of conversation when we stay in villas on holiday in Florida is how fantastic the top loader washing machines are. Most of us would gladly change to a top loader but they are so expensive over here. I hate my front loader becouse;-

The door is awkward to open.
The machine does not spin out the clothes as well.
Getting clothes in and out if you have a bad back is a nightmare.
The fluff trap is located right at the bottom and is difficult to open.
The whole design with the drum sitting on the bearing at the side rather than the bottom makes them wear out more quickly
You can not rearrange the load or add to it once it has started.

In fact I can not think of one reasonwhy I keep my front loader except that it costs so much for a top loader.

 

[jam217]

I love my front loader, too! On mine, I can stop the cycle and add more clothes. I use Tide HE powdered. A big box lasts a looong time. And I've just gotten into the habit of leaving the door open so I don't have the stinky smell. I'd never go back to a top loader again.

 

[clgwli]

My LG comes with a little tube where you can drain to avoid the stagnant water smell. A little more work but nice feature.

I can also add clothes to mine any time during the wash cycle.

It spins out the water far better than any top loader I have ever seen or used.

Way more water efficient as it cut our water bill down by about 30%

I can wash about 2 loads of a top loader in my washer in one load.

Easier to get the clothes in and out of since I am short and ours are on a pedestal.

Those are my good about it. I had used a top loader all my life until we bought this one this year.

The negatives are longer washing times.

I feel like I can't just do a small load without wasting more since you don't pick the water levels like my old one did.

Much bigger machines so that I have to space them apart to get to my circuit breaker. Means harder putting clothes from wash into dryer.

Extremely costly to buy

Very loud washer during spin cycle

I know the OP wanted bad only but I thought I would give the good and the bad. Given my bad I would still take the washer since the good far outweighs the bad. I have seen some awful reviews on some front loaders though so not all are equal.

 

[MrsPete]

People with a stagnant smell: Are you running your cleaning cycle with one cup of Clorox? Mine has a special cycle just for this, and the manual says it should be done once a month.

I've never used anything except powdered detergent in mine. I buy it in HUGE buckets at Sears for $20. For my family of four, I use a bucket in just over six months.