<p>I can’t believe I forgot that we also replaced the motor (under warranty) on my Maytag. The repairman from Sears showed up an hour after I called and happened to have a new motor in his van, apparently the burned out motor is very common on the Neptune. Front loader-yes, Maytag Neptune-no.</p>
<p>We have a front-loading Asko (European brand) because it fit best where we wanted it to go. We had plumbing access but not a short dryer vent route, and the Asko dryer stacks and also has a front vent (it uses a condenser, so no dryer vent needed). I have MUCH less clothing damage than I used to–buttons stay on, for example. The high speed of the spin means that clothes are close to dry when they come out of the wash. And it uses almost no detergent to get clothes VERY clean.</p>
<p>My top-loading Maytag also had a motor problem within the warrantee period. Another complaint I have is that it leaves quite a lot of lint on the clothes. It seemed like the continuous rinsing with fresh water was a good idea, but that method just does not remove lint well. My friend had a lot of trouble with her front-loading Maytag Neptune, including mildew, flooding and excessive noise when the drum changes directions.</p>
<p>Anybody know about the Whirlpool Duets?</p>
<p>I’d like to get a new washer and drier, because I hate my washer and my Kenmore drier is 23 years old. But on the other hand, it is 23 years old and they don’t make 'em like that anymore.</p>
<p>My experience is similar to dmd77’s --European front-loader-- just got a new one to replace the one we had for 21 years. Hoping to last as long as my new washing machine! We’ve never needed a drier!</p>
<p>I am laughing right now because I just got off the phone with the repairman’s wife. She has a LG front loader that she absolutely loves. She had a Neptune before that and had trouble with it. She said the only problem with the frontloaders she has had is that her husband doesn’t like to work on them.</p>
<p>I’ve got the Whirlpool duet washer and dryer stacked – love them! Changed my life because a load is more than twice the size of my old washer so I have to run a lot fewer loads. The only problem is that a load takes forever to fold because there are so many clothes in it.</p>
<p>Ugh! The folding. I wish someone would invent a machine to do that.</p>
<p>There is an enormous amount of information on appliances in the forums at thathomesite.com.</p>
<p>I have an Italian front loader. That is all we have here or German. They wash different, take longer and I am used to them now. It took awhile to figure out the cycles. ;)</p>
<p>Izzie, are your machines very noisy? Does the washer “clunk” when it changes directions? Can you add an item after the cycle begins? Do these and other frontloaders require the special detergent?</p>
<p>Mine are Whirlpool Duets. Have had them about 3 years and no problems. yes, you can add to the load in the first 10min or so of cycle–just push pause button. Probably the only thing you can’t do is presoak a load as there is not enough water in there to do that. But the laundry comes out so much cleaner I have not missed the presoak I used to do some (you know, fill the washer and let the clothes sit there until you get around to it:))</p>
<p>lkf-</p>
<p>The washer gets pretty loud during the spin cycle which sounds kind of like a jet engine. I’ve got the dryer perched on top of the washer so that might make it a little louder. The reason the clothes come out almost dry is because of the powerful spin cycle. Other than that, I would say the rest of the wash cycle is quieter than my old one. You just hear a little sloshing noise. I haven’t ever heard a clunk noise. You can stop the wash cycle early on to add items. I use the Tide h-e liquid detergent which is a little more expensive than regular, but the saleman told me that he has the same washer and just uses regular liquid detergent, just a little less than you’re supposed to use. You can use powder too, I just never have. I’ve had it for about a year and a half and haven’t noticed additional wear and tear on the clothes but I do think they get cleaner than with the old machine. I don’t even do the Shout it Out thing anymore.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info! I get kind of stressed choosing appliances because you have to use them every day and if you hate what you’ve got, it annoys you on a daily basis.</p>
<p>lkf-</p>
<p>The only thing I find kind of annoying is that from all the spinning, the pants legs get twisted up sometimes and need to be ironed. This doesn’t happen so much to my pants because I am short but one of my boys has really long legs and his jeans get all twisted up. I shake them out before I put it in the dryer and that helps. The advantages still outweigh this one disadvantage.</p>
<p>I’ll take that under advisement, Izzie, thanks! I don’t think I can in good conscience buy anything new until the old one actually breaks, though. But I like to be prepared because when you need it, you REALLY need it and it is not a good time to begin research and comparison shopping.</p>
<p>I have the front loading Asko Quattro washer/dryer. I got it because I live in a very small house and wanted something that could be undercounter. I really like it and have been happy. BUT, when my sister visits, she always complains about the dryer and says that it is not as good as her dryer (Maytag Neptune). </p>
<p>Also, I did purchase knowing that I was only doing laundry for 2 people - I do not think I would have bought this one if I had to do laundry for more that myself and my D because the capacity is smaller than typical American washers.</p>
<p>We love our Maytag Neptune. My H thought the cost was a bit crazy at first but he knows it uses much less water (and less energy to heat the water).</p>
<p>Well, with all this talk about washing machines, we bought one last night. Walked into Sears. Told them we wanted to look at the least expensive 3.1 c.u. or greater frontloader that wasn’t a Maytag. </p>
<p>They were discontinuing a Sears/Kenmore model. $200 off. Then they gave us a $100 rebate on our water bill, a $50 rebate on our electric bill, and free shipping ($60).</p>
<p>The guy who sold it to us was a former options trader from Fairfield, Iowa (???) He asked to be allowed to do his spiel (even though we had already agreed to buy it.) He literally got down on his knees and begged us to purchase it. (I’m not making this up.) He tried to explain all the buttons and whistles (why someone needs an 4, 8, 10, and 12-hour time on a washing machine had us in giggles - we figured out they must be devices to keep the dogs confused.)</p>
<p>He had two other salespeople. Both schoolteachers who couldn’t make ends meet, and were working 5 nights a week. They said they wouldn’t buy the Maytag either.</p>
<p>Told daughter #2 that Mom had just been chosen half-Queen for a Day (no dryer). ;)</p>
<p>I have a Miele washer, and a Kenmore Hettie dryer (basically a Duet dryer), we call them Mutt and Jeff because of the difference in size. I love, love both of them. My clothes come out much cleaner, and with less damage. I wash all sorts of silks and woolens that I would otherwise have to dry clean. The Miele uses very little water and very little detergent. It is small, but it will hold a queen sized comforter stuffed to the gills.
There is a definite learning curve with using the Miele - I ruined a few things, and had a couple of loads come out not so clean, but now I’m a pro. The Miele has “American” cycles and European cycles - a teen/husband can learn how to use the American cycles, although you won’t get the full benefit of the cleaning power without using all the different options.</p>
<p>Sorry mods, please don’t bump me
another plug for <a href=“http://www.thathomesite.com%5B/url%5D”>www.thathomesite.com</a> - there is a whole forum dedicated to laundry, and those people feel about laundry the way folks around here feel about colleges. Happy washing.</p>
<p>Cangel: what woolens?</p>
<p>mini
enjoy your sears Kenmore…I have the HE3 and love it. The dryer is even better.</p>
<p>Cangel…hilarious. I have been to thathomesite.com and felt an immediate Rush. Since my son is a freshman in college I really need a new focus re online boards. Thanks!</p>