New Washer/Dryer! Any suggestions/warnings?

[KarlaG4Kids]

I'm probably going to purchase a new washer & Dryer. I've been looking at the front load, energy saving sets. Anyone have any suggestions or warnings? I'm trying to stay under $750-$800 each piece.

 

[candielips]

We have the LG washer/dryer and would recommend you steer clear of the washer. Thousands of people are having problems with moldy smells that you cannot get rid of.
In fact, if you google this, there have been tons of people who have even filed a class action lawsuit against LG. We had the same problem but once our boot was replaced it went away.

 

[HoosierMomOf5]

Never mind...I'm an idiot.

 

[3boymthr]

Avoid whirlpool. My DM just bought them and they vibrate horribly - the washer "walks" across the cellar until the hose won't stretch anymore - and apparently the noise is also horrible. The repair guy who came out told her they all do this. It's a "feature" of the machine.

 

[kellydizfan]

Stay away from purchasing with Sears - their repair service department stinks big time!

 

[Bren's Mom]

We bought our washer/dryer a year and a half ago. Whirlpool Cabrio set. Front loading washer, but without the center agitator. It holds a huge amount of clothes, gets them really clean, is HE so it uses less water and detergent. Perhaps not quite as much less water and detergetnt as a front loader BUT no front loader vibration issues. The clothes feel barely wet when they come out and the dryer cycle takes even less time than the washer. I've been thrilled with my set. Older models had an issue that they resolved, and so far I'm not hearing of any problems nor having any problems. (Knock wood! LOL)

 

[cjnix29]

I will agree about the LG. I had a front loader that I hated. Now that was about four years ago, and I don't have it anymore, so not sure about the new models. I have a Maytag Bravo....LOVE IT. Best appliance purchase I have ever made! It's a top loader that works like a front loader. There is no agitator, and the capacity is HUGE. Can fit a king size comforter in it with no problem!!!! I got mine at Nebraska Furniture Mart when they were having a deal, and got the pair for 1200! Not sure what they would be someplace else. but I would buy them again in a heartbeat.

 

[descovy]

See now, different strokes for different folks...

I have an LG Steam washer... most nearly 2 years now. No vibration issues, no smell issues. Love it, love it, love it!

I do laundry once a week (fam of 5) because I have Mondays off work. (and the rest of the household is at work/school ) It holds a large, large amount. I can get 2 sets of queen sheets, 2 sets twin sheets, and a few towels in one load!

The loads are large, but I get 6 loads done a day (bleachy whites, non bleachy lights, Blues, Blacks, Reds, towels/sheets) A week's worth of clothes for a family of 5 in 6 loads is pretty good!

Dryer time shortened dramatically vs a top loader. Some things I can take straight out of the washer and put in the closet.

I do check the seal between every load (mainly for hair & grass, lol) and try to remember to leave the door open for an hour or so. But it is in the walkway of the garage, so it get's closed before too long because it's in the way. Then it stays shut for another week until next monday. As I say, 2 years, no smell!

 

[tommya60]

A client just told my DH what a horrid time she was having with her front load washer--the wash cycle takes forever, the door has to be open for a period of time to prevent mold issues, etc. I'd check carefully to see what the wash cycle time is for the way you plan on using the washer (water temp has an impact on time) and see if having the door open will be an issue for your laundry area. I know an open door won't work for us.
(Sorry for the lack of detail--info from DH, it never occured to him to ask brand).

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Thanks for the info...

 

[Namsupak]

I have the LG steam washer and dryer and I absolutely adore them! I'm sure some people do have a problem with a moldy smell. However, if you read the manual it clearly states that you need to leave the door open to let it dry out. It's wonderful though. Yes the washing cycle may take a long time... for example when I use the allergiene cycle it takes 2 hours... however it uses steam so I've seen a drop in my water bill and then they come out almost dry so the drying cycle is extremely short = less electricity. There are other much shorter cycles that I use for other things. The allergiene cycle also takes care of all those nasty smells from towels and I've never seen my clothes come out cleaner. I have a 6 month old and I'm not the type of person to wash something as soon as it gets dirty... even if we have a blow out diaper. I've had things that have been sitting there for a week and then when I pull them out of the washer you can't even tell they ever had poop on them. I say if you can afford it go for it. Just read the manual.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

WOW. Thanks for the replies. When you start looking at appliances there is so much info to digest. Good hints too!

 

[MrsPete]

I've had my Whirlpool Duet for about two years now, and I love-love-love it. No problems with it shaking or "walking". The secret of the faster drying is in the washer; it spins so much more effectively that the clothes come out of the washer so much more dry. If this set suddenly disappeared for some reason, I would go out and buy the same thing all over again.

You do need to read the instruction manual and follow the instructions about the once-a-month cleaning and keeping the door cracked.

We bought ours at Lowes Home Improvement because it's always fairly easy to find a 10% off coupon.

One note about frontloaders: The HE detergent is waaay cheaper at Sears. It comes in huge buckets. I think I'm only on my third bucket (it's getting pretty empty). They sell for $20 and go on sale for $15.

 

[paper1225]

We purchased a LG set and LOVE it! The washer model is WM2050CW, and the dryer is DLE2050W , I LOVE them! As for the smell, we had heard about this, so we leave it open after a wash every few washes and have had no troubles! The wash cycle seems shorter than I was used to(old set was 15+ yrs old+, and the dryer cycle is WAY shorter since it "senses" the cycle! Also, the music it plays at the end of the cycle VS the buzzer of my old models is awesome! I know others have trouble with LG, but even when I have had trouble with my LG fridge, they have fixed it without issues! Good Luck!

