Front loading washers

[Irulan]

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...

[Eden]

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!

[tulip]

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.

[kjay]

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.

[Trek420]

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. 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.

[OakLeaf]

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.

[jobob]

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. little did I know what I was starting with that.

Isn't it funny how major remodels can sometimes begin from the smallest projects?

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.

[DrBadger]

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!

[badger]

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!

Must be in our names, I just bought WF337 in red.

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).

[Crankin]

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.

[7rider]

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...

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 ), so we keep a roll of paper towels handy to soak up the excess. So far, no mildew issues.
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 so we gave it away to a handy guy and got the new ones.

[beccaB]

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.

[SheFly]

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

[Becky]

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.

[Norse]

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.