Need Advice on New Washer/dryer

Updated on August 20, 2009
K.B. asks from Woburn, MA
10 answers

Does anyone have a washer/dryer that they love and would recommend? Or can you suggest washer/dryer pitfalls to be avoided while I'm shopping? I'm long past due to upgrade. I definitely want something that will be energy/water efficient, for example a dryer with moisture sensor. I would like to consider a stackable unit to save space. The other concern is what type of washer do I get. I think most of the energy/water efficient models are front loaders. I'm afraid I'm not organized enough to start a load without remembering five things I want to add after it starts... that ain't an option with a front loader right? I also want to be able to wash quilts. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,
K.

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A.E.

answers from Hartford on

We have Fridgidare affinity and we have them stacked. (no pedestals. They clean/dry well but we have had some problems with the washer (only a few months old)

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L.H.

answers from Boston on

Hi K.,
We have the LG w/d both with pedestals. They are both front loaders -- personally I feel all front loaders should come with the pedestals, who wants to do all that bending over when your trying to get laundry done. I recommend the ones we have - Less noise, less vibration, ultra capacity. We got money back because of their efficiency and the dryer senses when your clothes are dry. And with the washer nothing beats 8 gallons of water per load versus 40 with a top loader. One feature that was very important to me was child safety features, that's what sold us on these. They have great locking door features. The only neg. I found is that the washer gets a musty smell in the drum (and I do laundry every day). About once a month you have to add bleach and run the tub clean cycle. Simple.
Hope this helps. L.

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A.E.

answers from Springfield on

We love the Whirlpool Duet (front loader). We have had it now for years without any problems...highly recommend! You use a lot less water with a front loader so it is even good for the environment!

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S.D.

answers from Burlington on

I have the LG Extra Large capacity w/d and I love them. They are front loading and have tons of options. The washer spins incredibly fast (so make sure you have it on a solid, flat floor) so the clothes come out almost dry and they spend less time in the dryer and the washer uses very little water. The dryer has lots of settings like how dry you want the clothes and has a wrinkle function, delicates, etc. It also came with a shoe rack so you can dry shoes without them flopping around all over. I have been amazed at how incredibly little detergent I use with this washer. My detergent's scoop is probably about 1/4 cup and I have always only filled it halfway. With this washer, I only fill it about 1/4 of the way and everything turns out great. When I was using more, my mother-in-law ended up having to rinse some of my kids' clothes when they were at her house, and she said a lot of detergent came out of their clothes, which is why I reduced it to 1/4 of a scoop. The clothes have been fine since then. The capacity of both washer and dryer are huge and I've washed and dried comforters and blankets several times. And, I know this sounds silly, but the best part about them is that when the clothes are done, the washer and dryer play a cheerful little tune instead of a loud obnoxious buzzer. It still makes me smile when I hear it! Funny how stupid things like that can make a chore more enjoyable! :) I got them at Home Depot and highly recommend them. Mine aren't stackable, but I believe it comes in a stackable version.

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C.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

I've had my washer and dryer for almost a year. Love them! They are the Samsung Steam. I had to have stackable but didn't want to compromise on size. I neede something that would be big enough for comforters and blankets. These are full size front loading. They come with a special stacking kit. I got the upgraded dryer because it has a 15min refresh cycle and 20min wrinkle cycle. Love this feature. On Sundays I get all our clothes and put them in the wrinkle cycle while we all take our showers and it saves me from having to iron clothes. My husband loves the refresh because he can throw his shirt in there to get the smell from his Japanese lunch before going to his next meeting. Haven't had any problems so far.
Good Luck on your search.

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L.O.

answers from Boston on

Front load washers are AWESOME ! You can definitely open them up to add a couple of forgotten things after it starts - I do it all the time. The level of the water is not actually above the bottom of the door - a couple drops might drip out when you open it up, but usually it's no big deal. The greatest thing is how dry the clothes come out of there - it spins so fast that so much water comes out. There have been times when at first I opened it to put the clothes in the dryer and they felt so dry I had to questioned whether I had remembered to even turn on the washer ! Now that I've had one, I could never go back. Good luck!

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M.D.

answers from Lewiston on

My sister in Denver got an energy star efficient front loading washer. They got a rebate/ tax credit when she bought hers a while back. She loves the washer.
Check consumer's report magazine for their advice on washers and dryers.
We have a Maytag toploader and dryer. They are both about 10 years old and still running great. We got them at Home Depot. It will take a quilt- but it is tight.
Good luck- happy laundry!!

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S.S.

answers from Boston on

I'm watching for what everyone says. We have a 14-year-old washer and dryer set that has had some work in the last few years. Our repair guy makes it easy to keep them going because they are simple mechanically.

Truth be told, I will likely go with the front loaders for w/d the next time around, even though our repair guy is not as familiar with fixing the computerized equipment. They are much more efficient with water, electricity, detergent, etc. (all of the things people mentioned below.) But I'm holding out for them to get more reasonable cost-wise. I figure, as they've been around longer, the prices will drop and our repair guy will have had more chance to practice on someone else's machines.

The best of both worlds! Or at least I tell myself that! Happy searching!

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J.R.

answers from Springfield on

I just bought the GE profile washer and dryer last week, and I love them. The washer determines how big of a load you put in all by itself and that determines how much water it uses for the load. Also it spins extremely well so it cuts down on the drying time also. This washer is a top loader but it has no agitator inside so you can wash up to a king size comforter. I don't believe it comes in a stackable though. I got mine at Lowes. As I said I have only had it for a week but I love it.

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K.J.

answers from Boston on

Hi K.,
I wish I had seen your post sooner... I love, love, love all things LG and their washer/dryer is no different. In a family of 5 (2 pre-schoolers) we are doing laundry constantly and it's not nearly the chore it was before we purchased the LG washer and dryer. I've had mine for 2 years and I still LOVE them. It almost makes doing laundry a pleasure (almost). You can absolutely add some last minute things to the wash within the first few minutes. If you haven't already purchased, I highly recommend the LG large capacity.

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