My top loader just died...oh joy for being a cloth diapering mum! So I am now in the market for a new machine. I love the idea of a front loader but they are a lot more expensive. Do any of you have a washing machine that you just love?
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 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 have a GE and love it. I've had two years and it's great.
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 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 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!
Hi Kristina--
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 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??
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!!!
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'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 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 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.
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
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 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 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 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 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!