Need Advice on Purchasing a New Washer and Dryer

This past April we replaced our washer. We went to our local Sears Outlet ( check your phone directory, or online. Online usually you will also find additional savings coupons you can use!You can just print them out), and boy did we get a great washer and a GREATER deal! I got an Electrolux cobalt blue front load washer-it is SO FAST, SO QUIET, and does an EXCELLENT JOB- and the original price was almost $1000, we got it for like $500. This worked out great, because we were going to also replace our dryer, but since the new washer spins the clothes so well, our dryer does not have to work as hard, so we can wait a while longer to replace it. The washer used less water, and has every feature you could want. The color choices may be limited, that is why I ended up with the color I did, I was motivated by price, not so much as a matching set for the sake of aesthetics.This washer is really great-a friend at work has one, of another brand, and she loves hers,too. You just have to buy 'high efficiency' detergent, which is at every grocery store, for about the same price as all the others. It comes in liquid or powder, and you may use which one you prefer. So I vote for Sears outlet for the savings, and the front loader electrolux to get the job done! Good luck!

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My front loading top of the line Maytag set is wonderful and about 8 yrs old. I would certainly get another front loader. I do suggest the little stands that make them higher. Great for storage!

I've had no issues whatsoever and it is not an issue with the HE detergent either. I just stock up when I see a good deal on detergent.

However, I had a horrible experience with Maytag dishwasher and fridge ( both top of the line). Both died within 3-4 yrs. That said.... I will not purchase Maytag again for anything.

I replaced my dishwasher and fridge with top of the line Kitchen Aid and love the kitchen aid brand.

After my Maytag experience, i'm just waiting on something to go wrong with the washer/ dryer. Maybe I lucked out and got a good washer/dryer but the dishwasher and fridge sucked.

Good luck.

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We have an LG front loader. Works great, holds 2 normal loads, so I end up doing half as much laundry. I do leave the door open when not in use because I've seen it stays wet, but its not been an issue. I'm 7 months pregnant and haven't had an issue with it being so low, we don't have risers on it or anything. For me it was just as hard to bend over into a top loader, this is acutally easier for me.

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I asked the service repair man that I use for all appliances and he highly recommends the Whirlpool Duets. He says and others that I have talked to love them. Lowe's carries different levels in them.

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When I researched them, I found overwhelming positive feedback on the LG front loaders....we bought them and I LOVE them. Well worth the money....I average half the loads as before.....it is absolutely amazing.

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I hate my front loader. It works great at getting the clothes clean and it is easy to use, but it doesn't dry very well and sometimes gets a smell. I noticed with top-loaders they drain much better. If I had to do all over again, I would get the top-loader.

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I have done a lot of research on washers and dryers. Front loaders have an overall disapproval rating. Mostly for the mold that builds in the seals and that the seals don't last. These machines are high maintenance and you have to leave the washer door open when not in use to keep the mold from growing in the seal. The high cost of the initial purchase then the high cost of the detergent doesn't offset the water saved. If you are an environmentalist and you can afford them, then they may be for you. The front loading system also kills my back, I don't have enough room or extra money to get the risers they can sit on to make them higher.

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Go front loader, it's more expensive up front but pays for itself in water and usage savings. They generally spin clothing drier, so less dry time as well. Plus it's far more gentle on your clothing! HE detergent is no more than regular detergent. You need to use HE detergent because soap suds are what create the problems in front loaders (less water = less water for rinsing) and suds left behind can destroy your washer components and contribute to mold growth in the tub seals etc. It's best to be able to leave the door open to allow it to dry out and help control the mold issue and also run monthly cleaning maintenance on it - either with commercially available cleaning tablets or 1 cup bleach and 1 cup dishwasher powder in the tub, and run through a wash cycle on hot water.

Well I had a maytag neptune front loader for only 5 yrs, it required 3 service calls and then the last call said it would need a new motor, so BIG $$$$. I chose at that point to replace it. I bought the LG front loader and I really like it. So energy efficient and quiet, and it cleans great. I think it would be a great choice for you. I bought mine at Best Buy but i know Conn's has them too. Good Luck and happy laundry day!

G. M.

I read a blogger (http://themcmommychronicles.blogspot.com) and she has an LG frontloader. She couldn't figure out why her clothes smelled funky after washing them. Then she discovered a TON of mold in her frontloader washer. Apparently this is a big problem with frontloaders. And an LG repairman will NOT come to her house to fix it, b/c they say they don't do repairs for mold.

Just something to think about when you're choosing a washer. I have a top-loader and I think it does fine. Yes, it uses more water but I also adjust the amount of water I put in for each load. Plus I love the cycle where I can "soak" my clothes.

We just replaced ours with front loading (hand me down from our family). We have a washer and a dryer, if you want to buy used. The washer works great (top loading and a Maytag about 4-5 years old.) The dryer is older about 10-12 years old and still works pretty good. Sometimes takes 2 cycles to dry instead of 1. I'm willing to sell both for $150, if you are interested or know anyone who is interested.

I am enjoying the front loading, it is really nice. Very quiet washer and dryer, much more so than our old top loading washer and old dryer. We don't have the stands they sit on, so we have to bend a little bit to reach down. Would like to get the stands someday.

We have a Samsung front load washer and dryer and have been pleased. They have a large capacity. The dryer also has a steam function.

I personally am on a budget and I have a front loader - it uses less water and is gentler on the clothes. I purchased a Kenmore (not the Elite) that has a flat top as does the dryer and will either stack or sit side by side.

