Time to buy. Who's got one, love it, hate it, what do you have....right now it's a tossup between Fridgidaire and Whirlpool...
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Time to buy. Who's got one, love it, hate it, what do you have....right now it's a tossup between Fridgidaire and Whirlpool...
Love, love, love my front loader. Not only does it use a lot less water, it really does keep your clothing in good shape much longer. My jeans no longer show any wear from washing - really not at all!
I have a new set of front loading washer and dryer.... I LOVE them.
I have the Samsung WF338 series. I got the samsung specifically because my laundry room is on the top floor of my house by the master bedroom, and the samsung washers are supposed to have among the best anti-vibration technology (from everything that I had read). I will say, it is really good... I can tell when it just starts its spin cycle, but then it quiets right down and doesn't shake the whole house. I guess the only down side to them is that the washer does have a really long cycle (about an hour for a load), but given the water savings of the front loader and how much more gentle they are on clothing.
I have also heard good things about the LG and the Electrolux.
Good luck with the search!
My house came with a washer already (top loader). But my brother just got a Bosch Axxis or Nexxt (he got the larger one). I researched the smaller one and it looked really good. Very efficient, good reviews, very quiet.
I was in Lowes today to get paint and noticed a sign that all Electrolux appliances were on sale 30% off. Nice looking washers.
Have had the large Bosch washer and dryer for about six months, and they are wonderful. Very quiet (but Bosch is known for that). I can wash really small loads, and it adjusts the amount of water to the load. Cleans really well, too.
I also have a Bosch dishwasher, and it's so quiet I don't even know it's running.
LG Thromm, was one of the top rated by CU when I bought it. Love it love it love it love it. The whole remodel idea started when I realized how much more space I'd have, have much more user-friendly the half bath/laundry could be with a stacking washer drier combo. :rolleyes: little did I know what I was starting with that.
The Thromm's available in either gas or electric, fairly quiet for the price, very energy efficient.
We have Kenmore front-loaders in both our homes. I'm pretty sure they're manufactured by Frigidaire and essentially identical to the Frigidaire branded washers of their day. The older one is 11 years old. Lately the spin cycle on the older one seems like it's less powerful than it ought to be, but other than that we've had no trouble with either of them. There's almost nothing that I feel like I need to hand wash any more, only the absolute most fragile things. Everything else is safe in the front-loader.
I pretty much take their word for the water savings and energy efficiency - but it does seem to use less water, and I really like the way that it automatically fills with the right amount of water for the load.
What about size, 3.7 or 4.0? thx
I really like mine, too.
But, I worry about mold, so I always leave the door open when I'm not using it, because there always seems a small bit of water. Does anyone else have that problem?
I've never noticed any water staying in mine (Frigidaire Gallery). I'm not sure how big it is.... it just says Extra-Large Capacity...
I believe it adjusts water amount to the load as well, and even though it looks quite small, unlike a top loader you can stuff it quite full and it still washes fine.
BTW - check with your local utility. On this side of the mountains we got a rebate from the utility company for buying a low water use machine. That and the savings in water and electricity made buying one a no-brainer.
Trek, we have the same machines! LG sisters, we are! :)
Aquila, I always leave the door of the washer open, too. If someone leaves it closed, it gets to smelling mildewy, but I have not actually seen signs of mold.
Irulan, I wash *everything* in it. No more handwashing! And even the drying is gentler - there are loads of things I used to hang dry that get the ultra low treatment now...
Have fun shopping!
Hugs and butterflies,
~T~
Even the 3.1 cubic foot model will wash more than will go in any dryer with similar outside dimensions. Depends on how many people you're washing for, I guess, and how much drying space you have (dryer and/or clotheslines).
I do leave the door and the detergent tray open when I'm not using it. That's no different from a top-loader, but with a front-loader the door could be in the way if it's in a hall or doorway.
