Washing machine opinions, please!

[iwrbnd]

Okay, my fairly old washing machine is leaking. I'm trying to decide if I should have it repaired or just invest in the front loaders. I have a large family (4 kids and 3 of them are teenage boys) so I do A LOT of laundry. Would it be worth it to get the front loader? Do they handle larger loads? Do they really save money on energy and water? I think it might be a good investment but I could save a lot of Mickey Money if I repair the old one.

I would love everyone's opinions, please!!!

 

[Muushka]

Being the frugal type, and needing a new washing machine, I went for a very efficient top-loader made by Fischer-Paykel. I paid around $550 (tax, delivery, set up included). I could not see paying upwards of $1000 for something that would not be any better than what I bought. It (the machine) is not sexy, but does a great job and is very efficient. Oh, I also have a dryer that does not match my washer!! FRUGAL!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I don't know whether to recommend a repair on your current washer, but I can give you my thoughts and experience with front-loaders.

Yes, they do save on energy and water...... But not TIME...
Look into how long it takes to complete a regular cycle, add in an extra rinse.... (which I feel is necessary) and

With your large family, would you be able to keep up with the laundry with that kind of time-frame???? Two hours per load to wash and dry....
Laundry might always be a sunup to bedtime thing.

Now, I love the performance of the front loaders...
I have brand new Bosch (got rid of our Duet Sport as the washer was LOUD with the lame water-pump that Whirlpool had put on them)

Things I like.... The performance... I have not used Spray-N-Wash since I got frontloaders.... (I do actually sometimes add more water thru the detergent dispenser, as I do not feel that they wash and rinse thouroughly enough with heavy and heavily soiled loads... Might be important with three sons! I like to actually see some water and suds in the bottom of the drum/tub!

I loved the controls on the Whirlpool - you could select everything... water temp, spin speed, etc... On my new Bosch, you just put it on one of the pre-programmed settings... the 'QuickWash' will get a load done, with an extra rinse (which is necessary) in an hour... But, I found out that it only uses COLD water! Can't convice me that cold gets fabrics, especially whites, as clean as warm!

If you get a front-loader, get used to using a TINY amount of HE Detergent. (extra rinse, as just mentioned above)

What I do like about the Bosch, is that it is the only model that has a full, stainless, dryer drum. As opposed to the ceramicoat that only the sides of the drum turn while the back and front panels remain stationary. On my Whirlpools, the constant friction created with the tumbling clothes and the stationary panels resulted in wear on the finish... after a couple of years you could see the wear, and now it is down to the primer.

When we bought our new set, the salesman did say to avoid Electrolux. I am assuming he had plenty of reason/experience for such a strong admonition. I would also avoid GE or Maytag.

I would also have considered an LG... Sears are now made my LG. (Used to be Whirlpool.... Changed to LG just a while back.)

Hope this helps!

 

[iwrbnd]

Thanks for all the advice! I didn't know most of the things you told me! The TIME factor is a huge deal for me and I tend to overload the machine and it sounds like the front loader may not work as well! Lots of things to consider! Thanks, again!

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I love my front loader. They definitely fit a lot. I can wash all of our comforters now.

I don't tend to overload, but my DH (the researcher) says it is okay to cram as much as you can in the front loader.

Like PP said, the washing machine does take longer. However, the spin cycle is so good, it usually only takes 15-20 minutes in dryer.

I'm like PP and do the extra rinse. My DH says I really don't need to, but I still do. You have to buy the special detergent, but you are supposed to use less. I have a problem with just using less. That would be why I always use the extra rinse!!

I'm sure it cuts down on water usage. You can see that there is not a lot of water. I don't know about energy.

 

[CathrynRose]

My husband and his brother have owned an Appliance repair company for 20 or so years.....

Why is it leaking? Where is it leaking from? What brand is it? How old (about)?

I can ask him what it could be, and his opinion, if you'd like?

