Owners of front-loading washers - HELP!

[kbkids]

More than likely, we are going to need to purchase a new washer soon. Any brands you recommend? Are you happy with yours? Any quirks I need to know about? What detergent do you use? Anything else I should know?

I just hate to spend so much money on one and then not be happy with it.

 

[ducklite]

I have the Duet's with the pedastals--LOVE them!!! No more bending over to do laundry, and the deep drawer storage in the pedastals is fantastic--I keep a lot of cleaning supplies (Swiffer refills, sponges, wipes, etc. in there--so much better than trying to stack in cabinets.)

They use less water, get everything clean. I use All Free & Clear HE detergent.

I leave the door to the washer slightly ajar after using it so the seal can completely dry.

I did a lot of research before making my choice, and am fully satisfied with it.

One more thing, I bought them in dove grey, they don't show grime like white appliances tend to do.

Anne

 

[golfgal]

I just happen to have my 2006 Consumer Reports Buying Guide handy and they rated washing machines in this issue. Their top pick for front loaders was the Kenmore Elite HE4. Their number two pick was the Whirlpool Duet HT and their third pick was Bosch Nexxt Premium. They have them listed at around $1300-1500, which I know the prices will vary from those. Their top ten all have about the same ratings.

 

[clarabelle]

I have not been completely satisfied with my Maytag neptune.
It has been worked on twice and the seals mildew -not just a little a lot!
There have been so many complaints on this one that there is a class action law suit.

 

[sorcerormickey]

We have the Bosch Nexxt - LOVE THEM!! We use All HE detergent as well.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We wanted a front loader when we moved here. However they can have a mildew issues. I am very allerigic to mold/mildew and did not want to risk it.

We settled on the new GE toploader without agitator. It is seems OK so far.

 

[atlnewf]

I've got the Kenmore and love it! I can do bigger loads and it's easier to get them in/out.

Ashley

 

[puffkin]

I had a Whirlpool Duet and LOVED it. It worked great. I didn't really care for the dryer that much (didn't feel it was worth the extra cost) but the washer was great.

Just a word of caution, but front loaders are extremely deep if you have space limitations. When we moved to our new house, the Duets would not fit in our upstairs laundry closet because they were too deep. I had to sell them and I ended up with the Maytag Neptunes. I like the dryer on the Neptune much better and the washer is fine, but I liked the Duet better. The Duet also had a much larger load capacity.

I use regular Tide Cold Water. I only use half a cap instead of a full cap for a full load though. I have never had a sudsing problem.

 

[Tantor]

another vote for the Whirlpool Duet.

 

[maryliz]

We have a Frigidaire, and it works great. My only complaint would be that the clothes get very twisted and tangled up, and trying to pull wet clothes out of the washer often ends up with items twisted amongst onto the floor below I've also noticed that things are more wrinkled coming out of the the dryer ... I don't know if it's because they're SO wrinkled going in?

MaryLiz

 

[PaulaSue]

I LOVE mine! I got a Kennmore about 2 months ago. It was the last years model for about half the price of the newer ones (in colors, and slightly bigger drum). I used half of my normal detergent instead of the HE kind. THe only thing I don't like is the water left in the rubber seal after doing a load. I try to dry it out as much as possible and leave the door open all the time unless company. Also get the drawers for underneath they are great especially in my small house. SO WORTH IT!!!

 

[TLHB70]

We have the Bosch Nexxt Premium washer and dryer. I love them. I am able to wash and dry all of my clothes a lot faster. Plus it saves on water and electricity. I use the Tide HE detergent. I have also used my regular detergent and cut the amount in half once. That was fine, too. I leave the door of the washer open when it is not in use to help dry out the left over water on the seal.

 

[wnissen]

We have a basic Kenmore front-loader. It holds far more clothes than a top-loader, uses significantly less water, and is so gentle you can even use it on "hand-washables". The savings in water and drying time will more than pay for the difference in price, and think how many fewer loads you will have to do. Even Costco has HE detergent now. Buying a top-loader is penny-wise and pound-foolish.

Walt

 

[JudicialTyranny]

We have a Frigidaire washer and dryer. We put them in the laundry room, and that allowed us to put a countertop over them which makes a nice folding area and place to put stuff as we come into the house - we come in from the garage into the laundry room.

The Duets were nice but too big for where we needed them to go. We looked at a Bosch (I forget which model) but the load size was too small.

 

[justjulie]

We have the Kenmore too and I love it - bigger load capacity means less loads and I'm all for that! I think the Kenmore is actually made by Whirlpool or GE or someone and Sears just puts their brand name on it.

 

[Griggle]

We have the Kenmore's (in black) and I love them....they need to be balanced quite a bit though....that spin cycle is something else....

 

[720L]

What's wrong with the Maytag Neptunes??? That's what I got and so far I love them. I've only been using it for 2 weeks though......so tell me what I have to look forward to.

 

[skiwee1]

I just happen to have my 2006 Consumer Reports Buying Guide handy and they rated washing machines in this issue. Their top pick for front loaders was the Kenmore Elite HE4. Their number two pick was the Whirlpool Duet HT and their third pick was Bosch Nexxt Premium. They have them listed at around $1300-1500, which I know the prices will vary from those. Their top ten all have about the same ratings.

Great to know about the Kenmore HE4s! I just ordered those for my new mudroom. After looking at all the frontloaders these have everything I wanted.

 

[skiwee1]

What's wrong with the Maytag Neptunes??? That's what I got and so far I love them. I've only been using it for 2 weeks though......so tell me what I have to look forward to.

Neptunes are the biggest lemons out there. I'm surprised there still on the market. All the dealers we have talked to tell me they never recommend them due to the problems and lawsuit. Good luck.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Have had the Kenmore Elites (I believe Whirlpool makes them) for a little over 2 years now. Have had no problems or complaints!!! I use regular detergent (I like to use Tide Free) , but use less. Have not noticed any problems with mildew - but I always leave the washer open when I am done. Well, one little problem: there is this little partition you move depending on whether you are using liquid or powder - I keep forgetting to move it out of the way when I switch to powder (which means all or most of the detergent does not make it into the washer and you have to start all over!) - but anyone with a better brain/attention span than mine would have NO problem!!!!