Does anyone NOT love their front loading washer?

[jackemail]

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.

We have the Tromm front loader--never again. The smell has been terrible, and it does transfer to the clothes. Have done every single thing recommended, have contacted the manufacturer, dry the machine out by hand after use, leave the door open, use special detergents, used "affresh" and "stinky wash" periodically recommended by manufacturer to rid the smell, etc., etc., etc. Smell leaves for a short while, then returns.

Saw a consumer report that this is a huge problem with front loaders, especially Maytags.

 

[TheZue]

[QUOTE="Got Disney";29370095]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.[/QUOTE]

I agree cause every plus you said didn't apply to the one we had It actually said in the manual don't use powdered, you couldn't open it after it started because the door locked until the end of the cycle, leaving the door open did nothing for the standing water because there was about an inch of it in the basin and we are on the west coast where that just won't dry out on it's own. You really really need to do your research on these things.

 

[cepmom]

jumping on the hear what others think about front loaders. We are looking for a new washer to replace our 13 year old Kenmore top loader. Our water bill here is pretty high (thanks MWRA) so the fact that it uses less water is appealing to me.

I did look at some at Best Buy and Sears the other day but I really have no idea what brands are good. The cheapest one I saw was a Kenmore for around $600ish vs $300ish for a top loader. I need to do some research but it's nice to hear reviews from actual users too.

 

[Jeafl]

I have the top loader that acts like a front loader. I can't remember the exact name of it, but it is wonderful! It's by GE I think.

My mom and sister both have the front loaders and both are not happy. I am not sure of what brands they have though.

 

[Mom2Nick]

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.

Mine can use powdered soap and I also have no issues with standing water and smells.

I will never go to a top loader again.

 

[harleyquinn]

My dad is a repair man for Sears/Maytag and he says that I shouldn't get a front loader. He says that they need far more repairs and the repairs themselves are much more $$$. His preferred type are the top loaders without the agitator in the middle. They can handle really large loads, but don't have as many repairs.

He also says to get the model with the least amount of digital and high tech displays, because they go way faster than traditional displays/controls are are hugely expensive to repair.

He really thinks old school low tech machines (the cheapest out there) get you the most for the money, as they are considerably less likely to need repairs.

They just don't make them like they used to....AHHHH turning into dad...must stop typing!

 

[Wishing on a star]

If you get the right front loader, you will love love love it!!

If you get the wrong front loader, you may hate hate hate it...

I have a Whirlpool Duet Sport (the smaller Duet) and I HATE it.

Every day I curse the fact that I got these instead of the Bosch that I was originally wanting to buy.

Here are some tips...

Get one with a FULL drum in the dryer... NOT just the sides that rotate and the back and front panels stay stationary... the constant friction between the stationary parts and the fabrics has already worn away most of the finish on these areas, and soon they will become rough and start to destroy my clothing.

Do NOT get one that makes big claims about how little water they use... Do NOT fall for the gimmicks... A washer that does not use enough water will not adequately wash and rinse the fabrics, leaving constant residue that will, again, ruin your clothing... I have to run mine thru a SECOND extra rinse because of this.. It takes two hours to do a single load of laundry...

Again, if you get the right front loader, you will LOVE it!!!

If you don't, you may hate it.

 

[Piecey]

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.

Ohhhh... okay! I would definitely do it, too, then!

Our kitty is banned from the basement (there were mice at one point and we used poison and I'm afraid that she'll find a mouse we missed and get sick from it.. so she's not allowed!) I'm really the only one down there, ever.

 

[KandD]

I am so glad I found this thread! I thought I was the ONLY one that had problems with the front loader!! I ALWAYS drop the clothes on the floor transferring from the washer to the dryer and sometimes when I am loading the washer the clothes will start to fall out.
But I didn't realize the smell was from stagnant water (I knew it smelled like yucky water but couldn't figure it out!!) I have only noticed the smell a couple of times lately (I have had the washer since July)...but I haven't noticed any water on the bottom of the washer. Hmmm...I will have to pay closer attention now that I know what is going on!

 

[WDWBarb]

I just recently purchased my first front load washer/dryer set. I can't imagine going back to a top-loader! I think they are wonderful. My clothes get cleaner, they use MUCH less water, and mine are quieter than my old set.

I bought a frigidaire set, not very expensive and it's been great. It even has a quick-wash cycle.

I haven't experienced that musty smell yet but we do leave the door open on the washer...

 

[mhsjax]

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.

Just curious cause maybe I am stupid, but how can you pause it and add clothes, the water is still in there and will come out when you open it, I know cause I have done it and it was just after it started filling. Can't figure out how your water stays in the machine. Oh and to the OP. I HATE HATE HATE my front loader and will never have another one, unless it is the only option. I have a top of the line Kenmore and I love my Kenmore stuff but not these. My shirts are getting holes in them and my clohtes have never been more wrinkled.

 

[ticktock]

Just curious cause maybe I am stupid, but how can you pause it and add clothes, the water is still in there and will come out when you open it, I know cause I have done it and it was just after it started filling. Can't figure out how your water stays in the machine. Oh and to the OP. I HATE HATE HATE my front loader and will never have another one, unless it is the only option. I have a top of the line Kenmore and I love my Kenmore stuff but not these. My shirts are getting holes in them and my clohtes have never been more wrinkled.

