Washing machines.

[scotts]

So my trusty washing machine that I have had for the last 2 decades is about to wash its last load. So I want to hear from you all what type of machine you have and how you like it.
We are looking at the front loaders (might as well buy new technology), but kind of leery with the prices running from 600 to 1400. Then having to buy the stand and probably have to have them deliver and set it up, could get real pricey.

 

[jackri]

We have a front loader and love it. You don't NEED a stand, and I don't think ours cost any more than 600-800 if I remember right. They are also more efficient and use less detergent if you use the HE stuff.

 

[stdreb27]

And they come like a ghetto "spa" with a happy ending... At least they'd better at 2 grand out the door... They'll even wash and wax your car...
But for my serious comment, if I were to spend that kind of change on a washer and drier I'd go ahead and pay the few bucks for a subscription to consumer reports...

 

[lovethesea]

Whirlpool duet front loader.......love it!!! Uses waaay less water and a lot less soap if you use the H.E. concentrate. (if using the concentrate make sure you pour detergent into measuring cup/lid and then pour into detergent drawer....other wise you are using too much soap) Wouldn't trade it for anything. When my dryer died, I did NOT go with the mate. Didn't want to spend that money for a dryer. Bought a Whirpool that matched the size of the washer, so my washing and drying sizes will match. It has all of the settings as the duet, but half the price. I did purchase the stand and I am happy with it.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Scotts
http:///forum/post/3265568
So my trusty washing machine that I have had for the last 2 decades is about to wash its last load. So I want to hear from you all what type of machine you have and how you like it.
We are looking at the front loaders (might as well buy new technology), but kind of leery with the prices running from 600 to 1400. Then having to buy the stand and probably have to have them deliver and set it up, could get real pricey.

I have a front loader, I love it. It only uses the amount of water it needs to wet the cloths, so less washing liquid/powder and water bills. Also it runs silent.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by lovethesea
http:///forum/post/3265585
Whirlpool duet front loader.......love it!!! Uses waaay less water and a lot less soap if you use the H.E. concentrate. (if using the concentrate make sure you pour detergent into measuring cup/lid and then pour into detergent drawer....other wise you are using too much soap) Wouldn't trade it for anything. When my dryer died, I did NOT go with the mate. Didn't want to spend that money for a dryer. Bought a Whirpool that matched the size of the washer, so my washing and drying sizes will match. It has all of the settings as the duet, but half the price. I did purchase the stand and I am happy with it.

+1
I too went without the matching dryer, and went with the large capacity dryer because it was much cheaper, and the stand I really like, it holds my washing liquid and dryer sheets and keeps my cloths basket at waist level to put cloths in and out of the washer.

 

[mrdc]

I also have the duet. I spent some coin on the washer and dryer but I went with the 24 month interest free financing which helped.

 

[beth]

If you go with a style other than what you have (front load vs top load) just be certain that it will fit in the space you have, and that there is no issues with the front doors opening.
Also, best to get washer and dryer together.

 

[cranberry]

Do you read that we didn't need to be using as much soap as we do (as is recommended on the bottle) in the washer? It was on a TV show last month and then it showed up in the paper recently. Something was mentioned about residue and performance as well... but I forget the details.

 

[spanko]

Front loaders FTW. When we first got ours I spent time watching a whole cycle. Starts, stops, spins, adds water, stops...............not like the old kind that just started up and went. Crazy. (yeah I have no life, get over it!)

 

[mrdc]

Not sure if anyone else does this with there front loader washer. We leave the door open some when not in use. I was told mold can build up in the rubber ring if you don't dry it before closing it. We have had our washer now for 3-4 years and no mold so far. The guy that told me said his did get moldy.

 

[scotts]

THANKS!
I do have a subscription to Consumer reports, but you really have to take what they say with a grain of salt. They give you good indications of things to look for.
I figured we would go with the front loader. It is the new technology and no reason to go backwards, but I read about the mold thing and that they can vibrate around the room if not set up properly. Considering with our fostering we wash a LOT of towels, I am a little worried about it dancing around, also the cycle times are longer. For those with a front loader, did you get it installed or set it up yourselves?
Good to hear about the Whirlpool duet, in all honesty we were not looking at those, but now we will.

 

[spanko]

Got ours from Lowes. Setup and delivery were free.