 

[Alexander]

We are on our second set of front loaders--we had the Maytag something or other--bought it 12 years ago--had to argue with the people at Sears that there were actually front-load washing machines! Anyhow--that lasted 9 years. We now have the Whirlpool Duet (currently in our 3rd year) and have not had any problems.

Regarding the moldy smell--we leave the washer door ajar if we have just finished a load and won't be doing one right away. No special reason other that we just figured if it was wet in there, there was no way for it to dry if the door was closed. We've never had a moldy/mildew issue.

 

[shelly3girls]

First we had a Maytag with no real issues but we left the door open all of the time. DH thought it smelled like mold but I didn't smell it too much. We moved and bought a Kenmore. I hate it! It sounds like a train is going through the house. Everything smells like mold even though we always leave the door open. The clothes end up tied in knots every cycle no matter how many clothes are in the load. I cannot wait to get rid of it!

 

[tinatark]

I won't recommend a specific brand/set (although I have the Fisher and Paykel top load HE/traditional pair and am happy with it) - but I will share some of the things I would look for:

-quick wash cycle - my loads take nearly an hour to wash. I would love a 30 minute or so cycle

-steam dryer - this is available in washers and dryers, and I don't really see it as such a benefit in the washer (supposed to make stain removal easier) but I would love to have it in my dryer - especially when I leave a load in too long after it has dried!

-for front loaders - instead of a pedestel set, consider a countertop over the top of the pair instead.

- look at the capacity in the washers - for a washer 4+ cf is great, but most dryers show 7+ cf capacity, so not so important to check.

Check at Lowe's - their "clearance" area back near the appliances always has great deals.

 

[Alexander]

I won't recommend a specific brand/set (although I have the Fisher and Paykel top load HE/traditional pair and am happy with it) - but I will share some of the things I would look for:

-quick wash cycle - my loads take nearly an hour to wash. I would love a 30 minute or so cycle

-steam dryer - this is available in washers and dryers, and I don't really see it as such a benefit in the washer (supposed to make stain removal easier) but I would love to have it in my dryer - especially when I leave a load in too long after it has dried!

-for front loaders - instead of a pedestel set, consider a countertop over the top of the pair instead.
- look at the capacity in the washers - for a washer 4+ cf is great, but most dryers show 7+ cf capacity, so not so important to check.

Check at Lowe's - their "clearance" area back near the appliances always has great deals.

I love my pedestels. It is soooo much easier on my back! It was also a dream when I was pregnant and didn't have to bend over to load or unload. The drawers really don't hold a whole lot because they aren't that tall, but they work for garbage bags, swiffers, and smallish boxes of things. The laundry bottles don't fit in them. That is really the only downside to the pedestels from my perspective.

 

[andrews1ma]

I have the Kenmore front loader washer/dryer combo for almost 4 yrs with no problem until recently. This may go for all front loader type washers...the other day I ran a load and it started to make a load whistling type sound but finished normally. I put my next load in, turned it on and went to go in the shower. Thank god I was taking my time- all of a sudden it sounded like a waterfall was coming from the laundry room. I went in and saw water pouring from the front top drawer where you put the detergent and fabric softener in. I was quickly shut it off but my laundry room was flooded- the scary thing is our laundry room is on the 2nd floor It took like 10 bath sheets to sop up all the water! Thank god i was home- I always set my washer for when I am out to be done by the time I get home. not anymore. Turns out that when the sears repair guy came he knew exactly what the problem was. He opened up the washer, pulled a couple of things off by the door to get his hand to reach on the outside of the drum and pulled out a sock that was lodged. he said it happens ALL THE TIME and this keeps him in business! I was furious. He said it is very common- baby socks and underwire bras keep him in business! Basically the sock was a dress type sock- very thin and it somehow got under the rubber by the door and back into the machine rotating on the outside of the drum- does that make sense? then it lodged where the water enters into the drum- basically forming a blockage and diverting the water outside of the machine via the drawer. UGH! I told the guy that if this is a common problem then Sears should recommend or even include one of those net lingerie type bags that you can get from the dollar store with their machines. This visit cost me $135! I was soooo mad! Also because our warranty had just expired- isnt that the way it always works! Well now I am paranoid and stay home every time I do the wash- and I went out that day and bought 3 of those lingerie bags and now all socks and small items go in there. Just thought I would share this- and I have to say other than that these machines have been great- no mold or smells- although sheets to get knotted up and tangled. Good luck with your decision- it is a tough one!

 

[MaumeeMom]

We bought our washer/dryer a year and a half ago. Whirlpool Cabrio set. Front loading washer, but without the center agitator. It holds a huge amount of clothes, gets them really clean, is HE so it uses less water and detergent. Perhaps not quite as much less water and detergetnt as a front loader BUT no front loader vibration issues. The clothes feel barely wet when they come out and the dryer cycle takes even less time than the washer. I've been thrilled with my set. Older models had an issue that they resolved, and so far I'm not hearing of any problems nor having any problems. (Knock wood! LOL)

I think you meant "top load"

I have this set as well and love it. It has many of the same water/energy saving qualities as the front loaders without the hassles of the vibration problems.

OP where are you going to put the units? I was told that front loaders do best on solid/foundation floors. That is why I got the Cabrio - my laundry is on the main level on a wood/tile floor.