HE washers and dryers

[surfergirl602]

I know this has been talked about before but my search doesn't work, so I guess I'll ask again.

We are buying a new washer and dryer. With three girls, three dogs, cats, the army, and myself and possibly a baby in the near future, we need to upgrade.

I am looking for a large capacity front loading washer and dryer set that is energy efficient that works well!

There are soooooo many different brands and kinds out there that I don't even know where to start. I've heard that some smell, don't wash as well, etc. so can anyone recommend a great set for us?

Thank you so much!!!

 

[Disneylush]

We bought the sears kenmore top loading HE washers and dryer and love it. The top laoding means there is no agitator, it runs on magnets, and I never have to worry about my kids pulling up the front side or the gasket leaking plus they are MUCH cheaper and do the same things.

 

[AZMermaid]

We are looking too and consumer reports said that there is a problem with mold forming over time on front loaders and so far, there hasn't been a great solution to that. So, we are looking at top loaders. We like the Maytag Bravos and Whirlpool Cabrio so far.

 

[TheRatPack]

We also went with a top load HE, the Cabrio. We LOVE it. It washes 3 regular size loads at one time....so nice. Plus it doesn't stink, has a cleaning cycle and the gaskets don't mold like a lot of the front loaders do. I like having the top loader too because sometimes after it starts adding water I find one other dirty sock or towel and want to hurry and throw it in there. I just press the stop button and add it and it's not a problem, I couldn't do that with a front loader.

The Cabrio dryer is a steam dryer....we don't have it yet, the washer needed replaced so we found a good deal on the Cabrio at Lowes and went with it. We'll go with the matching dryer when our dryer dies.

It has really saved us on water and washing liquid too, because it does larger loads with less soap and water....it's GREAT!

 

[Kimmumum]

I have a Cabrio too and LOVE it!!!!!

 

[SKWDW]

We are looking too and consumer reports said that there is a problem with mold forming over time on front loaders and so far, there hasn't been a great solution to that...

Mold seems to be an issue for ALL front loaders. It's nasty!

We $pent a fortune on Maytag Neptune w & d. It washes well and saves on water, detergent & energy, but that mold SUCKS! Every week we run a bleach cycle through to prevent any mold. That probably ends up negating our water & energy savings though since we run it on Hot/Hot. (BTW, we're in AZ, so the mold is not coming from relative humidity!)

I'd recommend a large capacity top loader. We've looked at the Calypso, which I believe is "agitator-less". Oh well, nothing new for us now. These are just 8-1/2 yrs old.

 

[Familycircus]

We have had our Kenmore HE3t front loader for 7 trouble free years. Love it!
We also experienced the smell. We tried leaving the door open and that helped a little. We started making our own detergent and using vinegar instead of fabric softener since April and VIOLA! no more smells.

I like having the top loader too because sometimes after it starts adding water I find one other dirty sock or towel and want to hurry and throw it in there. I just press the stop button and add it and it's not a problem, I couldn't do that with a front loader.

Our front loader has an "add garment" button that will pause the machine for that extra sock you find.

 

[muscarello4]

We bought a pair up in IL. Used them for 4 years then left them with the house. Never had a problem with mold because I left the door to the washer open when not in use. (It's not rocket science. A damp, dark environment can and WILL breed mold.)

We bought a new house down in Texas....can you say HUMID??? Maytag Neptunes came with the house. The washer had a SERIOUS mold problem. Yuck. Again, I ran some white towels through with bleach and left the door open when not in use. Miraculously all the mold is gone now.

I LOVE my Neptunes. They have a great capacity and have held up well. With 4 kiddos, mine are running atleast every other day.

 

[idofabric]

I had Fridgeadair(sp) front loader washer and the dryer, stacked. When DS got into a house 100 miles up the road I "gave" them to the house and got new ones. We had it for 5 years and it only stank when someone forgot to take the wet clothes out.. no mold and we live in S.Carolina. Everything that can mold, will mold!
We ended up with Samsung with VRT, vibration reduction tech. I LOVE this machine. It never stinks. I do wipe the seals down about once a month, when I remember to.... It does take forever to do a load of laundry, if I push all the extras... But I can fit sheets from our queen bed, 2 twins, and a king in the washer in one load. Or up to 9 pairs of adult jeans and 4-6 old beach towels in one load...

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

I bought the Amana HE front loaders in March. LOVE them!