 

[mrdc]

I did the washer on my own because it was an emergency. The washer (it was old) broke the night before vacation. I had to run up to Lowes and get one before they closed because we had a lot of clothes to wash. I went back after vacation to get the dryer but Lowes set it up for free. That is also when I worked out my 24 month financing.
They should go in easy depending on the room you have and the type of outlet you currenlty have on your dryer. They were tight going through my garage door but once I put them in, there is still some room available. Sometimes you have to change out the power cord to your dryer in order to use the whatever outlet you have.
I also have the stands which I like. It gives us some stroage space and I just like having the units raised.

 

[ironeagle2006]

I had a Front loader and with 3 kids went thru 3 front seals in less than 18 months. Even Sears was like HOLY CRAP. Then found GE has taken a Front loader turned it on its side and made it back into a top loader. I love it. Mine washes more clothes than the Front loader has better performance No Agitator less water usage and I can dump my RO waste water into it WHICh I DO for a savings there. Model on it is called the Infuser and it makes a Frontloader look like Crap. Even my neibor goes I wish I had gotten it instead of his 1200 Dollar LG model. All for less than 600 bucks.

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by Scotts
http:///forum/post/3265698
THANKS!
I do have a subscription to Consumer reports, but you really have to take what they say with a grain of salt. They give you good indications of things to look for.
I figured we would go with the front loader. It is the new technology and no reason to go backwards, but I read about the mold thing and that they can vibrate around the room if not set up properly. Considering with our fostering we wash a LOT of towels, I am a little worried about it dancing around, also the cycle times are longer. For those with a front loader, did you get it installed or set it up yourselves?
Good to hear about the Whirlpool duet, in all honesty we were not looking at those, but now we will.

yeah, but from what I've seen their only fault is their ability to decide if something is going to last or not...

 

[mrdc]

Originally Posted by Scotts
http:///forum/post/3265698
It is the new technology and no reason to go backwards, but I read about the mold thing and that they can vibrate around the room if not set up properly.
They can vibrate around if you don't level them correctly with or without the stand. There will be legs under each of them that screw in or out. You turn them whichever one you need in order to make them fit snuggly to the floor. You can shake them by hand to see if they are level or not. If not, look to see which leg needs to be adjusted. One other thing to watch out for is don't overcompensate an unlevelness with one or two legs but rather try adjust the legs out evenly. You can put a leveler on top of the machine to see how close you can get it. But it doesn't have to be perfect.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3265699
Got ours from Lowes. Setup and delivery were free.

+1 I love Lowes!
There is a short cycle that runs just 20 minutes. The whitest whites (longest run cycle) has an extra rinse, 110 minutes. No matter what cycle you choose you also save money on dryer time. My clothes are almost dry when I remove them and it takes half the time to dry as before with my old washer.
I went from 8 loads to 4, all my whites, colors, towels and blacks fit into one load instead of dividing them into two for each.
I got the one with the drum that tips back, I just felt safer with the door being in the front and all, that’s just me, new gizmos make me nervous..I have had mine for 3 years, no mold and no problem..it never “walked” If it is off balance it will redistribute clothes before spinning…smart machine...The new ones have a wrinkle remove cycle too..steam I think.

 

[bender77]

I had a front load washer and hated it! I went with a HE top loader this time around and LOVE it (http://www.whirlpool.com/catalog/pro...=115&prod=1584) I have the washer and dryer set and can wash just about everything in my house with it. Plus, after you start it and you find that sock that fell out of the basket as you walked down the hall, you can pause it and throw it in the wash. With a front loader you can't do that.

 

[lovethesea]

Originally Posted by bender77
http:///forum/post/3265795
basket as you walked down the hall, you can pause it and throw it in the wash. With a front loader you can't do that.

mine does, I hit the pause button quite frequently. You just have to wait until it has time to stop what its doing and unlock the door.
No "walking around". Its amazing how fast this thing spins and it never moves an inch. Maybe for about 2 minutes when the cycle is really spinning do you hear anything. But with all washers you hear something.
As far as the moldy/musty. The door has to stay open somehwat while not not use. Just like top loaders you will have leave open. You can fix that by placing about a cup of ammonia INTO the drum with/on top of towels or clothes. I use ammonia on dish towels as it gets really humid here in the summer and dish towels dont dry very well in the kitchen. We have had no problems....not ONE with the seal. The only thing you need to look at occasionally is while you are removing wet clothes, sometimes I gently pull back the seal and will find that a small sock has slipped in there. (MYSTERY to missing socks SOLVED!!)