<p>First machine, a GE top-loader went great for 15+ years before needing work. At that time, six years ago, my green-side took over and we purchased a Whirlpool Calypso, one of those new-fangled HE machines. Besides dirtier clothes, and trapped socks under the wash plate, it’s become a sink hole for repair $.</p>
<p>Any suggestions for a replacement? I’m leaning towards a standard top-loader (not HE) bcos it cost half the price and has less moving parts to break…</p>
<p>I’ll be getting a front loader when I replace my washer (which I hope won’t die for at least 10 more months as I have ten more college payments). I’ve looked at consumer reports and talked to friends. I won’t be getting a Maytag of ANY kind (my current top loader IS a Maytag and I love it). I’ve looked at Whirlpool and LG.</p>
<p>I like my Fisher and Paykel (“ecosmart”?) top loader. Not a HE. Lots of cycle options, but its main selling point is a high speed spin that usually results in less time in the dryer. I think it is made in New Zealand; I bought it at a local appliance dealer that stocks a pretty wide variety of manufacturers.</p>
<p>midmo - I read your post and I thought I had written it. I agree. I have the same washer and love it. When my old washer died, I asked the guy who came to pronounce it dead what he would buy, and he didn’t even hesitate when he told me Fisher and Paykel.</p>
<p>It’s funny - front loaders are the standard in the UK (probably because of smaller houses and they fit under a cabinet). I have always liked the top loaders over here - partly because I can add things that I have forgotten (in the early stages of course). I hope I am nowhere near needing to replace mine. If I had had to replace it over the last years I had been leaning toward a front loader because of the ‘green’ issues - but I think I am swinging back toward staying with the top loader because I think I just prefer them, plus they are cheaper to buy.</p>
<p>My 8 year old Whirlpool Calypso works great (although I did have to replace a very expensive part last year). I looked into getting the new front loaders but decided that I liked my machine well enough to repair it…this time. Next time I will still buy a top loader. I have a small laundry room (8 X 6) with cabinets above the washer/dryer (so cannot have anything too high) and I need the top of the washer and dryer to fold on. I also have back problems…a front loader would make me bend more. If I had to buy today I would look into the Bravo (Maytag?)because I like having the extra large capacity of a washer without an agitator. I also like my digital controls. I am hoping that I do not have to buy one for quite awhile though…there is no great option as far as I can tell.</p>
<p>We live close to a laundromat. I wash the clothes there and bring them home to dry. I get a choice of machines to use and I don’t have to deal with maintenance. Frozen clothes are sometimes a pain when it is cold outside.</p>
<p>Look at Garden Web’s “That Home Site”'s laundry forum. There is tons of information about every possible washer out there. There are some hard core people on that forum. There is lots of great information to either make it easier to choose or harder. Good luck.</p>
<p>I heard good things about the whirlpool cabrio too. I read that of the front loaders, Samsung has the best rating and has the least problems with mold/smell.</p>
<p>I have the Whirlpool Duet with the pedestals - front loaders. Absolutely love the washer and dryer. No problems at all with mildew or smell if you leave the washer door open a bit when not in use.</p>
<p>We had a Calypso which died after 7 (or was it 8?) years. When I mentioned that to a salesperson at Sears, he said that most of the original ones died within 2-3 years of purchase, and the machine earned a nickname “Collapso” because it was so poorly designed :eek: H decided that a marvel of German engineering would be a suitable replacement for the ill-fated washer.</p>
<p>I just got a Whirlpool Cabrio. Still undecided if I like it or not. I know it uses less water and special detergent but if you don’t take the clothing out as soon as the load is finished you will have permanent wrinkles!!</p>
<p>Another pretty happy Fisher & Paykel owner here.</p>
<p>^^^I just had another thought about the Fisher & Paykel. Because it spins so fast, it does have a rather high-pitched sound during the spin cycle. It isn’t terribly loud, and as long as the machine is behind a door (as mine is), it isn’t a problem, but it does have a distinctive sound to it.</p>
<p>Last winter I bought a Frigidaire front loader. I absolutely love it. Had to teach the kids to keep the door open when they empty it or it gets smelly when left wet. It is extremely quiet and doesn’t shake at all.</p>
<p>This is a smallish front loader and I declined to spend the extra on a pedestal. It has a matching dryer that will stack on top and it can also fit under a kitchen cabinet.
It was very cheap for a front loader and uses much less water than my old top loader.
I can’t imagine ever going back to a top loader again.</p>
<p>First washer was GE Whirlpool. It lasted 15 years, never had a repair of any kind. When it started leaking oil after 15 years was told the repair cost would be over half the cost of a new one so we ditched it. We bought a Maytag. We’ve had it now for about 12 years, have never had a prob. with it.</p>
<p>We are building a new house that will eventually be our retirement home. I had been thinking of getting a front loader but have about decided to stick with the top loader thinking it will be less bending in the retirement years!</p>
<p>We have the Whirlpool Duet front-loader washer and dryer. Washer is great, dryer has had problems with lint build-up due to the design of the lint trap - even though I empty it after every load the majority of the lint is at the bottom and some gets scraped off by the little flap on the opening and then falls down into the bowels of the dryer. Repeat many times and you have enough lint in there to make the heating element fail and/or cause a fire.
DH wants to get the pedestals, as bending down is getting harder. Hmmm, maybe more working out instead?</p>
<p>Please take a look at Consumer Reports when considering a new washer as well.</p>
<p>When we were looking for a new washer and dryer about 18 months ago, I remember reading that due to new energy efficiency and/or water efficiency standards, Consumer Reports no longer recommends any of the top loaders on the market. It found that the top loaders didn’t clean clothes sufficiently and left residue of detergent in the clothing.</p>
<p>We ended up buying a Miele front loading washer/dryer pair and we couldn’t be happier. The washer washes clothes beautifully (and we are sure to use only he detergents) and the dryer is fantastic. We did get the pedestals for them, as they were on sale at the time, and because I really didn’t want to have to just about double myself over in order to load and unload my laundry.</p>
<p>Last house: an Asko front loader–a few minor repairs over 6 years–and a Bosch front loader–one repair to a hole in the skirt (our fault, coins left in pockets). Current house came with a Maytag front loader. It does a really good job cleaning stuff, but it bugs me because it doesn’t have a glass door. I know it’s silly, but I like checking the foam level, and I can’t!</p>
<p>I like the front loaders–much much easier on clothes. I can wash wool sweaters in them without them felting as long as I use the delicate cycle and cold water–which saves a ton on dry cleaning. They also take about half the time to dry the clothes because they get so much water out. Which also saves money.</p>
<p>I hate my Whirlpool Duet, even with the pedestal, which now uses up my space for hanging clothes above it. Mine shakes like crazy and the repairman blames this on the fact that I used regular detergent for a few loads. My neighbor had the same problem with her front-loading LG washer and she just paid $900 for a new seal. I don’t think it cleans as well as a top loader and I have to fill the detergent to the max fill line so detergent ends up costing more. If I forget to dry the clothes until the next day, the smell is awful. Also, I have to leave the door wide open to between loads for the washer to “air out” or I get the mildewy smell inside. It spins the ^&* out of the clothes (someone mentioned permanent wrinkles). The other day, a queen-sized flat sheet came out literally tied in knots. I should have repaired my 20 year old Maytag top-loader.</p>