My washer of 10 years just died. Front Load HE Washer Owners Please tell me....

[mikehn]

I have a front loader now. When this dies, Im going back to the top loader. Enough said.

 

[3boymthr]

Thanks for all the replies. I don't have the washer yet - it's being delivered on Wednesday. But I went online and downloaded the manual and read it last night. I definitely plan on leaving the door open every day (I have to leave the lid up on my top load machine now to avoid odor so not really a change for me.). I'm planning on having DH install a paper towel dispenser over the machine for wiping down the inside.

I have a couple of questions if anyone can answer them.

The book says don't put on a platform. This is a problem for us as we have one built into the house in the laundry room (which is in the basement). Does anyone know why they say this?

The machine says not to wash clothes with oil on them in it as it might damage the seal. DH works with Oil fired furnaces every day. There is no way I am taking these clothes to the laundromat. Any suggestions anything I can do to avoid damage to the seal from these clothes?

We have an LG Front Load set. It looks cool and sounds cool and makes laundry more fun but honestly it was a waste of money. It works no better than the old school style (in fact sometimes I wonder if it cleans good enough.) The biggest problem we have had is the smell. Water gets trapped in the seal of the washer (common front load complaint) and it's been a constant nasty battle since day one. I have to wipe down the unit after every load, use a special cleaner, and keep the door open to the unit which isn't safe with a toddler. Yes, you have to use special detergent but I have found you use so little of it that it probably evens out price wise if not better. Five years ago it was tough to find at some stores but now it's everywhere.

Our next unit will be old school top load and a thousand bucks cheaper.

EDIT: I read everybody's posts after I posted this and noticed everyone with LG has the smell problem. So avoid LG!

Oigh! Don't plan on saving that $1,000. The ones that were the same size as the one I have now were all in the $700 - $800 range - and that's minimum price. That was one of the reasons I went with the clearance Samsung Front Loader. I really did not like the idea of a FL as I love the soak feature but then I found that none of the low/mid range top loaders had that feature either and very very few of the high ends (I actually only found one - a kenmore - though the guy at Sears said they had some available online). But all the top load ones I found that were reasonably priced had very poor reviews online and still weren't that cheap - as I said one was $299 but when we finally found it in the store it was too small for us (I currently do about 20 loads of laundry a week no way am I doing more ).

 

[Maddies Mama]

I've had my front loader for about 3 years now and I don't think I'd ever go back to a top loader. I can fit way more clothes into this than I could the top loader and they're practically dry when I go to put them into the dryer. I take 2 seconds after each load to wipe the lip of the door dry so that mold doesn't form and I leave the door open to prevent the inside from getting musty. I have an LG something or another, I honestly couldn't tell you what it is. But, I am a very satisfied customer with my front loading machine. Never had a bad experience with it, though we're a military family and we move a lot so it's annoying to always have to try to track down the bolt kit to stabilize the tub while en route to the new house.

 

[North of Mouse]

3boymthr, don't understand not be able to put your FL on a platform being as they sell the pedestals to put them on Also, with my Samsung FL I have NEVER wiped anything down inside, so don't understand a lot of posters saying you have to. I do keep the door propped open some with a folded cloth to let it dry out in between washes, but that only makes sense, as closing up anything tight with water in it will smell or mildew. I sure have had NO issues with mine - in the 12 years (just bought 2nd FL) I don't worry about just putting HE detergent in it although it's more available now and the same price. I just put very little if I happen to be using the regular and things get just as clean - just uses lots less water. Good luck with your new FL