<p>We need a new washer and dryer to replace the 13-year-old Maytay Neptune ones that were not the marvels they were advertised to be back when purchased. As a matter of fact, we have several appliances (including an LG microwave purchased just a couple years ago) that we bought based on Consumer Reports reviews/recommendations that have not proven to be all that terrific.</p>
<p>So I’m looking for recommendations from people who have recently purchased a washer and dryer that they still love.</p>
<p>There was a really good thread on this a year or more ago. See if you can search and find it. I, too, have the original Neptune bought in late 1998. I have been quite happy except for the mildew issue in the rubber seal. At some point we’ll need to replace them, though.</p>
<p>I have never loved my appliances. I also used the Consumer Reports ratings and somehow always get the one that doesn’t work right. </p>
<p>I don’t use these ratings anymore. In one year I had problems with three relatively new appliances, all purchased at Sears. They weren’t necessarily the “cheapest” of the appliances, either.</p>
<p>I look forward to hearing people’s responses. Not in the market for anything right now, knock on wood!</p>
<p>Just went thru this last week; thought we were going to need a new dryer/washer, but fortunately could be repaired. In the process of repairs, I started polling family and friends about their washer/dryer type. Overwhelmingly, LG. If I have to end up buying a new set, I am going to seriously consider the LG brand for washers and dryers.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine not getting a front loader. H (the engineer) thinks it is negligent to not have a front loader. The clothes come out SO dry- it really shortens time in the dryer and much can be just hung to dry.</p>
<p>Check out the laundry forum on Garden Web’s That Home Site. There is a ton of information there. There are some hard core laundry people on that site. Good luck!</p>
<p>I was worried about vibrations and mold but also saw front loaders as the only logical choice. At the suggestion of the sales guy at Pacific Sales, I bought a Samsung set - not the top of the line as I didn’t think I needed to sterilize my clothes. I’m very happy with them so far - about 4 months in. They sit on a very uneven old concrete floor in the basement and don’t move at all.</p>
<p>Yes, about last February we had a nice long thread on this. I purchased the Maytag Bravos 5 cu. ft. Top Loader Washer with the matching steam dryer after a few friends and CC’ers told me how happy they were with theirs. My washer/dryer is HE and has no agitator (so there is lots of room in it to fit a comforter). I didn’t want a front loader due to space limitations and the mold/smell issue (that many friends have with their front loaders). I have been very happy with my choice however, a neighbor of mine purchased the same washer/dryer as mine, two months later and has already had to get a new dryer (covered by warranty). I don’t know of any machine that is completely reliable. With this belief, I also purchased the extended 3 year warranty that Lowe’s offered when I bought my machines.</p>
<p>Samsung - we’ve had it about 2 yrs and it is very very quiet (which I understand is NOT a given) and very good with water-conserving (we have septic which has been overwhelmed with the amounts of water from our previous top loader). It’s been really great.</p>
<p>Whirlpool Duet- front loading washer & dryer both sit on storage shelf pedestals, so there is virtually no bending down at all. Hmm no vibrations here either. With our washer, I tend to just leave the door ajar after using, haven’t had any mold issues. At the advice of the installer, I use literally a tablespoon of detergent, and often cold water. Seems to work just great.</p>
<p>I also have mine on pedestals, also leave the door open after use, also use a tiny amount of detergent, and also bought the longer warranty just to ease my mind about the switch to a front-loader.</p>
<p>There’s a clorox product for cleaning front load washers to help with the mold smell - you just run an empty load with the solution, but yes, I leave the door open to help with that too.</p>
<p>We went through this choice 3 months ago. I read so many threads and reviews, my head was spinning I didn’t feel the need for the very-top-of-the line front-loaders(and top of price). Narrowed it down to Samsung vs LG and went w/ the $700 LG. We are absolutely amazed how much cleaner our clothes are, how it does this with 1-1.5 tbps. of detergent, and how incredibly dry they come out of the washer. My H is still grumping about how they overcharge for the pedestal, but I’m glad we got it and I’m only 5’3".</p>
<p>We bought our new set about 3 years ago and after much research, we were advised not to go with LG for 2nd floor laundry room (I loved them and was thinking of getting them).</p>
<p>Anyway, we ended up with the DUET Sport front loading set which is a bit smaller than the regular Duet set but ok for us as we are now empty nesters (most of the time!). The Duet Sport doesn’t have some of the extra features like steam, but I didn’t care about the extra bells and whistles.</p>
<p>The other advantage of the Duet Sport set is that they can also be stacked. Since we do plan to downsize in a couple years, this seemed like a wise choice logistically.</p>
<p>Re the effectiveness–I’ve been very happy with this washer and dryer. I had my previous Whirlpool washer for 25 years and don’t know if they’ll last that long, but they work efficiently, quietly and without much vibration–important for a 2nd floor laundry area.</p>
I didn’t feel the need for the very-top-of-the line front-loaders(and top of price). Narrowed it down to Samsung vs LG and went w/ the $700 LG. We are absolutely amazed how much cleaner our clothes are, how it does this with 1-1.5 tbps. of detergent, and how incredibly dry they come out of the washer. My H is still grumping about how they overcharge for the pedestal, but I’m glad we got it and I’m only 5’3".</p>