Washing machine/dryer?

[mom2boys77]

Ok since you all helped me out with my dishes I was hoping you can help me with something else..our house will likely be ready by May/June so I'm trying to research appliances. We had a fire so we are replacing everything. It's truly overwhelming how many different choices of washers and dryers there are. I like the look of the front loaders but have heard that they can start to smell. I am interested in whatever you can tell..what kind you have, what to look for etc. Thanks!

 

[buckler]

I have had a front loader for about a year now and it does not smell. I always leave the door and soap dispenser open when not in use so they dry out completely between uses.

 

[mom2boys77]

What kind do you have?

 

[Sandi]

I have Samsung front loaders. I also got the pedestals for them. I've had them about 1.5 years and LOVE them. You're supposed to leave the door of the washer slightly ajar after running loads so that it dries out. If it is dry, you avoid mold and smell problems.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

We have an LG front loader. LOVE it!! We also leave the front door open to let it dry out. We have had it for 5 yrs w/o any smell problems. It replaced an 12 yr old maytag. I do love how it uses soo much less water and detergant too!

Our dryer is our orginal Maytag-- 17 yrs old. It is able to dry the larger loads w/o any problem. We have had a repair man out twice in the last 5yrs for the dryer. Replaced the heating element and something else (forgot). One item each visit. We were going to replace the dryer w/ an LG dryer. Found a great price at a Sears outlet. All set to buy it but the cost for them to hook it up (gas) was outragous. Btwn delivery and hookup it added another $200 to the great price we found. We ended up calling the same repair man. It was about $200 for the repair. He says the the regular mechanical dryers are fine. No need for the computerized dryers. It made more sense for us to repair the dryer than replace it.

Good luck w/ your decision!

 

[buckler]

I have a GE WCVH6800JWW. On the Lowe's and Sear's sites people rate it a 3.5 out of 5. I'd say that's fair. It's working fine for us and I don't regret the purchase but I'm not in absolute love with it either.

We didn't buy a new dryer because our almost 20 year old dryer is still working.

 

[nexttrip4us]

We just got a new front loading set--a 4.4 cu ft Whirlpool duet washer and matching dryer. We replaced a 16 yo Amana set, that still worked, just took too long to do all the laundry for a family of 6. I do love how well the new set works and how much faster I get my laundry done.

Had size not been as much of an issue, I would have gotten this set:
http://www.homedepot.com/Appliances...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

It gets great reviews and we really loved our old Amana set.

Good luck!

 

[Sarah_Rose]

One issue that could affect your decision is where in the house they will be located. We have a second story laundry room and were told that front loaders can be a big problem - some of them cause a lot of vibration and are not appropriate for second stories. We were told that the Samsung and Boche front-loaders are the best for second story laundry rooms. We're having trouble deciding between the two.

 

[mom2boys77]

So if I leave the door open after using it, we should be ok. I was really looking at the Samsung but there are so many different models..it was starting to give me a headache. And I still have to get all kitchen appliances too ugggh.

 

[lovebuzz]

I just purchased this at Home Depot yesterday. After a lot of reserch I chose this pair. I went on the Best Buy website and if you put both items in your cart they will give you 15% off. That makes the washer and dryer $934.99 each after you select in store pick up. The home Depot will then match that price for you and then add delivery.


Coordinating Items
LG Electronics

4.2 Cu. Ft. Extra Large Capacity SteamWasherâ„¢ - WAS $1199


Model # WM2501HVA Internet/Catalog # 202017154
Store SKU # 994113 Store SO SKU # 994113

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Online Special Valid: 03/04/2010 - 03/10/2010








7.3 Cu. Ft. Extra Large Capacity Electric SteamDryer™ - WAS $1199
Model DLEX2501V
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7.3 Cu. Ft. Extra Large Capacity Gas SteamDryer™ - WAS $1269
Model DLGX2502V
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[mom2boys77]

Thank you! Maybe you could come back to this thread after you've used them a few times and let me know how you like them?

 

[lovebuzz]

Unfortunatly, we are not having them delivered until 4/1. The pair has great reviews though. It has all of the bells and whisles. Steam care, and a shoe rack in the dryer, etc....

 

[mom2boys77]

That's ok..we are knocking the rest of our house down and putting a modular home up so it won't be ready until at least the end of May. I'm just trying to do my research now.

Unfortunatly, we are not having them delivered until 4/1. The pair has great reviews though. It has all of the bells and whisles. Steam care, and a shoe rack in the dryer, etc....

 

[dex08]

OP -- I see you are in NJ so don't forget the NJ rebate for appliances program!

Here's a link to the program details
http://www.energysavers.gov/financial/rebates/state_NJ.cfm

I have had my front loading Whirlpool set for nearly 4 years and I love them! I've never had a problem with mold/mildew/odor and I've always left the washer door cracked open. I love that the washer has a much faster spin speed and wrings out more water/moisture so this requires much less drying time. Also, the washer has an extra, extra large load capacity and with my gas dryer it still takes less time to dry than conventional dryer.

GL!

 

[mom2boys77]

Thank you! I hadn't heard about that. Unfortunately I can't recycle the old appliances but will definitely be buying energy star equipment..you say you have a Whirlpool..which one? is there a certain name of it?

OP -- I see you are in NJ so don't forget the NJ rebate for appliances program!

Here's a link to the program details
http://www.energysavers.gov/financial/rebates/state_NJ.cfm

I have had my front loading Whirlpool set for nearly 4 years and I love them! I've never had a problem with mold/mildew/odor and I've always left the washer door cracked open. I love that the washer has a much faster spin speed and wrings out more water/moisture so this requires much less drying time. Also, the washer has an extra, extra large load capacity and with my gas dryer it still takes less time to dry than conventional dryer.

GL!

 

[buckler]

So if I leave the door open after using it, we should be ok.

I also have a towel in the laundry room that I use to do a quick wipe down of the gasket area if any water is sitting in there. I also open up the soap dispenser and get the extra water out of it and leave that open. I may be overdoing it but I do not want my washer to stink! My mother is not as careful with hers and I can tell the difference.

 

[mom2boys77]

Thanks Buckler! I feel better about it..now it's just deciding which one!

 

[buckler]

The most important thing to do is be sure you use an HE detergent. It will have a blue HE symbol on the front of it. If you have any non-HE detergent left over, give it away. Do not use it in your new machine!

 

[dawson5]

We have had the Maytag Neptune since '01 or '02. The machine works great but we had a problem with the bearings (it started to sound like a jet taking off during spin cycle). I would make sure that they have fixed this problem before you purchase one. We called about fixing it and the repairman said they don't sell just the bearings by themselves. We would have to buy the drum, spinner arm and one other thing, parts total $1000, not including labor. A bit of research and found this was a common problem on these, I didn't research to see if they had fixed it in later models.

We did find an aftermarket part for $80 and with a few hours of work, we had it done.

Other than the bearings, no problems. We've always left it open to dry, both the door and the detergent door on top. I do have issues with rust where the detergent container is though. No smell/mold problems at all though.

 

[dex08]

Thank you! I hadn't heard about that. Unfortunately I can't recycle the old appliances but will definitely be buying energy star equipment..you say you have a Whirlpool..which one? is there a certain name of it?

At the time, 4 yrs ago, it was the top of the line models called the Duet HT. It was before they came out with the steam models. I bought my set from a well established local mom & pop store that's well known in my area and found that they had the best deal with lots of rebates and I even got a free pedestal (b1g1).