Recommendations for front loading washers?

[Wish_I_Was_At_WDW]

My washer died and I'd like to replace it with a front loader. Can anyone make any recommendations? I've gone to several stores and my head is spinning with everybody recommending something different.

 

[Christine]

I haven't done the research lately; however, I do remember for a time that the Whirlpool Duette series was doing very well--even better than the Maytage washers which were having computer problems.

My co-worker just bought the Whirlpool set last week.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Do a little reading on line, some of the brands have a problem with mold growing in them because the seal is so tight.

Never had a problem with my Frigidiare! The money you save in water and soap will pay for the thing in a matter of a few years!

 

[ducklite]

I've got a Whirlpool Duet pair, going on three years old and works great. No mold.

I bought the pedastels as well, makes doing laundry a breeze, and they give a ton of extra storage.

Anne

 

[cardaway]

We purchased the LG WM2688HWM a couple months ago and are very happy with it so far. It's one of the priciest machines out there, but we looked to buy the top rated washer.

The real selling point for me was that it's a direct drive system - no belts. Very quiet and it spins very fast.

We als got the matching dryer even though it was not the top rated dryer. It did rate near the top so it's not a concern. And given how much water the washer spins out, drying isn't that much of a problem.

 

[KelNottAt]

I've got the Kenmore. I've had them since December. So far so good. They've since come out with a newer model, but mine is fine, no make that great.

Oh, pay attention to the way your laundry room is configured. You want to make sure the appliances can open so that door hinges are on the outer edges of the machines. For a variety of un-changeable reasons that we discovered after delivery, my hinges are in the middle, so the doors bump into each other when they're both open. Makes transferring loads more hassle than it has to be.

Oh, and I didn't get the pedastals. (I thought they were just an expensive gimmick.) In hindsight, I wish I had them. Especially with those backwards doors. Might make the reaching and bending a little easier. As it is now, I consider swapping loads part of my exercise routine.

 

[Wish_I_Was_At_WDW]

Thanks for the info! Keep it coming! Some people I work with warned me against the Neptunes and have recommended Kenmore. I saw the LG models at Home Depot but didn't really pay much attention to them as I never heard of the brand. So they are good huh?

 

[ocd4disney]

I have an LG and it is the biggest piece of junk ever......I hate it. I have problems with mold growing in it. For half the price I paid I could have had a top loading machine that I would have liked better. I haven't noticed any significant water savings and I have to buy special high efficiency soap that costs more. They said if you don't use the HE soap it can cause mold (or is it mildew?) problems. I have to run it with bleach every couple of weeks and I am supposed to dry out around the seals. And they said I had to run the spin cycle when it was empty to help drain any water that gets left in it. The sales person didn't warn me about any of this! Also, if you decide to get one definitely look at the orientation of your laundry room. I wasn't warned about that and the door opens the wrong way on my washer. It is a pain!!....did I mention I hate my machine?

 

[disneymcgraw]

I have an LG and I love it.

 

[ocd4disney]

I have an LG and I love it.

I have a friend who also has an LG and she loves hers too. I called the company but all they did was give me a list of things to do to try to keep it clean. I am just so disappointed I could cry. My laundry rarely smells fresh and clean. If I leave clothes in it overnight they smell bad....clothes should not sour overnight. I am at a loss as to what to do. The machine is only 18 months old but I already want a new one.

 

[cardaway]

LG's are awesome. They have been sold in other parts of the world for years and get good ratings there.

You do have to use HE detergent, and leave the door open to dry once in a while, but that's true with most front loaders.

Don't let folks who don't use theirs correctly scare you away from buying a brand or style.

 

[belle&beast]

I have had my Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer for 3.5 years now and absolutely love them. We have the pedestals and have never had mold problems. We do leave the door of the washer slightly open until it dries completely because we did have an odor last summer when it was tightly closed during high humidity times. We just ran it once with bleach to get rid of the smell and then started letting it dry before we close it.

