<p>i have a fisher paykel top loading washer AND the best thing…I also have a fisher paykel top loading dryer. love them both.</p>
<p>If you read the forum pages at consumer reports, what everyone basically says is with the modern washers of any kind, don’t expect them to last more than 5 years (which is generally when any warranties or extended warranties run out). The Top loader versus side loader issues can be seen when Consumer Reports does reviews of machines, and side load machines still have some issues with getting items clean, though it depends (if I read the reviews right). I can tell you that between the electronic controls with circuit boards and such, and also that they have gone to drive mechanisms that replaced the old belts with direct drive mechanisms that relay on plastic gearing, they just don’t last. They are a lot more efficient I am sure, with water and soap, but having seen what is in them, I am not surprised they won’t last. </p>
<p>“Do they still make the old style top loading machines with agitators? Now that we are empty nesters I don’t need a huge capacity”</p>
<p>There is one brand still out there for sure, check out speed queen. They make units for commercial use, but they make home units and I got one that was a floor model that is large capacity that was around 550 (they aren’t cheap)…but they are built like a brick outhouse, the motor drive is all metal gearing, and the controls are relatively simple mechanical controls, and yes, it has a stainless steel drum. If this breaks it probably can be easily fixed, but I am pretty certain the drive mechanism will not go (and believe me, when I took it home and had to move it, I realized how much they overbuilt it, weighs a ton, thankfully I have a hand truck…). If my dryer goes and I can’t figure out how to fix it, I will probably try and get one of their dryers as well. They aren’t energy star compliant and fancy, but they do a great job on the wash.</p>
<p>In terms of mildew and such, others are correct, top loader or side loader, better to leave the door open a bit. The other thing I recommend is tide has this stuff that comes in a pouch you use once a month to keep the machine clean, if you are getting the mildew smell use one pack a week for 3 weeks, then use it once a month. I was having trouble with my top loader with that, and so far it really seems to be working well.</p>
<p>Last month, we bought a Speed Queen. It’s built like a TANK, no electronics, top load, not really HE. It is super fast. People who have Speed Queens tend to love them. They don’t break down.</p>
<p>I have the Kenmore version of the LG top loader HE washer/dryer. Its been fine, though it actually had a recall last year and they sent out a computer tecchie to reprogram the onboard computer. I kid you not.
I also have the steam feature but dont find that it helps much. That or maybe my s’s shirt was really unbelievably wrinkled before he threw it in from his suitcase. Quite possible. It still looked pretty wrinkled after the steam session.</p>
<p>I bought a Samsung HE top loader and the matching steam dryer this spring and love them both. The absence of an agitator allows me to do a huge amount of laundry in one load- those clothes do get moved around and come out completely clean. And, like Thumper, I always seem to find something that I dropped and can just hit “pause” and drop it in.
I’ve had a top-loader and although I did like the way it cleaned, I didn’t enjoy the mildew that built up if the dehumidifier was off and that was just 3-4 years ago. I also couldn’t justify spending the extra $500 for the pedestals (with a bad back, it would have been a necessity, and they just get nasty inside and aren’t good for anything).</p>
<p>I have an LG front loader and I like it, but here’s the things I’ve noticed about it. It seems to get clothes clean, but the “good clean” smell I used to get with my old top loader (not HE) is hard to get with the front loader. Not sure why. I also could leave clothes in my old washer overnight and not have them smell bad. If I do this with the front loader, the clothes start to smell. Makes me wonder how clean my clothes are really getting???</p>
<p>The problem I’ve had with my LG HE front loader is that the electronic control panel went out before the first year was out (right before). Of course when I tried to contact LG they said to contact a local repair place. By then the one year was up. I’ve never gotten it fixed–so I can’t tell how long the cycle has left since the time numbers are missing some parts so i can’t read it.</p>
<p>The last thing is that the cycles are significantly longer than with my old top loading washer. It takes almost 2 hours to do a cycle on my front loader. I was reminded of this when I was visiting my Dad this past month and used his old washer with the agitator. I did 4 loads of laundry in about 2-3 hours. It would have taken me much longer at home with my “new” machines. His older dryer is also faster than my new one also.</p>
<p>So it may be saving on water, but it’s not saving on power to run those longer cycles.</p>
<p>I have a LG front loader and it has never taken anywhere near 2 hours. It’s more like 40 minutes for the wash cycle. Are you sure there isn’t something else wrong?</p>
