Washing machines

[catnapper]

My head is about to explode! We've been washer shopping. Sounds easy, right?

OY VEY! I have no idea what I want! I thought a washer simply dumped water on clothes, swished them around, and then drained the water. Not so anymore.

So now, I'm super confused. Do I buy a cheapo washer just to get the job done? Or do I spend twice what we wanted to get the job done faster, with less water and energy?

And don't get me started on brands! Whirlpool? Maytag? No-name?

My washer technically works. Ashley killed it before she moved out. She thought that if it could be jammed into the washer, then the load wasn't full until one final sock could be squished in. The poor machine couldn't handle the loads and the timer broke. I've been using it despite the broken timer, but its time for a new one (get it, time for a new one?)

[Queen of Poop]

I've got the newer Maytag front load washer and dryer. Love the dryer, absolutely HATE the washer. Everything comes out a tangled, wrinkled mess. I shake out each piece of laundry before putting it in the dryer and sometimes they come out ok, other times certain items come out looking like they've been stuffed at the back of a drawer for 10 years!

[Medusa]

I've got the newer Maytag front load washer and dryer. Love the dryer, absolutely HATE the washer. Everything comes out a tangled, wrinkled mess. I shake out each piece of laundry before putting it in the dryer and sometimes they come out ok, other times certain items come out looking like they've been stuffed at the back of a drawer for 10 years!

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?

[Taz_Zoee]

I've got the newer Maytag front load washer and dryer. Love the dryer, absolutely HATE the washer. Everything comes out a tangled, wrinkled mess. I shake out each piece of laundry before putting it in the dryer and sometimes they come out ok, other times certain items come out looking like they've been stuffed at the back of a drawer for 10 years!

Good to know. I thought I wanted one of these.

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?

This is true, I do the same thing and I never thought about it not being possible with the front loader.

Do they make them water and energy efficient and not front loaders??

[Cinder & Smoke]

... to toss into the washer something that I had missed in the hamper.

Can't do that w/a front loader, right?

Sure ya can!
>>> Just be sure you're wearing your BOOTS! <<<

Tried that years ago in a coin-op laundry-mat ... I'd found one lost sock.
OH MY!

Oooooopsie!
NUTZ!
You can NOT *open*, *toss*, and *slam* that door nearly fast enough!

[Karen]

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.

[caseysmom]

I have maytag front loaders, you can pause and add to the load ...no problem I do it all the time.

I did have a part break after 3 years and it was 400 to fix. I have hear great things about the kenmore. I do love the handwash cycle...I think the front loaders are much gentler on your clothers since they don't have the agitators.

[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.

[pomtzu]

I have a GE washer and a Whirlpool dryer, and I can't say that I'm overly fond of either. They are both middle of the line and do a decent enough job, but just don't compare to the old ones that were replaced (both Kenmore). My old washer was 16 and my old dryer was 30 something when they were replaced. These will never see that many years. I had to have service on the dryer before it was even a year old, and right now the washer needs to be serviced because I can't get any hot water to run in it anymore to do a warm wash - so I just settle for all cold. Yes - the hot water line is turned on!

IMO - they're all about the same. I guess it just depends on how many features you want on a new one as to which brand and price you want to pay for.

[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.

[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!

[ramanth]

I've got the newer Maytag front load washer and dryer. Love the dryer, absolutely HATE the washer. Everything comes out a tangled, wrinkled mess. I shake out each piece of laundry before putting it in the dryer and sometimes they come out ok, other times certain items come out looking like they've been stuffed at the back of a drawer for 10 years!

We have an off brand top load washer in our apartment and every setting comes out in a tangled mess. I do a lot more ironing now than I did when I lived at home with my parents who have a front load washer and dryer.

So I guess it just depends...