Let's talk washing machines!

Parent Cafe
1

Hi all,

The most recent washing machine threads seem to be 7+ years old, so probably outdated. We’re in the market for a new washer and dryer. We were thinking about front loaders but the feedback from friends seems to be that front loaders are not the best idea. We’re remodeling our laundry room and a front loader would fit better but we’re open to rethinking our plans if we choose a top loader.

We live in a very dry area with mandated water usage requirements. So it is important that any washer be able to clean clothes well while conserving water.

Anyone have a washing machine that they love? One they hate? Any thoughts on top loaders vs. front loaders? Thanks for your feedback.

2

Love my Miele front loader. I have no idea why people would insist on subjecting their laundry to caveman’s method of washing by pounding it with rocks… which is what a typical top loader does.

I just washed a load of dark cashmere. Hand wash cycle, no heat, medium spin. Spread it on towels in the bathroom. Washing the sheets now. Regular wash, hot water, max spin. Then I will do a load of exercise clothing… Easy as eating a piece of pie.

3

Love my LG top loader which does not use the “caveman method” which I assume refers to an agitator. Good quality top loaders don’t have agitators any more.

Front loaders tend to develop mold in the gaskets which lead to unpleasant odors which my front-loading friends try to avoid by leaving the door open slightly allowing the gasket to dry. They also require pedestals to raise them up to a comfortable height so that’s an extra expense that didn’t interest me.

4

I had a Kenmore HE elite front loader washer and dryer up until a few months ago. The front loader uses less water than the old top loaders. This can become a problem because depending on the load the clothes aren’t washed with much water. Also a lot of front loaders including mine had mold problems if you didn’t keep the door open after you were done washing. Ugh. The reason is that the tub is air tight so mold can grow if it is shut all the time. This is not a problem with just one manufacturer.

We replaced the washer and dryer with Samsung HE top loader with aquajet. I love it. The washer tells me when it needs to be cleaned and I run the clean cycle without having to buy washing machine “cleaning” tabs. There is no thing in the middle of the drum to “pound” clothes like rocks. It seems to have enough water to actually clean the clothes and if I want extra water added for some reason there is a button for that. Also the drum is huge and I can wash my king size comforter in it. The top loader is also an HE so you will not be wasting a ton of water.

One other thing to think about is that the front loaders can be put on pedestals. I had mine on those. At first I thought it was nice to have drawers under them. However this makes the top of the washer/dryer higher up and heavier. I can move my new washer or dryer if I had to. But there is no way I could move the old front loader. Why would I need to move it? Well sometimes things would fall behind it because the top is flat. the top loaders have the part where the buttons are and that stops things from falling behind the washer/dryer.

5

Rats. Miele does not make the large capacity washers for the US market anymore. Scratch that option… unless you don’t need to wash king-sized blankets (I do).

What I like about Miele is that their service call center is in the US (had to call once to order a part for the D/W). You get to talk to a knowledgeable person instead of a random dude with a thick Indian accent who knows zip about appliances.

Never had any issues with things falling behind the washer… Had to retrieve the cats from behind it, but a piece of salami waved in the air did the trick. :slight_smile: No odor issues or mold.

6

Like BB, I love our Miele front loader washing machine. I never had a problem with mold because the “problem” is so will known and the solution so simple.

I have never had anything behind the machine, not even the cat.

7

How noisy is the Miele front loader? We have an inexpensive Kenmore front loader in our summer house and the closet where it is located is near the kitchen and it is loud when it spins. There isn’t enough room for a front loader with a wider door, but the Miele would work. I would make the change if I got serious noise improvement.

8

I got a new set this past summer that I really like. It’s a Maytag front loader ( says commercial quality ) I replaced my second set of Whirlpool duet. I go in expecting only about 5 years or so for appliances to work since that is what I have been told by repairmen. It has a steam clean feature which I haven’t tried yet , but I have used hand wash cycle and it has worked a lot better than my former washer. It was just as good as dry cleaning my wool sweaters . IMO. I tend to use a quick wash which is a true 26 min.

9

Love my LG front loader. i have the steam feature, which is useful.

