Reccommend A Clothes Washer

Lowes is having clothes washers on sale through Monday. Help me out and make your suggestions ASAP Must be top loader, prefer impeller, would accept agitator style.

Here's the back story: We have a Whirlpool Cabrio impeller style washer. Winchester, I know you do not like the impeller style but I was happy with how it cleaned clothes. It is not that old. Was temperamental about "bulky" cycle (bed sheets) and would "stick" 16 minutes before end of cycle. Had to turn off power, move dial to rinse and spin, turn power back on and finish the load. As it was only that cycle I could live with it.

Yesterday I wanted to wash jeans and towels. The lid lock will not stay engaged. Move dial to correct cycle, close lid, push start - lock, then unlocks. Tried a different cycle - same thing. Took some jeans out - same lock then unlock.

I will look online for "how to reset your Whirlpool Cabrio" but I have my doubts. And these days, the piece of sh1t appliances do not last. I would actually prefer something with dials / knobs and no electronics / motherboard because tha,t I think, is where the problems arise. I do not need any appliance that thinks it is smarter than me.

So please, send your suggestions. They are very much needed, very much appreciated.

Quite a few people here on TCS like the Speed Queen brand. Washing machines have been discussed recently here on TCS:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/327822/washing-machine-dryer-shopping-any-advice

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/325539/thats-one-way-to-clean-the-basement-i-guess

Google found a bunch of web sites with instructions on how to reset a Cabrio washer: https://www.google.com/#q=how+to+reset+your+whirlpool+cabrio+washer

Look at the speed queen. One has knobs for control not an electronic panel

BBDOLL22 said:

Look at the speed queen. One has knobs for control not an electronic panel

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Our Speed Queen has knobs. I didn't want to deal with an electronic panel (IMO, it's just something that can go wrong). I love our SQ and my thanks to @blueyedgirl5946   for recommending this brand. It's a good washer and I am very pleased.

Our Lowes doesn't carry Speed Queen....we bought it from a regional distributor. https://www.speedqueen.com/ FWIW, Speed Queen is made in the USA.

Thank you all for your advice. Later this morning we're going to a reasonably nearby appliance store to look at / buy a Speed Queen clothes washer. With knobs, no electronic controls.

The piece of sh1t Whirlpool Cabrio was purchased on May 20, 2013! Three years four months and it is garbage. First was the incomplete cycle for bulky loads / bed sheet. I could work around that. Now the lid doesn't lock so machine won't work. We are just NOT willing to call a repair man who will likely tell us it is not the lid lock mechanism but the mother board unit. And what if that goes out of service 40 months from now and we're right back where we are now. No trust it would not happen again.

I think we did look at Speed Queen back in 2013. Decided on the Whirlpool based in part on the price differential - Speed Queen is significantly more expensive. I was also trying to be "green" - we're on well and septic and I felt good about lower water use with an impeller machine. Now - now we're so sorry we made the choice we did.

They just don't build appliances the way they used too. And I don't care if that means I'm showing my age. It's the truth.

Catapault said:

 
Thank you all for your advice. Later this morning we're going to a reasonably nearby appliance store to look at / buy a Speed Queen clothes washer. With knobs, no electronic controls.

The piece of sh1t Whirlpool Cabrio was purchased on May 20, 2013! Three years four months and it is garbage. First was the incomplete cycle for bulky loads / bed sheet. I could work around that. Now the lid doesn't lock so machine won't work. We are just NOT willing to call a repair man who will likely tell us it is not the lid lock mechanism but the mother board unit. And what if that goes out of service 40 months from now and we're right back where we are now. No trust it would not happen again.

I think we did look at Speed Queen back in 2013. Decided on the Whirlpool based in part on the price differential - Speed Queen is significantly more expensive. I was also trying to be "green" - we're on well and septic and I felt good about lower water use with an impeller machine. Now - now we're so sorry we made the choice we did.

They just don't build appliances the way they used too. And I don't care if that means I'm showing my age. It's the truth.

