washer and dryer

[Leleluvsdis]

I need help that is both budget and opinion related. DH and I recently bought a house and we close 4/28. It does not include a washer and dryer. We were thinking about a front loading washer and dryer, however, I've talked to a couple family members that have mixed views on them. Although top loaders are much more cheaper, I've heard you can fit more in front loaders, and are more energy effiecient and clean better. For anyone who has experience with front loaders please give your opinions, and if you are in a similar situation I would love to hear yours as well. We currently have top loader, but I've never had front loaders, so I don't have anything to compare to them. TIA!

 

[Normangirls]

We just replaced our Maytag front loader after only four years. We had all of the typical problems: odor in the machine, problems getting our clothes rinsed well, needing to use (more expensive) HE detergent. It doesn't help that we live on a farm and have very, very hard water (we have a water softener, and I think the degree to which we have to "soften" our water exacerbated our laundry problems). And our clothes get, well, dirtier than most! So the fact that it used less water than typical top loaders was actually adding to our issues.

I was almost releived when it finally died and I could get rid of it.

We got an old fashioned, top loading Speed Queen. It came with the best, longest warrenty, and didn't cost any more than other brands. Our repairman recommended it, and said he never gets calls on them. He actually just bought one himself (and he was not in a position to try to sell me one).

P.S. -- CONGRATULATIONS on your home!

 

[Bren's Mom]

They now make top loaders with no center agitator stick...so they hold more, nearly as much as a front loader...and they're high efficiency...and do a great job cleaning.

We went with the Whirlpool Cabrio set a couple years ago...I love them!

 

[dawson5]

I am not a huge fan of our Maytag but as for the front loader. I am just fine with it. We do not get a smell, but we leave the door open to let it air dry.

Our issue with the Maytag came from it starting to sound like a jet taking off. I call them to see about fixing it. They know all about this problem. It's the bearings. You can't just replace the bearings, you need to replace the drum, an arm and something else---for about $1000 for just parts, no labor. We googled, bought aftermarket bearings for $80 and it took a few hours to replace. Works great now. The bearings going out on our model is common place from what we read. We did find out that in later models, they have used an enclosed/sealed bearings and it does not have this problem.

I buy HE Tide and it's the same price as any other Tide out there. I remember in the very beginning it costing more, but as these HE machines became more popular, the price came down. I've been told that you can use half the amount of a regular (non-HE) detergent and this would work okay. From what we read, this is something that should not be done. Use HE detergent in HE machines, non-HE detergent suds more and I guess it taxes the machine more. (This is all from memory.)

 

[cjnix29]

I have to second the vote for the new top loaders that work like front loaders. I have the Maytag Bravos, LOVE LOVE LOVE them! I have had front loaders before and didn't like them, but would not be without this washer and dryer. They are HE, and I could fit more in this than I ever could in my front loader.

 

[Anne34]

I have to second the vote for the new top loaders that work like front loaders. I have the Maytag Bravos, LOVE LOVE LOVE them! I have had front loaders before and didn't like them, but would not be without this washer and dryer. They are HE, and I could fit more in this than I ever could in my front loader.

I am so happy to hear this!!! We are closing on a house May 10th and I am not taking my LG front loaders. They sound like a jet taking off during spin cycles and often shake. We have on/off odor problems. I just ordered my Maytag Bravos for the new house. Glad you like them.

 

[Nohal]

I am also happy to hear your reviews because I just purchased a Whirlpool Cabrio set. I was concerned because a friend told me that without the center agitator your clothes become twisted and she had to learn how to mix her wash loads. After talking to the salesman I realized that if I still load it like my old washer and don't completely cover the center I will be ok. I also didn't want a front load because to me it would be a pain to keep bending down to wash and dry and I didn't want to buy the extra cabinet to put them on.

 

[katied]

We have front loaders - bought in Aug when we bought a new house. We also have hard water (well water) and a water softner system. We've very happy with our front loaders (LG model - cherry red).

DS is a toddler, and gets very dirty, plus DH does lots of outdoor and indoor manual labor around the house (yard work, tile work, etc). So we have very dirty clothes. Everything gets clean.

I use the HE stuff from Costco - Egos or something like that. Doesn't seem to be a bad price. Also, I leave the door open on the washing machine for a day or so after running laundry, to let it dry out.

The machines hold a ton of clothes, and I'm very happy.

(to avoid the bending down to load the washer - DS has decided he LOVES to help mommy with laundry. So his job is to put the dirty clothes in, and then switch the clothes from the washer to the dryer. He loves to do it, and he's the perfect size to do it without bending down. It may take 3 x as long as doing it myself, but we both have far more fun with laundry this way.)

 

[mlittig]

I have to second the vote for the new top loaders that work like front loaders. I have the Maytag Bravos, LOVE LOVE LOVE them! I have had front loaders before and didn't like them, but would not be without this washer and dryer. They are HE, and I could fit more in this than I ever could in my front loader.

I am waiting until this Thursday to purchase my new Bravos washer machine because Massachusetts is starting an energy saver appliance exchange so I will get $175 back I went with the Bravos model that was rated number 1 by Consumer Reports So glad to hear how you feel about yours

 

[bouncycat]

I have the whirlpool duets, had them since 2005 when Hurricane Wilma destroyed the keys....I swear by them!! They are kinda loud when spinning, but other than that, no problems, even thru a move!! Love them, and wouldn't trade them for nothing. They are the older models, so maybe that helps?? Not as many gadgets. I use the HE tide, and downey, we're also on septic here, so it helps to not use as much water, and haven't had any problems in that department. I do recommend the stands that you can get with them tho, saves on the bending!!

