Is the money saved worth the aggrevation of a high effeciency washer?

[Lewisc]

The HE models generally have a very high speed spin. That extracts more water saving you money when you dry your clothing.

PP got the other points, many HE models let you add clothing the first 5-10 minutes read your directions. Many current detergents are HE and can be used with either a top loader or a front loader.

Many models give you the option for a soak cycle or extra rinse.

The wording of your thread top is going to motivate people who have issues with their front loaders to post.

I think some people aren't using a HE detergent and/or aren't measuring.

 

[likescarrots]

my front loading HE washer has a pause button and you can open the door if you've dropped something or forgotten something. I assumed they all had that.

i use tide so the HE detergent is not a problem for me. I use approximately 2tbsp per wash (you don't need a lot). I throw in 1/4 cup of baking soda and use vinegar for the softener, and our machine does not have the smell everyone always mentions. We've had it almost 4 years now.

 

[Southernmiss]

The HE models generally have a very high speed spin. That extracts more water saving you money when you dry your clothing.

PP got the other points, many HE models let you add clothing the first 5-10 minutes read your directions. Many current detergents are HE and can be used with either a top loader or a front loader.

Many models give you the option for a soak cycle or extra rinse.

The wording of your thread top is going to motivate people who have issues with their front loaders to post.

I think some people aren't using a HE detergent and/or aren't measuring.

I agree with this post, especially the bolded.

I have had an HE washer and dryer for 9 years and have had no issues. We are a family of 6. I found that our power and water bills went down when we first began to use them.

Using the fast spin speed for the wash, the clothes take about an hour to wash and an hour to dry. I don't think that's too bad.

The only thing I'd do differently is to buy the largest tub I could buy.

 

[threecrazykids]

Put me in the camp that HATES their he washer. I have a top loader (because I didn't want to battle the mildew problem of the front loaders) and it is terrible. It is only 18 months old and I have tried every cycle and detergent to get my clothes clean. We are moving shortly and it isn't coming with us. I rewash clothing constantly, use more stain spray than ever, and the cycles are so long because I always have to wash on heavy duty. And some how every few loads I will pull out me or two items that are completely dry. I do not overload this washer. I will buy a new one with an agitator or just buy a used one.

This was ANOTHER reason I hated our HE washer. I did a "test" to show my husband that the HE didn't clean the clothes - I loaded the washer normally but also threw in a pair of jeans and a shirt that were folded as I would if I were to put them away - when the load was complete the outside of both the shirt and jeans were both damp but the inside once opened was completely dry. Both came out FOLDED as well!

That isn't cleaning to me...it's just getting it wet and rolling it around.

 

[pampam]

OP here.
The reason I phrased it that way, is because when talking to people, it was mostly the complaints about the locking lid that I heard. I make my own detergent so I really didn't want to start buying the new kind. Also, I'd really like to cut down on my energy consumption. I only use cold water to wash. I line dry everything, just putting a few things in the dryer to tumble them and release wrinkles. I doubt it if I'd use my dryer for an hour a week, and even then, it is at night or on weekends when the hydro costs less. So, now that I'm shopping for a new washer, of course energy star washers were important to me. But then with all the complaints about them, is it really worth the aggrevation? I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers . But I didn't see the need to post these details in the original post. Sorry.

 

[safetymom]

Love, love, love my HE washer and dryer. I can pause it, the lids unlocks and I can toss in what I forgot. Using the same detergent I used before because it is HE also. Saved on the electric bill and the clothes are clean.

 

[havaneselover]

I absolutely love mine. I have silver LG steam he washer/dryer on pedestals (they are almost 4 years old).

It is large enough to wash down comforters.

Wash cycles are long but I have a speed wash which runs in 20 minutes or so which I use for small loads. Also, clothes come out of the washer so well spun that drying time is minimal.

Water is cheap where I live so the savings are pretty small in my case. But clothes/towels/sheets are so clean.

In addition, I can wash cashmere/wool and it saves me $8/sweater at the dry cleaner and is better for the sweaters. You can hand wash these too, but it's not worth the effort to me.

Love the pause feature.

I buy my detergent at Costco (Kirkland fragrance free HE).

Mine also has an allergaine (sp?) cycle which I use to wash my son's sheets because he has eczema.

 

[knitster]

I had an HE washer for exactly 2 days before taking it back and getting a normal washer (which was not easy to find!)

I'm a cloth diaperer, so it's very important for me to be able to control my wash cycles and it's extremely important that my washer really, *really* get the diapers clean. The HE machine failed on both of those tasks. You can't let your clothes soak and you can't add things in at different points in the cycle (I need to be able to add vinegar in the rinse cycle and do a second rinse, etc). And it absolutely did not get the diapers clean. They came out smelling awful, no matter how many times I rewashed them.

Whenever my current, normal, washer kicks the bucket, I will continue to hunt down normal washers - either new or used.

