Reviews on Front Loading Washing Machine?

I have a Kenmore which I love. It is the smaller one, but handles pretty large loads. We had four adults living here and a baby, and it was fine. Because the spin cycle is so good, it doesn't take long to dry. I rarely use the faster speed in the spin cycle though. I usually use the shortest time and it gets everything clean. I just make sure that I leave the door open a little after use, so I won't have any problems with mold. I have had mine for five years. I wouldn't get any other machine. Kenmore is the best. Whirlpool makes it, I believe.

1 mom found this helpful

You've gotten some great recommendations.

I know of a woman in the Dallas area who saved $300 on a w/d. Here's what she did.

She downloaded the MyShoppingGenie, FREE software for online shopping. She found the models she wanted online at $300 less than they were selling at BestBuy here in the Dallas area. She took the printout to the brick-and-mortar store, and they matched the internet site!!

Sue Goldstein ("Discount Diva" and author of "Underground Shopper) was on Channel 33 this morning, and on CNN last week, and she said a woman called her from Minnesota, who had saved $800 on a w/d.

Here's how to get the free software:
Go to: www.myshoppinggenie.com/easyshop
Happy shopping!!

1 mom found this helpful

I have a Samsung front loading washing machine. I really like it and can wash larger loads of laundry which is great. I have had mine 2 years and had no problems.

I used my parents' sears frontloader several years ago. Loved it and wanted to buy a frontloader. My husband talked me into buying the MUCH CHEAPER toploading Whirlpool Calypso model. I regret it tremendously.

If I could do it over again, I would buy a front loader with the riser. Additional bonus: The surface of the dryer would be too high to park things on! I'm a surface stacker!

I got a LG front loader washer and dryer from Conn's. They were running holiday specials w no interest for a couple of years. I don't exactly remember the details but they made them really affordable. Plus you can use energy efficient appliance purchases as tax write-offs. That goes for windows , refrigerators, a/c units too. Anyways, I love my frontloaders. I can wash my huge king size comforter in it. Just make sure the door closes and locks click properly or you get a little leaking. But after the tech told me that I never had any problems. Good luck.

We bought a GE front Loader, it's awesome! I think it gets our clothes cleaner and we don't have to set the water level, it automatically can tell. It doesn't use as much water and the washer and dryer are much quieter. We love ours!

I love my front load washer dryer. We didn't by the matching storage bins that go under because we had plenty of storage in our laundry room and wanted to save the $400. We did by the risers that prevent it from shaking or vibrating and that is fine. So that is something to think about. The white ones are usually about $100 or more cheaper than the colors. We really liked the red ones but it was $200 more per machine. Also, with our front load washer, sometimes it doesn't get completely dry and there is a layer of moisture on the tub. If I leave the washer door open for it to dry it is fine, but if I close teh washer door, it will start to smell. I don't remember which one I have right now, I think it is the LG, but I love the hand wash feature. I have some sweaters and some intimates that require hand washing. I use the hand wash setting and have no problem. It is great.

Bought LG after Christmas last year at Fry's. Did my homework on ConsumerReports.com. I'm very careful about using only the right kind and a small amount of detergent. Try to remember to run 1 Sanitary load with just bleach, no clothes once a week, but it's more like once a month. No problems. I love it, and I don't spend my life doing laundry any longer with the big family. I don't let the kids run the washing machine, only the dryer.

we bought the Whirlpool duet washer and dryer 4 years ago and have been nothing but pleased. I have 3 kiddos so I love that I can fit really big loads in the washer. I remember when we bought them the guy telling us exactly how many pairs of jeans and how many towels would fit in one load and I thought no way. I still don't put as many as they say you can, but quite a bit more than my old top loader and everyting always gets well cleaned....
Hope that helps good luck.

I love my front loading washing machine. It gets clothes cleaner like they say. I wasn't really sure of this until I stayed with my mom and washed my kids clothes there. She has a nice Maytag toploader, but it did not get things out of their clothes that my front loader does. The front loader also allowed me to go stackable with full size washer and dryer so now I have room for a freezer.

We had Neptune for 9 years and switched to LG steam. I wash two-three loads a day and I love it :)
But you must remember to clean seal and run tub wash once a week or you get build-up. This is worth it to me as the washer can remove stains without pre-treatment :)

I have the Whirpool Duet and love it. You can add clothes for a few minutes after you start it. There is a light that tells you when you can still add clothes. I will never go back to a top loading wather and dryer. I can wash huge loads and have even washed a king sized comforter with no problem.

