Washing Machine died... any recommendations

[anotherdismom]

I go back and forth on getting a front loader vs. standard washing machine... I'd love to stack a newer unit, but at 5'2" I'm not sure I'd be able to reach the dryer!!

Ours finally kicked the bucket though, so its time to get *something* preferably a reasonable price. This was a midrange model that we bought back in '98, so I don't think i can really complain about its longevity..

Let me know if you have a machine you love (or hate)!

TIA!

 

[Cynestra]

I bought the cheapest whirlpool washer I could find (new). It has a plastic basket instead of metal, but it works well and has lasted several years. It doesn't rust (like!) and its signal that its done is loud enough that I can hear it in the living/dining area (its in the garage). Its a top loader. My in laws all have front loaders, and they smell musty. I've never had that problem.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

A few years ago we bought the Samsung 4.5 cf front load at Sears Outlet for about $900. Man was it ever the best investment! Our water bill went down by 2 cf a month. It takes very little HE soap to wash a big load which means I spend less on soap. The clothes, especially denim spins so dry that my drying time was cut in half. I can't believe jeans are dry in 20 minutes and we only replaced the washer not the dryer. Because the drying time has been reduced we are using less gas for the dryer. It does take 54 minutes to wash a load, but with the size of the machine it is like doing 2 loads at once. If you have a small load there is a quick wash cycle which takes 38 minutes.

This machine is quiet.. I have it in a basement and have a hard time hearing if it is done. Unlike my old top loader.

I will say that a few coworkers have LG machines and they are not happy with them. They say the machine vibrates so much that it moves the machine at least 4-6 inches.

 

[Debbie7452]

I know some people love their front loaders, but I didn't want to lean over to load the laundry and again to take it out. I guess it would be better with the pedestals but then you are talking $$. I got the top loader Whirlpool Cabrio. It had the biggest capacity I could find at the time (4 kids=lots of laundry). I saved a bundle by buying only the washer on a super sale from one store and then the matching dryer I found scratch and dent at a different store!

Mine have the glass lids on both and while I thought it was a gimmick, I really like having them. I know a lot of people who have had trouble with the stinky smell issue with front loaders.

 

[tikilyn]

I love my new front loaders!! We bought a Frigidaire which is built by Electrolux.
If you have a Conns appliance store near you they often have a sale on front loaders with free pedestals. We paid 650. each for the washer, dryer, and two pedestals. Also the Frigidaire has two hooks, one on the washing machine and one of the door that snap together and they hold the door open a couple of inches so the machine doesn't get musty.

 

[rbork]

LG front loaders

 

[herdtoDisney]

I have the Kennmore HE3 front loader. I've had it over six years now and have not had a single problem with it-and with our family of seven, it gets a workout!
It was a mid-range model from Sears.

OP, at your height, you probably don't even need a pedestal. I'm 5ft even and barely have to bend to load mine I do not think I could reach a stacked dryer.

I've never had a musty smell problem, but I leave my door open between use. I would not do this if small children could access the machine, just for safety.

 

[anotherdismom]

OP, at your height, you probably don't even need a pedestal. I'm 5ft even and barely have to bend to load mine I do not think I could reach a stacked dryer.

I know... being short is a blessing and a curse - had to climb shelves at the grocery store to reach the last of a few sale items I wanted... but its nice when going through caves, camping, and many other times. Good to know that a pedestal isn't necessary for the altitudinally challenged.

thanks for all the supplies... I may go see what I can find on scracth & dent

 

[tikilyn]

This was posted on Gottadeal . Looks like a good deal to me!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung...9847446&cp=1&lp=1&ref=39&CJPID=1418914&loc=01

 

[anotherdismom]

This was posted on Gottadeal . Looks like a good deal to me!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung...9847446&cp=1&lp=1&ref=39&CJPID=1418914&loc=01

sweet - looks like I can pick one up tomorrow Thanks sooooo much!

 

[HeatherAnn23]

I love the front load Samsungs that we just got in January. I'm only on my second bottle of detergent, it uses less water, and our clothes are cleaner than they were with the Maytag Neptune that finally died. The capacity is huge, and they play beautiful songs when the cycle is done.

The washer and the dryer both have the steam cycle, and while I like it, I could live without it.