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I agree... I absolutely hate my front loader.. I am stuck as I rent and the appliances come with the apartment. I hate it with a passion!!

Cannot fit a quilt in it.. never mind a complete set of bed linens!! I have to split it in 2 loads!! one separate for the bottom sheet.. and forget it if you want to was the mattress cover.. single load for that also...

Stupid management company does not realize that by saving money and getting a cheap model, they are really losing money because you have to use the washer for more loads, thereby using more water, which they pay for!! 

Penny wise, pound foolish!!!

They raise a stink if you want to buy your own appliances.. they will not adjust the rent...and make it difficult for you to buy your own.. a big hassle....

The good news - our Speed Queen clothes washer will be delivered on Tuesday. The sad news - this is the last year for knobs / dials for controls. As of next year all Speed Queen clothes washers will have electronic controls.

Per a government energy-saving requirement (if you believe that) according to the salesman.

The tub is much smaller than the Whirlpool Cabrio, but salesman says it will be O.K. for queen size bed top and bottom sheets in one load. I did not ask "what if they are flannel sheets?" I'll find out next week.

Again, thank you all for your comments / advice / information

Good for you!   I think you'll be pleased. Interesting about the knobs and dials.

As for the queen-sized sheets, you should be fine. We're using queen-sized flannel sheets right now and they're not a problem. I've washed our comforter and it's been fine. 

You may have some issues with the water drainage hose. We did; the Speed Queen drainage hose wasn't long enough to reach the drainage pipe. We had to buy an extra bit of hose at Lowes. But we managed. You could also take your old water drainage hose from your old washer and use that....I didn't think about doing that when the delivery guys were here. Think about it, just in case you might need it.

Let us know what you think.

Good Luck....

@Winchester   

@Catapault      Can I come over to wash both mine and Artie's quilt???      kidding... 

I hope on Tuesday they come in the morning with the new washer. The laundry is piling up like you wouldn't believe - or maybe you would! Should be in good shape by Tuesday evening.

@Winchester, the winter comforter is not a problem. It is lamb's wool and dry clean only. Forwarded your hint about the drain hose to my husband. Good idea, and easy enough to take off / use if needed. The appliance store is charging $75 to deliver machine, install it, and remove old machine. Includes new water connection hoses. And of course there is New Jersey's 7% sales tax too . . .

Didn't tell them they'll probably need to take laundry room door off its hinges in order to have maneuvering room.

@Artiemom, Duxbury near Boston is about a 5 1/2 hour drive away. Seems too much of a hike to come this far to wash a quilt, don't you think?

Of course, when Superstorm Sandy left us powerless for two weeks I was doing laundry at friends homes, even at my veterinarian's animal hospital.

So glad the new clothes washer will be delivered tomorrow! The clothes hamper under the laundry chute is so full that it is heaped full, over full actually, and anything else just falls over and onto the floor. It smells musty in the laundry room too. I decided not to strip the bed linen as I always do on Mondays as there is no place to put it. Better to sleep on those sheets one more night.

Now speculating on how many loads I could wash tomorrow. We're on well and septic, you see. If they deliver in the morning, then three loads is a good possibility. If late afternoon, then only two.

Gah! I never wanted to spend this much time thinking about laundry!

I wish I could have found a SQ.  I replaced mine in July, I had a Maytag Centennial.  It died after 3 years, just past the warranty expiration date.  The repair guy (I tried that first) told me that Maytags pretty much only last as long as the warranties now.  I replaced with a Maytag Bravos, which the repair guy recommended if I was going with another one.  I had to act fast so I just picked from what Lowe's had in stock so I could get it quick.

I don't know of anywhere near me that carries Speed Queen anymore.  I hate the electronic mess! 

Hey @Catapault! Wishing you good luck today with your new Speed Queen! Hope it all goes well!

Catapault said:

 
Per a government energy-saving requirement (if you believe that) according to the salesman.

