OT: washer & dryer

cloud9

Sorry, I know this is OT, but caring for our clothes is important, too, right?

If you don't mind answering this little survey, as I am in market for a new set:
1. do you use front loader, or the new top loader with the short-agitator kind ? you like or not?
2. do you think your front loaders wash the clothes better/cleaner/less wear on the clothes?
3. what brand/model do you have?

TIA!

14 years ago

General

13 replies

Latest reply was from lynn

yellowgirl

Active Member

I don't have any adivce as my washer & dryer are about 12 years old. They're still doing great, so I'm in no rush to replace, but I'm really curious to see what everyone else has found!

14 years ago

Patty

Veteran

I have an 18 yr old Norge set so can't help you with anything modern but...My sister bought a new front loader and dryer(sorry don't know what kind). It was soo cool to them when they first got them that they pulled up lawn chairs in their basement and watched it like TV LOL. But she soon got disenchanted with them--said they did not clean well enuff ( her husband is a carpenter and is pretty dusty) and reverted back to her Mother in law's 20 yr old top loader washer.

14 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I have a front load that is about 5 years old. I do like it and think it is easier on the clothes. I believe mine is a maytag. My partner has the super deluxe Samsung with the silver technology and steam and he loves them. They hold a ton of stuff which is great when doing sheets and towels.

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

We have 12 year old front loaders (they are very small because we live in a small house - Fridgedaire) and they are fab!

14 years ago

Debora

Veteran

I had a top loader that I used for 25 years without a single problem. I bought a Sears Kenmore front loader 5 years ago and I am not thrilled with it for multiple reasons. I have noticed that I must keep the door open at all times when it is not in use or else it gets a funky, mildewy smell to it. I think it gives my towels a funky odor too. Sometimes it leaves brownish streaks on my whites, and water remains in the rubber seal after use. It also vibrates itself across the laundry room floor if the load isn't balanced and I have to heave it back into place. I have found that Afresh tablets help to control odors and keep the machine clean. but I really wish I had done more research before buying it or had gone for a higher end model. I'll be watching this thread with interest to see if anyone else has experienced these issues.

14 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I live in an apartment so I don't really have a choice...

I know I'm lucky to have laundry in the building, but the machines are awful, as commercial laundry usually is. I have a front loading machine at my parents' house and I much prefer it. I feel it is gentler on my clothes. Needless to say every time I go home I have a pig pile of laundry with me. I probably do about 1/4 to 1/2 of my laundry in my Wonder Wash because I don't trust the commercial washers in my building with my beloved frocks and things.

Having said that, the machine my parents had before this one was a top loader, and it was my favorite of the bunch. My parents had it since before I was born and it was great. Unfortunately appliances are intentionally not built to last anymore.

14 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

We have Whirlpool duet front loaders. They have about a million fine adjustments for temperature, spin speed, light vs. heavy loads, etc. They are great. I don't know if they are better or worse than the old machines but I love having all of the options.

14 years ago

JayS

Veteran

I have a 5 yr. old Siemens front load washer and dryer. I think they are the same as Bosch. I love everything about them except the issue mentioned before. Water does stand in the seal. I run bleach through it every few weeks and that takes care of the problem.
The thing I like most about the washer is the delicate and hand wash options. I don't hesitate to put very delicate items into it. It also senses the amount of clothes and washes accordingly..no setting load size. It uses very little water compared to a top loader. The washing cycle seems to be longer than a top loader but the dryer makes up for that. It drys amazingly fast. Good luck with your search.

14 years ago

krishnidoux

Veteran

Debora, you know you can buy washing machine cleaner. It comes in individual tablets that you place at the bottom of your empty washing machine for a "cleaning only" wash. It is recommended to do it once a month.

I had the same smell problem and it took care of it.

14 years ago

Aida

Veteran

I have a newer set (bought last year) of the front-loading Samsung, with the steam and all that jazz; they replaced a 10-year old top-loading-with-agitator set and I am very happy to have made the switch. I don't like to hand wash and run pretty much everything through the washer instead, so for me one of the biggest plusses is not having the agitator which has been a blessing for my clothes I'm sure If your current set works, fits your needs, and you aren't pining for crazy features (most of which don't get used honestly), I'd say don't replace though.

14 years ago

Anonymous

We had to replace this year, and we got a stackable Kenmore front-loading set. We're very happy with them.

14 years ago

(website)

Veteran

We have 10+ year old Kenmore front loader at home in CA and it works great. Not a ton of fancy features or settings, just the basic 4 or so and options for extra rinse, spin speeds, that kind of stuff. No funky odors or standing water issues.

14 years ago

lynn

Veteran

I have a fairly new top loader. I didn't buy a front loader because I have a really bad back and bending over is hard. I know you can raise them up but then I would lose the space above where I hang things to dry. Mine does not have an agitator so it holds a ton but things get tangled and off balance easier then with an agitator. I also did not want to deal with the smell problem of a front loader. Not much help, huh? I would probably buy a top loader again.

14 years ago

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