<p>Maytag Maxima XL Steam Washer is our new washer as of about three months and I love it. It is a front loader. We were talked out of the new top loaders by several people who said they were not good for large loads. This holds a ton, has lots of settings such as delay start and it will keep spinning for up to 6 hours (only about once every 15 min or so) in case you can’t get the clothes out right away. It also has a speed cycle which I use all the time and it works great. My son can forget to wash his favorite outfit for school, put it in the wash and get it dried in less than the time it takes him to get up and take a shower for school. This was top rated in consumer reports and we are very happy with it. We got the risers which is a good place to store sports uniforms. Take them right out of the dryer and put in the riser and we always know where they are.</p>
<p>Swimcatsmom; Just read your post as to what you purchased and that was one of the top models we were considering as well. Loved the graphite color. I think that is a great choice.</p>
<p>I bought the graphite color in my washer and dryer also. I really like the color. Mine are kenmore.</p>
<p>Wife (of course :)) forgot the king size mattress pad in the Samsung toploader washer for 2 days and it didn’t smell at all. Actually since I was on CC at the time right next to the laundry room, she told me to put it in the dryer as soon as it finished washing. I guess it’s my fault. Anyways, it doesn’t smell. Really.</p>
<p>I have a LG front loader. Can be a long cycle - depends on what settings. Add an extra rinse or heavier dirtier load, can be much longer than 40 minutes. </p>
<p>In fact, most of wash cycles I do are between 50-60 minutes. </p>
<p>My clothes never smell as clean as when we had a top loader. Even following all the rules about cleaning tub and drying rubber gasket after each load.</p>
<p>I also am not thrilled with leaving the LG door ajar. Even the slightest pressure and it pops open. My cats are way too curious to be trusted with this feature.</p>
<p>Reviving this thread in case anyone else has thoughts 6 months later. Our washer (10 year old front loading Maytag Neptune) will cost $500 to repair so I’m in the market.</p>
<p>Inclination so far is to go with top loading, no agitator. Want options for water level but don’t really need lots of bells and whistles as I don’t ever seem to use them. Spinning clothes well so drying takes less time would be nice. After reading here and on gardenweb for about 90 minutes, I’m leaning towards a speed queen or samsung. If anyone else wants to share their thoughts, I’d love to hear.</p>
<p>Also, repair guy said GE parts are very expensive so suggested I stay away. He recommended Whirlpool.</p>
<p>I got a Maytag Bravos XL top loader last spring and love it! It replaced a Whirlpool Duet front loader which I disliked from day one. When loaded correctly, the Bravos does an excellent job of cleaning our clothes, something I could not say about the Duet. I also love the way it handles towels! We use large bath sheets and beach towels and they never smell musty or sour since using the Bravos.</p>
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<p>After lots of research last October I replaced our 30(!!!) year old washer & dryer with a new LG top load, agitator-less, HE set and so far, I’m thrilled. I was sure at first that I would get a front load Whirlpool but after reading reviews and hearing so many complaints online and from friends, I changed my mind and I’m very glad. The mold issues/having to leave the door ajar was bad enough but I really hate those pedestals you are almost required to buy.
The washer also has a glass lid and the first few times I used it I just stood there watching, fascinated while the tub jiggled and spun the clothes to distribute the load evenly before starting to fill with water (amazing how far washers have come in 30 years). Alas, when I use hot water the lid steams up making it very hard to watch ;)</p>
<p>Have been very pleased with my Sears toploader. Its made by LG. I have the steam option in the dryer, but in 2 years have used it maybe twice. And its doesnt do much.</p>
<p>We like the LG we bought. The cycles are long, but there is a speed wash option that I use that seems to wash everything perfectly well. I have not used any of the bells and whistles (like the steam clean) - don’t know why we buy things with the fancy bells and whistles as we never use them. Haven’t had any issues with smell or mold. Still kind of hanker after a top loader. I would kind of like the matching dryer (purely for appearance sake, it is pretty!) but our old dryer is working pretty well. The washer & dryer are in a little nook with cabinets over the top and I am thinking of replacing the doors with shaker style doors and painting them in a slate color
<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Nuvo-Slate-Modern-Cabinet-Makeover/dp/B00BMU9QPC/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1394992834&sr=8-6&keywords=cabinet+paint”>http://www.amazon.com/Nuvo-Slate-Modern-Cabinet-Makeover/dp/B00BMU9QPC/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1394992834&sr=8-6&keywords=cabinet+paint</a>
but maybe that is a whole other thread.</p>
<p>Thanks for the comments. Fishmymom, what do you mean by “when you load your washer correctly”?</p>