New Washer and Dryer - Round Rock,TX

Hi C.-

I was concerned about changing to a front loader too when I did it 3 years ago. I will tell you though that I bought an Amana front loader at Home Depot and have loved it. I don't have "stinky clothes" issues so I'm not sure what you heard about that....as far as the long wash cycles I only use the longest cycle for really dirty clothes. My usual load goes on the 2nd to the longest and sometimes one shorter than that and comes out perfectly clean. The longer wash cycle is also offset by the much, much shorter drying time so from start to finish a load of laundry actually gets done faster than before.

As far as throwing a towel in, mine allows the door to be opened within the first minute so if a sock falls on the floor or I think of something right after I start the cycle I can pause it before it locks the door and go get what I need. Yes, after that minute or so once the door locks there's nothing I can do to sneak something else in, but honestly I do so many loads of laundry that for that one remaining item to wait for the next load is really no big deal :-).

Good luck with your decision,
K.

Well the front loaders DO have their advantages over top loaders. They're larger, easier to get things out of. They're more gentle on your clothes, etc. They don't have the agitator in the middle for your things to get caught up under or twisted up around. True you cannot add another item last minute like you can w/a top loader but for the stinky clothes, if you leave the door open til it dries, you shouldn't have an odor problem. Odors are usually caused by mold and/or mildew that forms due to the moist environment & around the seal especially so if you leave the door open til it dries out inside & run a cycle of bleach water every week, you shouldn't have an odor issue. We also use powder detergent rather than liquid so I dunno if that has something to do w/it too. I'd go w/a top loader anyday just b/c they're easier to load/unload & the items don't get all twisted up around or caught up under the agitator or the little 'arms' of the agitator that jut out from the bottom. My things get caught up around there all the time, it's so annoying. I can also put a larger item like a comforter or blanket in a front loader w/ease & knowing it won't tear holes in our old blankets or comforters. We used to always hafta goto a laundrymat to do our larger items having to use a front loader so that's something to keep in mind as well. Convenience of being able to wash virtually anything in them (depending on size of barrel of course). We still would goto a laundrymat for really large items like a heavy duty sleepingbag, etc. b/c they have the really really large size front loaders. But the front loaders are better for washing from what I've experienced & from what others have told me about their experiences w/one -vs- top loader & from what I read about them as well. If I remember correctly, the front loader here at the apt complex does have a setting on it which allows you to stop the cycle at any time to add items or ck your load so they seem to now have that option. Another thing I like about front loaders is that it seems to pour the water over the clothes as they slowly turn to soak them rather than waiting for several min as the top loader fills up before the cycle starts (like the difference between taking a bath & a shower. Which uses more water & energy. It takes a good long while to fill up the tub then you usually run out of hot water before the tub fills up right? Then I end up showering afterwards anyway to make sure I got all the soap off so I just go w/a 10-15 min shower which uses less water, time & energy for heating the water). In my opinion, you really can't go wrong w/a frontloader but wish you best of luck on whichever you decide.

I have front load washer. The basic was cycle is 40 mins. I can add clothes to the washer for the first 8 mins of the cycle. As for stinky clothes, that only happens if you leave them in the washer foe days as it is an air tight system!

LOVE my front loader so much better than to top load i used to have! Go for it.

We have a LG front load steam washer and dryer, and love it! Yes, the wash cycles are a bit longer(but the dry time tends to be shorter); and if you find you have missed something 15 min into the wash you can't add it(but you can always add through the first few min). But I have never found stinky clothes to be a problem. In fact I have found the steam setting to get out funky(wetting the bed and general boy)smells better and w/o a bunch of added cleaners. Maybe you are thinking of the funny smell some get in their washer. I have never had this problem, I leave my washer door open and clean the washer regularly.
It also tends to get my whites, when washed on hot, cleaner than my old washer-the washer heats the water to 140*.
Good luck and happy shopping!

