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

[Jenny-momof3]

My washing machine broke and flooded my whole house...causing MASSIVE damage to all 3 floors!

I now need to pick out a new one but I'm not even sure what to get. I had a Maytag that was about 6 yrs .old. Up til it broke I was very happy with it. But it seems that all the washing machines are different now. Lots of front loaders and top loaders without agitators.

I'm leaning towards another top loading machine as I've heard so many complaints about front loaders...mildew smells, leaks,etc. I have a Whirlpool dryer that is about a year old and a 2nd floor laundry room if that matters.

TIA!

 

[manning]

Mildew problem is easy to solve, leave the door open until it drys.

 

[SplashMo]

We have an LG front loader and love it...

 

[Lisa_M]

I recently bought a Maytag top loader at Lowe's 4.3 cubic ft. High efficiency, so no agitator. It doesn't get delivered until next week so I can't say how much I love it or anything, but I was able to get them to price match to another store and do a 10% "tax refund" promo card. They also had an 18month financing going on as well too. As I shopped the different stores, I found that with Lowes, their price was the best given the price match and their other offers with free delivery. I also bought the extended warranty just in case, so now it will be covered for 5 years. I just hope it lasts longer than yours did.


I didn't get a front loader because of the mildew issue (even though I always leave the top loader lid up anyway) and because I didn't want to pay an extra $200 for pedestal. The stacking idea is nice, but I didn't want to have to get low to the ground to dig them out of the washer and throw them up to the dryer or vice versa.

 

[Mixie]

I love my front loader, but since your laundry room is on a second floor, your structure might not be good enough to handle one.

 

[Frannie115]

We have the Bosch front loader. Have had it for 7 years and no problems. Love it.

I never close the front door all the way. Let some air in. This keeps away the mildew and bad smell people talk about. Never had a problem with those.

 

[eliza61]

Be careful with the top loaders, we are in the process of trying to exchange a newly brought high efficency GE top loader. It stinks. It has this really small agitator (called a bullnose agitator) inside that barely moves the clothes. It's pretty much like putting the clothes in the bath tub. It was dirt cheap ($340 bucks) but now I'm going to probably lose $150 bucks (restocking fee) to exchange it. blacks come out horrible. linty and dirty.

 

[tavettava]

I've had a Kenmore front loader for 3 years and love it. I leave my door open and have no mildew smell. Plus it uses only 8 gallons of water compared to 40 for a top loader.

 

[Lisa_M]

Be careful with the top loaders, we are in the process of trying to exchange a newly brought high efficency GE top loader. It stinks. It has this really small agitator (called a bullnose agitator) inside that barely moves the clothes. It's pretty much like putting the clothes in the bath tub. It was dirt cheap ($340 bucks) but now I'm going to probably lose $150 bucks (restocking fee) to exchange it. blacks come out horrible. linty and dirty.

Where did you buy yours from? My reliable appliance source grandpa says that GE's are junk, so I stayed clear of that, but I just bought a similar type of washer. I hope it's not a nightmare. I did buy the extended warranty too. The guy who sold it to me said that after you put the detergent and clothes in and set the washer to leave it alone. Can't open it and peek at it or add more clothes or it messes up the cycle. So that is my plan. Hopefully this isn't one giant disaster as it is my first appliance purchase.

 

[imthatgirl]

I have a top loader without an agitator, Whirlpool Cambrio. I LOVE it!!! I am personally not a fan of the front loader, just the idea that I need to buy a stand for it to sit on so I don't hurt my back makes me crazy. Seems like such a waste also. We've had it for 5 years now and I'm in love

 

[Swimalie]

I was in Home Depot on Sunday looking at washing machines since ours is 10 years old and just in case it gives out soon. They told me that all of their Energy Star appliances are going on sale for 10% off on Thurs. They had a 4.3 cu. ft. capacity top loading HE model that I really liked. It was in the $400 range. I think, with the sale, it would be around $440. Personally, I wouldn't buy a front loading model. Not only the mold and seal issue but I don't like bending over that much. If you want to upgrade even more, I like the top loading, glass top, 5.1 cu.ft. HE GE ones. I'm a bit partial to GE since they pay my dad's pension.

 

[imthatgirl]

I didn't get a front loader because of the mildew issue (even though I always leave the top loader lid up anyway) and because I didn't want to pay an extra $200 for pedestal. The stacking idea is nice, but I didn't want to have to get low to the ground to dig them out of the washer and throw them up to the dryer or vice versa.

Just so you know the top loader without agitators have the same issue with mildew. As log as you're keeping that lid up you have no problem.

 

[Mrsdennison]

We have had our front loader for about four months now. My water bill dropped almost 15 dollars.

There are tablets called AFFREASH you can get to clean the front loader once a month for smell and mildew. You can use other things like bleach too, but I just stick with the tablets.

We love ours. It is a Maytag. At the time they were having a sale.

 

[Psychodisney]

I feel your pain, my washer flooded my house last fall. I bought the LG front loader. I looked at consumer reports before I bought my new one. As I remember, there recommendation was the LG or a Kenmore. Turns out the Kenmore was made by LG!...and the LG was less expensive.

 

[msmayor]

Words of advice with regard to front loading machines: make sure you measure your space carefully to ensure the door can easily open. Many laundry areas are in smaller, confined spaces and you may find (just as my neighbor did) that a front-loading machine simply won't fit and allow the door to open properly. A front-loading machine needs more space than a top loading machine.

When she was having her machines delivered, the delivery guy wouldn't even bring them off the truck. He took one look at the space and said "Lady, that'll never fit there." Sure enough when they got the tape measure out to check, it would have been a horrible fit.

 

[Jeff_G]

Can anyone comment on the cost of HE laundry detergent? Does your machine require it, how much more expensive is it vs normal detergent? If yours requires it have you found any other solutions?

 

[tavettava]

I buy the All he detergent (same price as regular All.) I only use a few tablespoons of detergent and it gets our clothes clean.

 

[eliza61]

Where did you buy yours from? My reliable appliance source grandpa says that GE's are junk, so I stayed clear of that, but I just bought a similar type of washer. I hope it's not a nightmare. I did buy the extended warranty too. The guy who sold it to me said that after you put the detergent and clothes in and set the washer to leave it alone. Can't open it and peek at it or add more clothes or it messes up the cycle. So that is my plan. Hopefully this isn't one giant disaster as it is my first appliance purchase.

I got mine from lowes. I was pretty happy with them especially since I went in with my complaint about 45 days after purchase. I'm firmly on your Grandpa side after this one. This is my first energy effecient machine with a small agitator though.

 

[eliza61]

Can anyone comment on the cost of HE laundry detergent? Does your machine require it, how much more expensive is it vs normal detergent? If yours requires it have you found any other solutions?

I use tide, so far it's the same price as the regular tide.

 

[Lisa_M]

OP, if you are particular to a manufacturer, take a look at this link, it breaks down the various brands made by certain manufacturers.
http://www.appliance411.com/purchase/make.shtml

I got mine from lowes. I was pretty happy with them especially since I went in with my complaint about 45 days after purchase. I'm firmly on your Grandpa side after this one. This is my first energy effecient machine with a small agitator though.

I'm glad they are taking it back, it makes me feel more comfortable about my purchase. It's too bad they are charging a re-stocking fee. I feel for you. I hope whatever you get next works out great for you.

Just so you know the top loader without agitators have the same issue with mildew. As log as you're keeping that lid up you have no problem.

Thanks for letting me know this. The salesman did not mention this and I had no idea.