Looking for a new washing machine today and need help!

[luv2mickey]

We have milked along our Whirlpool top load with agitator as long as we could. We are shopping today for a new washer. I have poured over all the reviews and have decided every brand has problems. I think I want a front loader so I can put a counter over the top for folding.

I would love to hear your opinions on brands and styles, especially if you've owned the brand. Thanks

 

[havaneselover]

LG--get the largest capacity and get steam if it's in your budget. Mine is 5 years old and it's amazing. Washes 16 pairs of jeans at once. I get my king sized down comforters washed in it. And I wash all of my cashmere in it which saves me a ton. I like the delay feature. I start mine an hour before I get up or get home from work. Also, the anti vibration technology is a must if your washer will be on a second floor.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Stay away from Eureka. My beautician has one and had a part go bad. Well the part had to come from England. It took 6 weeks to get it fixed.

My sister just got the Maytag top load washed and hates it. Her whites don't come clean. She brought a load over and used my front load and the whites were whiter.

 

[bjscheel]

My recommendation would be a Fisher Paykel top loader. I haven't had a front load, but from what I've read, I don't think I'd want one. I had a Fisher Paykel and loved it. It had a problem and DH tried to fix it and I think he did it wrong and flooded the laundry room. So he wanted it out of there and we got a LG top load with no agitator. I am not a fan. DH's clothes get really dirty and it sometimes takes two rounds for the dirtiest to get clean enough.

DH fiddled with the Fisher Paykel and thinks he knows what he did wrong and I bet it would work now. But the new one is in place so we haven't tried it. I just make do with the LG.

 

[jbrest]

I wouldn't recommend a front-loader. I had one, and because the water never completely drains out of it, it started to stink (a musty, moldy smell). I always left the door open so it could air out between loads (I do a load or two a day), but there was still an odor. It also collected mold in the "seals" in the front of the machine (again, because the water never completely drains out). Gross! I now have a large-capacity LG top-loader (have had it about a year and a half), and I love it!

 

[LJSquishy]

LG or Samsung only. Don't consider any other frontloader brand.

There are no longer mold, mildew, or drainage problems with the machines...that was years ago. And, LG and Samsung didn't really have problems for the most part. You have to keep the door cracked at all times when not in use to allow airflow. The LGs have a little magnetic catch that allows you to keep the door slightly open without it swinging wide open or shutting all of the way...I'm sure Samsung has a similar feature.

I had my LG washer & dryer for 6 years and LOVED them. LOVED. Unfortunately they stayed with the house when we sold it in August (it was a concession they asked for), but we will buy another LG pair or Samsung pair when we find our new house. They were so gentle on our clothes and cleaned well. We are currently using an old standard top loader and it is so rough on our clothes. I miss all of the setting options also.

Maintenance wise, on a front loader you need to wipe the rubber gasket down after every use with a dry cloth which is just a quick swipe and takes 10 seconds, if that. LG machines also have a drain hose w/lint trap at the bottom of the machine you empty monthly. It takes about two minutes to complete. Samsungs probably have the same or similar directions.

 

[havaneselover]

I wouldn't recommend a front-loader. I had one, and because the water never completely drains out of it, it started to stink (a musty, moldy smell). I always left the door open so it could air out between loads (I do a load or two a day), but there was still an odor. It also collected mold in the "seals" in the front of the machine (again, because the water never completely drains out). Gross! I now have a large-capacity LG top-loader (have had it about a year and a half), and I love it!

I've never had an issue with the smell (in 5.5 years). I wipe the door and seal and leave the detergent tray open. I never leave clothes sitting. You also have to clean the drain pump filter.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We also had a Whirlpool and held onto it as long as we could too....11 years. We replaced it with LG front loader washer and dryer. I didn't buy the largest one, I got the one below that. We're just a family of 3 and didn't need the biggest one. I've had it for a little over a year now and like it. I did consider the Maytag only because where I was shopping ( a small place where the sales people are very knowledgable) they said it's very reliable and the only machine made in USA and much easier to fix and get parts for.

