Top load or front load washer/dryer?

[tvguy]

Kenmore is only a brand and not a manufacturer. If there's a standard design for a manufacturer, it could be for any one of a half-dozen manufacturers. I bought a Kenmore refrigerator once, and I determined it was made by Whirlpool. It had a sticker indicating that it contained technology that won some efficiency contest, and I remember that contest was won by Whirlpool.

Sears doesn't really make anything. My mom used to work for a company that made Sears brand household detergents and paints. She got special deals to get tons of dishwashing and laundry detergent. When a friend needed to repaint, she could get a deal on WeatherBeater paint straight from the factory where she did the books.

Yup, I have a Kenmore fridge, made by LG, and the microwave I gave away after my remodel was a Kenmore, made by LG. Used to be almost everything with the Kenmore name on it was made by Whirlpool, but that isn't the case anymore.

 

[bcla]

Yup, I have a Kenmore fridge, made by LG, and the microwave I gave away after my remodel was a Kenmore, made by LG. Used to be almost everything with the Kenmore name on it was made by Whirlpool, but that isn't the case anymore.

My understanding was that Sears basically would buy from anyone and everyone. At certain times in their history, the Kenmore branded refrigerators on the same showroom floor could be from Amana, Whirlpool Maytag, Frigidaire, GE, etc.

Here's a guide to deciphering the serial numbers to find the manufacturer:

http://www.appliance411.com/parts/sears.shtml

Sears has a long history of getting manufacturers to make stuff under their brands. There was a time when they had Atari make a completely compatible version of the 2600 called the Tele-Games Video Arcade system.

 

[Pamlur]

I've had my Whirlpool front-loading duo for six years, and have had two service calls. The service men told me about something I need to use, to clean my washing machine and I use it periodically. One of the service calls was the door being out of whack, so actually one real call. I have never drained anything.

 

[Happy Snowman]

I have a front loader after using top-loaders since the dark ages. I LOVE the front loader. It does a better job cleaning clothing and our water bill is next to nothing now!! The only thing I don't like is not being able to toss a forgotten item into the machine after it's started . I use vinegar as a rinse agent and keep the door open after I use it and it's never gotten that funky smell. I also learned that if you spin clothing too fast, they get really wrinkled so I spin on medium now .

I was also at Lowe's the other day and the appliance guy said that Labor Day weekend is a really good time to buy appliances, especially washers and dryers

 

[Briarmom]

Your post made me dig out my washer manual (Kenmore). There is no mention anywhere in my manual of this. But as I stated earlier, I've been using my machine for a lot of years, so it's an older model. I know that the machine I had before this one didn't have an accessible pump filter either. I just assume since there is no mention in the manual that this is a necessary and frequent cleaning/maintenance procedure, that there's no reason for me to now start tearing the kickplate off my machine every month.

I've had my front loaders for 5 years this month and I've never had to do this, either.

I have not one complaint. They've worked great the whole time and we're bummed that the people who want to buy our house want us to throw them in to the deal.
Mostly because we don't want to shop for a washer/dryer AGAIN.

 

[tvguy]

I've had my front loaders for 5 years this month and I've never had to do this, either.

I have not one complaint. They've worked great the whole time and we're bummed that the people who want to buy our house want us to throw them in to the deal.
Mostly because we don't want to shop for a washer/dryer AGAIN.

What brand?

 

[lovemygoofy]

I've had my front loaders for 5 years this month and I've never had to do this, either.

I have not one complaint. They've worked great the whole time and we're bummed that the people who want to buy our house want us to throw them in to the deal.
Mostly because we don't want to shop for a washer/dryer AGAIN.

I can't believe you aren't throwing in the w/d and offering your laundry service to get out of that house and town

OP, I have a LG top loader washer and a front load dryer. The only real complaint I have is that I can barely reach into the bottom of my washer and it takes forever (42 mins) for a standard wash.

 

[minnie mum]

My understanding was that Sears basically would buy from anyone and everyone. At certain times in their history, the Kenmore branded refrigerators on the same showroom floor could be from Amana, Whirlpool Maytag, Frigidaire, GE, etc.

Here's a guide to deciphering the serial numbers to find the manufacturer:

http://www.appliance411.com/parts/sears.shtml

Sears has a long history of getting manufacturers to make stuff under their brands. There was a time when they had Atari make a completely compatible version of the 2600 called the Tele-Games Video Arcade system.

Thanks for posting that link!!! Of course I knew that Kenmore appliances were made by other companies and just had a Kenmore label put on it. All of my kitchen appliances are Kenmore, but I know that the d/w is Whirlpool, the stove is Frigidaire, etc. But for the life of me I couldn't remember what the washer and dryer are. Turns out they're Whirlpool.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I have a front-load washer. If I had my preference I would have a top-load. Front-load (stackable) is the only thing that will fit in the space we have here.

I have always worried about the awful smell that people talk about that can happen with the front-load washers. I have not experienced that. I have taken measures to prevent it. I leave the door open, I often dry out the rubber part after I am done. Occasionally I run one of those cleaner things through it. Never been an issue, but I always worry it will become one.

 

[lakelandgal70]

We just made the switch in October, from top loader to front loader. Our experience so far:

Advantages:
1) Clothes are cleaner
2) Uses less water
3) Uses less soap
4) Computer programs the wash to right time, water level and soap

Disadvantages:
1) You HAVE to drain and clean the motor filter once a month (or you will ruin the motor) and put the plug back in and make sure it doesn't leak.
2) They are a whole lot more expensive to buy.

