Washer and dryer suggestions

When we move, we are leaving our washer and dryer behind for the people buying our house (they are coming from an apartment, so it works for both of us...less they have to buy and less for us to move). Part of the proceeds from our house is going towards buying a new set. I have NO clue what is out there. I think I want a front loader, but I haven't fully made up my mind on that b/c if we have another child I want to use cloth diapers and they wash better in a top loader. Then again I don't want to base our purchase on something that most likely will never happen.

Anyway...

What washer and dryer do you have?
Why do you like it?
Why don't you like it?

I love the top loader as I can add things in as I go and the front loader i used drove me up a wall as it would say what time it had left then reset itself. I just have a washer thats about 15 years old and dryer too. dryers starting to go but washers strong.

I have Whirlpool Duet front loaders and LOVE them! We bought the pedestals so they are a pretty good height for loading and unloading (without the pedestals they were kind of low. The pedestals have storage drawers in them which are useful). I never really liked having to bend so far over into a top loader and try and reach around inside them (I'm short ). They do an amazing job of cleaning, but it could be because they were so new Before these, I was using my in-laws ~20 yr old Kenmore washer (top load) and dryer (front load).

So far there's been nothing I dont like about them. They're a pretty big size inside and can hold a lot of clothing. Everyone that comes over and sees them and has older washer/dryers love them.

Maybe take a look at the GE Harmony set - it's a top loading washer, without an agitator, and is High Efficiency. I love mine.

This was going to be a surprise house warming gift but I might as well "let the cat out of the bag"...

Your new washer
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
V

I have the Kenmore version of the Whirlpool Duet. Its been over 5 years with no problems. One feature I like is I can throw laundry in before bedtime, set the timer so its washes in the early morning and then (once the weather warms up) I can hang a load outside and start another load.

Originally Posted by darlili

Maybe take a look at the GE Harmony set - it's a top loading washer, without an agitator, and is High Efficiency. I love mine.

Click to expand...

I'll second this! That's the one I have my eye on for my next set. My mom has a front-loader and it's been nothing but trouble.

I have the whirpool cabrio he set and they are wonderful!!!

We were gonna get front loaders but because of have to let the washer door open to air out to prevent mold and mildew and having kitties I vetoed front loaders. I got the older set of the cabrios cuz I wanted a pull down dryer door and I didn't want a see thru top for the washer cuz Gigi sleeps on the washer and I didn't want paw prints to clean haha.

We have a Kenmore HE machine that's almost a year old. Before that it was a Kenmore top loader that was 17 years old. The dryer is 3 years old and also a Kenmore. It would have been nice if they'd decided to die at the same time- because they don't match, and I don't know if the dryer has the energy star rating on it or not (but if it's 3 years old I think it does).

HE machines can be kind of a pain. The door needs to be left open or mold grows and then your laundry stinks. The little drawer that the soap and such (at least in our machine) has to be taken out after we're done using it b/c again- it has water in it and it's a great place for mold to grow. And they need to be "washed" once a month- I usually just run the clean cycle with bleach in the dispenser. Also- on the bottom of the machine there should be a panel where there's a drain- that has to be emptied once a month as well. If it's like our machine- there's a ton of water left in the lines after washing, more wonderful places for mold to grow.

And we didn't get the pedistal for it (it was kind of pricey) and I'm regretting it at the moment. The machine is kind of low, so bending over can be a pain. Thankfully I'm short

But on the up side- I think we're saving water by using it. The clothes are still getting clean. My youngest decided to run a load of laundry and accidentially forgot that she had her iPod in her pants pocket. It got washed, but we were able to dry it out so she could use it again. If it had happened in a top loader- I don't know if we could have saved it or not.

Cheryl

One big reason I got my Harmony (no agitator, top loader) was so that I could wash and dry my queen size comforters in the pair. I do like being able to drop the odd sock in once the cycle starts on the washer, that's for sure.

My electric bill did go down after I got the set - of course, the set in the condo when I moved in was probably 30 years old. I mean, they were fine what they lasted, but I wasn't too upset when they died.