I have never had a problem, and they work beautifully. But you are right there are a lot out there.

WE just got new and love these new Kenmore elite we got. It's actually top loader with front loader technology. No middle agitator. High Efficiency. You can add items to a load if you need to where you can't with the front loaders. Also, I have heard front loaders don't drain all the way and get moldy smell. (my sis in law tells me this).
My Kenmore I had befoe this lasted 20 years without any repairs!

I got steam feature in dryer. Its great for a freshen up!

Take recommendations and do your research. Check out Consumer Reports. If you can hold off a little longer, the federal government is supposed to be offering a discount plan for household appliances similar to the cash for clunkers program. I believe it is supposed to be in effect in October. Measure the space so you know how much room you have to work with. Don't forget to measure the height of the available space in addition to the width. If I were buying, I would go with the new front loaders. They are better for your laundry (gentler than machines with an agitator) and they use less water. Good luck! I hope you find a great deal:)

I purchased Maytag from Conn's. 18 months NO INTEREST. Which means you MUSt pay them off before the 18 months, or they charge you the interest for the whole time.

I do wish I had placed them on opposite sides (Washer on left, and dryer on the right) because the doors opened against each other, and when you switch the loads, the doors anr in the middle, and are in the way.

P.

I have a owned a residential cleaning business for the last 7 years. Several of my customers own front loaders. You need to be very selective. Several brands have no quick wash or short wash cycle and it takes them forever to wash anything. One of my customers has an LG Steam front loader that has a quick cycle and we like it. Otherwise we prefer a top loader. They just seem to wash and rinse better. I think its a matter of what you want and how busy your life is. Personal preference

Sears Sears Sears lol Get the idea I like Sears and their warranties??? Top loader in case of small children...Makes climbing in it even more difficult. Later

M.,

I have been using a Sears Kenmore washer and dryer for nearly 31 years. I am on the 3rd set but they are going strong and each set has last over 10 years. They all worked well, when I had 2 active children and a husband whose job came with dirty clothes. I don't know anything about front load washer versus top loader but I do recommend the Sears Kenmore brand.

2 months ago, I bought a set of maytags from Home Depot, (not front loader). Had maytags before, they lasted for 15 years. Good luck.

Due to Federal water guidelines, using less water waste is a factor front loaders are in the market. As for smells and mold mentioned, in the front-loading washer, yes, you do have to maintain them by leaving the door and detergent drawer open (I even remove the drawer and empty the small aount of standing water) to air dry and wipe out standing water around the bottom of the seal where the hole is once in a while. Do look for machines with metal drums; maintenance or repair people are knowledgeable. I have Bosch machines, the older ones are better than the new ones, the new washer latch and On touch button is finicky and the new dryer tumbles all sheets into a ball, it has plactic fins instead of the older models metal ones.

Hi M.:

Unfortunately, I only have advise for you on what not to purchase.

My husband and I purchased a set from Best Buy 2 1/2 years ago. It's their house brand Inglis, made by Whirlpool. I figured it was made by Whirlpool so it must be good, right?

Well, within one year the dryer started rusting on the top! I don't know if it's because the paint job was bad, but there are several small scratches all over it (from what, I have no idea as I only place clothing on top...) and then the rust came.

In my opinion, a washer and dryer's paint job should hold up to zippers, buttons and snaps.

Good luck!

I LOVE my LG front loader. I actually enjoy doing the wash. Haveing the pedistools makes a big difference because otherwise it would be too short. My clothes are really clean, and it saves money. I love the sanitary cycle for pet beds, burp cloths, etc., and the Allergine cycle is great for linens. I can really tell a difference.

Check out consumersearch.com for ratings and reviews on both kinds of washers and dryers.

Good Luck!

we don't pay full price for many things, we bought a great kenmore pair for about $250. they were only about 4 years old and we've been so pleased. if our budget was bigger we'd have shopped for a used front loader because they are much more efficient. we spent time on craigslist until we found what we wanted.

front loading washers are usually the most energy efficient and wash the most clothes at once, and use less detergent as well. They are a bit more expensive, but will pay for itself in the long run. Maytag and Whirlpool are usually really good brands.

I like a top loading washer because it seems I always find extra items to go in after I start the washer and unless they have changed since I shopped for them a few years ago once you start a front load washer you can not open the door. I prefer a drop down door to one that opens to the side but the amount of room in your laundry may determine how the door has to open. One of our homes had a converted closet made into a laundry and I had to buy a new dryer because you could not open the door of the dryer I had. Good luck.

My advice would be definitely, definitely stick with Whirlpool products. I have heard about a million horror stories with the fancy new washers and dryers and just about everyone said they wish they had just stuck with Whirlpool. We bought the standard run of the mill set (top load washer, front load dryer) about 10 years ago and they work beautifully still. You really do not need to spend an arm and a leg on anything else!

Budgetarily and environmentally, you want to go with a front loader. With every change in technology, there are changes needed in our behaviors too, so if the instructions say to let it air out, do so. As for front loaders being "new" - not really. I was an exchange student in England back in 1988 and they were the only kind of washers available at the university! European appliances take up less room and those countries tend to be more environmentally-aware than we are too(they have to be - less land to waste!) You might want to take this into consideration in your purchase and check into which brands have been making front loaders for decades and know what they're doing!

Whirlpool Cabrio arfe fabulous machines, especially the gas dryer.