Do You Love Your Washing Machine?

I just got my first front loader in Oct and love it. It's the Whirlpool Duet. It holds so much and is so easy. Who knew I'd love a washer/dryer so much??

I'll try not to get too wordy and technical. I freelance as an appliance salesperson for small business appliance centers around the state. I currently have the last model of a Maytag Neptune FL--and I love it. But if I could have a new one, i would TOTALLY get the new Maytag steam washer and dryer. You are right, it can be pricey for the pair. But if you have been using an older model TL, your costs will be offset very quickly. It will save you as much water in one year as you can drink in a lifetime. This is true now for most FLs as they have been out for awhile and all caught up with industry leaders. The steam washer saves even MORE water because it takes a lot less water to clean with steam. Same with the dryer. Both the washer and dryer are highly rated by EnergyStar (the independent organization that rates the energy effeciency of things like windows and appliances). You can steam-refresh a full load of clothes or one item, it also operates like a typical dryer. Maytag dryers have moisture sensors in them so they don't dry the clothes longer than they need to, thus saving energy and the quality of your clothes. They also use a lower temperature than most others but maximize the motion of the air for better drying effeciency. Pretty much anything you would send to a dry cleaner you can wash in your washer. There is a wool cycle that is certified by the American Wool Growers Association, and specialized cycles for silk and handwash as well, with specialized temps, spins, etc. You can as big of a load or as small as you want without wasting water or energy as the washer is equipped with a moisture sensor and will only fill with as much water as it needs for the cycle. My favorite is that it sanitizes (99% of bacteria and germs) and de-allergens your clothes (96 or 94% of allergens I think). With small kids I can't live wihtout sanitizing...especially with potty training!

Maytag makes two levels of the steam washer and there is a level down from that one that is a Whirlpool (I'm 90% sure). The top-end Whirlpool....darn, I can't remember the name but its not the Cabrio and I don't think its a new version of the duet, but it might be....anyway, those are great too minus the steam. As I have connections for better and more-specific information, please feel free to PM or EM me (chrisandlynsey at bresnan dot net) and I will be happy to answer any questions for you!

You could also look your local ads and craigslist for a used. I wouldn't go anything less than a maytag neptune. They are 'outdated' but still amazingly effecient and clean wonderfully. There are I think...3 or 4 models of the washer that aren't in production anymore but lots of people still have and 2 versions of the dryer. I wouldn't buy a whirlpool that was made before about...2006...that is when Whirlpool and Maytag merged and whirlpool got the good laundry technology. With people selling houses and going back to renting, there are lots of things like W/Ds for sale since their rentals come with them provided.

Good luck in your decision! I know you would be happy with a front load and your utility bills and longer-lasting clothes will offset the higher cost before too long.

ETA: great for cloth diapering, you don't have to worry about the soaking with the sanitizing cycle. Plus you don't necessarily have to separate your diapers from things like socks and underwear unless you use a different detergent on them.

I know you don't want the expense of a front loader, but there are more things than the outward cost. They are more energy efficient (lower electrical bill), they use less water (lower water bill) and they use less detergent. I bought a Maytag Neptune with a direct drive...meaning no belt to break when my kids over load the machine...which you can't really do anyways. And the belt driven machines break done more often anyways. This is the larger machine, which means I don't have to take my thick blankets to the laundromat to be washed. So over all, I feel that I have saved a lot of money by buying my washing machine. This is not something you want to rebuy (it's painful enough the first time) so buy the right machine the first time. My own mom has only ever bought Maytag, her last machine lasted over 20 years...and her dryer is still going. She bought a front loader and got me interested in them. I will never go back to a top loader again...but then I bought brand new, so I don't expect to buy another one for over 20 years.

Good luck in your decision.

I have a GE and love it. I've had two years and it's great.

I too am a cloth diapering momma. I have a Kenmore Oasis Elite HE top loader, and love it for everything but cloth diapers. It takes WAY too long to efficiently clean/rinse the diapers. I bought it before I started cloth diapering, but now wish I just had a regular machine. It can take over 2 hours for me to get a load of diapers done. This is ok if I wash them at night, but if I have to wash them during the day I can't get any other laundry done. So, I would say save your money and go for the inexpensive type.