I have Samsung HE washer and dryer (front loading) that I bought a little over a year ago. If you are on a water meter or if your energy bills are high, this is a huge savings. Plus we are still using our first large bottle of HE liquid detergent! You really use very little - about 1/4 to 1/3 of what the soap dispenser cup says. And my laundry has never been cleaner.

We did not purchase the pedestals - thought they were way overpriced and we have plenty of storage. We don't miss them at all!

But if you decide to go for the older top loader kind, look at Whirlpool or Kenmore. They last a really long time. Plus I like the pull down dryer door that keeps clothes from falling on the floor.

ETA, about the mold issue, yes I leave the door ajar, but it's also important to dry out the rubber gasket around the door. Just run a rag or paper towel around it after the wash is done.

When I moved into this new mobile home, all appliances were from GE including the washer/dryer. I like them very much, it is a top loader washer. I hadn't had a washer/dryer for years so I really can't compare them to another brand.

Wow I didn't know about mold issues. We've had ours for almost 2 years and never had a mold problem. Ours did come with a cleaning disc, which we used last year sometime ("run" the washer with the cleaning disc to clean it up).

As for the pedestals, those are optional I wanted them because it made the front loader a better height to load/unload for myself - less bending over. I have plenty of storage as well (shelves over the washer/dryer, and a cabinet) and right now the pedestals are only holding the instruction manuals for the washer & dryer And apparently one of Neko's hiding spots when strangers are over.

We have the LG brand front loader washer - its GREAT. And it runs on magnets (so the drum doesn't wear out) and uses very little water to clean. Its a bit more expensive but will save you a lot in the long run and lasts longer then traditional washers.

Thanks for all the suggestions, keep them coming!!

Even on my plain old boring top loading washing machine, I keep the door open between each load. I think that will be even more important when we move b/c we'll be on well water, since we'll be in the country (so no water meter). I think I may be leaning towards the Whirlpool Duet, b/c I have used them in the past at jobs and such. I still want to get into a store and look at a couple different ones, though.

I've got Bosch, which I've been really satisfied with. The front-loading washer has been going strong for ten years without any repairs and has "fuzzy logic", meaning it adjusts the water level to the weight of the load. The front loaders supposedly use less water than the top loaders.

Whatever you do - read the manual (I look at myself here - took a while before I actually read it carefully). A lot of people don't realize the amount of HE detergent used is a lot less than they would have used in a traditional washer. My installer kept emphasizing that to me, but a friend didn't realize that for her set for a while.

We did have one problem with our washer took the back off trying to solve the error code.
Finally went on the internet and found a site that gave us good info-had to take off panel below door and the problem was apparent! Washed a pen somehow and it was stuck and the washer unable to drain properly. It was an easy fix. No more pens going in washer either! If you do have a problem and and semi-handy the internet can solve some repair problems.

Originally Posted by darlili

Whatever you do - read the manual (I look at myself here - took a while before I actually read it carefully). A lot of people don't realize the amount of HE detergent used is a lot less than they would have used in a traditional washer. My installer kept emphasizing that to me, but a friend didn't realize that for her set for a while.

Click to expand...

We won't have a problem with that. We use liquid detergent and already use the minimum suggested on the cup (the first line) for the largest loads. It doesn't need more than that.

LOVE mine... I had spent about 8 years waiting to get my set and 2.5 yrs later it is the BEST set I have ever had

http://www.fisherpaykel.com/product/...7EA7D0B4820648

http://www.fisherpaykel.com/product/laundry/dryers/

Good warrentys ( I did extended that is refundable if not used)....Solid preformance.. And I do not HAVE to BEND over much... It is a top load HE ... My old Kenmores were the second Kenmores and very decent machines but these blow them out of the water... and cost wise at that time I saved 500-1000 for the pair over the front loaders with or witout pedestals I would have been on the floor doing laundry...My washer is top load and so is the dryer( though they make a front load dryer)..

Within two yrs the machines paid for themselves in water and energy and soap savings..