<p>The detergent thread prompted me for reviews ( especially on longevity) of major appliances. We have usually used Whirlpool/Kenmore from Sears, but planning to get something from a local appliance store to upgrade our laundry room.</p>
<p>Have a top loader & it barely spins things dry, so looking forward to an HE. However for the prices they charge, it better last at least 10 years if not longer.</p>
<p>The LG steam washer got a couple of mentions on the detergent thread, but was wondering how they hold up?</p>
<p>OK, we got yelled at on the Tide thread for not answering the question directly, but…I can’t speak directly to the LG steam washer, just LG in general. I researched washers throroughly fall 2010. I ended up buying the LG, not steam, front loader. I had a 10 yr old Maytag which didn’t clean a thing.</p>
<p>My LG is now 15 months and going fine. We love it. It uses sooooo much less detergent. We have well water, so I wasn’t nearly as concerned about water usage, but for those with water bills, it’s incredibly less too. I am a bit concerned about LG’s customer service from some issues with a dehumidifier this fall. </p>
<p>My LG washes extremely well and spins the clothes so dry. I didn’t do the monthly “tub” clean, etc. and after a few months, didn’t dry the gasket either. After about a year, I did get the dreaded “musty” smell. I thoroughly cleaned the gasket with ammonia, drained the pump thing, ran the tub clean, and all is again fine.</p>
<p>I am 5’2" and really glad we bought the pedestal, although I think it’s a big rip off. The washer would be really low without it. It’s also not tall enough to store the Tide jug–which seems like really stupid engineering.</p>
<p>Based on Sears experience and numerous cc threads, I will never buy another appliance from Sears.</p>
<p>Are you sure you really need/want the steam feature. I didn’t think I’d need it, didn’t want to spend the extra $$, and haven’t missed it at all.</p>
<p>Miele is well known for being among the very few to offer any kind of longevity similar to the old school machines, but price will probably make your head spin faster than the laundry! Check out the laundry forum on Gardenweb.com for lots of advice.</p>
<p>Our new LG front loader and dryer is being delivered to our new house today (we haven’t moved in yet). They are red and I’m so excited! We got a great deal on them the day after Thanksgiving ($499 each) but did not get the pedestals. I have the pedestals for my old Maytag front loader/dryer (orignial Neptune and still going strong) but I think the pedestals are too much of a rip-off. I’ll just suffer. We are donating the still-working-well Neptunes to a needy family through our church. I do wipe the gasket after every wash load and do the rinse treatment about every 6 months. Gasket isn’t perfect, but not too bad.</p>
<p>LG makes a really, really good front-loader, but I opted for the GE 6800 series front-loader last March, and have been extremely happy with the performance. At only $650.00, it was a real bargain. Consumer Reports gave it their “best-buy” recommendation.</p>
<p>Edit: Make sure you dry the door gasket so you don’t get the sour, mildewy smell that so many front load users complain about. I do this after each last load and then leave the door ajar.</p>
<p>I don’t dry the door gasket after every use but I do leave the door ajar. Never had an issue with smell or mildew. I also leave the detergent drawer open to make sure any water has drained.</p>
<p>Also. I’ve been told by several tech people it’s not necessary to us HE detergent. Just use a smaller amount of regular detergent. This washer and dryer set is going on 5 years, no problems so far.</p>
<p>The only complaint I have about our HE washer is that the wash cycles are much, much longer than those on our old washer–something we didn’t realize before we bought it. This has caused a lot of inconvenience, such as when we’d like to go to sleep.</p>
<p>Love my Bosch washer. Son has the same washer, tried his… bought mine. I still use the old Maytag front loader and dryer, too; just put the new washer next to the old stack. Did not get the platform and haven’t needed it. </p>
<p>A few nice features: glass door, door can be opened while cycle is running (for most cycles) to add that sock you didn’t notice, short cycle is a mere 45 minutes. It heats its own water, which is very useful if you really want to get those towels clean. Spins very effectively so that many things require almost no time in the dryer. Sweater cycle is gentle enough for cashmere.</p>
<p>EK, we went to Albert Lee and chose a HE Miele washer. At that time (3 years ago) it was pretty much the only super large-capacity front loader sold in the US, which is what I wanted, since I have to wash large bedding quite frequently. It handles king-size comforters nicely (someone who shall not be named proved that it could handle a single lace panty, but I discourage such usage in my house :)). Miele’s express cycle is 30 min exactly, and frankly I use it a lot to wash stuff that is not heavily soiled.</p>
<p>The sales people at that store were knowledgeable and not pushy at all. AL sometimes has a warehouse “scratch and dent” sale - it is probably cery close to your house to go and check it out.</p>
<p>I have a Miele and love it. I had a problem with it and the guy on the other end of the phone sent a “repair” through his computer to my machine and it fixed the bug. Amazing</p>
<p>We bought a Whirlpool Duet front loading washer and dryer earlier this year. (Made in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Support American workers!) I love them. The washing machine gets things incredibly clean, and the steam cycle removes the deep-seated stink from things like dog towels and bedding brought home from college by adolescent males. Also great for washing stuff like big comforters and even rugs.</p>
<p>My 10 yr old top loader Maytag was so bad I would pour Tide on the jeans and use a scrub brush and they still weren’t clean after washing. Even with that, we didn’t realize how bad it was until we saw how clean clothes were with the front loader. Now we wonder if we walked around dirty and no one told us? :)</p>
<p>I was so excited I washed everything in the house that was removable. H is thrilled we use 2 T detergent a load (he does the shopping). We always buy basic appliances. It takes a lot to make me have appliance excitement. Lust away…I understand.</p>
<p>sryrstress, we had exactly the same experience! I also love my washer because it has enchanting little beeps and chimes: it reminds me of R2D2. :D</p>
<p>I have a question for the HE crowd. Does anyone have stacked units? H and I have a little apartment in NYC and I would love to install a small-ish washer and dryer that actually gets the job done. In theory the obvious choice is a stackable HE washer and dryer but if vibrates all over the place it would be a problem.</p>
<p>i have the stackable GE washer/dryer combo. Stackable is nice but it does shake a little more with a heavy load. </p>
<p>My GE dryer catches and shreds clothes due to poor manufacturing tolerances and a poorly designed air outlet. Anything stretchy (like under armour or soccer socks) or thin (like those lightweight running shirts) has to go in a mesh bag. It occasionally snags something unexpected like a pair of sweatpants. This seems to be a GE only issue as none of our friends have this problem.</p>
Also great for washing stuff like big comforters and even rugs.</p>