Push in the knob (or however you stop the cycle) and wait a few seconds for the water to stop. A little water may dribble down the front of the washer but just use whatever your throwing in to catch it or wipe it as you put it in. No big deal.

That's strange about the holes, are there rough spots in your drum? I don't have wrinkles unless I leave the clothes sit for a while after they're done. Or if I cram too many clothes in.

 

[NAB]

I can not open the door to add clothes because it locks. It gives you maybe a minute when it unlocks and then locks again at the beginning of a cycle.

Not enough time to throw anything in if I happen to find it maybe in my hand as a close the door. Usually I find something more after I went up stairs.

Also hate the clothes falling out too while loading them in while trying to put more in. It is a juggling act.

 

["Got Disney"]

Just curious cause maybe I am stupid, but how can you pause it and add clothes, the water is still in there and will come out when you open it, I know cause I have done it and it was just after it started filling. Can't figure out how your water stays in the machine. Oh and to the OP. I HATE HATE HATE my front loader and will never have another one, unless it is the only option. I have a top of the line Kenmore and I love my Kenmore stuff but not these. My shirts are getting holes in them and my clothes have never been more wrinkled.

The model i have all you do is push the pause button while it is washing and in a few seconds it pauses and unlocks the washer and no water has ever come out of mine....not even a drip. Than after adding what I needed I just press the start button again and it locks and continues.

When I bought mine I made sure I did lots of research and went to cnet and a bunch of other review sites and the one I bough was rated #2 so that is what I bought.

It has a steam cycle just to get wrinkles out, it has a speed wash that will wash in 30 minutes or even 20 if ya want it to. It has cylcles for so many different things..I just love it and it was worth every penny extra spent for it.

It has a huge drum...4.0 capacity...and so does the Dryer...Ultra capacity. They are the largest of the drums. It has like 6 different speeds for spinning the clothes come out so dry that it takes only 15-20 minutes to dry a huge load....the dryer also has so many drying settings that I have not even used them all yet...

I would say get the model I have ...it Rocks...I posted it on the 1st page. It is a high end model and when getting a front loader all my research said to be sure that when buying that that is what you get...so I did.

Here are some reveiws...I have the red one. The price has come down since I bought.....

http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_232822_lg_wm2487hrm_reviews

Dryer, there are about 9 reviews for this on this page........http://www.viewpoints.com/LG-Dryer-Tromm-Dryer-DLE7177WM-review-83c10

You are looking at at least $2400-$2600 for the set...without the additional stands that pull out that they sit on. I got them also so I would not have to bend down so much and use for extra storage. You can also pull your wet clothes down into them and dry from there. Home Depot has sales on them. See if they still carry this model.

 

[Wishing on a star]

The Kenmore (as mentioned above with the damaged/wrinkled fabrics ) is right off the Whirlpool manufacturer line. I mentioned the problems with the dryer drum in my post about my Whirlpool Duet Sport above.

The Whirlpools, however, do not seem to have the problem with the nasty musty smell... If I leave the door to my washer cracked... no problem. However, I still HATE it for all the above design flaws mentioned.

I would do research on the sound levels during the spin.
This is one thing that Whirlpool engineered right... very quiet...
However, when the cheap water pump that they used comes on to pump the water out before/during each spin.. the water pump is the loudest, awfulest, sound... Again, something little that should be better.. But, major design flaw.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I personally do not have a problem with needing to go back to adding a garment...
It is easy enough to collect and sort laundry prior to hitting the start button.

In fact, this is one other design flaw in my Whirlpool....
The 'add a garment' time frame is very long...
Well, this means that during this time, the water level is non-existant so that water will not spill out if you do open the door.... I am talking nothing but wet/damp clothing flopping around... this is NOT washing and cleaning the fabrics! It is a complete waste of the already unacceptably long washing time.

I would rather the thing fill up with enough water... and either skip the add-a-garment thing... or either, if you do hit the pause button, it would drain out the excess water, unlock the door, and then refill when you hit Start again.

 

[TinkerbEllnor]

Just got our first front loader a few months ago. It's ok, not fabulous, but ok

Pros-
Can install a counter on top of the set. Our laundry area is just off the kitchen so the added counter space is a plus.
Can fit more clothes in a load than our old top loader

Neutral-
not seeing a big difference in cleaning results, both worked just fine.

Cons-
Can't do 'partial' loads like a top loader can, it's all or nothing, which means the laundry pile is rarely *completely* gone- there always seems to be a partial load left over.
I have 2 small kids, which means they can and do push the buttons they can now reach, and we have to keep the door closed so they don't climb inside, which doesn't help the stagnant issue.
We don't have ours mounted on a pedestal so they would be counter height (see above) so the doors are too low to clear a laundry basket. Not a big deal, but mildly irritating to put a basket down to take clothes out, then not be able to open the door because the basket is in the way.
HE detergent is more expensive

Yet to be determined-
Life span. A lot of the reviews we read before buying indicated that a lot of models tend to poop out around 6 yrs of use. That is creeping into 'disposable appliance' territory, imo- I expect my appliances to last at least 10 yrs.