Love my Whirlpool set! I have to stack mine, too, because of the space. I didn't get the Bosch that I wanted because when I bought a Bosch dishwasher that ended up needing service within a couple of weeks of purchase, no one within 50 miles of my hick town would work on it.
My w/d really does a good job on cleaning (40 minutes on cold water, with a stuffed full load, too). The dryer works fabulously as well. I dry all my clothes on low and they get dry within 45 minutes, unless I put too many jeans in the load. I, too, leave the door open on the washer, because of the odor that builds up (it says to leave the door open in the manual, and there is a cleaning cycle for the washer). The water accumulates in the little cups where you put the bleach and fabric softener in, but since it obviously recirculates, I don't think that's where the smell comes from. I think my floor is not level, which contributes.
Some day I'll be able to put them side by side, and that will be a happy day (cuz it means I got my new master bedroom)!
Karen
Must be in our names, I just bought WF337 in red.Quote:
Originally Posted by DrBadger
I had such a hard time with replacing mine. The ones I had in the closet were going on 20 years and in that time the machines have gotten larger (in depth). The first pair I got, an LG set, stuck out about an inch. So I decided in the end to splurge and go bling and display the machines and upgraded to the Samsung. Not sure about that AG (silver) technology, but they were on a great sale. I just bought them on Thursday and they're backordered for a month, so no laundry for 6 weeks! (since I replaced them inititally).
I've had a front loader washer for about 12 years. I can wash tons of clothes in one load and I throw everything in together... no patience for a 70 minute gentle cycle, though I am sure it works perfectly.
In fact, most of the time I use the "quick" wash cycle of 30 minutes and everything comes out clean. I do put my Smart Wool stuff and undies in a washer bag, but that's it.
I wish I had the dryer, too.
We have a Frigidaire front load (Affinity model). It's great. As others have said...less water used, clothes are spun nearly dry, so there's less dryer time, too, and everything (except the wool suits) goes in ... we have a 35 minute delicate cycle that's great. Front load machines have a heavy gasket at the door - a water tight seal is much more important at the door than on a top load machine. The Frigidaire does collect water in the gasket (and soap bubbles, too, if we use too much detergent :rolleyes:), so we keep a roll of paper towels handy to soak up the excess. So far, no mildew issues.Quote:
Originally Posted by Irulan
They can be expensive to repair, however. We had a Kenmore front load, and the drum needed repair, but it cost more to repair than it did to buy the thing :eek: so we gave it away to a handy guy and got the new ones.
I like mine for the same reasons other people like theirs, but it has had a few problems. I would go with a higher-end model if you can, and try to buy from a family owned local business even if it's more expensive than a big box store. Customer service is everything, and I have had the WORST possible customer service imaginable from Best Buy.
I looked at the front loaders, and REALLY wanted one when my machine went a couple of years ago. DH did some research though, and I ended up with a top loader washer and dryer (yes, the dryer is also a top loader) - they are Fisher & Paykel. Very energy efficient, and auto-sensing for water and drying.
Why do I love the top loaders? No more bending! Open both and the laundry goes from the washer directly to the dryer without bending over. I've been very happy with these.
SheFly
We have an LG front-loader that we're very happy with. The wash cycle is definitely longer than our old top-loader, so that takes some planning around, but it's worth it. It uses less water and is much gentler on clothes.
My parents have one of those Fisher-Paykel top-loaders, and are pleased with it.
We have Kenmore front-loading washer and dryer. Love them for the same reasons the others have mentioned but I think the lack of beating up on the laundry is the best. Things do not need to be replaced as often. All those work clothes that say "hand-wash" turn out just fine in the delicate cycle of the front loader - something I never would do when we had the top. As others have mentioned, we also leave the door of the washer open when not in use.
Wahhh, I so want a front-load washer!! But our laundry room is too small to fit one without the door banging into the water heater. :(
Maybe someday we might move the water heater into the garage, or get one of those newfangled tankless water heaters. Either way it'll involve lots of plumbing work, so odds are slim.