M.,
I really like my front load washer and dryer. I basically got them to save space...they stack. Just make sure that if you get one you use the correct washing liquid....it says HE on the front. I did not use on my first set and the washer did not last. No matter what size load, you use the same amount of detergent. I think it washes better and the loads really dry faster.
L.

I purchased the Whirlpool Duet Steam Set in May of this year from Lowe's and got a great deal. I have some pros and cons. I love that when you use the steam/deep clean cycle your clothes are very clean it removes even the stinky smells from my sons clothes. The con on the washer is that it does not spin clothes dry like I think it should. I have to set it on an additional spin/drain cycle when doing large loads. I love the dryer and it's steam and refresh cycle, put in a wrinkled piece and out come a great no-iron ready to wear piece. The color and the pedestals are awesome. Good luck.

I love my front loader! I wouldn't have anything but now. Mine is a Frigidaire. No problems or issues. The only thing I have learned is to keep the door open on the washer after washing a load for a while so that the inside "drys out" otherwise it can get mildew. Best of luck.

I love my front loader washer (Kenmore). It gets clothes cleaner, I can do bigger loads, and there's less wear on the clothes as evidenced by less lint in the dryer. A couple drawbacks are 1) I can't do "small" loads since they are all the same size and need the same amount of soap and 2) I can't really stop a load mid-cycle and let it soak overnight like I could with a top-loader.

We bought our first front loading machine when we were stationed in Italy 1976-1978. We lived in an apartment off base and had demand hot water. Our washer heated it's own hot water! I used it when my daughter wore cloth diapers 1984-1986. It was great...practically boiled the water. When we finally replaced it we bought a front loading Frigidaire. At the time it was the only one on the market. It is still doing a great job and has had no repairs. They are so much better at delicates, large items, and the water and detergent use is much lower. I would never go back to a top load machine. There are so many new features now, I look forward to replacing mine, though it shows no signs of dying! Oh, my daughter, when little, used to love to watch the clothes go around through the window...particularly if her sheepskin was in there!! I have always used regular detergent...HE wasn't available when I started with front loaders. I use approx 2 Tbls of detergent...plenty and it lasts forever.

We have had a front-loading LG washer and dryer for 3 years and love them. No issues whatsoever. Good luck to you!

Mine are Whirlpool and I would NOT buy them, if I had it to do over again. The machines run just fine and I like not having to reach down into them when moving the clothes. BUT ... clothes get really twisted during the wash cycle and can be difficult to disentagle from one another. Then, especially with jeans, they get all wrinkled from being so tightly twisted. Sometimes the wrinkles don't come out during the drying cycle, so we have jeans with multiple creases up and down their length. I usually end up washing them again (with towels ... that seems to help, for some reason). Another thing I don't like about the front-loaders is that, when you reach in to pull clothes out, other clothes (small things, like socks and underwear) fall onto the floor, so I'm always having to pick those up. (Not a big deal, but buying the front-loaders was supposed to cut down on the bending and reaching!) Another problem I've noticed is that my clothes (especially whites) keep coming out with these tiny little holes. I'm not sure what's causing them; I just know I never experienced them before we bought the new machines.

My niece and my best friend both asked for my advice before buying new washers and dryers. I told them what I've told you, and they both bought the front-loaders anyway. They both also wish they hadn't. It occurred to me that ALL washers and dryers used to be front-loaders, then they stopped making them that way .... There probably was a reason for that!!

But they really LOOK GREAT!!! :)

Hi M.,

I have a front loader and love it! I have a LG washer. I've had it since Mother's Day. It is a pleasnt washer--when it gets done there will be a song instead of a buzzer sound. I can get more done and be able to wash really big bulky things as well. There is a little bit of left over water in the comparments when the washer is done, but I just let it air dry. When you get done with all of your laundry, then you leave the door open for the inside to dry. The LG is the only one that has a filter on the bottom. Once a month I pull it out and take care of the junk. When you pull out the filter, expect some water. Not anything major wrong with my washer. I love the fact that my washer uses less water and has a timer built in it. It tells how long each load will take. When the washer is done, the clothes are already hot from spinning so fast. My clothes dry faster in my dry that way. I don't ever regret getting my washer. I did tons of research online before I made my purchase. I had questions ready for when I actually went into Best Buy. I think that the front loader is far most the best investment that my husband and I made. I don't have holes in my clothes and the tough stains come out all the time. I only have to do one load of jeans (there are 5 of us in the family) a week.

