Have you bought a washing machine in the last 5 years or so?

[seaglass]

My mom gave my husband and I a washer and dryer when we got married 25 years ago so I have never bought one myself.

Now I think I need to because it seems like the washer isn't getting our clothes very clean.

I spent about 1.5 hrs online this morning researching and am now even more confused than before. Too many features, too many drawbacks and the manufacturer warranties don't seem to cover nearly enough time. Really - I do not want to buy a washer after this one for another 25 years - and I have a feeling that with all the sensors on these things they will never last even half that long.

Who knew that I would need to look for a washer that allows me to soak clothes? Or that allows me to adjust the water level? Or (on front loaders) requires me to wipe down after every wash so it doesn't get mold/mildew?

Anyone have a great washer they would recommend?

[seabeyond]

1. yes, we did. and i let hubby do all the research, and shit....

was there a lot of research to be done.

ours is a top of the line, way too expensive and not thrilled with it. water saver, but i wonder if i get enough water to clean clothes. and spins so fast to get water out that dry time is down for sure, but tears up clothes. i have an incredible amount of labels from shirts left in washer, wihich makes me wonder. i will run downstairs and tell yout he brand in a minute. piping has to be adjusted for a slope withdrawal because so much more lint and other stuff is pulled out into pipes, we were having leaks...

months of plumbers trying to fix it i finally told hubby what problem was. none of the three men would listen to me. he sloped pipe and no more leaks.

not thrilled with new.

[seabeyond]

2. kenmore elite. oasis. seems my hubby like kenmore. seems to be thru out house. nt

[seaglass]

3. That was one of the things I read, that whatever the design is that removed

the agitator sometimes causes clothes to get ripped. not good. There was one that I found that sounded great until one of the reviewers said it was not good for old houses with old pipes because they will shake and blah blah blah something about a water hammer. We have an old house and the one thing we haven't had worked on/upgraded is the water pipes.

I wouldn't leave it to my husband to choose because he would just get the cheapest and he is not much of a researcher.

[seabeyond]

5. lol lol. my hubby always buys top of the line and months of research.

always... with EVERYTHING. stuff that is not a big deal. 2 yrs to get windows, lol.

i tend to best buy for the money and not a lot of frills....

[dixiegrrrrl]

32. We just bought a new washer, found out they are getting rid of the agitator

in most models.
I INSISTED on the agitator, got a large capacity Kenmore but it is mostly "automated"
and has plastic parts.
But it is quieter than my old one.

However, I did research and decided to NOT get a front loader, because of the vibration/pipes issue,
the need for basically a solid cement floor for it, and the mold issue.
So got the Kenmore top loader.
the Kenmore dryer I have had since 1995 is doing well, had to replace the heating element after 10 years, and was happy we COULD replace it ourselves.

Totally understand your feelings about having to go thru all the hunting and looking again, only to find quality is down, prices are up.

[GoneOffShore]

4. Had a Frigidaire Affinity installed last year when our Westinghouse died

No problems with getting the clothes clean or extra wear.
Of course, I do turn almost all clothes inside out and button or zip them as necessary.

Don't mind the wipe down of the gasket, because it's easy to do when you're getting the clothes out.

Front loaders you don't need to adjust the water level because they use less water.

Soaking? The Affinity has a heavy soil option.

YMMV

[Maine-ah]

6. I have your basic up right washer by Kenmore

dryer too. Have had them for about 15 years. No problems, ever. Still works great too. I think each cost $300.

[Curmudgeoness]

39. I always go with the most basic model available in everything.

Less bells and whistles means less things to go wrong. That goes for coffee makers to refrigerators to washers. And you know what? They all work.

[MicaelS]

7. Try "The Laundry Room" for information

Forum http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/laundry/

FAQs http://ths.gardenweb.com/faq/laundry/

Miele and Asko are top of the line, but expensive. If I could afford Miele, I'd buy in a second. Having to wipe down, and do other minor weekly maintenance, is the price of the superior cleaning and reduced water and detergent use of the front loader.

Unfortunately, no matter what you buy, I doubt very seriously that you're going to get 25 years out of a washer and dryer these days.

