Your reliable washer and dryer? 5+ years old

[Katy Belle]

Do you have a washer and dryer over 5 years old that you are happy with?? Please tell me about it! Brand, style, etc.

I just want something that cleans well and doesn't die after a few years. I've been researching and the ones that are highly rated on Consumer Reports are only lasting people about 5 years! I want mine to last forever

So please tell me your success story!

Katy

 

[Swimalie]

I have an Amana washer and a Maytag dryer. Both were bought at the same time and are over 9 years old. Both survived a cross country trip in a moving van as well. They work great and have never had a repair issue nor show any signs of breaking down.

 

[tlbwriter]

Five years? Yikes. Mine have lasted 11 years (I probably just jinxed them) but they're very, very basic. I think the more bells and whistles and electronics you have, the more likely they are to break down. And both of mine have needed repairs, too, so it's not like I got 11 trouble-free years out of them.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Five years? Yikes. Mine have lasted 11 years (I probably just jinxed them) but they're very, very basic. I think the more bells and whistles and electronics you have, the more likely they are to break down. And both of mine have needed repairs, too, so it's not like I got 11 trouble-free years out of them.

ITA. We have Whirlpools. Ours are the bare bones basic models, but 5 years later, not a hiccup! (Watch, they'll break tonight, just because I said this)

 

[jessica52877]

I too am almost afraid to post thinking it will jinx me! Mine are 11 years old. Kenmore from Sears, more or less bottom of the line. I think there was two models lower. I don't need or want the bells and whistles either. Both were had for under a $1000.

 

[pklein09]

I purchased a Maytag washer and dryer in 1993 when we bought our first house - 17 years ago. I've replaced the heating coil in the dryer about 6 years ago and that's been the only issue with either of them. They are basic models: the washer has a liquid fabric softener dispenser (a requirement for me) only; there is no bleach dispenser. The dryer has auto dry (cotton and perma press) and air fluff. And I use my machines!!! There are 6 of us, so there's always laundry that needs to be done. I think they worked overtime when the kids were babies. Knock wood they keep going for a few more years.

ETA Mine are the extra large capacity models.

 

[vicki_c]

My mom's dryer is -- get this -- 35 years old. Other than a broken knob and a few repairs over the years, it still works fine. I can't remember what brand it is, but since we all know they don't make them like that anymore, I guess it doesn't matter.

We have HE Kenmore washer and matching dryer (front loader with the pedestals) that we got with our house when we purchased 4 years ago, not sure how old they were at that time. They are still working great - the only problem I know of is that the washer door has a crack in the plastic, but nothing that affects the seal of the door. I would buy Kenmore again.

 

[DVC-Don]

My washer is a Bosh, but it's only 4+ years old. My dryer is a Maytag Neptune that is 9+ years old (the matching washer only lasted 5 years). No problems with either.

 

[Taja]

Our Maytag washer made it 27 years without a hiccup--then just died. The cost to repair it was more than to replace it--but it didn't owe anyone anything! *LOL*

The Maytag dryer purchased at the same time lasted 30 years. We had it serviced twice and did some minor repairs on it ourselves a couple of times.

Both were fairly basic models. The washer had three temperature settings, three washing cycles (heavily soiled, permament press and delicate) and a mini-tub cycle. It also had an automatic fabric softener thing that rarely was used. The dryer had three temperature settings and automatic and time dry settings, plus a 15-minute air fluff cycle.

We averaged about eight loads per week for most of those years--occasionally 10 or more--usually holiday/guest related. They were purchased in January, 1979!

 

[Judique]

Our Maytag washer made it 27 years without a hiccup--then just died. The cost to repair it was more than to replace it--but it didn't owe anyone anything! *LOL*

The Maytag dryer purchased at the same time lasted 30 years. We had it serviced twice and did some minor repairs on it ourselves a couple of times.

Both were fairly basic models. The washer had three temperature settings, three washing cycles (heavily soiled, permament press and delicate) and a mini-tub cycle. It also had an automatic fabric softener thing that rarely was used. The dryer had three temperature settings and automatic and time dry settings, plus a 15-minute air fluff cycle.

We averaged about eight loads per week for most of those years--occasionally 10 or more--usually holiday/guest related. They were purchased in January, 1979!

My Kenmore washer and dryer died within 2 months of each other in 1984, so I replaced them one at a time with Maytags. The Kenmores had cost me $200 second hand, and lasted me 5 years - they were 8 years old when they expired.