We went to the store to buy the GE HE top loaders, they weren't coming in for a few weeks so we looked at the Amana's. The answered all my issues: Mold, Doors opening, is it okay to put on first floor (some articles say to only put them in the basement)

I have no smell, I wash clothes frequently and if I will be going away I take a towel and dry out the gasket. The front door locks as soon as it has enough water in it to leak if the door is open - so that answered my issues with kids opening the door.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I have the high-capacity Kenmore front loader and I would never go back to a regular washer. Like others have posted, they can be mildewy if you a) always leave the door shut between washes and b) you fail to clean beneath the gasket (aha, so THAT'S where those single, random socks go!) - vinegar is also a good rinse agent.

I particularly like how dry things are when the wash cycle is done. It means less time in the dryer. Also, you use so much less detergent and fabic softener. Well worth the investment!

 

[jmminarik]

Mold seems to be an issue for ALL front loaders. It's nasty!

Don't tell my 10 year old front loader....it will feel left out not getting moldy and all.

 

[bumbershoot]

My brother has a top loading HE washer and we have a front loading HE washer. I'd go with the top loader b/c I could leave the door open and not bang my knees into it when I walk into the laundry room.

I really dislike the front loader....but it came with the rental condo!

 

[dex08]

I have Whirlpool front loaders and have never had a problem with mold or anything. I've had them for 3 years and I always use HE detergents and leave the washer door cracked open after use so that moisture can evaporate.

 

[mtquinn]

We also went with a top load HE, the Cabrio. We LOVE it. It washes 3 regular size loads at one time....so nice. Plus it doesn't stink, has a cleaning cycle and the gaskets don't mold like a lot of the front loaders do. I like having the top loader too because sometimes after it starts adding water I find one other dirty sock or towel and want to hurry and throw it in there. I just press the stop button and add it and it's not a problem, I couldn't do that with a front loader.

The Cabrio dryer is a steam dryer....we don't have it yet, the washer needed replaced so we found a good deal on the Cabrio at Lowes and went with it. We'll go with the matching dryer when our dryer dies.

It has really saved us on water and washing liquid too, because it does larger loads with less soap and water....it's GREAT!

Wanted to say that we have LG front loaders, and we can (and often do) stop the wash cycle to add something we forgot with no problem at all. It uses a lot less water, and it all drops to the bottom of the load so there is never a leak. So, yes, you can stop the wash and open it with no leak.

We always leave the door open to let it dry, so there is no smell or mold at all. In our old house we had top loaders and never thought to leave the lid off. Well, they got moldy over time. With any washer you MUST leave the door ajar for at least five minutes to dry afterwards.

I have read that you have to put LG washers on a cement floor, and I suppose that is true...but we have ours on a standard floor on the main level of the house and run it on medium spin. No excessive shaking of the floor, AND the clothes are spun well. IMO, the high speed spin is overkill. Too loud and way too fast. We never use it.

Hope that helps!

 

[java]

First you can stop a front loader the same as a top loader(as long as it's not full of water!)

And we have not had a mold issue but I leave the door to the washer OPEN.
We have the Bosche front loader- washer and dryer. (bought when they were doing a great promo and rebate) and I love them. I washed comforter after comforter after comforter. I was in heaven.

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

We have an Whirlpool HE front loader washer and I will NEVER buy a front loader again. Finally, my clothes are clean after switching to powder detergent! I will buy a top loader that does not have a water sensor as I believe you need plenty of water to get the clothes clean. Hopefully, we will be able to find one! My son and his wife have a Bosch front loader and feel the same way.

 

[Disneyjamie]

We leave the door open to our front-loading washing machine, and once we are done washing for the day, I take a paper towel and dry out the rubber areas inside the machine that collects water. We have not had any problems with mold doing that. I only wash once a week, so using that one paper towel for it is not so bad.

 

[3mickeymom]

There is a small drain and a lint filter on the bottom of the LG Front Loader washer. It is to empty the water that accumulates and gets smelly on the machine. I do it about once a week. I also leave the door open.

 

[R we on the ship yet]

We've had our LG front loaders for about 2.5 years and I would never go back to top loaders! The dryer is super fast when drying the load and will adjust the time with the humidity sensor (the default time on mine is 41 minutes) - I've had loads dry in 30-35 minutes, and sometimes it does take a little longer than 41, but I have never taken a damp piece out of it.

My wonderful DH also made me a nice "shelf" for folding laundry - he had this pre-manufactured counter material custom cut at Lowes and istalled it on top of the washer/dryer. It is a great space saver and also holds all my laundry supplies.