Washing machines

[kitten645]

I didn't read all the replies but when it comes to appliances, I think Consumer Reports is the Bible! They have an online site. You might have to pay a small subscription fee but it is SO worth it! I checked them out to by my camera, my car, my tires etc and they've never lead me a astray! They do the research and aren't biased by advertising $$.
Claudia
PS Martha Stewart says always buy a top load. The tangle issue I guess.

[catnapper]

Ok, after spending most of the night online over washers, I definitely decided to go top loading. Its the best for me and what I need (SPEED of washing, and I don't care one hoot about noise since the machine is in the basement)

I keep reading conflicting reports on the energy star models with sensors. People love or hate them. People seem to have a ton of problems with them, or they're the best thing since sliced bread. The common thread on the ones who hate it is they haven't read their instructioin manual.

I still have no idea which way we're going -- we need one now, not in October for the rebates! grrrrrr

[K9karen]

I treated myself last week (how timely) to a Bosch front load washer and dryer. My top load Fridgidaire washer was only 6 yrs. old but my dryer () was from 1986 and needed to be turned on 2x for a full dry. So I found a sale. Awesome price. but thanks to my awful back, I opted to buy the stands for each so now they're chest level and I don't have to bend over and barely move a muscle. I've been washing everything in sight. I'm in love. Quick, easy and perfect. I've had no crumpling together, except for a top quilt, but I don't care.. It's a good lesson for me to be more diligent and careful about dropping the odd sock.
Plus I think I can get a cluncker refund at the end of the year.

[blue]

I have no complaints with my Fisher & Paykel top loaders.

[RICHARD]

http://www.walletpop.com/insurance/w...more-dangerous



Now What?

[Queen of Poop]

I've often wondered about the front loades; now I know. More often than not I forget something and run downstairs to toss into the washer something that I had missed in the hamper. Can't do that w/a front loader, right?

My front loader door locks, so when you find that one sock you dropped on the way to the washer, you're out of luck, that door won't open until the wash cycle is done!

[smokey the elder]

I bought an LG front loader a couple years ago. Advantages: less wear and tear on clothes; uses HE so less volume detergent; uses less water; spins the clothes drier.

BIG disadvantage: 200-250% longer wash time than the top loader.

[Freedom]

I keep reading conflicting reports on the energy star models with sensors. People love or hate them.

Sorry, sensors for . . . what again? I got lost, lol.

I bought an LG front loader a couple years ago. Advantages: less wear and tear on clothes; uses HE so less volume detergent; uses less water; spins the clothes drier.

BIG disadvantage: 200-250% longer wash time than the top loader.

If I remember right from Consumer Reports, that was true of all top loaders, not just the LG brand.

[Asiel]

My front loader door locks, so when you find that one sock you dropped on the way to the washer, you're out of luck, that door won't open until the wash cycle is done!

My front loader locks also but all I have to do is press the on/off button to stop it and the door will open so I can toss in anything that I've forgotten.

I find I'm using at least half less soap than I did with the top loader too, Washing time depends on what cycle I put it on, for heavily soiled it goes on the longest. I don't even use that cycle for the dog laundry as I throw everything in mostly to refresh the beds after a week of use. The clothes does come out much drier so it cuts the cost on the dryer also.

I think when it comes to washer ans dryers everyone has their own preference but I never thought of looking at the Consumer's Report on line, thanks for the idea.

[krazyaboutkatz]

In my condo complex we have laundry rooms so I don't own a washer or dryer. We have the Maytag commercial grade and 4 of them are the front loader washing machines and 2 are the top loader washing machines. I prefer that front loaders because it takes forever for the top loaders to fill up with water and they also seem to take longer to wash.

The front loaders do lock so if I forget to put in something, I have to wait until the next laundry day. They get a lot of use and yes they have broken before because I've had to call the company that we're leasing them from. They do send some one out asap so they're fixed quickly. I love the dryers and they dry my clothes very well.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

Since I know nothing about the relative merits of different kinds of washers, I thought I'd offer a different perspective- saving money! Have you considered buying used?

Sometimes you can find used appliance stores that sell quality items for less, with warranties. We bought our washer from such a place (the store has sadly since closed) for $100, plus a year's parts and labor. Or, you can go to places like goodwill and look. I found our dryer from a goodwill-like place (a local nonprofit thrift chain) for $35, and it works really well.

If you are trying to be "green" buying used is nearly almost always better for the environment (it is recycling, after all) because the creation and destruction of goods is the most polluting part of the process- even cars, that burn gasoline! If you are trying to save energy costs, even if you don't have a new washer you can use cold water settings and change the wash size.

If you want to buy new and don't want to spend a ton (I have no idea why washer and dryers are so expensive!) I would recommend a Sears Outlet if you have one nearby. When we bought our house we had to buy a new fridge and stove. We bought a new energy star fridge and ceramic flat-top stove (with 5 burners- one is a warmer) in the colors we needed for $900 for both with tax. The fridge has a tiny scratch on one side (it's next to a wall so you can't even see it) and the stove supposedly has a scratch (I never saw it, and you can't see the sides anyway so it doesn't matter) so we saved hundreds of dollars. Plus, since they were new they came with all the warranties, etc. I'd highly recommend visiting one if you have a store nearby!

[Pam]

We highly do NOT recommend Maytag, we bought one thinking it was a good reliable brand and would last nearly forever - but it died in less than 5 years. It was just shoddily built, once we started taking it apart. And there are only two adult humans here, no kids, so it never even got the amount of laundry a normal machine would.

DO - I emphasize this - check online reviews before you buy anything.

Couldn't disagree with you more Karen. We are on our second set of Maytags (washer and dryer) having bought our first set in 1970 and this is now 2009. I think two washers and two dryers is pretty darn good for almost 40 years (that is roughly 20 years per set). Also, we have had NO repair bills. They just worked until they got old, just like us people. Of course I am not saying that things are not being made more cheaply now. Unfortunately they are. I guess I will soon be finding that out, but I hope it is later rather than sooner.

[caseysmom]

The Maytag Neptune had tons of problems...

[pomtzu]

I HATE consumer reviews - the more you read - the more conflicting they get. It's almost just as reliable to pick one by going "eenie-meenie-mienee-mo" - I'll get that one !

I recently needed a new hand mixer and electric knife. Found what appeared to be good ones thru Amazon and ordered them pretty much based on reviews, and price of course. Love the mixer - hated the knife and it was a piece of junk and I returned it. Went to Walmart and picked one up there, and it is just what I was looking for in the first place.

One out of two ain't bad - I guess..........

[*LabLoverKEB*]

We too have a Bosch front loader washer and dryer, like k9Karen. I have no complaints thus far! BUT, when the washer is on it's spin cycle, it sounds like a plane about to take off, lol!