The Maytags cost me $1000 for both in 1984. (This was about 3/4 of the way to top of the line then...lots of bells and whistles!)The washer is still working and has never had a repair. I have no reason to replace although it is tempting to get a matching HE set. The dryer belt broke a few years back and I just ordered a new dryer. Someone else took my older dryer and repaired it with a new belt for $20. It still works for the person who was smarter then me and had it fixed. 26 years old! My Mom's maytag lasted 35 years.

Nowadays - a Maytag is just a name. In fact my newer Maytag dryer is the same as an Amana. It works fine and is serviceable. I hope it lasts at least as long as the one I gave away!

So $200 for five years of Kenmore and $1000 for 26 years of Maytag.....I think I'm doing okay and may have a shot at something new sooner or later, lol!

 

[Local_Girl]

I have a Kenmore washer and dryer, purchased in 1992. Both are going strong, no problems. DH took the dryer apart to clean out all of the lint about 3 years ago, and that's been the extent of the maintenance on them, LOL! They have survived moving from Utah to Colorado to Texas to Virginia to Michigan (and cross state in MI twice). I want them to last forever.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I bought our Kenmore top loading washing machine in 1997 and it's still going strong. I keep waiting for it to decide to die and I have a spare washing machine (someone gave it to us when they didn't need it ) in the garage.

I have to say this washer doesn't owe me anything. I don't remember how much we paid for it but I'm sure it wasn't anywhere close to top of the line.

 

[sjms71]

I also have Kenmore XLG capacity topload washer and front load dryer. They are 10 years going on the 11 year and no sign of breaking down, I do a lot of laundry too.

 

[mamalle]

My grandparents bought us a washer and dryer back in 1999. Estate series by whirlpool at Sam's Club.. Our washer finally died about 1.5 years ago and we bought a front loader.. Dryer is still going strong..

 

[Swan]

I have had my Kenmore for 16 years.

 

[cdrn1]

My daughter (born in November 1977) was a week old when I bought a no-frills Kenmore washer-dryer set. I had to replace the washer in 2002, but the dryer is still going strong with nothing more than a few minor repairs by my handy hubby over the years...so 25 years for the washer and the dryer will be 33 in November. Family of five including three daughters who never wore anything twice without washing...

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I too am nervous to post, but our set will be 17 years old next month. They are the cheapest, bottom of the line, nothing extra smallest capacity washer and dryer that Kenmore made. It was just DH and I at the time. A couple months later we were expecting DD, SURPRISE! Would not have bought such a small one if we had thought ahead, but we were planning on waiting several years to have kids.

Anyway, it has seen the inside of 2 moving trucks and has seen the laundry of our family of 5 (3 girls) and DH's Army uniforms for many years (DIRTY!!!!!) It runs all the time cause it holds so little at any given time and some days I wish for a new one, but only cause it would be bigger. Truth is I am happy with them and we can say of all our major purchases they have truly paid for themselves!

 

[TxRabbit]

Bought a set of GE in 1996. Top-loading extra large capacity washer with a couple different wash cycles; I think it was one up from the most basic model. The dryer was similar. Not the top of the line, my parents bought those and they were also champs. They sold their with a house several years ago though.

I know I should get in there and replace the washer belt, just because I never have and it probably needs it. There is something simple that needs to be replaced on the dryer too, because it has a little squeak, but it's not manditory. The dampening straps have had to be replaced on the washer, but that's very common. And I had to replace the controller knob assembly because a plastic part broke that kept it in place. I did both repairs myself. The washer is pretty easy to fix if necessary because you remove the front panel on it, not the back.

They work great. Been moved 10 times.

If you are interested in how easy it is to repair different washer/dryer models, and what typically goes wrong with them...get the books by Douglas Emley called Cheap and Easy! clothes dryer repair and Cheap and Easy! washer dryer repair. They are at my local library. They are great books, what I have used to do the simple fixes that I have done. They will give you a clue as to what typically goes wrong with the different machines and what you would have to do to repair them.

 

[NCheartmom]

Another Kenmore lover here! My Kenmore washer and dryer are also 17 years old and going strong. I think I paid around $650 for both of them.

 

[TLuvsD]

I have an Amana washer and dryer...they are at least 10 years old. Bottom of the line, no bells and whistles. I wanted to buy the least complicated model, and they just keep going. (knocking on wood). No big repairs on either--DH does clean the lint hose thingy every year or so.