Your opinions on washing machines, please

**enkmom** · 10-09-2007, 01:00 PM

I am soon to be in the market for a new washing machine, and am slowly saving the money for it. Do you think it is worthwhile to buy a front-loader vs a top-loader? The front-loaders are so much more expensive than the top-loaders, but they use about 2 1/2 times less energy and half as much water. My daughter is already out of the house, and my son leaves for college next fall, so I will soon only be doing laundry for 2 people who don't really get very dirty. Can you help talk me through this? I'm split 50-50 on what to do!

**freyadog** · 10-09-2007, 05:43 PM

we have a Staber. It a top load but does not have the thingy down inside. It has a basket type thing like in an industrial type machine. dont know if I am describing this so you will understand it. the basket goes around clockwise just like a clock. it is made for specifically for people on well water. it starts and then stops over and over so the well reservoir will not go dry. we love it.

**jamie79** · 10-10-2007, 08:26 AM

If its going to be the two of you I would not get the front loader. Why would you need one that big?
We have a Whirlpool Gold Series top loader. I can was my queen size comforter in it with no trouble. I have had it close to 3 yrs and no problems , knock wood. I got it for $450 on sale. When this one goes, hopefully not for a long time, then I will get another one like it if they still sell this kind then

**cdmom** · 10-10-2007, 09:20 AM

Whatever you decide to buy I would check with consumer reports first. We have a Kenmore Elite frontloader and have had nothing but trouble out of it! After looking for answers to the problems we were having on the internet I found out we're not aalon. Tons of people are having the same problems. It's very frustrating because we spent a small fortune on a hunk of junk IMO. I miss my toaplaoder that I had for 18 years.

**AmyMCGS** · 10-10-2007, 12:34 PM

I have a Fisher Paykel top loader, which is designed to work like a front loader... and I LOVE it. The clothes come out nearly dry on many loads, which means much less time needed in the dryer. It's also a fast wash cycle. The only thing I'd warn you about is that it's a little loud-- it sort of makes noises like an airplane gearing up for take-off, LOL. But that's not an issue for us as ours is upstairs.

Here's the model I have:http://www.fisherpaykel.com/laundry/...4EC34AFBF281A0

GWL15 Ecosmart 3.7 cu.ft.(IEC)White North Americas Most Energy Efficient Top Load Agitator Washer uses only 24% of the energy of a traditional washer. Complete the laundry in up to half the time of a frontloader, 1000rpm spin saves up to 30% time and energy in the dryer. This Super Capacity washer with unique brushless DC motor and smart electronics increases reliability with no belts, brakes, pulleys, clutches or gearboxes - parts that aren't there can't fail.

**bamamomto4** · 10-10-2007, 11:24 PM

I have the Maytag Neptune set (front loader).After much research and talking to people that have them,I was sold on it.I've not had a single problem with mine.Someone here gave me a lot of info on it (Pam..forgot her user name).BUT..we have 6 people here.And its going ALL the time.It uses less detergent,less water and comes out nearly dry.The dryer has a sensor and once the clothes are dry...it shuts off...really cool and saves on electricity. Every now and then it'll shut off saying its dry but you'll find jeans still damp.It has a auto setting that I make it run for whatever time and I just switch to that and dry them.

They use the HE detergent....a 5 gallon bucket from Sears lasted me a yr and 2 months...and like I said its going all the time.

I got the pedestals with mine ONLY because it came with a rebate if you bought 2 you got on free.Its just a drawer,which I keep cleaning rags etc in so really nothing I NEEDED.But it does save on the back becuase they sit low.
(I have back problems)

Highly recommend!

**mom22grls** · 10-11-2007, 07:27 AM

I have a Bosch front loader & I love it. Wouldn't go back for the world. There's 6 of us & mine's running most days, too.

Uses less water, WAY less detergent, clothes rinse better, and you can cram alot more in.

They take some getting used to, though. They're loud. They take a *long* time to wash a load, if you use too much soap, the suds will stop the machine, mine, the pump is very sensitive, so earrings & tiny stuff in the pockets of clothes will stop the pump & you have to clean it out.

All in all, though, I love mine.

**bamamomto4** · 10-11-2007, 02:39 PM

You defiently get a lot more in there.Mine isnt loud though.If the clothes settle on one side you'll hear it but other than that you can barely tell its on.

Both my washer and dryer have a sound button to let you know when its done..and it plays the maytag theme LOL!!!!!! This can be turned off if needed.Mine is usually on so I know when its done (its that quiet)

This one is close to mine.I think maybe some of the control panel has changed.Mine is a few yrs old.But this is close.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100400867

Another thing I like about mine is it has a setting to start at a certain time.
I can put my laundry in at night and have it to set at say 5am...and one load is already done by the time I get up

One load on normal takes 54 mins on mine.It has a digital reading of how long it takes....you can go back and look and see how much time is left.

edited..oops I think that was the dryer,heres the washer

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100016581

They've also came down in price since I got mine

**mom22grls** · 10-11-2007, 03:20 PM

Tammy, yours doesn't sound like a jet engine when it's spinning?? LOL! Must be my brand.

A regular load of cotton clothes takes 1 hr. Perm press takes 40-some minutes. Super-d-duper extra heat power wash extraordinaire takes 2 hrs & 40 min. Delicate about 40. Lately, Ive been using the soak cycle on my colors with baking soda 'cause the girls have a bad habit of putting clothes in and then forgetting them until the next day.....they get a bit stinky. LOL! Soaks for 2 hrs & then run a regular wash & the musty smell is gone.

**enkmom** · 10-11-2007, 03:58 PM

I went on a scouting mission to Sears, and I am just as torn as before. The difference in electric/water use is astounding, but so is the price! The capacity is also so large, and I really could have used it a few years ago, but for just the two of us I'm not sure. Mine will be in the basement, so I don't really care about the noise factor.

Sears did have the HE2, for quite a bit less than the HE5's that are brand-spanking new. Any info on that? And what about the new top-loaders without an agitator?

**bamamomto4** · 10-11-2007, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by mom22grls

Tammy, yours doesn't sound like a jet engine when it's spinning?? LOL! Must be my brand.

A regular load of cotton clothes takes 1 hr. Perm press takes 40-some minutes. Super-d-duper extra heat power wash extraordinaire takes 2 hrs & 40 min. Delicate about 40. Lately, Ive been using the soak cycle on my colors with baking soda 'cause the girls have a bad habit of putting clothes in and then forgetting them until the next day.....they get a bit stinky. LOL! Soaks for 2 hrs & then run a regular wash & the musty smell is gone.

Dang girl...Thats a lot of time.My normal load is 54 mins....whites with extra rinse is 1 hr...(i turn to extra rinse off and its 46)...super wash is 1 hr 40mins........wrinkle control 45...............colors 56......delicates 40.....hand wash 42.......quick wash 29....

I normally just use normal.....I do use the white cycle just not the extra rinse,Ive used delicates and quick wash a few times.My clothes dont get very soiled and I dont wash my shirts or light colors (or bras and panties) with dark or jeans,or even steves clothes lol so quick wash does good on them and I hang most of them to dry.

Ive never used soak......ok had to go look.Mine dont have soak but has a prewash...its goes from 54 mins to 1 hr 19 min....It has ALL kinds of options.You can do extra rinse,spin and rinse only,extra spin lol...