looking for advice on front-loader washers and dryers..

[jenniferma]

Hi-- I was looking for opinions or advice on front loader washers and dryers. We are moving and need to purchase. I am torn on what kind to get (is the steam option really worth the extra money?) and what brand??

Also--pedestal or no?

Here is a set we were thinking about:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...1&catalogId=10053&productId=100669106#reviews

this is an LG.

thanks for your help!
jen

 

[java]

We just bought some these actually
http://www.bosch-home.com/us/products/laundry/washers/full-size/WFMC5301UC.html

and the matching dryer because it was a promo- it ended up being about $1600 for the pair after REBATES! love those rebates!

We opted for the pedestals- just because they are LOW machines without it. Really they just should have built them that way. But I vote pedestal - try it out in the store- make sure you are looking at it ON THE FLOOR because lots of stores elevate them to make you think they are higher than they are

On Steam all the people we spoke with said "it's a new gimick" The only place you would really use the steam is in the dryer anyway- if you hate to iron.

Steam in a washer didn't make sense to me. I got a machine that has a HIGH heat setting for the wash cycle- it's a "sanitizing" cycle. So for me that was more important. And I decided I wanted other features vs. the steam more.

One tip if you go front loader- leave the washer door open so you don't get the mold smell.
I had read complaints about that so I've been doing it for the past 3 months and I don't have an issue with odor.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

steam - not really necessary IMO.

Pedestal - depends on where your laundry area is and how it's set up.

My laundry is in the basement, i have shelves set up next to the machines, so don't need the pedestal for storage. I have the machines with the controls on the back and use the tops of the washer/dryer to fold and sort on. With the pedestals, these would be too high to use in this way. Conversely, my machines are not stackable. It would be nice to not have to bend over as far to get stuff in/out of the machines, but it's nothing i can't live with. The other benefits outweigh this need.

If the controls are on the front, and you have other space to fold/sort at, then yes, I would get the pedestals just for comfort.