Don’t know why anyone would complain about a front loader. It’s the top loader HE washers that will have a more difficult time cleaning large items (blankets, comforters) or bulky items. The front-loaders have no problem with those items.

I’ve had front loaders for more than 17 years now. No issues.

10

The new machines do seem to have lots of beeps and special signal noises, mine do not shut off. I would check the noises and make sure I can choose not to hear them. I would not pay any extra for a front loader, it’s fine, but it does nothing special for me. Also, my mother bought the one with the steam cleaner function, it sounded so special, heck, she never uses it, the loads take forever anyway and that one moreso!

11

If you want something that is going to last 15, 20 years or more, go for a top loader. This is per the guy who owns are independent, family run appliance store. The more expensive front loading machines with all the bells and whistles tend to have more issues with repairs and smells.

12

Express wash is 30 min, and the machine does a great job cleaning regular laundry with that cycle. I use the long cycle for garden clothes etc. that need super hot water. No beeping or any other electronic noises to bother anyone (ditto the D/W, only the ovens do this - but that is by design, to save energy). The spin cycle is super quiet compared to the top loader I had before (Kenmore Elite).

13

We just not too long ago replaced a first gen Maytag Neptune front loader. I think we had it about 16 or 17 years before the main bearing failed. We replaced it with an LG. The only complaint I have with the LG (one which is very common) is that the initial wash cycle start will have the water inlet solenoids turn on and off in very rapid succession, creating a water hammer effect on the pipes. I had to install an external water column with an air gap to get rid of that hammering noise. Other than that, the washer has been fine. I wish I could afford a Miele washer (and the fact that they don’t make a large capacity one for the US market makes it very impractical). I have Miele dishwasher and vacuum cleaner and they are outstanding products.

14

The one thing if you read the consumer reports forums with washing machines, especially the new generation front loader machines, is that they won’t last long, that basically they will die once the warrantee expires. I have looked at friend’s machines, and like most things made these days, they are using plastic drive line components, which are almost guaranteed to fail, and the circuitry in them is subject to failure as well. If you buy a machine, assume that you won’t get more than 5, 6 years out of it before it will need to be replaced (the cost of repairing them often approaches getting a new one.

Because our laundry requirements are relatively small (it is just my wife and I),and water isn’t as much of a problem here, I went with a speed queen washer. It isn’t fancy, it is a large capacity top loader, but it is built ruggedly. The basic control mechanism is an old fashioned mechanical one, the main drum is heavy duty stainless steel, and the drive mechanism is all metal, direct drive motor and heavy bronze driveline. Among other things, it can be repaired pretty easily. So far has been bullet proof, does a great job washing.

With mold issues with front loaders, leave the door open slightly, and every certain period of time run a cleaning agent through the unit, and you should be fine.

15

I have a Speed Queen too, partially because I heard how great they are here on CC. It’s built like a tank and very simple. I love it, but it is not as water efficient as the OP probably needs. I have noticed with my friends with front loaders that they all get smelly. I wouldn’t want that locking front either, I like to leisurely throw things in with the lid open and the water flowing.

However, top loading HE washers really tangle your clothes. They don’t fill all the way with water and the clothes are cycled up and down, into and out of the water to get them clean while being water efficient. I find them all tangled at the bottom at the end.

Also, our appliance guy told us that the most common repair on a top loading machine is the lid lock. People hate them and try to open the lid without waiting for the unlock signal and are too rough. People also let the lid drop when closing it and you should place it very carefully down instead to not damage the locking mechanism. Speed Queens don’t have lid locks but I heard that they are changing this year.

One way to extend the warranty is to buy at a place like Best Buy and purchase the extended warranty and just deal with them in the future, not the manufacturer. We did that with our dryer, but didn’t bother with the Speed Queen (which they don’t sell anyway) because it won’t need it,

16

No mold issues with door left open and a cleaning tablet thrown in the drum periodically, just as musicprnt suggests. The higher speed spin cycle cuts drying time in half and/or makes drying flat or hanging to dry much easier on the garment. Ever hang a garment that was too wet?