So I'll just live vicariously through you all.
Altho, Trek's stacking setup has got me pondering ... :)
Isn't it funny how major remodels can sometimes begin from the smallest projects?Quote:
Originally Posted by Trek420
We just finished a full remodel of our master bathroom, which started out when Lee was going to replace the floor tiles and found rotting wood under the tiles. :rolleyes:
It started with one word.Quote:
Originally Posted by jobob
After my 5th ALC (counting the one I crewed and the one I led training rides. I now count those because crewing is harder) "coach" Spazzdog ordered me in one word:
"nest!" :cool:
For years my condo was where I ate and slept. :confused: make that slept because the kitchen was non-functioning.
I worried with stacking w/d could I reach the drier. I'm five foot nuthin' but it's very easy.
We bought LG about a year ago I think they were the next down from the top of the line because we didn't want to pay extra for the fancy, full lcd display panel. We've been quite happy with them, but like someone said, there's a potential for problem from left-behind water. We wipe down the door and gasket after each load and leave the door open to air dry.
I have the Kenmore Elites H4 series along with the pedestals for each. I've had them close to 3 years I think. I would go out tomorrow and purchase them all over again if they broke down. I am amazed at how they wash and dry the garments. Yes they are an investment compared to regular washer/dryers, but I so love them. The pedestals make the dryer/washer sit at least a good 1 to 1 1/2 feet off the floor, so there is hardly any bending over for me at all when I do the laundry. NOT that I couldn't use the bending to improve the core strength but I'm wimpy:D. I use one pedestal for all my detergents/cleaning supplies and I keep all my bike cleaning stuff in the other one. Good luck with your purchase, you won't regret it.
We have a Miele 4660. We chose it because the drum is designed to put less wear on clothes than many other machines; it has a good wool cycle; and it has a superfast spin cycle, almost as fast as our previous machine which was a top loader with a separate extractor. We're very happy with the Miele. Does a nice job of cleaning. Uses less water than our old machine did. And the clothes come out of the spin cycle pretty much dry enough to iron. Not that I ever bother to iron anything :rolleyes:, but this probably saves time and energy on the dryer step of the process.
We're going to be buying one shortly, we were thinking about Bosch.
Bosch, yup.
I have a small one but am pleased :)
We have Maytag front loaders. We have the Neptune washer and the less expensive Atlantis dryer (same profile - so they basically match). The washer spins out so much water that the clothes are practically dry when they come out! Most things are totally dry after just one night on the drying rack or in about 15 minutes in the dryer. Amazing! It really does get clothes cleaner than our old model, too.
I don't leave the door open because the light would remain on. Doesn't anyone else have that issue? I've never had a mildew/mold problem except for the one time my H ran a load and then forgot about it for a week. Ick. One bleach load of white towels and we were back in business (I no longer use bleach and still have no mold issues). We've had ours for just over 5 years now...
At work we had a Maytag Neptune. It cleaned those dog-poopied blankets right up. The only problem in 3 years was when a ball-point pen came apart and the little plastic ink cartridge/ballpoint got jammed in the pump. Otherwise if dealt with a lot of filth just fine.
At home, when our 28 yr old top-loading Maytag died, we figured we would never get anything that would outlast it, but we did want to use less water. We got a Whirlpool Duet HT, that we have had for about 3 yrs now. It is great. I particularly like that for bed sheets and towels you have the choice of a cycle that lasts longer and the washer heats the water above what your hot water heater is set for. Since it is a point of use heater, it only heats the water for one wash, so you get the benefits of a really hot wash, without wasting energy. We have not had any problems with it.
I love my Miele stacker set, it works like a dream.
We only needed a washer, but getting the pair allowed us to reclaim enough space to make room to store cleaning supplies, sewing supplies, and actual space for sewing.
