<p>OK, so I know this is College Confidential, but this is the Parent Cafe so I thought I would ask. What is your experience with washing machines, top or front loaders, and brands? Currently own a Whirlpool top loader purchased in July of '04, but it has had to have the direct drive pump replaced each year since (the machine starts leaking water out of the front on the floor). It is a basic machine with minimal bells and whistles, which we thought would not cause a lot of problems. Right now, with the replacement of this last pump, we have now put around $500 into the machine in repairs, which originally cost a little over $500 in '04. (Front loaders were still a little new in the picture at that time!) Please help with your experience with washing machines, as we are now at the point that if this happens again, we are going to replace it. I called Whirlpool to ask what could be causing the problem, and they just couldn’t seem to offer any suggestions. Thanks!</p>
<p>I’ve had a Fisher&Paykel (eco-smart) top-loader for a couple of years. I believe it is made in New Zealand. I like it as far as it is possible to like something like a washing machine. It automatically adjusts the water level by determining the weight of the load; that is its claim to fame, I think. It is easy to mix and match a lot of different variables, water temp, spin speeds, blah blah. I haven’t had any maintenance problems; it is quiet. The only negative I’ve noticed so far is that it doesn’t unload itself and put everything into the dryer.</p>
<p>I have a fairly new whirlpool, which is ok, its pretty basic, I’m not into “whistles and bells”. The agitator kind of goes up and down instead of the usual back and forth and I thing it twist and tangles the clothes. I have a friend who has the kenmore version of the front loader and hates it, she feels that it doesn’t get her clothes clean and it is rough on them, I’ve seen loads come out of the washer and dryer and they are very wrinkled. I have another friend who has a new maytag front loader set and she loves it, although I think she does small loads and hang drys most of her stuff. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>I love frontloaders, and have a cheap frigidaire one. It uses less water and is gentler on clothes. Check consumer reports for ratings before buying.</p>
<p>I have to admit I was lucky that hubby decided to fix our old washer which croaked rather unexpectedly. After two days of futtzing with it and several trips to Home Depot to get more tools, H discovered that the replacement part would cost more than we paid for the washer and declared the “patient” dead. Feeling guilty about his inability to revive the monster, he offered to go washer shopping with me. Before springing into action, I spent a whole day looking for reviews on Epinions:</p>
<p>[Washing</a> Machines Reviews and Prices at Epinions.com](<a href=“Shopping Online at Shopping.com | Price Comparison Site”>Shopping Online at Shopping.com | Price Comparison Site)</p>
<p>I picked a model, and off we went to the local appliance store. And there H fell in love with a Milele. A very expensive Miele that can wash a king-size comforter! I could not believe my ears when H pointed to the washer and said to the salesguy, “When can you deliver this?” I could not sleep for two nights having nightmares caused by my “buyers remorse” (“OMG, we are financially ruined!”) But then… it was love at the first wash! 
We were actually able to hear our TV while the washer was quietly shuffling its load.</p>
<p>This is what I got for Christmas:</p>
<p>[Miele</a> W4840 Review at Epinions.com](<a href=“Shopping Online at Shopping.com | Price Comparison Site”>Shopping Online at Shopping.com | Price Comparison Site)</p>
<p>Do not look at the price - you might have a heart attack. This is the second most expensive piece of machinery/furniture in our household (after the van). People who walk into our house through the back door take a look at it and think they are visiting a very upscale household, but when they enter the rest of the house, they feel like they just walked into an IKEA store.</p>
<p>Love my Fisher & Paykel. It saves on water use and the fast spin cycle spins things so dry, it has cut my drying time in half. </p>
<p>Midmo, I paid extra and got the one that unloads, folds, puts the clothes away and makes coffee in the morning.</p>
<p>Here is a detailed that tells you more than you want to know about the Fisher & Paykel machine. </p>
<p>[Fisher</a> and Paykel EcoSmart GWL15 Review at Epinions.com](<a href=“Shopping Online at Shopping.com | Price Comparison Site”>Shopping Online at Shopping.com | Price Comparison Site)</p>
<p>I feel really low tech right now.</p>
<p>Our 19 year old Sears dryer is still going strong and has not needed any repairs. The washer was not so fortunate. After 6 or 7 years it needed a repair. It was way past the warranty period and we did not have a service contract. My W called Sears and was able to purchase a service contract. She waited a week and then called for a repair. The 3 year service contract cost much less than a repair visit so I was surprised that Sears would sell the contract. As I remember we also had a second repair on that contract. Last year my W did the same thing again. I still cannot understand why Sears would sell a service contract for an 18 year old washer. Anyway, this time the washer was pronounced beyond repair. Sears gave us a credit for the cost of the contract towards purchase of a new washer. My W checked with her sister who has an expensive, high tech front loader. She was not happy with her choice so we went with a basic top loader. It does use a lot of water but I am not going to worry about water conservation until I see the neighbors and local businesses cut back on watering the lawns–especially when it is raining.</p>