So far, we are glad we made the switch.

You post made me panic lol I have never drained and cleaned the motor filter nor did anyone tell us we had to do that. I probably should get manual out and see lol I love our front loader and have had it 6years or so but when it bits the dust I don't know if I will get another one. I do love that it uses less water and soap.

 

[lakelandgal70]

I have a front-load washer. If I had my preference I would have a top-load. Front-load (stackable) is the only thing that will fit in the space we have here.

I have always worried about the awful smell that people talk about that can happen with the front-load washers. I have not experienced that. I have taken measures to prevent it. I leave the door open, I often dry out the rubber part after I am done. Occasionally I run one of those cleaner things through it. Never been an issue, but I always worry it will become one.

Yeah that is something I have always been worried about but like you I keep door open and I do buy those tide cleaning things if hubby closes the door, which he does a lot But even on those occasions still it doesn't stink.

 

[tigercat]

I can't use top loading machines. I would need a ladder in order to get the clothes out. I love my front loading machines. With mine I can add things to the machine after it has started but only up to a certain point. At that point I wouldn't be adding anything to a top loading machine either though. I have the stands for both of them and they are the perfect height for me.

I use vinegar for the rinse and don't use fabric softener. I use a mild non perfume detergent. I try to leave it open sometimes but for the most part the door is closed. There are 5 different people using it and I don't go down stairs very often so don't check to make sure it is open or not.

It senses the amount of clothes in it which is great and it is wonderful for my comforter and sheets. I don't have a problem with clothes not coming out clean other than the horrible stains that the boys (adult men not young boys) get on their clothes. Any of my stains it is fine with. Although I have found Lestoil at Canadian Tire finally and that is taking care of their stains now.

It is between 8 and 12 yrs. old. I can't remember exactly what year we bought them but know that it was at the very least 8 and pretty sure it was before then.

tigercat

 

[sam_gordon]

We've had a front loader for about 4-5 years now I think. Aside from running an 'Afresh' tablet through, we haven't done any maintenance on it. We do leave the door open when not in use (at least cracked).

The ONLY thing I don't like about it is clothes will fall to the floor when transferring to the dryer. On a top loader, you can grab a bunch of clothes, hold them over the washer to let the "clinging on" ones fall back, then put in the dryer. On the front loader, the "clinging" clothes of course drop to the floor as soon as they're beyond the door.

Other than that, we like ours. It's quiet, and big.

 

[bcla]

I've heard of some machines that dispenses (via electrolysis) a small amount of silver nanoparticles to prevent the musty smell of clothes that have been wet too long. They prevent growth of the microorganisms that cause the smell. It's also the same type of treatment for clothing that's marketed as antimicrobial - especially synthetic clothing that can often stink because sweat tends to evaporate on the surface of the fiber, as well as socks.

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/Issues/2007/January/NanoHypeComesOutWash.asp

There is controversy over this, especially since most of this will end up in the waste water and not the clothes. Traditional sewage treatment doesn't remove most of the silver, and in enough concentration it's toxic to fish. There's controversy over it being used too often in clothing, where it comes out, but a washing machine by definition will put out a lot more than an already treated article of clothing.

 

[Happy Snowman]

We've had a front loader for about 4-5 years now I think. Aside from running an 'Afresh' tablet through, we haven't done any maintenance on it. We do leave the door open when not in use (at least cracked).

The ONLY thing I don't like about it is clothes will fall to the floor when transferring to the dryer. On a top loader, you can grab a bunch of clothes, hold them over the washer to let the "clinging on" ones fall back, then put in the dryer. On the front loader, the "clinging" clothes of course drop to the floor as soon as they're beyond the door.

Other than that, we like ours. It's quiet, and big.

I just put a basket under the door to the washer to catch the clothes that fall

 

[WDWDancer]

We have an old old top loader (like 20 years old at least) it still works amazing and since I cloth diaper it has been recommended to stay with a top loader. My mom had a front loader, it was nothing but problems, she went back to the top loader

 

[Briarmom]

What brand?

Maytag. I would love to buy this exact same one again, too. I am sure they don't make it anymore since it's 5 years old!

I can't believe you aren't throwing in the w/d and offering your laundry service to get out of that house and town

I think we'll let them have it, but only because when the moving company came to look at how much crap we have, they asked if we had the bolts to move the washer/dryer. Um...we do not. I guess there are moving bolts?

Either way, we live in a TERRIBLE housing market and we want to get out of here to move to an even crappier town. And, if I'm being honest, our RED washer and dryer will not match our new house. But the dryer at our new house is shot (dh texted me that information from an inspection yesterday).

We've had a front loader for about 4-5 years now I think. Aside from running an 'Afresh' tablet through, we haven't done any maintenance on it. We do leave the door open when not in use (at least cracked).

We do that, too.

I just put a basket under the door to the washer to catch the clothes that fall

Same.

 

[pls5286]

We have an old old top loader (like 20 years old at least) it still works amazing and since I cloth diaper it has been recommended to stay with a top loader. My mom had a front loader, it was nothing but problems, she went back to the top loader

Can you please explain why a top loader is better. We plan to cloth diaper but just got a front loader last month.

 

[bcla]

Can you please explain why a top loader is better. We plan to cloth diaper but just got a front loader last month.

I'm guessing that the rationale is that more water is generally needed to deal with that amount of **ahem** soiling.

http://community.babycenter.com/post/a7478555/high_efficiency_washers_and_cloth_diapers

Still - diaper services use large commercial front-loaders which are essentially a large-scale equivalent to an HE machine.