We just replaced 19 year old washer and dryer with front loader Whirlpool HT. No problems so far. Super quiet washer. We bought Whirlpool because it's easier to get service should something go wrong. It is recommended to leave jar slightly ajar after using it so that water can evaporate and to prevent moldy smell. (works perfect for my family who never close anything!)
Also, it is recommended to use an "Affresh" tablet once a month. My washer has a "clean washer" cycle. Just throw in the tablet, put on the cycle. I've used one once in 4 months. How's that for following directions?:)
I went looking for what in the world is "Affresh" since I'd never heard of it. Turns out it's just oxygen bleach. So, Seventh Generation dishwasher powder or Oxy-Clean bleach should do the same thing.
I was wondering whether crystalline citric acid might be an alternative for cleaning the washer (although as I said, in 11 years it's never seemed to need it, other than popping out the detergent tray for a good rinse and scrub once in a while).
I wouldn't use the citric acid wash as I'd be concerned about the rubber gasket and the pump hoses degrading over time.Quote:
Originally Posted by OakLeaf
*** I work for Procter and Gamble in the Fabric and Home Care division ***
I have done YEARS of research on front loaders with stain removal tests, whiteness maintenance, and color fading. My lab consists 16 front loading machines with a state of the art computer controlled water system that can recreate all water conditions across the world. We test EVERYTHING that is remotely front loading. Whirlpool, Maytag, Bosch, Miele, LG, Maytag, etc. The biggest gimmick is the LG Tromm with it's Steam Wash. There's no such thing. The commercial is over exaggerated. We laughed when we got it in as we all sat in front of it waiting for it to do its magic and was disappointed. Nothing like the commercial at all.
I got out of the appliance side of things last year and am now doing upstream technology research which means I'm testing new surfactants for potential product usage.
When Geoff and I bought our house in April, we bought a Whirlpool HT as we wanted the extra heater to do some tough cleaning on bedding as we have dogs and cats. There is no need to buy a high efficiency dryer unless you want them to match. The washers spin at twice the speeds that the top loaders do resulting in less drying time.
I've seen many people mention longer cycle times and keeping the door open. The reason the cycles are longer is because your relying on the kinetics of the surfactants rather than the mechanical action of an agitator to do your cleaning. It's also the reason why you need to use HE detergent. It's got a suds suppressor in it so it doesn't lock your machine up. Half dosing regular detergent doesn't cut it - I've got the data to prove it. :D:D:D Leaving the door open is recommended as the water tight seal doesn't allow for the washer to completely dry out between cycles. I've taken the machines apart by hand, you don't want to know what can be growing behind there, trust me!
Love my front loading...it saves on space when you live in a tiny condo!
I have a Whirlpool set and I love them. Love them. Love them. What used to take 3 loads to wash now takes one! I do laundry one or two days a week instead of 4-5 (we have a family of 5). My only complaint is that the washer spins the pants into a twisted mess and I have to separate them before I put them in the dryer. I sometimes have to iron my pants which stinks.
Because of the twisty pants thing, I wash pants in as small a load as possible. It's not the washer that does it to mine, it's the dryer, when overstuffed.
That's so interesting, Jeni.
My Whirlpool Duet takes 40 minutes. I don't think that's a long time. The dryer always takes longer for the same load.
Karen
I also have this drier from LL Bean, and indoor wall mounted drying rack.
Weekends I might do a full load, put light items on the rack, do another load of wash and then run the drier. :)
GLC, you have a light in your washer?
On keeping the washer clean, besides leaving the door open, we now give it an occasional dose of a product called Smelly Washer. No kidding. I turned to this product because, after about 7 years of doing nothing other than keeping the door open, we started to notice a foul odor when the machine was run. It initially took about 4 repeat smelly washer cleanings before the odor was gone and now I just do it once every month or two.
My LG has a light in the washer and the dryer, but they turn themselves off after a bit of time, so no issue for me leaving the door open.Quote:
Originally Posted by Norsegoddess