[seaglass]

17. Thanks for the link, I took a look last night. And yes my fear is that

I'll be replacing the washer every 5 years.

[MerryBlooms]

8. Ugh, yes.

My Kenmore front loader took a dump 2 weeks after the 5 yr. warranty ran out. Apparently, they have plastic parts that erode with use after about 5 years. According to the repair guy - who said he would never buy one, (plastic, bearings, blahblah - Honestly, I lost all hope at that point and tuned out). The dryer though, is still running perfectly after 8 years now. Replaced the front loader with a used top loader.

[sammytko]

9. I have a 10 yr old Maytag Neptune.

Still works great. I run at least 10 loads a week, from heavily soiled to delicate. Have never had a problem with missing tags lol. I have an 80 year old house on a pier and beam foundation - basic cedar posts stuck in the ground - and it doesn't shake or move around. Plumbing is kind of new.

I leave the washer door open so it can dry between loads.

[MrsBrady]

10. I suggest consumer reports...

the small membership fee is worth it, at least to me, when making this kind of purchase.

It's been helpful to me.

[Raven]

11. I have a Kenmore front loader that I bought in 2006. I love it but

I've never soaked clothes in it so I don't know about that. I do know that if you leave the door ajar you'll avoid mildew/mold. I've never had a problem with that.

[hedgehog]

12. We just replaced our first front loader with a second one.

You can't leave wet clothes in the machine, they'll get musty. I run a washer cleaning tab through about once a month and have no other problems.

The big payback is in my gas bill; the machine uses less hot water and the clothes come out with so little water that the dryer doesn't run as long.

Water is cheap here, so it doesn't really effect my water bill. Using less water is a lot easier on the septic system, though.

A lot of front loaders are expensive because they are so huge. Look around and you'll find a reasonably priced model that's handle a typical load of laundry. You can go to the commercial laundromat when you need to wash that huge bedspread. (although my machine easily handles a queen sized bedspread!)

[seaglass]

18. Even with the top loader clothes get smelly if you leave them in for over a day

in the summer.

I am concerned that the little amount of water is going to be like low flow toilets. The right thing to do but not as effective as the original. :-)

[hedgehog]

24. I think the front loaders get clothes cleaner - the water flows through the clothes

and carries the dirt away. In a top loader, the clothes are sitting in the water with the dirt.

[woo me with science]

13. Consumer Reports did a study (I think it was Consumer Reports)

and the cheap ones clean just as well as the expensive ones.

We never buy the fancy ones for the same reasons you state: too much to go wrong.

Plus, I love that they are now marketing a PRODUCT to put in your front loading machines "that will keep them from starting to smell."

Our inexpensive top loader does just fine.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

14. The first washer and dryer I ever bought had all the bells and whistles.

Know what I used? ON and OFF.

Six months ago we moved and I needed a new washer/dryer. Went on Craigslist and got a perfectly servicable set for less than a third of the cost of even the least expensive new ones. Works just fine.

[HopeHoops]

15. We got our washer and dryer from Montgomery Ward in 1988 - still kickin'

And that's after going through three kids worth of diapers!

[fizzgig]

34. my dad still has a few things he bought at monkey wards

the dryer's been running since 84 or so

[OffWithTheirHeads]

16. Another reason you may want to consider buying used.

Sadly, too many people are losing their homes and are trying to unload things they can't take with them. I'm not advocating taking advantage of other peoples misery but I, personally, would much rather have my money go to someone who really needs it rather than some multi national corporation.

[jobycom]

20. So, some guy working at Home Depot doesn't need his job?

:shrug:

[OffWithTheirHeads]

29. Really? You don't understand the difference between helping out

The bottom line of some family losing their house and the bottom line of home depot? Sad. I thought Dems were supposed to be nicer.

