Need advice on front loading washer & dryer...

[Minnie's Pal]

I need advice on a new FL washer & dryer. We are giving our top loader washer & dryer to family members who are really in need. My DH wants to get a FL washer this time. (As a family of 5, there is always laundry to be done. Plus, we have king size comforters too.) But I am overwhelmed with choices, prices and things to look for.

My DH wants to go look at Lowe's. As far as I know, our power company doesn't offer any incentives for purchasing an energy efficient appliance. (I'll have to double check when I pay our bill today.)

Any advice, rebate information, etc. would be helpful. I've tried to do a little internet research but I am left overwhelmed and confused.

 

[sanibelover]

I know my FL washer and dryer won't do King - sized anything. Maytag Epic. They say a King-sized bedspread in the owner's manual, so that probably doesn't mean a comforter. I know that I have enough trouble washing a twin sized denim comforter.

 

[Duchie]

We've had our LG FL washer for about 2.5 years. I have really loved it and have done some pretty large loads with it.

HOWEVER....

Last week I got an error of LE when I tried to wash a load. I had to call around to several different locations before I found someone who would fix it. The reason no one will fix them is simple: The parts are extremely expensive. One person told me that the part to fix my washer would be several hundred dollare alone, not counting the labor. Fortunately my DH was able to unplug it, let the washer reset, and plug it back in and it's been working fine since. Plus the part in question would have been under warranty.

So while the LG is a good brand, they are extremely expensive to repair. Just something to keep in mind while shopping.

 

[crjack]

Several weeks ago we purchased a new washer/dryer set and got the Whirpool Cabrio. It's actually a top loader but without an agitator so it's big inside. The cu.ft listed for capacity is actually higher than any of the front loaders we looked at.

Anyway, it would definitely wash a king size comforter. I recently washed a queen size and there was extra room.

One thing I am finding is that spin cycle is very strong so the clothes are much dryer going into the dryer but definitely more wrinked when they are done.

I am still playing with the settings such as wrinkle shield, spin setting, etc. but it seems to happen with all of my DD's jeans...not as much with the adult clothes.

Overall, I like them and the top loader works better for my laundry area. The front doors on most of the front loaders would have been tight with the doors we have, plus I don't have to get the pedestals or bend as much.

Best of luck.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I'm still in the process of deciding on our new washer/dryer and I'm leaning toward the top loader that the pp mentioned (Whirlpool Cabrio/Kenmore Oasis).

But I have to say that when I first read the title and then the op's post I was trying to figure out what a Florida washer/dryer set was and why I hadn't heard of such a thing before!!! Duh me...I'm a little slow today...

 

[anabelle]

I recommend looking at Best Buy and Lowes. They are both pretty good to work with. Stay away from Sears. They supposedly price match for 30 days. Our LG set went down by $400 at Best Buy one week later. My DH took the Best Buy ad to Sears the next day. They refused to price match more that $100 even though it is their written policy that they will match the price plus give you 10 %. Four months later, we finally got the price match. What a pain.

One recommendation if you choose to buy a front loader, be careful of mold inside. Use a powder detergent not liquid and supplement with Borax Mule Team to keep the smell from forming.

 

[CraftyCrissy]

I second crjack - I purchased the Whirlpool Cabrio washer/dryer set over year ago and its fantastic and I love it. We got it at Best Buy and Whirlpool was running an offer for a coupon book for free All HE detergent and Snuggle fabric softener - there were about 50 coupons in the book and they don't expire until July, 2009. I seriously haven't paid for laundry detergent or fabric softener since January, 2007! Sweet deal!

Anyway - the machines are great. The clothes come out much drier so less dryer time = lighter electricity (or gas) is used. The clothes are cleaner, I can do giant loads and I haven't had any mold or smelly problems at all. I've never even run the cleaning cycle - guess I should for preventative measures. Mine is the top door too and I love it. My loads are big - I can easily run my queen quilt and set of sheets and the shams and what not without a problem. It will get off balance sometimes when I have heavy, bulky loads but its easily fixed by adjusting the stuff around and letting it finish the spin cycle.

I highly recommend it. Good luck!

 

[emilymad]

I am in the market for a FL washer and dryer too. Does anyone have the Whirlpool Duet? What do you think about it? Thanks!

 

[arminnie]

I bought the Whirlpool Duet after Christmas at Lowe's.

I LOVE them. I cannot believe how expensive they were, but my clothes are SO clean. I love the steam feature for freshening up wool clothes.

The sanitize feature is also great. I have 2 dogs and an 87 year old father - so I sometimes have things that need it.

 

[Minnie's Pal]

bump

 

[kbkids]

I recommend looking at Best Buy and Lowes. They are both pretty good to work with. Stay away from Sears. They supposedly price match for 30 days. Our LG set went down by $400 at Best Buy one week later. My DH took the Best Buy ad to Sears the next day. They refused to price match more that $100 even though it is their written policy that they will match the price plus give you 10 %. Four months later, we finally got the price match. What a pain.

One recommendation if you choose to buy a front loader, be careful of mold inside. Use a powder detergent not liquid and supplement with Borax Mule Team to keep the smell from forming.

We bought our Kenmore HE from Sears through their contractor program and got a great price!! I can't remember what it was, as it was over a year ago, but it was cheaper than anything else out there, and we had one year/same as cash with some major rebates!!