No problems with mildew yet - but we never had a problem with the Neptune either. We don't have them on the stands, I can use all the exercise I can get. We never had them with the last pair, and I think I'm just used to getting some squats in while I do laundry. When I can't do it anymore, I'll pass the chore on to my kids.

 

[tmbcole]

Washing machine started smoking in December . . . it was done (obviously). We bought a top loading Whirlpool that does not have an agitator. I've never seen anything like it and I wasn't so sure about it at first. However, this type of washer has a sensor to save water . . . the tub only fills enough to cover the clothes. When we received our quarterly water bill, we used almost 3,000 gallons less during the first quarter of 2011 than we did in 2010. It's a middle of the line model - nothing fancy and the clothes come out clean.

Dryer stopped working over the weekend so we got a whirlpool dryer. Not sure about it either, but as long as my clothes come out dry, I'm happy.

Good luck finding a washer.

 

[tikilyn]

sweet - looks like I can pick one up tomorrow Thanks sooooo much!

Glad I could help!

 

[Donaldswife]

I love the front load Samsungs that we just got in January. I'm only on my second bottle of detergent, it uses less water, and our clothes are cleaner than they were with the Maytag Neptune that finally died. The capacity is huge, and they play beautiful songs when the cycle is done.

The washer and the dryer both have the steam cycle, and while I like it, I could live without it.

No problems with mildew yet - but we never had a problem with the Neptune either. We don't have them on the stands, I can use all the exercise I can get. We never had them with the last pair, and I think I'm just used to getting some squats in while I do laundry. When I can't do it anymore, I'll pass the chore on to my kids.

We bought the latest top of line Samsung washer/dryer with pedastals in March and they are FANTASTIC!!!! It uses about a tablespoon of detergent (it injects the detergent with air so it foams before being dispensed into the washer!) very little water, and is EXTREMELY energy efficient. It has stabilization something or other and is SOOOO quiet. My old dryer would take 3 hours to dry towels (we obviously needed a new one) and this one can dry a full load in about 45 minutes. It has a HUGE capacity, and I love them. They were pricey, and this may sound corny, but they were worth it because they are literally the most life changing appliances I have ever purchased. I used to constantly be doing laundry, now it is so easy and quick I don't even mind doing it.

 

[malibuconlee]

When our dryer died the repair man suggested Whirlpool Duet appliances. I trust that he wouldn't steer us wrong and that he knows what he's talking about.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I love my front loaders! Kenmore HEt3. I haven't had a single issue with them. Clothes come out cleaner and softer than toploaders and it uses far less water and eergy. I think I got them in 2004.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

sweet - looks like I can pick one up tomorrow Thanks sooooo much!

DON'T forget to get some HE detergent. Regular detergent is a No No. and remember it doesn't take much detergent for one load. I use Tide and only fill the cup up to the first line from the bottom on the cup.

 

[anotherdismom]

Got some HE detergent and just ran my first load. Its definitely quieter than the old top loader. I got the dryer from Sears... Best Buy was out and Sears did a price match + some percent off... Thanks again for the tip!

For those with front loaders - how full is "full"? The manual just says do not overload, and then that if you're only washing a few items to add some towels to fill the load. My co-worker said her repair guy told her not to fill the drum more than 1/2 full. Anyone else know what "they" say?

 

[cccdisney]

I had to get a new dryer a few years ago when ours died. Got an LG and loved it! So when our washer when out in February, LG was what I looked at first. I wanted a HE one, but my dh was hesitant about a front loader.

We bought an HE LG TOP loader!! LOVE IT!!! We can fit so much more in a load and it uses so little detergent.

Love my LG's and glad we got a top loader HE washer.

 

[herdtoDisney]

For those with front loaders - how full is "full"? The manual just says do not overload, and then that if you're only washing a few items to add some towels to fill the load. My co-worker said her repair guy told her not to fill the drum more than 1/2 full. Anyone else know what "they" say?

I'm suprised the manual says to add towels? My machine senses how much is in there and you can wash just one or two items if you wish.

I've found that the fullest I can get for the BEST wash is almost, but not quite, to the top of the drum, meaning I leave a bit of room for movement. SOmetimes I am in a hurry and stuff it totally full and shove the door shut and that just doesn't do as well but it doesn't make catastrophe, either.