He personally - he thinks front loaders are a waste of money. They're expensive to buy, expensive to fix, and are not bare bones - which can run into problems. When one itty bitty thing on it goes ka-poot, more than just the 'itty bitty thing' ends up needing to be replaced. They don't clean your clothes any better, IHisO, either.

He feels whoever came up with them, are marketing geniuses
though.

P.S.: The above questions are his standard when I hear him on calls. LOL! I figured I'd start with those.

 

[iwrbnd]

My husband and his brother have owned an Appliance repair company for 20 or so years.....

Why is it leaking? Where is it leaking from? What brand is it? How old (about)?

I can ask him what it could be, and his opinion, if you'd like?

He personally - he thinks front loaders are a waste of money. They're expensive to buy, expensive to fix, and are not bare bones - which can run into problems. When one itty bitty thing on it goes ka-poot, more than just the 'itty bitty thing' ends up needing to be replaced. They don't clean your clothes any better, IHisO, either.

He feels whoever came up with them, are marketing geniuses
though.

P.S.: The above questions are his standard when I hear him on calls. LOL! I figured I'd start with those.

Thanks so much for asking him! We live in a small town and couldn't even get a repairman to call me back. Finally, someone can come next week sometime. I'm getting sick of the dirty laundry which is why I'm considering just buying a new one. We have a Kenmore and is about 7 years old. It's not leaking from the water attachment or the drainage hose area. It seems to be leaking from under the machine. Maybe the water pump? I don't know. Can you also ask him why the water fills in so slow. It trickles in so I don't know if that's a house pipe problem or a washing machine problem.

Thanks for your insight into the front loaders. It's such a big decision because they are soooo expensive! When I read a good review I want to buy one and then other reviews make me not so sure. Can they be installed on the 2nd floor of a house? That's where our hookups are. Thanks again!

 

[CathrynRose]

Thanks so much for asking him! We live in a small town and couldn't even get a repairman to call me back. Finally, someone can come next week sometime. I'm getting sick of the dirty laundry which is why I'm considering just buying a new one. We have a Kenmore and is about 7 years old. It's not leaking from the water attachment or the drainage hose area. It seems to be leaking from under the machine. Maybe the water pump? I don't know. Can you also ask him why the water fills in so slow. It trickles in so I don't know if that's a house pipe problem or a washing machine problem.

Thanks for your insight into the front loaders. It's such a big decision because they are soooo expensive! When I read a good review I want to buy one and then other reviews make me not so sure. Can they be installed on the 2nd floor of a house? That's where our hookups are. Thanks again!

He should be home any minute - and he's cranky on the phone, so I'm gonna wait until he gets here.

I know that you can hook up washers upstairs, front loaders or not - however, my husband is so anti-upstairs hook ups - simply because if something happens, and water starts coming out, you have a BIG mess as opposed to a PIA, but you can clean it up, mess.

I can tell you one thing - before he get's here - if you choose to go new, no LG's. ONLY because LG does not offer any training or part supply to any tech's other than LG tech's. He said they're good machines, but.... you're really limiting yourself to who you can call in, if there is an issue. Even minor could cost you an arm a leg. A belt you could have tossed on yourself, or a switch, or a knob - now has to be a full blown service call, from an LG tech.

I'll try calling him.... if he's his usual phone-cranky self, I'll play dumb and just ask when he's gonna be home.

 

[iwrbnd]

He should be home any minute - and he's cranky on the phone, so I'm gonna wait until he gets here.

I know that you can hook up washers upstairs, front loaders or not - however, my husband is so anti-upstairs hook ups - simply because if something happens, and water starts coming out, you have a BIG mess as opposed to a PIA, but you can clean it up, mess.

I can tell you one thing - before he get's here - if you choose to go new, no LG's. ONLY because LG does not offer any training or part supply to any tech's other than LG tech's. He said they're good machines, but.... you're really limiting yourself to who you can call in, if there is an issue. Even minor could cost you an arm a leg. A belt you could have tossed on yourself, or a switch, or a knob - now has to be a full blown service call, from an LG tech.