 

[Lewisc]

OP here.
The reason I phrased it that way, is because when talking to people, it was mostly the complaints about the locking lid that I heard. I make my own detergent so I really didn't want to start buying the new kind. Also, I'd really like to cut down on my energy consumption. I only use cold water to wash. I line dry everything, just putting a few things in the dryer to tumble them and release wrinkles. I doubt it if I'd use my dryer for an hour a week, and even then, it is at night or on weekends when the hydro costs less. So, now that I'm shopping for a new washer, of course energy star washers were important to me. But then with all the complaints about them, is it really worth the aggrevation? I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers . But I didn't see the need to post these details in the original post. Sorry.

But there aren't a lot of complaints about them. Everyone I know who has one is happy. Reviews indicate front loaders generally clean as well, or better, then front loaders. Top loaders generally have an agitator which can be hard on clothing. One poster said clothing comes out

a twisted, wrinkly mess

. Another poster put folded clothing in the washer and it came out folded. Which is it?

A better question is if you'll save enough to justify the higher cost. Probably not. Your clothes will line dry faster since there will be less water. You'll probably have to stop making your own detergent. I doubt your home made detergent will clean effectively. Do you have a cesspool? The reduced water use might make a difference.

The way you worded your thread is going to motivate people who don't like their washer to post. The fact is most people don't have issues and are happy with their machine. Use a HE detergent and measure. Sort your clothing. Use the right cycle. In other words read the directions. Your clothing will be as clean as it would be with a front loader.

You'll be happier with a top loader. Buy a front loader and you'll think you paid too much for the machine and will think you're wasting money paying for detergent. It's that simple.

 

[mrodgers]

My wife grew up having to stagger showers and her mom not able to do laundry until late afternoon and not being able to run two loads in a row until the well caught back up. The first thing we bought was a front load washer. Or well is really good, but it is a big relief on my wife when we saw it uses 2.5 gallons of water as opposed to the 27 gallons of water the washer that was in the house used.

 

[MAJPLO]

We have a traditional washer and dryer that belonged to my husbands grandparents and were built before 1984. I dread the day they go out and I have to look for something else. It is good to hear that at least when I do have to look there are made in America brands and ones people seem happy with. Still, I cringe when I think about the ones I have dying.

 

[mieuxmew]

I have owned a Whirlpool Duet front loader for 8+ years. I love it! Much larger capacity. Can do more clothes in less loads. Washing my king size blankets/comforter is no problem. Wash cycle does take a bit longer, but clothes are much less wet/damp so drying time is shorter.

I have never had a mildew smell and I always close my doors (don't want kids or pets in washer). Maybe it is brand dependent?
I never really let clothes sit in the washer for more than a few hours.

The machine broke twice. It gave me an error code which I was able to search for and purchase replacement parts on Amazon. Both repairs took me less than 10 minutes and parts were less than $50! (and I am hardly a mechanic)

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I don't like mine. It's a Kenmore. The clothes come out pretty dry, so it really has cut down on dryer time ... but I just don't think it cleans as well. If you are a tidy person and don't get actual dirt in your clothes or toothpaste on your towels ... maybe it would be great. Plus, I'm ticked because the darn thing broke after exactly 18 months - I just spent $105 repairing a washing machine that still seemed "brand new" to me.

Also, it's smelly inside. I knew this could be a problem ... so right from the get go, I kept the door open when not in use. Didn't help ... still smells dank. Tried the Tide HE machine cleaner ... that just gave me a heavily perfumed machine with a mildewy smell underneath.

 

[twinboysmom]

But there aren't a lot of complaints about them. Everyone I know who has one is happy. Reviews indicate front loaders generally clean as well, or better, then front loaders. Top loaders generally have an agitator which can be hard on clothing. One poster said clothing comes out . Another poster put folded clothing in the washer and it came out folded. Which is it?

A better question is if you'll save enough to justify the higher cost. Probably not. Your clothes will line dry faster since there will be less water. You'll probably have to stop making your own detergent. I doubt your home made detergent will clean effectively. Do you have a cesspool? The reduced water use might make a difference.

The way you worded your thread is going to motivate people who don't like their washer to post. The fact is most people don't have issues and are happy with
their machine. Use a HE detergent and measure. Sort your clothing. Use the right cycle. In other words read the directions. Your clothing will be as clean as it would be with a front loader.

You'll be happier with a top loader. Buy a front loader and you'll think you paid too much for the machine and will think you're wasting money paying for detergent. It's that simple.

So those of us who hate our HE machines aren't using it properly and are measuring our detergent incorrectly? Honestly, how condescending. Aside of my mother in law, I don't know anybody who likes their he machine. I sort my laundry, don't overload it, and I READ the instructions. Read them more than once. It still sucks. Yep, my clothes come out a wrinkled twisted mess. Yep, have had clothes come out completely dry, so I can very well see than a folded pair of jean would come out folded.