A friend of mine bought the Maytag Neptune set at the same time and has had nothing but trouble with it breaking down- especially the washer. I am not sure what they are like now, but she has had a lot of trouble with hers that is about 3 years old.

 

[ocd4disney]

LG's are awesome. They have been sold in other parts of the world for years and get good ratings there.

You do hace to use HE detergent, and leave the door open to dry once a while, but that's true with most front loaders.

Don't let folks who don't use theirs correctly scare you away from buying a brand or style.

I will have you know that I DO use my machine correctly and have done everything technical support has recommended and have still have nothing but trouble. I am willing to concede that it is possible that I somehow ended up with a lemon because, like I said, I know someone who has one and she loves it. I am deeply offended that you would jump to the conclusion that because someone doesn't like front loaders that he or she is not using it correctly.

 

[lindakmonty]

Do a little reading on line, some of the brands have a problem with mold growing in them because the seal is so tight.

Never had a problem with my Frigidiare! The money you save in water and soap will pay for the thing in a matter of a few years!

that was the problem w/my Maytag Neptune!! Love the washer...but it had that problem. That was several years ago, so I'm sure they fixed that by now.

 

[cardaway]

I will have you know that I DO use my machine correctly and have done everything technical support has recommended and have still have nothing but trouble. I am willing to concede that it is possible that I somehow ended up with a lemon because, like I said, I know someone who has one and she loves it. I am deeply offended that you would jump to the conclusion that because someone doesn't like front loaders that he or she is not using it correctly.

You even tried to blame the sales person.

The sales person didn't warn me about any of this! Also, if you decide to get one definitely look at the orientation of your laundry room. I wasn't warned about that and the door opens the wrong way on my washer. It is a pain!!....did I mention I hate my machine?

The ways to prevent and correct this stuff is right in the manual. In fact, I suspect the way to switch which way the door opens is in the manual as well.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

I have the Kenmore. At the time I bought about a year and a half ago (not sure about now) it was made in the same factory as the Whirlpool Duets and they were the exact same machines with slightly different bells and whistles. At the time we got a better deal on the Kenmore, otherwise it would have been a toss up. We opted for the top of the line one, mainly for the sanitary cycle, which is a very long, very hot water cycle (heats to a specific germ killing temp) supposed to kill any germs (thanks to germaphobe dh). I just went along with it, for his sake. But we recently adopted our youngest ds and he came home with scabies. I tell you I have never loved any appliance as much as that machine with the sanitary cycle!!! Its great when the kids are sick too. We've never had any mold problems, but I leave the door open about an inch whenever the machine is not in use. It seems to be designed toencourage this (no light on when the door is left open like some models, the hinge allows it to be left just slightly open without being in the way). We have the pedestals and love them!! I believe the doors can be installed to open on either side, so I'm not sure how some people end up with the doors on the wrong side?

 

[cardaway]

I believe the doors can be installed to open on either side, so I'm not sure how some people end up with the doors on the wrong side?

Exactly.

And we didn't go for the pedastals, but did for a table top and side bin system that was actually designed for the Kenmore Elite series by Sears. Great way to keep the top clean and get tons of storage.

 

[ocd4disney]

Never mind.....

 

[petrymom]

Do a little reading on line, some of the brands have a problem with mold growing in them because the seal is so tight.

Never had a problem with my Frigidaire! The money you save in water and soap will pay for the thing in a matter of a few years!

I have a Frigidaire and had the mold issue. I have since learned NOT to close the door all the way between washings. I have talked to other women who have this brand and they also leave the door open between washings....
Our local dealer sells both Frigidaire and Maytag and pushed the Frigidaire as the service on the Maytags, if anything goes wrong, can be VERY tedious.

Good Luck - Overall, I love my front loader!!!!

 

[bookgirl]

Hey all I can tell you is make sure which side your washer/dryer has to hook up on and check the doors. My brothers don't switch directions and his now open up towards each other and it's a big pain.