Posted on 01/29/2014 7:47:36 PM PST by servo1969
Speaking as a laundromat owner of many years, there is no compelling reason for a homeowner to waste their money on a front loader. The homeowner version is a weakling compared to a commercial unit with wimpy bearings and an undersized trunnion. While they look sleek, and save a little water, all you have to do for reference is see your local Craigslist to see how they hold up. Spend your $$$ on wine, women and song instead; you won’t be sorry..
How does that work when it’s full of water?
We bought a set of LG HE earlier this year and will never return to a top-loader washer again. Washed items are almost completely dry when the cycle completes and the washer dispenses the appropriate amount of detergent for the cycle and weight of clothes.
http://www.lg.com/us/washers/lg-WM4070HVA-turbowash-washer
I highly recommend LG’s dryer with steam technology. I use the steam cycle to de-wrinkle clothes and sanitize items that don’t go in the washer. It comes with a removable shelf for steaming items you don’t want to tumble.
http://www.lg.com/us/dryers/lg-DLEX8000V-electric-dryer
Lived in Germany for several years, front loaders were awesome. High velocity spin dries so much that using the dryer was quick which made up for the length of time it took to wash. Uses less water and less detergent. Came to the states and (7 years ago) researched for highest spins so we bought a set of Bosch front loaders. Was advised to use High Efficiency detergent, instead used less of regular, and it worked well. If the load was extra dirty, use an extra rinse and use heavy duty cycle. After use leave the door ajar for a couple of days, wipe dry the door gasket too. I have never had an odor. Blessed enough to have a second home in Florida. Bought Maytag front loaders (3 years ago), same thing. Wouldn’t trade them for anything. Hint——If you do the whites as the last wash and use bleach, the washer stays fresh smelling. Let air dry a couple of days and then you can close the door. I never have problems, and I don’t always need to clean the gasket.
Had a GE top loader that gave no problems that I can recall for about twenty years - got a Kenmore front loader about eight years ago and had to replace the front seal within three years - replaced the whole washer with a new front loader last November after the drive started to make a terrible noise that supposedly would have taken a thousand bucks to fix - and of course we had to replace a new stand to put it on because the new washer, also Kenmore, wouldn’t fit the old stand - don’t notice any difference in the cleaning of the clothes, and never had a problem with odor or mold, but wife likes it because she says it’s easier on her bad back - so there you are.....
I’m also looking for a new machine. My sister in law has had 3 front loaders and said DO NOT get one. She had tons of trouble (guess she thought it was just the brands but after the 3rd one figured out it is just front loaders in general are not good).
I can’t figure out what brand of top loader - had a Samsung HE and it worked great for a couple of years, but now getting unbalanced almost every load. Have had it repaired several times and now Best Buy is going to replace it.
Problem is, all the reviews are mostly people who have had their washer for a few months. Apparently the manufacturers come out with new models every year, so you cant get data on one that is 5 years old that everyone loves and go out and purchase the exact same model.
I’d like one that actually lasts several years without breaking down, like the old ones from the 1960s and 10970s.
Consumer reports is pretty worthless, they only give reliability data on a few unknown brands of top loaders.
You’re going to have your hands full with these replies.
I read through half of them and decided to offer my .02 based on experience:
Bought a Whirlpool Duet F/L washer about 3 years ago. After learning the hard way about HE laundry soap on my first F/L (a Maytag...don’t do that brand or its clones), I would recommend this one hands down. Yes, if you keep the door shut and don’t clean out the lint from the gasket it will smell if you must close the door, worse if you have pets (pet hair, etc.). I think I’ve cleaned mine a half dozen times (should be doing more) but we keep the door propped ajar (no smell, hence only 1/2 doz. cleanings). Nothing’s ever broken, nothing’s ever gone wrong (I’m rough as hell with the rubber removing towels/bedding...no problems with it OR the door). As far as ‘not cleaning’, soiled clothes & towels get the ‘pre-soak’ option (it really does make a difference). My grimy white socks come clean, so I know the washer’s working well. We even switched to a homemade natural laundry soap and am getting even better results. On the pre-soak option: This is the ONLY washer I’ve ever used that will remove moldy smell from those towels dumped in the hamper and sitting for a week; ONE wash.