[jobycom]

37. Can the personal attacks.

You act like if you buy something new, some rich person somewhere gets the money and noone else. People's jobs depend on business, even if someone gets rich at the end of the line. If you buy used, someone else down the income chain has to pay more because the market for used items got tighter, so their money is worth less. I don't care who you buy from, my point is that you aren't hurting anyone buying new over used, and you aren't helping anyone in any net-gain sense by buying used over new--the used items will sell to people who can't afford new, anyway. The economy is a lot more complicated than that.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

42. Actually, if you bothered to read my post, which you didn't

you would have discovered that this was just my personal opinion. I won't even get into who attacked whome. I've been here long enough to have learned how to deal with your type. Bye!

[jobycom]

19. A lot of the technology is to reduce water and energy usage.

Front loaders and a few top loaders can reduce water use to a fraction of the old machines. The old top load design is basically like owning a Hummer these days--very wasteful, no advantages. Get a low-water model (usually front loaders) with an extended spin feature, and you will use less water, and your clothes will dry faster so you'll use less electricity.

I bought a Calypso washer about five years ago. Did a ton of research, investigated dozens of consumer and professional critiques of a dozen models, read every complaint to judge reliability and durability, and then just bought one that I found on sale. The one I bought had bad reviews and even a class action suit against it (hence, the great price), but it's been a fantastic, trouble-free washer. I've had a few friends buy other machines that I had read bad reviews on, and all of them love theirs, too.

I think the bottom line is that most washing machines work well enough. You're just as likely to get a lemon out of any brand. Look for price, and features you might find useful, and don't obsess unless you just like obsessing. Whatever you buy, you'll wind up using one or two features most of the time, anyway. Don't worry about wiping them down or all that stuff--just take basic care of it. Mine is one that supposedly mildews easily. I've never had a problem. Usually when I wash towels I run one of the dirty towels around the rim and seal to clean it a bit, then drop the towel in the wash. Never had any problems that required any real maintenance.

A couple of features I've liked on mine: first, enough presets to just push a button and let it go. Bulky, delicate casual, whites, normal... keeps you from having to think about the dials. Second, extended spin options dry your clothes almost before they hit the dryer. Third, do pay attention to the drum. You rarely hear of a plastic drum lasting a long time.

Just my observations. Have fun. :)

[seaglass]

33. What is it they call it - analysis paralysis - yep, I've got it and don't enjoy it.

I think I've allotted almost enough time to this in the last 2 days and will make a decision tomorrow :-)

And you're right, someone complains about every single machine out there and who knows which ones are because they didn't RTFM.

[Amaril]

21. I just bought a Maytag front loader.......

....a few months ago. Number one on my priority list was the drum capacity. I wanted something that was big enough to handle washing comforters so I didn't have to drag them to the laundramat. I opted for the Maytag front loader because it had the largest drum, and so far I'm hugely pleased with it. Even my oversized king comforter fits in it.

[Ellipsis]

22. Bosch

http://www.bosch-home.com/us/products/compact-washers-dryers/compact-washers/WAS24460UC.html

[OffWithTheirHeads]

43. I bought TWO Bosch dishwashers thinking that they were the best.

I was looking for quiet. They were quiet allright. Neither one of them lasted more than two years. Never again! I paid top dollar for both of them thinking that everyone makes a mistake. Finally replaced my last Bosch with a bottom of the line, Home Depot Model. At least I have clean dishes.

[Kali]

23. If I coud afford one

I would get a Staber. Low water (and detergent) use, simple, well built.mechanics, and MADE IN AMERICA.

I would wager it to be the only ma,e left tnat will last 25 years.

As it is, the last machine we boight was a used whirlpool for fifty bucks from a friend.

Cant figure out how to paste links on this thing, you will have to google. Sorry.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

25. bought kenmore 400 washer and dryer last year. most basic models

do NOT need nor want bells and whistles. so far, I am very satisfied with the quality.

[WCIL]

26. I have this washing machine, too

I bought a cheap dryer because I line-dry most of my clothes. The washer cleans clothes fine, but there are some tiny things that bug me and I get to think about them every time I do laundry. I did not buy the riser, so bending down to get clothes out and check to be sure I got everything gets tedious. The washer spins so fast that all the clothes tend to twist together, and it takes some time to get things out, shake them, and put them in the dryer. The legs of pants in particular twist together badly. It is also impossible (for me anyway) to get things out of the washer without something falling onto the floor. All minor nuisances, and not due to this machine, but I often find myself wishing that I still had my top loader.