I spent $650 on my GE front load washer. It did NOT get great reviews but I thought what the heck. If it lasts a few years with no problems, I’ll be happy. It is now going on 5 years and, knock on wood, no issues. I do not use pedestals with my washer and dryer. The door height is fine without them and does not pose any problems for me whatsoever. Depends on what brand and model you get as to whether they are needed or not.

17

Many companies have redesigned their front loading washers to eliminate mold issues present in earlier models.

I love my Bosch front loaders. I’ve had them for years, do lots of laundry and haven’t had any mechanical problems or issues with mold. I live in a humid climate and don’t leave my washing machine door ajar.

18

We have a Maytag Bravos washer (HE top loader),replacing a Maytag front loader Neptune, I think, and it has TERRIBLE reviews. I guess we’ve been really lucky::::knocking on wood here, I’m probably jinxing myself…but the thing I dislike the most is how incredibly wrinkled the clothes are. I had to really learn to cut back, as advised, on how much detergent to use so as not to have white detergent spots left all over clothes, noticeably dark ones. I still don’t get how they can use so little water and get clothes clean, but they are clean and smell great. We kept our old dryer because why not? There’s no law saying you have to get a matched pair, LOL, so I have no experience there. Our dryer still does a decent job on “permanent press” as long as we get and fold or hang the clothes as soon as they are done.

19

Did extensive research a couple of years ago. Price, convenience, repair histories (from Consumer reports in the library) etc, considered. Chose an LG, happened to have steam. Reliability of LG brand has improved a lot in recent years.

Definitely want he. Want a washer which determines the water requirements instead of just s-m-l.

Because of the reported odor/mold issues of the past I seriously considered top loaders. However, even for a tall person it is a long reach to the bottom. I also found articles about how well cleaning of large items occurred- such as a king sized comforter or bedspread. Plus small rugs (bath mats…). The up and down motion of a top loader did not work as well as the round and round of a front loader.

Front loaders add enough water then more gently toss the laundry as it spins- clothes go up then fall to the bottom. You can really put a lot in a front loader without losing cleaning ability. Plus the rinsing still works well.

I discovered that LG and Samsung both have a front little drain tube you can further empty water from. I do this weekly after my last load but not if I do a load more often. More than a couple of cups of water drain. Mine also has a feature where the door can stay minimally open to allow for air drying the inside. I did the maintenance package of cleaner once after a year just 'cause- no need to do it as often as stated by manufacturers. (aside- likewise with dishwashers).

I also paid the extra for the pedestal/storage bottoms. Getting older and worth it to me to not need to lean as much. The con- tops of washer/dryer are less convenient for putting stuff on.

There are many wash cycle choices. I also looked at top spin speeds for brands. And I fiddle with controls- choosing the extra high spin speed. Of course more spin speed means more wrinkles which dry out- be sure to shake out clothes when transferring, btw. I also use less detergent than recommended but often add an extra rinse (softener goes in last rinse) when I have a smaller load and may misjudge the amount of detergent. My washer has a “turbo” feature which sprays clothes but not in towel or bulky mode.

Thought the musical end sounds would annoy me but they are actually pleasant.

I also replaced the dryer. Both appliances were left by the previous owner and I was glad to get back to a front loader. Waited for sales and ended up with steam on both. Steam for the dryer seems more practical than for a washer to me.

Short answer- LG 3470 or current model number, with large (not huge) capacity. Works for two of us- fewer loads if I do less frequently. Also easily does large stuff. Exception- unless you use the huge dryer at a Laundromat mattress pads and other bedding tends to roll on itself and needs repositioning a few times in the matching dryer.

20

Speed Queen!!! Just get a Speed Queen.
They are made in the US and have metal parts so they last much longer than the other brands.
I have a top load washer (they also sell front loaders) and as a short person (under 5’2") I can still reach clothing at the bottom of the machine. The cycles are about 30 min long, so I quickly get laundry done.

You can wash a king sized comforter in a Speed Queen. I don’t own one so I"ve never tried this but there is a video on youtube of someone doing this.

When our drier dies, I will replace it with a Speed Queen.

My parents have a top load HE washer and they hate how tangled their clothing is at the end of the cycle.