I'll try calling him.... if he's his usual phone-cranky self, I'll play dumb and just ask when he's gonna be home.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I hope he's not cranky, nobody wants a cranky husband!

 

[CathrynRose]

Good news... no crankiness! (you're a lucky girl!)

Okay - leaking: he said it absolutely a water pump issue. To verify this, it usually leaks out the front, in the middle, where it shows in the floor. He said, absolutely worth fixing. Should run about $150 - labor, part, tax, etc - give or take $10-20 bucks (depending on your repair guy)

Slow filling water: This you can fix yourself. He said to take off your water connecting hose thingees (that's not his terminology, that's mine ) And where they connect to, in the machine, in that connecting hole thingee, there is a screen. You can work your finger in there, or a small screwdriver, gently, and clean off that screen. He said, those filter the water coming in, and get clogged commonly after about.... 6-7 years. He said it happens all the time, and easy to clean off. No big deal.

He said (IHisO) Whirlpool/Kenmore (same machines, different name) are the best machines on the market, and this is a very common, common issue, but the machines are built pretty rock solid. He said it's absolutely worth replacing the water pump. No question.

HTH.

 

[iwrbnd]

CathrynRose, THANK YOU to you and your husband! What a load of wonderful information! (No pun intended!) Now I'm glad we're holding off to see what a repairman says. Hopefully it's the water pump! And great info to clean out the screen!!! I wish I had known that earlier since I've just dealt with the slow water fill for so long! I'm glad we have a Kenmore and your DH says they are good machines! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for whenever the repairman can get here! We need more guys like your DH in this world. It's hard to find someone that can fix appliances anymore. I guess we're such a throwaway society people just buy new ones. I would rather spend my money at Disney, though! Thanks again and I'll keep you posted!

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

I'm so glad this thread was written and that I read it. I have a 17 year old Whirlpool washer that is leaking from the botttom. Sometimes there is a puddle of water coming out from under it and sometimes not. I've been thinking I'll have to replace it but since I HATE, HATE, HATE to shop (did I mention I hate to shop ) I've been putting it off for many months. After reading this and the very nice information from CathrynRose and DH, maybe I won't have to . But since I live in a very rural area, it's not easy finding someone to look at or fix it but it might be worth the effort now that I know it might just be a water pump and that it could be worth the effort.

Thank you OP and CathrynRose and DH for your help. I so appreciate it too.

 

[mjkacmom]

I got mine about 6 years ago, and I'm thankful for it every single day! My 3 daily loads are down to 1, sometimes 2, and the clothes come out nice and clean. Best purchase ever!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Would you be able to pull your machine out a little and try to see where the water is coming from???

Could you maybe wrap some paper towels around the water pump, and see if they are getting soaked?

Years ago our ancient GE frontloader developed a major leak...
It was where the tub and the motor and agitator all go together.
That would have been a major, and expensive repair.
That is when we bought our WhirlPool Duet Sport.

 

[iwrbnd]

Would you be able to pull your machine out a little and try to see where the water is coming from???

Could you maybe wrap some paper towels around the water pump, and see if they are getting soaked?

Years ago our ancient GE frontloader developed a major leak...
It was where the tub and the motor and agitator all go together.
That would have been a major, and expensive repair.
That is when we bought our WhirlPool Duet Sport.

So, is the Duet Sport not a front loader? Are you happy with it?

KJ Luvs Pluto, I'm glad you got some good info from this post! I agree, CathrynRose had some great input!!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Oops, I miss-typed! our ancient GE were, of course, toploaders.

Yes, the Whirlpool Duet Sport are frontloaders.
I had these for almost 5 years.
The smaller capacity model was called the Duet Sport. They recently changed that name.