I LOVE my washing machine! I have a Kenmore Elite Neptune. It is a top loader but doesn't have the regular agitator, so it washes like a front loader....i have had the same machine since my twins were born 5 years ago and it is fantastic...we have 6 people in our house so we do a TON of laundry and our clothes always look fantastic...it cleans everything, even things you typically dry clean.

I have an LG front loading machine. It still cost more than most top loading machines, but was less that the 'big name' brands. It works great!

We bought it at Best Buy. Good selection, and lower cost than some places.

I got my front loader washing machine and dryer a little over a year ago and love, love, love them. They were so worth the extra money. They are stackable, which saves us space, plus on the washer, I can put a load in and put in my detergent, then set it up to begin washing up to 14 hours later. This is so nice for busy moms, I will load it up then set it to wash that load right before I will be waking up in the morning, then when I wake up all I have to do is move the washed load to the dryer. Then I can put another load in and set it up to start before I get home from work. This is so convenient. Plus they do save quite a bit on water. And you don't use as much detergent, but you do have to use the HE detergent or you could do damage to the washer over time. Anyway, I know for us it has definitely been worth the investment!!

I currently have a top loader and hate it. So when mine dies i want a front loader . The agitator really causes problems. I like to wash blankets and pillows pretty often and with a top loader you can't do that.
You can always look for a display set or go to a scratch and dent store.

I have the RED LG front loader. I love it!!!! It really makes me happy to go and do laundry. I know that sounds weird but its true. Who wouldn't love seeing the color that makes them happy as your washer and dryer.Huh? I don't know... LOL

Oh, my, do I ever love my washing machine. It is LG brand large capacity front load with quiet pack. Weighs the load to determine how much water is necessary, so quiet I forget it is running. Easy to add extra rinse if necessary. Accomodates very large loads as easily as small, delicate. Spins clothes out much better than top loader, so drying time is much reduced. Uses "he" detergent, so much less sudsing, reduces soap residue on clothes. Much easier on clothes than top loader with agitator, big plus with cloth diapers. Doesn't get out of balance with a big load of husband's work jeans or large load of towels. It was the least expensive of the LG line, but got a higher consumer report rating than any other washing machine brand on the market. It is more expensive than most top loaders, but I have no regret with my purchase. What it saves in gallons of water, heating the water, and the drying time will soon make up the difference. I can tell a big difference in how it treats the clothes, and never have to run in to rebalance a load and stop that thump, thump, thump.
I bought mine May of this year at Sears during a sale with extra percentage off sale along with a Kenmore dryer. Not a matching pair, but got the machines with highest ratings. The dryer has a dryness sensor which saves money. It's one of the lower priced dryers from Kenmore. (Go figure)
My fridge pooped out last week, so got online to comparison shop. Sears has most home appliances on sale with extra percentages off through Saturday, (13th). I bought my laundry set May of this year. Did a LOT of online comparison shopping. Sears beat everyone by at least $100 with the sale and extra percentage off. I didn't check the laundry section, but think they'll have some good prices on washers. You'll have to pay the full sale price and then mail in for rebate, but I found it worth the effort. They had my rebate check back to me in about 2 weeks.
So, my advice would be go for the LG, get it at Sears by Saturday to get sale price and rebate. You can go to the store, or purchase online. If you pay cash, delivery and set up are free, I think you can also get free setup if you use Sears card. If you don't go for the LG, I think the Kenmore was the second choice of consumer reports. Do not go for the Maytag or Whirlpool pony set.
Kudos to you for using cloth diapers. Hope this info is helpful.

I too have an LG front loader that I got about 2 months ago and it's great! My DH did a lot of research before we purchased it and the LG's had great ratings! It was close to $900 on sale but between it and the matching dryer, I get laundry done in almost half the time I used to!

We purchased the Kenmore Elite Oasis HE. It is a top loader, but is the same as a front loader with no agitator. Love it! You can stuff a whole comforter in it and pillows! (Maybe not at the same time!) It definitely cuts down on the drying time and I still got my top loader.