 

[StephMK]

We have a Samsung dryer & ended up with an LG large top loading washer. We have been happy with both brands. They replaced a Whirlpool Cabrio set that always gave us trouble and did not clean well.

 

[SplashMo]

We really like our LG front loader... We have an extended warranty and they replace the seal on the door every two years. Seems like folks aren't having that problem anymore. Has been great otherwise....

 

[Judique]

I keep following all the washer dryer threads.

I have a Maytag washer I bought new in 1984 and I keep waiting for it to stop working.

I want to be ready to purchase with knowledge of what is the new best.

Just looked on Costco.com and saw mostly Whirlpools and a few Amana and Maytag. Some close to $3k for the pair.

What is everyone paying for a laundry 'suite'?

What is the steam feature? What does it do?

How long can I expect a $3000 set to last?

I'm not confused, just need to plan. I know I will need a new roof in 2-4 years, and a laundry pair probably soon, and maybe a new vehicle, although that's not a necessity, just a possible upgrade because I may feel like it, so lots of expensive purchases to plan for.

 

[squirrel]

I went to a scratch and dent place and a liquidators to see what they had.

I was limited as mine are in a closet with bifold doors. Front loaders were out so I looked at top loader HE washers.

I ended up going with a Kenmore Oasis Elite. I haven't had any problems with it and it was a used model that had been repaired (they didn't say that, but it was an older model). I didn't bother replacing the dryer as it still works.

I liked the LG models that I saw at the scratch and dent place but they were bigger and I didn't think they would fit. The Kenmore just fits. I have had it for a year and a half and I always leave the top open to air out.

 

[wdwfan1]

We bought a front loading LG steam washer and dryer a few months ago. We love them. Very easy to use and the clothes look great. Got a great deal too!

 

[havaneselover]

We bought a front loading LG steam washer and dryer a few months ago. We love them. Very easy to use and the clothes look great. Got a great deal too!

I've had mine for 5.5 years. Floor samples from HD. They are amazing (and I'm sure the technology has only gotten better).

 

[pls5286]

We have had our front loader LG washer and dryer since May. Love it. It takes care of DF's work clothes along with the smelly teen clothes. All the clothes are nice and clean...and a bonus, the washer doesn't pee in the floor every time we use it like our 16 year old washer did!

 

[BCV2003]

In August when we moved into our new home, we purchased an LG front loader set.

They have the steam/sanitize functions and I believe they are the largest capacity. My husband was set on getting a front loader but I wasn't sold initially. I ended up really liking them and I think we got a good price on them. I believe we paid about $1500 for the pair and that included extended warranties on both of them. We also got rebates back of $100 and $75.

 

[O RLY]

I've had the front loader whirlpool duet for years now. Gosh, I can't think of buying something else. That thing is a workhorse compared to friends who bought the pricey brands and have nothing but issues! I think LG is the main one my friends have.

 

[Hisgirl]

I'm going to go against the tide and make a suggestion no one has made.

I did massive research on washers. I was SO TIRED of replacing my washer every few years! Why aren't things made the way they used to be made! Everything is made in China! Plastic parts!

UNTIL.... I started called WASHER REPAIR PEOPLE. I asked "What brand of washer should I buy if I'm tired of replacing my washer?"

Across the board, there was ONE answer.

And the best part was...it was a washer that was built to last 25 years! And...AMERICAN MADE! And...stainless steel drum! No, computers! No fancy unnecessary parts! Just a solid, USA made, hard working, long lasting washing machine.

It's Speed Queen! They make all those commercial laundry mat washers and I have to say....after owning my speed queen for 3 years without one blip, I am on board! Consumer Reports rated it low because it wasn't water rated, but read the reviews! Practically everyone gives it 5 stars.

I love my speed queen and will never own a different brand. They may be hard to find and a little more money, but it's built to last 25 years. TWENTY FIVE YEARS. What's not to love!

 

[shamrock30]

My research also pointed me to a Speed Queen. Mine is a top loader, replacing my front loader, but I really like it.

 

[JanaDee]

Samsung pair with the steam option. Love mine.

For those of you complaining about a smell, how often do you clean the washer lint trap? And do you keep the detergent drawer open to dry out?