Here is my thought on those thousand dollar "front", "high-tech" washing machines....do they really get the clothes "cleaner"? It seems to me that its the detergent that performs this act. Its kinda like a snake-oil salesman in the 21st century. I dont know about you, but unless you are slaughtering pigs for a living, I would think that a regular ol' washing machine would work. (that and a little spray'n'wash)

Just my opinion,
M., mother to a Kenmore washer and dryer bought from Sears 10 years ago and still going strong)

I have an LG steam front loader and I love it. You can add stuff once it has started. I don't have the mildew issue that peopel frequently talk about- altho occasionally I do have to wipe down the rubber gaskets if there is a build up. It has a filter that you are supposed to clean every two weeks- I do it probably every two months or if I notice a smell. And usually I notice a smell if I have washed the horse blankets or dog blankets- THERE'S a reason for an odor! And for the filter! I don't leave the door open when it is empty- doesn't mildew then either. The main reason I love it is that it gets the clothes clean quickly (a 30 minute cycle that I use most of the time) but if there is soemthing really dirty or smelly then I put it on sanitzie adn -honey!- that thing gets CLEAN. AND- the best part for me- and the main reason I switched to a front loader- it has a flat top so you can put the kids clothes baskets on top when you fold. My laundry room is tiny and I have 3 basketrs- one for each kid- and as I fold- that's where the clothes go. I can get 3 narrow baskets on top of the washer and all of the controls are on the front so I can still reach them. I did have a basic Kenmore front loader which died after 6 years. The repair guy told me that I was lucky - most of these front loader Kenmores are the same as they were in the 50s and they do not have a long life span. Online I saw complaints where people had them last only 2 or 3 years- so I would be very wary of them. I have had my LG for two years and no complaints. But you know what? If it wasn't for the space issue- I would be just as happy with a nice top loader. They are just getting harder to find. Good luck. Happy shopping!

I am on my second front loader, lost the first one in Ike, and I would have nothing else. Here are some answers to your concerns...
Long wash cycles, yes, but the dryer takes the same amount of time.

Stinky clothes, only if you leave the door closed all the time. Once you are done washing, leave the door ajar just a little so air can get in and left over water can evaporate. I never leave a load in for more than overnight before putting in dryer.

Add more items, once started. You can do this, you just have to turn off/pause the machine and allow the door to unlock. Also give a few seconds for the water on the door to run off, or it will drip on the floor.

Benefits of having a front loader...
less water consumption
less detergent needed
less energy usuage
less harsh treatment of clothes

To me, the benefits far outweigh having to remember to leave the door ajar or now leaving clothes in for more than 5-6 hours at a time.

Also, just in response to Margaret (2nd comment), you don't have to pay thousands of dollars to get a front loader. Both of mine have been base grade options that work very well. The first one was the cheapest front loader that Home Depot offered, $650.00. The second one I bought as a set from Sears Black Friday 2008. The washer and gas dryer were $750 total for both on sale.

My 16 year old washer (top loader) finally quit on me last year and I was having to research and shop quickly for a new one. I was reluctant to go with a front loader because I kept reading about bad smells and not being able to add things and I've always been a believer in soaking laundry--especially those really dirty loads--to get them clean.

I ended up with a front loader because it just made more sense--more energy efficient, uses less water, higher capacity than top loaders, more features--and I only paid about $200 more than I would have for a similar top loader. I've been using it for 8 months and have to say I love it. I think the clothes are just as clean if not cleaner than with my old top loader, even without soaking. It is much gentler on the clothes because there is hardly any lint in the dryer, even on a large load of towels. I've also been able to cut out several loads per week because it holds so much more than my old top loader.

The smell issue seems to occur when people close the door immediately after finishing a load which traps moisture inside the drum and can lead to mildew problems. I just leave the door open while the load is in the dryer to give the washer time to dry out and it hasn't been a problem for me.

My washer also allows me to pause the cycle which does allow me to add items if I need to do so and then I can restart it. And I haven't noticed it taking any longer to do laundry than it did before. The cycles may be a little longer, but I don't think the whole process takes any longer. I'm probably spending less time doing laundry overall since I've been able to decrease the number of loads I wash. My washer also has a delayed start feature which allows me to program it to start at a later time and finish the load when it's convenient for me to do so.

