Help, Washing machine died!!!

[62tall]

I just got back from Florida and started doing laundry and the machine won't spin. UGH!! It will cost $160 to fix, and it's 10 years old.
Would you buy the front loader or does any one have any recommendations?

 

[Muushka]

Yes, I would buy a new one. And no, I would not buy a front loader. I know that the world is in love with these things, but I did research prior to buying my last machine and found a top loader that is very energy efficient, uses much less water than conventional top loaders (and probably about the same as front loaders) and spins at 1000 RMP to make the clothes much more dry when they come out (about the same as the front loader). Lowes sells the Fisher Paykel for $599 and you don't have to buy a pedestal for it! Sorry front loader people.

 

[bnorm27]

I would highly recommend any HE washing machine (front or top load). The cost savings in terms of water usage, detergent usage, and energy to dry clothes makes it worthwhile.

We personally have an LG Steamwasher, and we absolutely LOVE it. The clothes come out clean, bright, and nearly dry! They can be a little pricey, but if your budget allows, I would recommend the LG.

 

[Chuck-PA]

Ours just died this past week. I researched in Consumer Reports.
They recommend Whirlpool, Kenmore and GE.
We also went on the Sears site and looked up the reviews of the washers by purchasers. Most complained about the noise. We did not find any loud noises just the normal cylce noise.

We purchsed a Kenmore 600 Super Capicity at Sears. My wife likes it.
It is a top loader.
Sears is also offering 15% off sale price, 12 months no interest no payment on their card and rebate for hauling and delivery and take away of the old machine. This also swayed us toward Sears purchase.


Good luck in your search.

 

[MiNNiE2185]

I have a Whirlpool Cabrio washer and dryer and I love them!! It is a HE top loader and was well worth every dime I spent on it!! Good Luck!

 

[jakoky]

hi there, i had to buy a new washer/drier two weeks ago...after much researching and asking around, we went with the LG tromm front loader large size...i can actually tell you i enjoy doing laundry now my clothes just smell sooooo good, the total washer/drier time is almost 1/2 of my old washer and drier...i am just waiting to see if my water bill and my hydro bill down I will say i was nervous going with a front loader, but having it now, i wouldnt go back...
sharon

 

[Twende]

I would not get a front loader. Too many problems in the near future.

Look at Fisher Paykel brand products. They are superior to other brands for so many reasons! We bought one a few years back and I love it! If you really start reading consumer feedbacks on these you will find them highly recommended.

Here is a link to some information on them: http://www.fisherpaykel.com/laundry/?productUid=8B1AE4E4-0200-81E3-A71D2BBC9E99165F

 

[dodukes]

we had the same problem and just got ours fixed for $120, its a good machine and all it was was some mechanical fuse thing. Why waste getting a new machine if you have a solid one.

 

[heartsy77]

I love my Kenmore HE2 front loader, yeah it was not cheap just under 900.00 but I have saved it in laundry soap, electric, and water!

 

[Chicago526]

DH and I had to replace our machine. We almost bought a $450 front loader, but with money tight DH looked on ebay and found a used top loader in our area. $75 with all the bells and whistles. It was only a few years old but the owner said they hardly used it (given the condition of the machine, I believe he was honest). It works great and we save almost $400!!! DH just had to drive about an hour to pick it up.

 

[Crazy4Disney43611]

Well if anyone would like any info on how to FIX their machines let me know...thats what I do and I can probably walk you through with detailed instructions in a pm or over the phone.

As far as what to buy front loader/top loader. It doesn't matter what you buy, they are all made poorly as the manufacturers don't want the new ones to last. Longer lasting appliances = less sales. Everything today is manufactured with plastic and nylon (cheaper to make, lighter to ship and will break sooner).

My only tip is to be realistic with yourself and what you cycles you use. If you are like me and always use cold water and the normal setting, you can save a ton of money by buying a basic machine (which actually has the same parts inside of it as the expensive one...just not all the fancy bells and whistles on the outside). Also if you do purchase a higher end model ask to see if it contains a circuit board (most do). If it does plug it into a surge protector, the circuit boards in these are si,ilar to that in your computer and you all have those plugged into a surge protector. So save yourself some headaches and spend $5 on a surge protector.

Hopefully this helps someone!
Sean

 

[It's A Small World]

Yes, yes, yes buy a front loader. You pay more to purchase it but, man, the savings in your electric bill is amazing. It spins the clothes out so they're damp. So, it doesn't take much time to dry at all. I bought a Bosch about 2 years ago. I love it!

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

I would also NOT do the front loader. Every friend of ours that has one (doesn't matter the brand) has had nothing but problems with them. I have a basic top loader (only like 4 years old--I think it's a Kenmore, but could be wrong here) and we love it and have had ZERO problems with it.

 

[Nicolepa]

Look at Fisher Paykel brand products. They are superior to other brands for so many reasons! We bought one a few years back and I love it! If you really start reading consumer feedbacks on these you will find them highly recommended.

Here is a link to some information on them: http://www.fisherpaykel.com/laundry/?productUid=8B1AE4E4-0200-81E3-A71D2BBC9E99165F

I looked at the FP washers last year. The conclusion I came up with is when they work they are great, but if they need repair you are SOL. There are very few who work on the FP and the parts are a nightmare to get. People were waiting months for parts to fix theirm machines.

Things may have changed in the last year but that is something I would definitly check on.

 

[RayJay]

I just got back from Florida and started doing laundry and the machine won't spin. UGH!! It will cost $160 to fix, and it's 10 years old.
Would you buy the front loader or does any one have any recommendations?

Whirlpool, Whirlpool, Whirlpool,
both of mine are on year 20, still going strong.

RayJay

 

[shelly3girls]

We have a front loader and I cannot wait to get rid of it. I am looking into the HE top loader. I will say the front loader saves a great deal on water but the cycles are long and the machine sounds like a train is going through the house. We had it professionaly balanced and it did not improve. We also have it on a pedestal which was expensive. I also do not think my clothes get as clean. We have the Kenmore HE4 (or something like that, not positive). The one real problem we have is mold on the outer seal. We always leave the door open but sometimes one of the kids shuts it. This results in a horrible mold smell that takes a while to go away. I wipe the ring down with bleach but it doesn't help.

My other issue may be more machine specific but I am not happy with the time delay start. I usually through in a load and program it to start the next morning (our laundry is next to DS bedroom so I can't wash at night). The machine is only 2.5 years old and the detergent now leaks into the machine while on delay and damages the clothes.