Need a new washing machine...suggestions needed!!

[Jenny-momof3]

Thank you for all of your suggestions! Will be looking into them. I have a large laundry room so I have plenty of room for whatever I end up getting. Ive just heard more negative reviews than positives on the front loader...which is one of the main reasons I'm looking at top loaders.

 

[sameyeyam]

Prior to buying any new appliance, check with your local utility for rebates. Both your electric or gas company may offer rebates for buying particular models of energy efficient appliances. Not all Energy Star ones are eligible, so get the list from your utility. Usually you can go to your utility website and print the list off.

Also, check with your state to see if they have any of the Cash for Appliances rebate funds from the federal government left. Some states have money left, but others have spent it all. So it varies.

If you buy off of the lists, you can sometimes get a few hundred dollars back in rebates...even better if the mfg. is offering rebates. We once got a brand new front loader washer for about $100 out of pocket! We bought a dent & ding floor model at Home Depot and it qualified for a local utility rebate as well as one from the Federal government and BPA. Of course the stars, moons & planets all seemed to line up for that particular deal!

I never shop for new appliances without checking for rebates first...dishwashers, hot water heaters, refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc... It's amazing how much money is given away by them just for filling out a form and making a copy of a receipt.

 

[monorailsilver]

We just bought a new top loader.

We did not want a front loader because we did not want to keep that door open all the time & we do at least one load of laundry a day so it would be open all the time. With the top loader, leaving it open is not an issue as the door does not get in the way.

We bought a Maytag Bravos. It had good reviews & it wasn't that expensive plus it was on sale at Sears when we got it. My dh looked underneath it as well, for what, I have no clue but he knew what he was looking for, maybe the belt.

This is our 3rd washer in 10 years. The first one something went wrong with it after about 6 or 7 years. The 2nd one only lasted 2 or 3 years & now we are on this one. My dh hated the 2nd one we had.

My mom has an old Maytag from either the 70's or the 80's, so a real Maytag vs the ones they make now & it still runs.

I also heard great things about that Cabrio (sp) on a pp mentioned but we didn't want to spend that kind of money.

 

[gr8tdame]

I have a Maytag Performance Series Front-Load Washer, Model #MHWE500V .
I love it. I always forget to put something in and this machine also lets me open it within the first 5 minutes to add a forgotten item. I did not buy the pedestal or the matching dryer as the new Maytag dryer has no more options than my 13 year old Maytag dryer. It is the same as my old dryer. My husband thought i should get the pedestals but the dryer vents directly into the wall and if we raise the dryer there will be a kink in the vent and it would be 6 inches further from the wall. My Husband bought a counter top from Ikea and placed it
over the top of both machines and I have a great laundry folding surface.
I don't mind the bending as it is the same amount of bending I have always done to take clothes in and out of the dryer.
After each load I wipe out down the rubber ring and inside of the door and leave a washcloth hanging over the door so that it doesn't close.
I have only had a mildew moldy smell once... and that was due to forgetting to take the laundry out of the washer for a day. I put in the afresh tablet and voila no odor.
I love the steam function as it really does get rid of stains.
Pros... I can wash my king sized duvets.
When buying appliances I always buy the top of the line as I have to live with it for many years.
P.S. I debated between Electrolux, LG, Bosch and the Maytag.
Purchased the Maytag because I got it for a steal.
I am 5ft 8in tall and 59 years old and have no problem using the machines without the pedestals.

 

[librarygal]

When our old dryer died recently I searched the web and found a store in the DC area that sold used appliances. If you are tight on money look around your area for a similar store. We paid $175 for nice looking Kenmore dryer and got a 90 day warranty. So far so good.