I went shopping for a top loader but I have to say I'm really happy with the front loader I ended up with. : ) Mine is an LG brand with steam feature. I'm still using my old dryer until it kicks the bucket, but I'm tempted to sabotage it and get a matching dryer since I like my washer so much. ; )

Please reconsider the front loading machine. We've had ours for eight years--just a very basic Kenmore. But we love it. I don't have any of the problems you mentioned. Stinky clothes? I've never had a problem with that at all. In fact, if I accidentally leave clothes in the washer over night (I try not to, but it's happened once or twice), with the front loader, I haven't had them smell mildewy and that used to happen way more often with my top loader. I think it must because it spins them longer.
I guess the cycle is a little longer, but the clothes are a lot dryer when they come out of the washer, so they take less long to dry.
The main thing is, it takes *way* less water. 15 gallons a load as opposed to 50. Think how much water you save over the course of one of those long dry summers.

We have an LG front loader washer and dryer and love them!!! The cloths get cleaner and you use less water! You can throw something in after it is started.

Hi, I agree with everyone on here about the advantages of front loaders. I have the Samsung washer and dryer. Never again will I forget that I had laundry going, it 'sings' to me when it's done. :-) I love the fact that I can wash so much more at once. Cuts down on laundry time. I love the sensor mode on the dryer, I can just punch the button, and it senses for me when my clothes are dry. You won't regret getting front loaders, I am so happy with mine. I was skeptical at first, thinking of the cost and that I couldn't throw extra stuff in when I needed. I don't regret it, it been the greatest thing I could have done. I don't know about the stink, I usually leave the door open after a wash to let it dry. Good luck

Love my front load washer and dryer!

Uses a lot less water---our clothes last longer b/c they are not being agitated around a drum---they are tumbled. None of our clothes look pilled and banged up anymore.

Use less detergent, too.

Clothes come clean, they are not stinky. Can stop the washer and add the forgotten clothes, too!
The spin cycle gets them almost dry! Very short dry time.

I love ours and would re-buy them again in a minute.

I don't have a front-loader at home (wish I did) but am a veteran of European machines...which are virtually all front-loaders.

Besides using less detergent, water, and energy...front loaders are also a whole lot more gentle on your clothes. The tumbling action helps prevent pilling and stretching, the fibers of your clothes don't take such a beating, and friction is reduced so color is retained better over time. Your favorite jeans will last longer.

Research, research, research and take a list of your concerns with you so you can check and balance the pros and cons before being drawn in by the shiny paint and knobs (ha ha). Depending on what you spend (it doesn't have to be the most expensive), you can get plenty of options that will satisfy your needs.

Also, consider that buying separate "levels" of washer and dryer may be a better deal. I have a very heavy duty, lots of options, high capacity washer...but a pretty basic dryer and couldn't be happier.

My husband upgraded our washer and dryer to a front load for my Christmas present. I had all the same concerns that you did...actually I wasn't very excited about my "present" at all.

However....I LOVE the new washer/dryer. It does have a long wash cycle about 55 minutes....but it only takes 20 minutes to dry!! (It is the exact opposite of my top loader, which was 30 minutes to wash and an hour to dry).

I had heard horror stories about the stinky smell inside and clothes....it turns out the first few years of front loads a lot of brands did not have a drain behind the front door gasket and it would grow mildew back there....just make sure your model has a place for water to drain away behind that big rubber seal on the door.

Oh, I toss extra pieces in all the time once I have started the wash. You just press a button it stops the cycle and unlocks the door, then toss it in and press start and away it goes.

I love mine and would be hard pressed to go back. But if you aren't convinced I have my old Kenmore set still in my garage that works great that I am getting ready to list on Craig's List. They work great and like I said wasn't ready to part with them....but I am now.

i love my front loader, you have options on the cycles and it saves on water and energy (since it spins out more water from the clothes so they dru faster). in mine you can stop it and add more clothes or whatever you find you forgot to put in, you just turn it off open the door put it in and start it again and it will start where it left off. I've also never had stinky clothes, not sure where you got that one. i think they're a better option than the toploader. our brand is a kenmore. have fun shopping.