<p>sally, congratulations. Our Miele washer handles everything from delicate lace to king-sized comforters. It is amazingly quiet compared to the old top-loader, yet it can spin clothes so fast they come out almost dry yet not wrinkled. The pre-programmed cycles on the front panel are appropriately named and make the selection simple; if I want to wash a bunch of dress shirts, I simply press the “Dress Shirts” button.</p>
<p>Toledo, try running the washer empty–or with just a few white towels–with HOT water and a cup of bleach, no detergent. That will clean all the residue and mildew out of the washer. After that, yes, you do want to leave the door open between loads.</p>
<p>If you are using that much detergent, you are probably clogging the washer with foam and not getting things properly clean. I use about two tablespoons of regular liquid detergent for a not-too-dirty load and it gets things clean just fine. If I’m washing the clothes I’ve worn to the barn for dog training–which end up filthy because I kneel in the dirt–I’ll use three tablespoons.</p>
<p>Most front-loaders allow you to adjust the spin speed. If it’s spinning too hard for your clothes, you can reduce the speed. I’ve never had permanent wrinkles and I always use the highest speed. You need to be careful to have enough clothes in the wash–washing just a few things doesn’t work as well as a larger load.</p>
<p>sally:</p>
<p>I used to be a fan of Consumer Reports, but back when I purchased the Calypso, it was one of their top-rated brands. Shortly thereafter, Whirlpool was settling a class-action suit for that machine!</p>
<p>I have never heard such horror stories from front loaders. Mine was the cheapest one at Lowes. It never shakes, the clothes come out cleaner with less detergent.
It also has various speeds for spinning but adjusts the spin speed to the cycle - wash on perm press and you get a lower spin speed automatically. Since I can spin my towels and jeans really fast they spend much less time in the dryer.
I do think if you wash just a few things you should lower the spin speed and use less detergent since the water level will be lower. I like that I can jam as much clothing in as possible and you can’t overload it.</p>
<p>Bonus - it uses much less water than my old top loader and clothes don’t get caught on the agitator anymore.</p>
<p>Not that I have any stake in what anyone thinks of Consumer Reports, but their ratings are typically based upon effectivenes at doing what the appliances being tested are designed to do. I don’t know what the class action suit on the Calypso was over, but if it was a long term problem like mildew buildup or poor sealing (which I know some front-loader manufacturers have been sued over), then it wouldn’t necessarily have come to Consumer Reports’ attention during short term effectiveness testing. </p>
<p>That said, I still think it is quite important that Consumer Reports found that not one single top loader washer vuilt to the new government energy/water efficiency standards actually got clothes clean (it’s primary function) in its review. That’s a very disappointing result.</p>
<p>Based on that information, for anyone who likes top loaders, I would suggest continuing to repair an older machine for as long as possible instead of going new.</p>
<p>If there are people who still prefer top loaders, you really should look at the Fisher Paykel. It is not like any of the others. The agitation design is completely different and it is much better on the clothes. It uses much less water but you can easily change that if you don’t like the water saver setting. It does have a distinctive high pitched sound when on high spin, but the clothes come out nearly dry. My drying time has been cut by more than half compared to my old Maytag.</p>
<p>I have read great things about Fisher Paykel, but its “agitation” design is not unique. According to the excellent site that silverlady posted, the knowledgeable folks note that Whirlpool’s Cabrio machine uses the FP design. (I’m guessing that Whirlpool had no choice but to adopt something quickly after the fiasco with Calypso.)</p>
<p>Sally: I understand that Consumer Reports can only test for what a machine does today. But, the wash plate design was a fatal flaw in the Calypso, IMO, and I would have hoped some independent engineers (at CR) would have recognized it. Not only does the wash plate “eat” smaller clothes (which end up blocking drain holes), it wears out after a few years requiring a $200 replacement part. Then, of course, add in the standard mildew problems of well sealed HE machines. Essentially, CR highly recommended a $1,000 machine that became a massive embarrassment (and financial disaster) to Whirlpool a couple of years later.</p>
<p>Ah the good old days, when you could buy a Kenmore or Whirlpool or Maytag or GE without fear …</p>
<p>The same guy who built Seiclan’s laundry room did ours apparently … no room for anything but top loaders. So when our Maytag died three years ago (after a mere six years of fitful service) we went to Consumer Reports and based on their recommendation choose a Kenmore Elite Oasis HE Washer. It uses much less water (yeah!) and detergent (eh). The high speed spin means clothes take less time to dry (yeah!) but require more touch-up ironing (blech). And yes the amount of detergent is critical if you don’t want foam atop your clothes when the load is done. And yes there is room for socks to disappear beneath the agitator. And yes loads of towels and comforters tend to become unbalanced, thus requiring manual repositioning. And (just one more thing, promise) you have to be REALLY careful that you don’t inadvertently leave quarters in your pockets because they will be washed into the drain pump and shatter the pump casing. AND I HAVE ONE OF THE LATER MODELS THAT DOESN’T INVOLVE RECALL NOTICES!!!</p>