<p>My brother and his family swear by their Kenmore Elite machines. They say they are energy and water efficient and are very easy on their clothes–as in the clothes don’t wear out as fast. The washer also has a hand-washing cycle. We’re looking into replacing our machines too.</p>
<p>We have front-loading Whirlpool Duette set (w and d), and it has saved a lot on energy costs. However, the washer front rubber seal can get very nasty, and it is necessary to keep the washer door open when not in use to minimize moisture accummulation. It is a chore to clean the inside of that gasket (or whatever it is). If and when I buy another W & D, I will look a lot harder at how that is configured.</p>
<p>I have a Whirlpool Duet. The dryer has never worked properly and in fact I am waiting for the repairman today.</p>
<p>Bunsen Burner–my husband’s favorite saying is “you get what you pay for!” and considering that we paid around $500 for our current Whirlpool and now have an additional $500 worth of repairs in it, I guess the cost for the machine you are mentioning is not so bad-esp if you have been repair free. And, so far, it appears that Whirlpool is not a favorite choice for anyone.</p>
<p>If you can find a front loader that Consumer Reports says is reliable and is not super expensive in terms of your specific budget, that sounds like the best choice. It is what I hope to be able to do when I need to replace my aging Sears top-loader, which is the third or fourth one I’ve had over the years. I find Kenmore appliances reliable but surprisingly hard to get service for once something does go wrong and have decided to try to switch to other brands as replacements become necessary. (Though I have heard from friends about problems with one of te Whirlpool lines, Cabrio I think.)</p>
<p>When the timer/automatic off dial on my last Sears drier, purchased in 1994, stopped working in October 2006, it took close to two weeks even to schedule the appointment. The Sears repair person who finally came did not have the necessary part on his truck, although I had explained the exact nature of the problem when I made the appointment. I paid the required service call fee, wrote a letter to Sears expressing my disappointment and annoyance, and went out and got an upper-middle level Whirlpool at a reputable local mini-chain appliance store. The first one delivered did not work and it was replaced a couple of days later by the store with relatively little fuss. The price was about the same as a comparable Kenmore would have been and the drier is serviceable although occasionally has some glitches. There was an initial problem with the first one that was delivered and a replacement one was provided by the dealer after a relatively simple discussion. </p>
<p>I realize service varies from area to ara. I have had good experiences wtih GE and bad ones with Maytag for gas ranges and side-by-side refrigerators repectively, so it is hard to generalize. when deciding on purhcases I use a combination of Consumer Reports,price, and general sense of whether I like the appliance (and the store).</p>
<p>When it comes to washers, I am not sure I believe you get a more reliable machine if you spend more money. At least for the Sears machines, the operating parts for many of the models are identical. You pay a lot for some changes in available cycles and frills.</p>
<p>We have a Bosch and an Asko–both front loaders. One up and one down, which is ridiculous but wonderful. The Bosch heats its own water, which is really useful for sheets, as you can practically steam-clean them. The Asko holds a bit more. Both have been reasonably reliable, although neither has been perfect over 5 years… It would help if S and husband would remember to clean out their pockets. </p>
<p>Why these models? Well, they stack and therefore take minimal space. More importantly, the dryers of both can be set up to condense rather than use a long vent run. No, they don’t blow moist air around the house; yes, they do blow warm dry air with no lint, which is nice, most of the year.</p>
<p>Re: fancy washer. H’s main argument was, “Look, the one you want is made in China, but the Miele is made in Germany!” His german genes kicked in, I guess.</p>
<p>I absolutely lo-o-ove the fact that I do not have to do any handwashing. The handwash cycle is so gentle, it takes care of my sweaters and blouses well. And for regular laundry, it spins so fast, the clothes come out almost dry.</p>
<p>edad, Sears USED TO make reliable appliances. Not anymore. The washer that croaked was 7 yrs old and was from Sears. The one that we sold with the first house is 16 years old and from what I recently heard, is still going strong. Go figure.</p>
<p>Seven years between repairs sounds about right. Let’s hope your Miele goes for 20 years or so to balance out some of the extra cost.</p>
<p>There are actually old threads on washing machines, and other appliances. CC is a great source of information on all sorts of things! </p>
<p>I have been very happy with my near-top-of-the-line Kenmore front loader. Huge capacity, minimal water and detergent usage, gentle on clothes, clothes get much cleaner than before, much less dryer time as the clothes are not nearly as wet as before when they come out. I would never get a top loader again.</p>
<p>I should mention that although I’ve been pleased with my Kenmore front loader, I am no longer buying any appliances from Sears because of very bad experience with one of the top-of-the-line dishwashers.</p>