I absolutely love it. And unlike someone else said, you absolutely can wash a king sized comforter in it - I do it all the time. We've had no problems with mildew like I've heard others complain about. It cleans well, the drier works great!! I love mine!

I've been using liquid Gain for over a year with no problems at all. Mine has a cleaning cycle, and I just run it once a month - no problems here at all.

 

[mmwelch]

Definately stick with Whirlpool in this case. I have sold appliances for the last eight years and counting and nothing compares to the Whirlpools, they have the least service of any other company, if something does go wrong you won't have a problem finding a servicer. If you live close to a Rex store let pm me and I can get a price on the Cabrios for you that no one else can beat or any other whirlpool set

 

[bnorm27]

We have had our LG set for about 1.5 years. The machines are great, and we have had zero problems with them.

 

[Minnie's Pal]

We bought our Kenmore HE from Sears through their contractor program and got a great price!! I can't remember what it was, as it was over a year ago, but it was cheaper than anything else out there, and we had one year/same as cash with some major rebates!!

I absolutely love it. And unlike someone else said, you absolutely can wash a king sized comforter in it - I do it all the time. We've had no problems with mildew like I've heard others complain about. It cleans well, the drier works great!! I love mine!

I've been using liquid Gain for over a year with no problems at all. Mine has a cleaning cycle, and I just run it once a month - no problems here at all.

What is their contractor program? My DH works in contruction on the side, he has a business account with Lowes. I don't want to miss out on the add'l savings if I have access to them.

My DH actually said he wanted to check out Kenmore brand first - so you are happy with your set?

 

[kbkids]

What is their contractor program? My DH works in contruction on the side, he has a business account with Lowes. I don't want to miss out on the add'l savings if I have access to them.

My DH actually said he wanted to check out Kenmore brand first - so you are happy with your set?

I LOVE my set!!! It may be on their website, but our store had a contractor sales program. Just call your local store and ask. We were owner builders, and they still let us participate. I don't remember the discount off their regular retail prices, but they beat everyone on what we were wanting. I wanted all GE profile appliances, and they were by far the cheapest. She talked me into the Kenmore refrigerator over the GE profile - it still matches well and was a little bigger. And I initially went in wanting the LG washer and dryer. They didn't sell it, so we went with the Kenmore. Honestly, I love it. We've had no problems whatsoever. My friend has the same set (5 kids - TONS Of laundry), and she's had no problems either There were also Sears mail in rebates and GE mail in rebates going on at the time, so we "double dipped" in their words. We got back over $3000 in rebates alone!! We just got an amazing deal!

 

[moppety]

I asked the same thing last month and due to the input from the board ended up going with the Whirlpool Cabrio set. I really wanted a FL at first, but after researching different models, I went with the Cabrio. Like the PP said, it had a higher capacity than the front loaders we looked at. It had great reviews online too. We got them from Best Buy, who were fabulous, and a week later, they had a sale on the washer, so I called them up and they refunded us the difference. We got them for almost $1000 less than the FL set we were considering.

I LOVE the Cabrio! I'm still playing with the settings as well, but I have had no problems. I have washed King size comforters and blankets, everything comes out clean. Loading the clothes into the washer is different than with a regular top loader, but once you get used to it, it's a breeze.

I also liked that I didn't have to buy bases for them, like I would have for a FL. Those things are expensive!

Good luck!

 

[kbkids]

I also liked that I didn't have to buy bases for them, like I would have for a FL. Those things are expensive!

Good luck!

I didn't feel like they were that much - but let me tell you - regardless, they are worth every penny!! The storage capability is great!! Mine has a separate compartment for dryer sheets, and just not having to look for where that box has fallen now is a timesaver for me!! It holds all my detergents, bleaches, etc. And that's just the one under the washer. I use the one under the dryer for storage for other things. Mine has a little sliding top thing on them when you open them that you can set the laundry basket on, and I love just dumping the clothes straight into there without ever having to bend over. My kids have started helping out more now with the laundry without complaining as much because it's easier for them.

 

[dzorn]

Don't forget FL do you a lot less water. I love my GE FL. Don't forget to use HE detergent.

Denise in MI

 

[luvmy3sons]

I have a Maytag Neptune FL that we bought from sears. Luckily we had the extended warranty..... It was broken for over a month!!! When they would order a part for it, it had to be shipped to California from Texas.....that always took a week or longer. After 5 different service calls, it was finally fixed. They almost rebuilt the whole washer.

The same thing happened to my friend. I like the large capacity but I would not buy one of these again.

 

[goofyboyzmom]

JUST MY OPINION, BUT - DO NOT BUY MAYTAG NEPTUNE!!!

I purchased a washer and dryer in Feb. 06 and spent $2500 combined. Two days ago while drying a load (one pair baseball pants, one jersey and 2 socks) we heard boom, booom, boom!!!! Opened it up and one of it's "fins" was floating around in there. Called Sears to come fix it $140!!!! Called Maytag because to me it is a quality issue (and their web site states their first objective is QUALITY products). They wouldn't do anything!! I am sorry but a $1200 dryer that falls apart in 2 years!!!!! The tech was here today and the screws had fallen out. Well unless you know how to take the monster apart, you have to pay somebody to find out that the screws just fell out! My last washer died at age 37 and my dryer lived to 32 years. Both also moved to three states and lasted!