 

[nexttrip4us]

In January, we upgraded our 16 year old Amana set to a HUGE Whilrpool Duet front loading set...LOVE them and how much fits in them.

My original first choice was the Amana front loading sets from Home Depot...great price and great reviews. Were smaller than the set we ended up purchasing and capacity was a big deal for us--with 6 people to do laundry for.

Good luck!

 

[flakypuff]

I am waiting until this Thursday to purchase my new Bravos washer machine because Massachusetts is starting an energy saver appliance exchange so I will get $175 back I went with the Bravos model that was rated number 1 by Consumer Reports So glad to hear how you feel about yours

Hmmm I like in MA...what is the energy exchange...sorry to borrow you thread OP


We have Electrolux front loader and dryer...LOVE IT!

 

[r&kmommy]

(didn't read pps)

Our washer got destroyed when a cabinet hanging on the wall over/behind it crashed off the wall (!!!! lucky nobody was in there using the potty when it fell - it was middle of the nite) the dryer was untouched. Anyway, we upgraded from a top loader (had a maytag for 13 years, totally worth it we love maytag) to an electrolux front loader. I FREAKING LOVE MY WASHER!!! It's so totally awesome!! Worth every penny. I can fit my queen down comforter, a set of sheets and the duvet cover in there at one time and it gets SO CLEAN!

My ONLY beef is that we don't have a matching dryer. I don't care that they don't match colors and shape - it's annoying to have such a HUGE washer and tiny (like almost half the size) dryer! 99% of my wash loads have to be dried in 2 different dryer loads... which then means that I can't run another wash while the dryer is running becuase the other half of the clean/wet load are waiting to go into the dryer. (my dh says why not just pile the clean/wet up top of the dryer, but that's foolish becuase I'll always be a half load behind anyway kwim?)

So even if you mix/match washer/dryer brand or style, try to get the same or as close to it capacity. It will save your sanity and making laundry more efficient.

 

[kim929]

When I lived at my old house I had a front loader. I really miss having it. I'm tired of having to run downstairs to readjust the load when the weight isn't distributed right when loading a top loader.

 

[mlittig]

Hmmm I like in MA...what is the energy exchange...sorry to borrow you thread OP


We have Electrolux front loader and dryer...LOVE IT!

Here is some information on the Mass Save website


http://masssave.com/

 

[Swimalie]

They now make top loaders with no center agitator stick...so they hold more, nearly as much as a front loader...and they're high efficiency...and do a great job cleaning.

We went with the Whirlpool Cabrio set a couple years ago...I love them!

I'll 2nd that. My parents have a GE top loading high efficiency one that they love. We're thinking about getting it as well.

 

[englishteacha]

I have a top loader (a giant Whirlpool one). I like it except that I can't wash sleeping bags in it (they'll fit but the agitator wrecks the batting inside them). If we get a new one in a few years, it will be one that is either a quiet front loader (our washer is in the kitchen), or a top loader without an agitator. Our dryer is in our bathroom, about 15 steps away from the washer, so either way, I'm going to lug laundry!

 

[Leleluvsdis]

So after reading everyone's opinions, and visiting the appliance store last night... I think we've decided on front loaders. My main selling point you wonder... that fact that the washer only used 5 GALLONS OF WATER That is CRAZY!!!! We will be on well water, and have a pump up septic, so the less water used the better. Also the fact that cloths are dry completly in the same amount of time it takes to wash the clothes is just as awesome. With the washer and dryer I have now, I can wash 3 loads of clothes in the amount of time it takes 1 to dry. And that's not doing back to back loads. Considering my set is only 4 years old... I can't imagine technology/speed has changed that much since then. Thanks again everyone!!!

 

[weHEARTmickey]

Here is some information on the Mass Save website

http://masssave.com/

Just FYI....if Mass is anything like Texas, call AS SOON as this promotion begins. I tried for TWO DAYS STRAIGHT to get through the TX line & on the website & NEVER got through. So, I missed out on all the rebates. They had around $23 million to hand out?? (can't remember exactly) & I couldn't ever get through. I sent in a complaint, but they couldn't do anything about it. Thousands of people were out of luck.

Okay, so about the washers & dryers....I heard the clothes don't get as clean b/c they don't use as much water. I have a VERY busy (& typical) DS6. I'm scared his grass/dirt stains won't get clean. Any advice or experience?? (Sorry if I'm hijacking your thread OP!)

 

[Them!]

I think you will love the front loader newbies.
We live in AZ and using less water/energy seems like a good thing to do in the desert. The fast spinning action is much more efficient too. I notice my clothes are nearly dry after a wash cycle, so now the dryer only runs about 30 minutes for a huge load. Yeah! That should help this summer when my ac is running on overdrive.

We were able to take advantage of our state's rebate program too. (Had to log on at exactly 6am and reload with passion!)

Got my LG set delivered this week and so far so go. Had to do some leveling and it is nice to be able to stack them in my tiny laundry "room". Easy to work, easy to load.

My cats are afraid of them though! Must be the sounds???