The top loader does save water, and the clothes are well on their way to dry when they come out. It doesn't take much time on the line or the in the dryer to finish them up.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

28. ?

my washer is a top loader and I have not had those issues. I do wish the door on the dryer opened from the other side. I mostly line dry, too. So, the door is only a minor nuisance.

:shrug:

[WCIL]

36. Sorry, I was pretty sure my front loader was the 400

but it seems I am mistaken. We do have the cheapest, most basic front loader Kenmore makes.

[SoCalDem]

27. I recommend A.J. Madison

free shipping to your front door.. great prices too:)

I saved a LOT on my Maytag front loader set:)


http://www.ajmadison.com/

[NewJeffCT]

30. We have a GE front-loader high efficiency washer & dryer

We bought them about 4 1/2 years ago. Don't really like either one that much. The sensor inside the washer is a bit too sensitive, so if a towel gets mixed in with regular clothing, its balance gets thrown off and a 70 minute wash cycle could end up taking close to 2 hours (when the timer says 1 minute left, it could take a minute, or it could take 10-15 minutes)

The dryer is just the opposite - the sensor that is supposed to turn the dryer off when the clothes are dry is not sensitive enough, as clothing can still be pretty damp when it turns off - especially things like towels and white athletic socks. Sometimes, I need to put it on a manual timer and just set it for 20 or 30 more minutes of drying time.

We had to get the washer repaired a year ago for something (forgot what) and the technician said that most of the brands are just as bad, but did say that newer models do have better sensors - the one we got was one of the 1st generation with that specific kind of sensor in it. (He was a general appliance tech, not one working for GE - he serviced most major brands)

[Texasgal]

31. Nothing lasts like it used to.

I've had to just replace my ten year old GE washer.

My Mom had her old "harevst gold" maytag for 30 years!

It's just amazing how the quailty of so many things have gone downhill!

My only advice is to not buy any GE products, they are worthless. I hear Whirlpool is the way to go now.

Good luck! :)

[jobycom]

38. Except lunch meats.

:)

[Bombero1956]

35. we did 2 days ago

We bought the GE 3.5 cu. ft. King-Size Capacity Front Load Washer and the matching dryer. The beauty of this machine is that it has a load-sensing filling system that uses just the right amount of water for the load to help reduce water waste. It's on sale for $498.

[csziggy]

40. I bought a Frigidaire front loader three years ago

For the new house. It's the second from the bottom line they make. I got 50% off by buying one that had a big dent in the front access panel. I don't care about the dent, I just wanted a decent washing machine.

I love it. It's quiet, does a really nice job of washing everything. Takes a good sized load, but not a huge one. The controls are easy to use. I really appreciate that it uses less water since I prefer to do an extra rinse on all my laundry because of my detergent allergies.

The only problem I have with it is the mold int the gasket, but I am not good about wiping it off and we can't leave the door ajar all the time because it is in a passageway. I have not tried the washer cleaning tabs - keep forgetting to get them when I am at the store.

When you consider Kenmore, remember that they do not build any of their own appliances. Kenmore makes deals with appliance manufacturers to make and re-brand them as Kenmore. If you Google enough, you should be able to find a current list of which manufacturers are making which Kenmore appliances.

Sometimes it gets more complicated, though. My refrigerator is a Kenmore re-branding of a Frigidaire model that is actually manufactured by a Canadian company named Woods. With research you can figure out who the real maker is.

[frogmarch]

41. Speed Queen

I bought a Speed Queen toploading 2-speed washer two months ago and love it.

It's "Supercapacity Plus" with a stainless steel tub.

It does a good job and is way quieter than my pos Maytag was, which was only a few years old when it started sounding like a train roaring through the house.

The SQ I bought has no bells and whistles. It doesn't have a water saver feature, but the water saver feature is what so many of my friends hate about their new front-loading washers. Their clothes don't get clean. My SQ has several different water levels for me to choose from. I don't waste water, but I like to use enough to get the clothes clean.

Model # AWN412SP111TW01