All front loaders have all kinds of features to it. You need to be able to pick something that is going to work for you and your family. You can go to the stores and ask questions. I hope that you find what you are looking for.

I purchased a Kenmore Front Loading Washer. And although I am not a fan of Sears - I love this washer. I've had it at least 5 yrs. NO problems. It is quieter than an agitator. I wouldn't go back. I've also heard that sears is going to put their front loading washer on sale and have the set for really inexpensive for the day after Thanksgiving.

Ours just recently went out too and I had the same problems with all the reviews. They were mixed for the front load vs. top load and mixed on all the different brands. After much research I finally settled on the Samsung model at Lowes and while I've only had it for a couple of months I do really like it. I settled on the Samsung because it was one of the few with a feature called VRT (vibration reduction technology). Lowes in McKinney has one that they have on demo. It is unbelievably quiet and does not bounce around like my top load used to do and I was also able to get a 4.0 cubic foot which was more space than some of the other models in the same price range offered. I had a GE top load before and within the last year had to buy a new dishwasher (Frigidaire) and have not been happy with either, so figured that if the Japanese can make cars that drive forever, and top notch electronics they might know more about washers too than their American counterparts :). As some of the others have said I do wipe out the inside of the door and leave it open to dry after a cycle just so that I don't ever have the bad smell.

I've had my Maytag Neptune set since 2003 and I still love them.

I've never had any issues with either. As for the HE detergent, I buy ALL and it is frequently on sale for $3.99 a bottle. When I see it on sale, I stock up. I think I have a back up of 10 bottles right now....LOL...that is just me and how I work as far as stocking up.

The ONLY drawback I have had is...........IF you happen to forget a piece of clothing that you wanted in that particular wash, you cannot open the door and throw it in, it has to go on the next round.

I do suggest getting the storage drawers for the set to sit on. More storage and you are not bending over so much.

ONE IMPORTANT MESSAGE..........Maytag has changed. I will not purchase another Maytag product. I had a top of the line dishwasher and fridge. Both failed within 3 yrs. nad we have replaced them with Kitchen Aid.

Good luck

Due to space limitation I had to get front load washer and dryer. I've used the other kinds before, but I love the front load washer. It cleans better!

I've got the LG front loading washer and dryer (the mid-range ones) and love them. Both have something called "direct drive" which uses a small electric motor and momentum to keep the drum spinning (less electricity required!). My washer also has a load size sensor so the least amount of water is used for each load. The newer front loading washers have better seals than the older ones, so leaking shouldn't be an issue, but I still wipe down the seal and door after each use if I'm not running another load immediately (otherwise it gets a little funky if I close the door while there's still moisture in the drum or on the door). Also, the LG dryers have a known software error in their countdown timer, but it's fairly easy to fix (mine are from Best Buy, so we called Geek Squad and they came out to fix it at no charge to us. You just have to call once you see the problem occurring; make sure you keep your receipt though).

We have an LG and I like it a lot...it doesn't actually DO MY LAUNDRY, but if anyone knows of that one, I'm in!!

We bought ours about 5 years ago and my MIL bought hers over 9 years ago and neither of us have had a problem. The clothes get cleaner, we use less water, and it is easier on our clothes...much less hand washing. We both LOVE ours. My only complaint is those stubborn stains that require soaking we can't use the Washing Machine for...have to soak in the sink, but there are very few clothes that we have to soak because the washing machine does such a good job. Amway sells HE detergent that lasts for over 3-4 months doing 15+ loads a week. We can also add to our machine by using the pause button. Again...I love it and will not purchase a top loader again. Good luck in your decision.

We have a LG front loader washer & dryer that I really like. It's easy to use and I feel like we are using a lot less water too. Good luck.

Our washer went out and we first bought a Maytag Bravo, it is a top loader with a glass lid and all electronic. It lasted less than a month and three pumps went out. We took it back and bought a LG front loader and I love it. It too is electronic and tells the wash load, it has sanitary settings for extreme hot water cycle and it frankly gets the clothes cleaner than I have ever seen any washer do. I am OCD about washing and this washer can stand up to roughly 22 loads a week.