The JD Power rating for washers can be found here. You can sort the various columns.

http://www.jdpower.com/Homes/ratings/home-appliance-clothes-washer-ratings/

 

[cryssi]

We just bought a bravo after our 6 year old maytag neptune tl decided to quit working. I thought the neptune was not the greatest, so why did I go with another maytag top loader?i hope I didn't make a mistake. It has not been delivered yet.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I have the samsung 4.5 front load washer and love it. We have had it for 2 years. Got it at a Sears outlet. After reading about how badly the LG washer vibrate and move around we opted for the Samsung. Also read on the LG web site that they recommend installing there machines on a re-enforced floor because they vibrate, turned us off. A couple of people we know don't like their LG machines.

 

[sullins5]

I just replaced my 22 year old Sears Kenmore set this December! And the dryer still worked! Needless to say I was a tad nervous. After researching consumer reports, we got a great deal (about 1/2 price) at Lowes for the Cabrio set by Whirlpool. It was rated great (top loading), and so far, so good. Yes, He, but I haven't noticed a price change in buying the detergent.
CR rated the Cabrio as a great buy and I believe the Bravio (sp?) at Home Depot. But we really liked the Cabrio!

Hope this helps...we are very pleased! Now if this set will last 22 years......

 

[NewCrew42]

I hate our LG. If your clothes have anything on them, it doesn't get out, even if you pretreat it. In fact, it doesn't usually get out the pretreatment on the first washing.

We live in the South and during the humid months, if I run a load of clothes, I need to immediately run an empty cycle with bleach in order to keep the "smell" at bay.

The door must remain open unless in use to keep the mildew away.

I would only recommend it to someone who is washing clothes that are clean and lives in an arid climate.

 

[disneyismyname]

My family bought a kenmore front load washer...and my mother hates it! Its been repaired 3 times and the noise is a bit much. Mom says she will never buy Kenmore again! She might even go back to a top loader the next time. If I can give you one piece of advice...DONT BUY KENMORE. The price may be good...but it will bite you in the butt.

 

[lucigo]

Since this is the budget board I'll give you my $0.02. My machine also recently broke. I started by calling a repairman, who said I needed a new one. I went to a used appliance store and got the biggest, nicest, newest "old style" Maytag they had for a whopping $200. I love it, and hope it lasts as long as the last one I bought from them (10 years).

 

[twinboysmom]

My family bought a kenmore front load washer...and my mother hates it! Its been repaired 3 times and the noise is a bit much. Mom says she will never buy Kenmore again! She might even go back to a top loader the next time. If I can give you one piece of advice...DONT BUY KENMORE. The price may be good...but it will bite you in the butt.

I just bought a new Kenmore and really like it. The problem with this statement is that most Kenmore's are made by either whirlpool or LG. the top level Kenmore's are mostly LG. The paperwork that came with my washer has a mixture of whirlpool and Kenmore names. When we went looking for new washers the salesmen at the stores told us that only a few manufacturers actually make the washers now.

We bought a top loader 4.3 Kenmore he. It was the cheapest Kenmore he top loader sear a had and we got it for 30% off presidents day sale. I like it ok but honestly do prefer the agitator models. But now i am saving water so that's a good thing. The he detergents cost about the same and you only use a little bit.

 

[starry_solo]

Have a toploader, Kenmore brand. Bought at Sear's. That's where all my appliances are bought now (made a mistake with a dishwasher at Home Depot - NEVER AGAIN!)

Had a front loader for less than a week (won it at a contest) and it was HORRIBLE

 

[Ali]

I got a maytag bravos 700series HE top loader with clear lid delivered today. I've done 4 loads of laundry so far today and I love the high spin option. My drying times ate way down. Also has an allergen cycle for sheets, etc.

 

[cryssi]

I got a maytag bravos 700series HE top loader with clear lid delivered today. I've done 4 loads of laundry so far today and I love the high spin option. My drying times ate way down. Also has an allergen cycle for sheets, etc.

mine is being delivered today! So you don't find that it wrecks clothes like I've seen some reviews?

 

[Ali]

mine is being delivered today! So you don't find that it wrecks clothes like I've seen some reviews?

I haven't seen any holes. Things look great and smell great. I put 2 big blankets and a comforter in 1 load! I love this machine.

 

[cryssi]

That's great to hear! Thanks!