Other than a few design flaws (which may be better now) I almost like the Whirlpool better than the Bosch. However, on this early model, there were a few things, like the water pump that the neighbors could hear when I run laundry! And, the dryer drum where only the sides turn, and this was causing wear to the finish. As mentioned above....

I am still getting used to using the Bosch.
I like that the Bosch is quiet! (that was my big kicker, with my ears....)
I like that the Bosch has a full stainless dryer drum. (no others have this)

But, really, there are things I also think were better on the Whirlpool.
I liked the controls...
I liked that the doors were heavy-duty and scratch resistant.
My new Bosh has a grey finish on the doors that one already has a small scratch on it. I wish I could swear that it came that way or was scratched during delivery... But I really can't... I really don't see how I would have already scratched it!

Whirlpool Duet (full size) get pretty good reviews.
I would consider LG (Sears are now LG)
My Bosch is working great. (just those little things that I mentioned I might like better on others)
I would not consider GE or Maytag, or the other cheaper less major brands.
The guy who sold us the Bosch said that Electrolux has slick lights and bells and whistles and slick advertising campaigns, but he doesn't like to recommend/sell them.

 

[mlittig]

I just got a new Maytag Bravos top load washer and love it It has no agitator so it can hold a lot of clothes and uses very little water It was the highest rated top load model by Consumer Reports

 

[CathrynRose]

Thanks again and I'll keep you posted!

Yeah - update, when you can.

My husband is really good at what he does, and loves it - which is weird to me. To love fixing appliances?? Huh?? But passion is a good trait to have, in your job.

And we absolutely are a throw away society. They don't even 'make things like they used to' because of it. Last year, when the economy was just so bad, my husband was SLAMMED, just BUSY as hell. And it was because people couldn't afford to just throw away, anymore.

But then the appliance credit came along and it dropped off.

I'm so glad this thread was written and that I read it. I have a 17 year old Whirlpool washer .

I'd have to ask my husband how old our washer is. I have no idea. All I know, is it's a Whirlpool, and still runs like a new onw. My husband will switch out the belts and do what he needs to do - and it keeps on runnin'. Thing is, they're ugly. But they're in the basement and he does the laundry (apparently I over fill the washer.... I've had a few talking-to's about this. ) so, I don't have much say in the matter - especially when my only issue is 'ugly'.

There are pluses and minuses to having a repair man husband ("Is that going to be one load?? No, no no no...that's not one load. You need to split that up" - "Who blocked the air vent in the freezer? Don't you realize the air vent in the freezer cools the whole fridge?" - "I went to use the dryer and found this (holding up a massive wad of lint) in the lint trap. Do you want to start a fire?")

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

I never thought of those minuses . I know I always overfill the freezer and end up jamming stuff against the back cooling spot (not sure what you call it but maybe it's the air vent that you mentioned) - but please don't tell your husband.

My laundry is right in the entry so it's visible to all who walk into the house since we don't have a basement (just an old fashioned cellar). So I know what you mean by ugly, but I got so used to it after all these year that I don't think about it anymore until I see those commercials with all those beautiful machines, which wouldn't fit in the space I have anyway. All of my appliances are old, the washer and dryer are among the newer ones so I'm sure I'll have to start replacing sometime as repairing will be more expensive than replacing but I hate to think of it.

Anyway thanks again to both of you for this thread and the help. I sure do appreciate it.

 

[CathrynRose]

I never thought of those minuses . I know I always overfill the freezer and end up jamming stuff against the back cooling spot (not sure what you call it but maybe it's the air vent that you mentioned) - but please don't tell your husband.



Anyway thanks again to both of you for this thread and the help. I sure do appreciate it.

No problem. I'm glad I (he) could help.

And the minuses to repair-man husband things, usually get a very calm, cool, collected, mature response from me ..... things like "Okay DAD!" Or (whenever he pulls the 'load is too big' one) It goes like this:

Me: Why? What will happen?
Him: It's gonna have problems agitating.
Me: And?
Him: Eventually, you'll break it.
Me: But you can fix it...