Good luck,
R.

Four years ago, we bought a Kenmore front loading washer & dryer set that are EnergyStar rated. I love them! We had one extremely unusual, rare problem with the washer, but I would still buy them all over again. I've owned other models -- Whirlpool -- but they're a higher priced version of Kenmore. We bought direct from Sears and got a great deal. Front loaders are easier on clothes and more efficient. The set (4 years ago) was less than $1,000.

Hi M.:
I bought the Samsung HE washer and dryer in May. We are pleased overall, but I have had to experiment a bit to get the best performance out of the washer. I also have to agree about being sure to have everything in the washer before closing that door. There is no way you can fling in the last stray sock once it starts! I have been using Tide HE (my husband is allergic to anything else!) and it does NOT get out noticeable stains without pre-treating. My old Tide powder was harsher and zapped every tiny grease stain or ketchup spill out of the clothes. This new HE stuff is so gentle that I don't find it nearly as effective...I often use the double wash setting for dirtier clothes. The regular cycle is not long enough. This double wash works well, along with a good pre-treatment of Bounce - but the washer seems to take forever to finish. On the plus side, it is a LOT quieter than a top loader and the HE models do save money, even though they take longer...Be sure to pick a pretty color if you do decide to get one! We picked the deep red cranberry and it sure looks schnazzy!
Take care - C.

I have a Frigidaire Gallery I bought in 1997. At that time, that was the only brand of front loader you could buy in this country and I knew I wanted a front loader.

It is still going strong and I will definitely buy another one when it goes out.

It gets my clothes incredibly clean and I think it is gentler on the clothes too. It uses about 1/3 of the water of a top loader. As to the detergent, I buy the Tide HE detergent and then use approximately half of the amount recommended on the bottle. The washer has a glass front door so I can see the suds level.

You will be making a wise choice with a front loader.

We have the LG brand that we purchased from Best Buy and Love them! We did notice a difference in both the electric and water bill going down and have had them almost a year now doing the comparison with the bills.

I will tell you, at first I wasn't sure if I liked them, but I can tell you now I love them! We have a large family and it seemed like all my weekends were spent doing laundry, now I get things down so much faster and the clothes are clean and really retain their shape and seem to wear much better!

It's worth the extra money!

We have the LG super capacity machine and it's great! We haven't had any problems with it whatsoever. I like how it has the different controls for how long it washes the load. It gets it really clean too and doesn't use too much water. I just wish I had the steamer in my machine. That would be really helpful to have. Hope that helps!

Mimi

I have a Fridgidaire. I like the front loading since they use much less detergent and they are much quieter than a top load. However, my older model collects water in the front bottom of the seal so leaving the door open is not enough. Mold would constantly grow down in the grooves of the seal if I wasn't wiping it out and using a disinfectant. I'm not sure if newer models have implemented any drain holes to rectify this. Very frustrating!

I love them. Everyone in my family has a front load (different brands) and loves them. I'm really interested in getting either the one that you can put 6 months worth of soap in, or the steam one (you know, the Kelly Ripa commercial) although none of my family have that one so I'm interested to see if anyone does and what they have to say about it. That being said, I saw that Sears is puting the Kenmore Frontload w/d on sale the day after Thanksgiving for $599! Even though it wasn't intentional, it sure was good timing. :) Good luck, let us know what you pick and how you like it.

We bought the Kenmore Elite front loading washer and dryer back in 2003 and they're still going strong. I honestly don't have any complaints. With our models you can still add any forgotten items during the initial cycle. Ours has a pause bottom to do this. If you're worried about the HE detergents not being as strong you can always use regular detergent and just cut the amount you put in by half or even 2/3. It actually makes your detergent last a lot longer. I used to do it all the time in the beginning because it was harder to find the HE detergents in the store.

I have had a Maytag Neptune for 7 years and I love it! Less detergent, more room, cleaner clothes--worth the investment, IMO

I just recently had to buy a new machine too. Mine crashed! I bought the LG front loader, mid-range price. I love it. We went ahead and bought the dryer too. With 2 teenage boys and a very busy 10yr old girl we wash a lot of laundry. These machines are awesome! Bought them at Home Depot. They had a deal for 10% off appliances and 12 mo no interest. Gotta love that!