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Catapault said:

 
Gah! I never wanted to spend this much time thinking about laundry!

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Seems like a lot of people buying new washers these days.  I posted my own "need washing machine advice" message last week, and my new washer & dryer are coming tomorrow.

Here in Canada, we also have the new government energy-saving required washers. I believe the salesman said it started in 2010, but 2 years ago they all had to be energy/water saving machines.  And I also learned that even the machines with dials still have all kinds of electronic things happening during the cycle. I also was told the washers are only built now to last 7 to 10 years.  

I ended up going with a Kenmore, which is made by Whirlpool, which also makes Maytag now.  I also got the extended warranty for 3 years, but if I don't have a service call by the end of the 3 years I get my extended warranty money back in the form of a store credit. I never get extended warranties, but with all the bad things I keep hearing about these new machines, thought it might be a good idea.

My laundry is also piling up!  And I too never thought I'd spend this much time thinking about laundry! 

Good luck with your new washer @Catapault  

Thank you for the good wishes @Winchester and @rubysmama. We got a call at 9:00 p.m. last night that the delivery / installation will be this morning between 8:00 and 11:00 a.m. this morning. I know how this goes - if we slept in they'd come earlier, since we got up they'll come later. Stripped the bed sheets this morning and piled them in the laundry room sink for lack of any other place.

Will provide update(s) when there's something to share.

It's Here! They got here about 9:30 a.m. Did not have to take laundry room door off its hinges. Old machine goes to metal recycling place so I tossed the directions (and my printouts of "what to do if your Whirlpool Cabrio has issues") into our paper recycling bin. Gave tub a quick wipe out, quickly read owner's manual, and then took a look at the mountain of laundry to decide what goes first. Decided on whites / underwear as there is not much left in the bureau drawer (big grin - got to have priorities don't ya know.)

Speed Queen is not at all noisy, went through cycle much more quickly than discarded impeller clothes washer. Only "odd" thing is adding detergent - just pour into tub before adding clothes. Tossed underwear into dryer and decided to do bed sheets next so I can hang them outside. Will then give it a rest. Later today I have my choice of really filthy blue jeans (husband is still working on firewood) OR towels OR colored clothes (T-shirts, shirts, socks, dish towels etc.)

Have an appointment for flu shot this afternoon but feel comfortable about letting it run while I'm gone.

So far, so good. Happy, happy. Clean laundry is A Good Thing!

  it really is when you've been without!  I had to wash things at my mothers last winter when our machine died mid cycle.  4 people sure create a lot even when you don't factor in sheets!  The worst part was that I forgot to tell the guys who came to install that there was still some water in the drum (front loader) and when they disconnected the hose water got on the floor...and soaked up by the clumping cat litter that had built up underneath the machine!  The washer was on a pedestal; I could not move it to clean underneath it.  That was a mess!  I was all prepared to sweep up the litter.  I had a broom in hand!  I was NOT prepared to scoop up clay mud!    And then clean the carpet outside the laundry room because the guys couldn't avoid the mess carrying it out.  I'm sure they weren't happy with me.

I think the worst thing we went through with a washer (and this is really redneck LOL) was when we were having the kitchen/laundry rooms redone--our washer was out on the porch.  We actually had to wash clothes out in the yard.  We pulled the washer into the back yard off the porch so the drain hose wouldn't dump water next to the house, plugged in an extension cord, and started washing.  We had to have old paneling pulled out of the laundry room and installed sheetrock and more wall insulation, then they found plumbing problems and a floor problem, so it took much longer than expected.  I had dirty clothes everywhere and (priorities) no clean underwear.  So we did what we had to do!

I am glad you chose the Speed Queen. I love mine more and more. My favorite things are my washer and my Kitchen Aid Mixer.

blueyedgirl5946 said:

I am glad you chose the Speed Queen. I love mine more and more. My favorite things are my washer and my Kitchen Aid Mixer.

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 I couldn't agree more!!