<p>My neighbor has a Fisher & Paykel and swears by it. Hers is small though, and we’re still washing for a family. Yes it makes odd noises. Minor pain IMHO.</p>
<p>OK…you all have convinced me to look at a Fisher Paykel. A relative has one and it really does a great job. The way my washer area is, I cannot leave a front loader open to keep it from smelling bad. So…I’m going to stick to my top loader.</p>
<p>The repairmen and salespeople I asked all told me to stay far away from the Calypso and the other model like it. So, we bought the GE top-of-the-line front loader with the pedestan and matching dryer. We then went through 5 washers, one after another (sure glad we bought that extended warranty!). It wasn’t the washer’s fault though, those machines are sensitive and must be leveled correctly when installed. After moving, the basement floor here isn’t level and I do have to fight with the darned thing “walking” across the floor (had to wire the hose onto the laundry sink to keep that from draining anywhere it wanted to!), and front-loaders do take longer to complete a load (don’t believe that timer when it shows 8 minutes-that’s an approximation which has no relation to anything resembling real-time!), but I still love it. Our energy bills and water bills are lower, the clothes are cleaner and last much longer. I’ve always washed things which most people send to the dry-cleaner, but now, the only things that leave the home to be cleaned are winter coats!</p>
<p>another very happy fisher paykel owner here! the best part is the top loading dryer! i strongly recommend this brand to anyone!</p>
<p>My parents got a Fridgidaire Affinity (front-loader) a year ago and it is a DREAM to do laundry in, especially compared to our ancient top-loader.</p>
<p>It is whisper quiet, uses less water, detergent, and electricity, gets the clothes significantly cleaner then the old (15 year old!) washer 
and is basically “hands off”</p>
<p>My mom likes the fact that it has a “sanitize” cycle where it heats the water more, to temperature that kills bacteria when used with detergent. Only downside is it takes 2 hours to run.</p>
<p>It uses very little electricity, too (the electrical engineer in me just had to measure it ) It uses about 1 kw-h total on the sanitize cycle, which is a rather surprisingly small amount of energy considering it heats the water with electricity and tumbles the laundry for 2 hours.</p>
<p>Our original washer, a basic Kenmore, was on it’s last legs after nearly 16 years of service. We wanted something that used less water since we have a septic system. Front loaders were an obvious choice, but I often find a stray sock or dishtowel so being able to toss something in after a load started was important to me. I also wanted to be able to wash king and queen size bedding at home. We ended up with the Kenmore Oasis HE toploader. Recently I received a letter about an “upgrade” in some part that Sears would complete for free. It’s been done. We’ve not had any problems with it. I love how much fits into it. </p>
<p>Now if I could easily find the powdered HE version of detergent I would be happy. I dislike using liquids as I find them a bit messier.</p>
<p>thanks for all the excellent comments.!</p>
<p>
Have you tried leveling the machine?
Just set a carpenter’s level on the top. Adjust the feet until it is perfectly level in both directions.</p>
<p>We’ve had one of the Kenmore HE3 series front-loaders for almost 8 years. It is the same machine, basically, as the Duet. As I recall it did shake at first, then I leveled it and that resolved the problem. Of course, at the highest setting it spins much faster than a conventional top loader, so you still will get some vibrations. However, if the machine is level and the load is not unbalanced inside, it should not shake wildly. Occasionally you’ll have to open it up in mid-spin and balance the load (though this rarely happens to us unless we are spinning big stuff at the highest speed.)</p>
<p>bluebayou—I see you are in Southern Ca (hi! )
I’m not sure how close a Sears Outlet is to you, but I saw some FABULOUS deals on high end front loaders at the one in Brea. Most models were 50% off and even more. (this was on 8-6 and they had plenty)</p>
<p>Have had my Electrolux front loading pair since October. They were the ones with the reversible doors so we could put the dryer on the left. They were new to the market but built as the High End for another manufacturer whose name escapes me at the moment.
I love them.</p>
<p>Have had a Kitchen Aid top load washer and dryer now for many years (about 10 at least) Yes, we’ve had some repairs, the last few (one on the washer and two on the dryer) my husband was able to fix himself…thanks to our very trusted local appliance supply shop (save BIG $$) Both have done well. I thought the washer was a bit rough on the spinning…really twisted the sheets up a lot but judging from what everyone else here is saying it sounds like a common complaint with other models as well. My Mom’s Maytag lasted forever…too bad they’re not made as well today. Good luck on your search!</p>
<p>musica: that is literally music to my ears… (sry, couldn’t resist). :D</p>
<p>Seriously, tho, bluewife said last night, let’s just go down to Sears…</p>
<p>get thee to the Sears OUTLET!!! Same warranty as in the standard store!!</p>