I have had the Maytag Neptune set for about six years and not a single repair. I have five kids so I have done 100's of loads during that time. I love the front loader, easier on the clothes and uses less energy and water. I did purchase the extended warranty as I did with all my other major appliances and it's the only one that I haven't had to use. There are newer models and different brands available now so I suggest a google search or check with consumer reports.

We just moved into a new house and picked out a front loading washer - Whirlpool Duet sport. LOVE IT!!!! My clothes seem to get clean easier (less stain remover needed) and my son loves to help out. He actually got out of bed one night when he heard the washer stop so he could move the clothes to the dryer - and he's only 2 1/2!!!

Hi K.--

I do have a Kenmore Elite HE that I like a lot (a toploader, which I really wanted for reasons too numerous to share here), but am new to cloth diapering and thought I'd share a bit of info I found on a web site. For soaking and whatnot, front loaders and HE-types make it pretty hard. I've finally figured out an approach that works well, so I'm happy, but on this website (which I can't find, sorry) the woman said that all the bells and whistles just make it harder for cloth diaper mamas, and unless you have a real need to conserve water, just getting a normal washer is probably your best bet. Honestly, I do have a need to conserve water, but you can do it with a normal washer if you pay careful attention to the load size. The next washer I buy will be a regular one (or, more likely, a regular-type that I found at an appliance outlet :) ).
Good luck with your search!

I got a Whirlpool front loader about 6 months ago and I LOVE it. My clothes seem cleaner, it ueses less than half the water and detergant, and there isn't an agitator to catch and tear up clothes, so it is easier on clothes. Plus in my house we have 8 of us so being able to wash bigger loads is a plus. We bought the floor model at Best Buy and got 400 off each the washer and dryer and got the drawers you can buy for under them for free!

I LOVE my Kenmore. I purchased it for the sanitizer wash cycle. It is perfect for the cloth diapers, barfed on sheets and washing everything you want to get germs out of. It makes me feel better knowing that I don't use as much water or detergent to get my clothes clean.

I have a Kenmore Elite. It is a top loader and so I didn't have the expense of the front loader. It has a stronger motor and spins the clothes more than older models did. So I do save money/energy in the drying. The clothes come out of the washer less wet, so the usual time in the dryer is maybe 20 minutes. Great for getting those diapers ready quick!

I have a front loading machine, I love, love, love, love it. I have a Frigidaire. they are just a tiny bit more expensive than top loaders are. but not much. You don't need anything fancy, just the basic one. it uses less water, like 14 gallons per wash instead of 44. your clothes last longer, get more clean because they don't agitated in dirty water. they spin out better so they need less time in the dryer. its a win win situation. I wouldn't go any other way than a front loader.

I just bought a front load washer and Denver water gave us a $150 check for buying something that is engergy/water efficient. My friend has had hers a while and said it has already 'paid itself off' in savings on her monthly bills. And they work wonderful!

I have a top loader washing machine, and the only reason we have a top loader is because we didn't have the money for a front loader, and my dad bought us the set we have. Front loaders don't usually have the agitator in the middle and that causes your clothes to last longer. A front loader will spin round and round, but a top loader just moves back and forth while the agitator helps with moving the clothes around in the washer so they get clean. Also I have heard that you can literally jam a front loader packed full of laundry and because it spins all the way around that helps to push the water through the laundry thereby making it clean. Not that you would want to jam it full. Our goal for the long run is when the washer we have dies to be able to buy a front loading washing machine. :)

I have the Kenmore HE5T front loader set that I got about a year ago. It does take some getting use to especially when you don't see that much water and you are still trying to figure out how in the world your clothes will get clean with the amount that is dispensed. I really love them now. Especially the delayed start feature and the sanitize cycle. They are more expensive but worth the extra bucks. Good luck!

Dear K., I hate to say this, but as a Mom from the late 60's , 70's era, I can't help but say "How are you saving money using cloth diapers when it breaks down your washer?" Sorry. Just couldn't help it. What I wouldn't have given for paper diapers that actually taped onto your baby , didn't leak, and you could throw them away!!! -Just an old lady's vent.

I absolutely love my washer and dryer. The washer is a top loader and we purchased it at Home Depot. It is called the GE Adora, which is made just for Home Depot. They are very inexpensive are are awesome!!! It has a king size capacity, which really cuts down on my laundry. Good luck!