Bonus: The extra spin cycle is like an extractor and not only does it save me water $$ but electricity on drying as well.
Good luck.
One more thing: Young-uns don’t know how to wash clothes. You can tell the age or experience of a commenter by the comment ‘doesn’t get clothes clean’ (sorry, folks, but that’s my opinion). I’ve never owned a washer that didn’t get clothes clean, only ones that went through the motions not knowing I put especially-soiled clothes in it without pre-treating (or, in my most recent experience, ‘pre-soaking’). If I owned a washer that would take our then-12 y/o boy’s grimy clothes and get them clean without any extra effort, I wouldn’t dare put my dress shirts in it. I DO wash my dress shirts in my Whirlpool AND it gets my whitey socks clean (but I don’t expect the washer to think for me).
And don’t make the non-HE soap mistake; suds in a front-loader mean either “wrong soap” or TOO MUCH. Suds are BAD and don’t contribute to cleaning AT ALL.
Again, .02...
All the "experts" claim a front loader works better than a top loader. Maybe they do, but In the years I was single and when I was married, I never noticed an odor problem with the top loader. Now we have to keep the window open quite a bit for the front loader. Yes, we try to keep it clean and aired out. It still smells after a load of wash.
I bought a front loader from Sears about 6 years ago and I have zero of the problems you mentioned and it gets my laundry clean to boot. It also has saved on my water and hot water heating bills. Don’t believe everything people tell you. ESPECIALLY relatives!
That's what I hear, but personally, I don't buy it. When I fill a sink with dish soap, I don't want to see just water and no suds. I want to see lather when I shower; clear water doesn't cut it. When I wash my hands, the soap foams up. So I don't want any less for my clothes.
I want foaming, billowing mountains of suds. ;)
My duet has a trap to keep the pump from ingesting materials. You need to clean that every once in a while. If it gets jammed up with junk and the tub is full there isn't really a good way to drain that tub.
We have a five year old (plus) set of full size...front loading....they are fine...I keep a towel in the washer door when it’s not in use (no small kids in the house...cat hasn’t tried getting in yet). I also use vinegar in every wash...and clean the washer at least monthly according to instructions (with bleach.) No problems.
Yes....what you said about transferring to dryer is a pain....when ours wear out, the next set will come with a “stand” that raises them up.
“It doesn’t matter. Your wife wants one.”
Just make sure you get it in writing! My wife wanted a fancy front loader when I was fine with the old-style top loader. She complains now that “how can it get the clothes clean without any suds? I hate this washer.”
I think it does just fine. But if you put too much soap in to make it “suds” (I STILL don’t see many bubbles - it needs more soap), it blows out the $100 “suds” sensor and it won’t work anymore. And after you get it fixed it forces you to put big labels on all of the bottles that say “ONLY fill to FIRST line. DO NOT put any more in than the FIRST line.” And even then, answering the phone and saying “Yes dear. Just up to the first line, the first one from the bottom that I marked. No - you aren’t supposed to see any bubbles.”
I’m guessing that it won’t last anywhere near the 20+ years we had our old one, so then we can get a top-loader again (and make sure to get it in writing that was the choice). All new appliances don’t last like the old ones did. There was an article somewhere talking about energy efficiency ratings, etc. and how the motors are smaller (takes less elec.) but they strain more. Also that is the reason why cycles take so much longer. Of course in the old days if it was 40 amp/hours (or whatever unit they use) for a half hour, and now it is 20 amp/hours for an hour, it’s the same but looks better (Hey 20 vs. the old 40, that’s twice as good!)
Had a LG front loader for 10 years. Hated it. Always smelly.
Got a top loading LG, and I love it! All the bells and whisltes of my front loader without the smell, and it is much easier to load and unload! It also washes more than the front loader! I love it!!!
TMI!!
It does a really good so far (6-7 months on)
ping
It moves the clothes without an agitator. It’s wonderful! We have the same kind, and I love it!
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