OP, if you like to line dry your clothes, an he washer may not be for you. You would most likely need one of the pricier models. My model is pretty basic, mid level price. My clothes come our wrinkly. Also, if I wash a load of queen size sheets, I can guarantee than I will have to spin it at least twice to get it dry enough to out in the washer. I had high hopes and like a fool, ignored the many bad reviews I saw on the Internet. Lessn learned and like I said previously, when I move this washer isn't coming along for the ride.

 

[mhsjax]

Hate my HE Washer. As mentioned, can't soak, clothes are a twisted, wrinkly mess and I have to second rinse all of my darks because it leaves a soapy residue. Ugh! I miss my old agitator!

I agree. I have never seen such a wrinkled mess. I have not noticed any savings, and I am so tired of wrinkled sloppy looking clothes. I would never recommend one of these pieces of crap. My DSIl was looking for a new washer, the sales person said that wrinkled clothes are a very common complaint. She did purchase a top loader HE machine and I works wonderfully. I use hers to do my laundry while visiting. It is so nice to not have wrinkles once a year. My clothes don't feel any cleaner. I have nothing good to say about these machines.

 

[mhsjax]

But there aren't a lot of complaints about them. Everyone I know who has one is happy. Reviews indicate front loaders generally clean as well, or better, then front loaders. Top loaders generally have an agitator which can be hard on clothing. One poster said clothing comes out . Another poster put folded clothing in the washer and it came out folded. Which is it?

A better question is if you'll save enough to justify the higher cost. Probably not. Your clothes will line dry faster since there will be less water. You'll probably have to stop making your own detergent. I doubt your home made detergent will clean effectively. Do you have a cesspool? The reduced water use might make a difference.

The way you worded your thread is going to motivate people who don't like their washer to post. The fact is most people don't have issues and are happy with their machine. Use a HE detergent and measure. Sort your clothing. Use the right cycle. In other words read the directions. Your clothing will be as clean as it would be with a front loader.

You'll be happier with a top loader. Buy a front loader and you'll think you paid too much for the machine and will think you're wasting money paying for detergent. It's that simple.

But there are a lot of complaints. Tons of them here on the Dis boards, and everyone I know hates theirs. Sure some people do like them, you will find that with anything. In my experience, and the people that I know in real life, no one is a fan. Sorry I haven't seen a marked savings in anything.

 

[rock_doctor]

I'm shopping for a new clothes washer, but the energy star washers all seem to have the locking lids and require HE detergent. What are your thoughts on the new clothes washers?

Shame i just hauled mine to the curb last month. I would have given it to you... Still worked just fine, just hated the think more then slamming my head in the car door forever... Seriously, spent over a grand on the thing, top of the line HE Kenmore (whirlpool) and hated it from day one. Constantly shredded my towels and left my clothes dirty and that was with a wash cycle that took 65 minutes. I replaced it with the cheapest, most bottom end GE i could find. It is awesome, it gets my clothes clean and doesn't shred anything plus the wash cycle is only slightly over 20min... Yes it uses more water but a ton less electricity. Doesn't take any longer to dry the clothes with the new washer.

 

[Kathi OD]

I love my HE machines! Everyone I know who has them also loves them. None of us have the same brand, nor did we buy them at the same time or at the same place. I'm the latest to join the HE club, and I only did it because I know so many people who are happy with their machine.

I don't have the smell, and I close the door on my washer all the time. I can also stop the washer and add something if I forget it. My water bill has dropped by 1/3! My electric bill has also dropped considerably.

Probably the best purchase we've made in a long time.

 

[crisi]

Like mine, which has a soak cycle, an extra rinse cycle and a speed wash cycle. And I can open it early in the cycle. I'm currently using homemade detergent in mine, which works fine. I don't know if it saves money in terms of water or energy, but I have no issues with clean clothes or wrinkled messes.

I've had mine ten years already.

I did have some smell issues early on, but now put about 1/8 cup of borax in with each load and haven't had an issue since.

 

[sskem96]

I have a GE HE toploader. It definitely took some getting used to. With my old machine, I started the water first, then started adding the clothes so I was able to use the water running into the machine to work on getting out stains and rinsing empty detergent bottles for recycling. The first few loads I did in the HE washer came out with the clothes on top not even damp. I didn't realize that it only fills about half way with water so you have to put all the clothes in and close the lid before you start the water. The water sprays onto the clothes as the drum slowly rotates. I realized I had been adding clothes above the water level when the drum was almost done filling, and then only the clothes right under the spot where the water sprays out were getting adequately wet because the drum wasn't rotating since I was keeping the lid open too long to add clothes. You also have to put clothes just around the edges of the drum and leave the center where the agitator would be empty. Once I corrected my "user errors", our clothes started coming out just fine. Sheets are definitely a twisted mess, but regular clothes don't seem to have that problem much. No problems with smells. I've had the HE machine for 3 or 4 years and didn't notice any cost savings in water or electricity, but it could just be because the rates have gone up so much.