...and I'm SO excited!
I don't think that my washer washes all that well, and it's big and bulky. It's a hand me down from my husbands grandpa.
I know, I know.... I should have treated myself to a new washer a long time ago. But it's hard when it mostly works, and does what I need. I have a hard time justifying big purchases unless they're absolutely necessary.
Well, I've decided it's time.
And I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!
But now is the hard part.... which machine to pick?!
So here is my question to those of you who have recently purchased a washer and dryer....
What brand and model do you have and what do you love about it, or hate about it.
Also, we are building an addition which will give me a laundry room!! (I know, I'm spoiled), and I will have room to either stack the wash/dryer, or have them side by side.
I am pretty positive that I want the front loading machines. They seem to offer larger capacities (because no agitator) without being large on the outside.
So do you prefer stackable, or side by side? We have a big family so I can't go with compact, but I figure if I stack them, than I have that much more room in my laundry room.... to iron or something ;)
What do you think?
Thanks for any suggestions. There is too much info on the internet, I figured I should just go to the wisest clothes washers I know....
K.
I just bought a new LG top-loader from Best Buy in January. 5 star review. I LOVE IT!
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/LG+-+4.5+Cu.+Ft.+14-Cycle+Ult...
Stay away from GE. They are horrible!
We have a top-loading Maytag washer (Neptune). It is a high-capacity one with no agitator in the middle which I would not trade for the WORLD. I love this washer. You can wash twice as much as you could in a normal washer.
We have a front-loading LG dryer, also love it.
One note about front-loading machines... I understand that you can't stop it after it fills to throw something in that you missed. You know that one lonely sock you find in the hallway as you're walking out of the laundry room? I personally like the convenience of being able to add it mid-cycle.
I recently bought a house that had an expensive front load washer. I am sooooo disappointed! I would never get front load again. Just the thought of how it gets mildew and mold in the front because the water doesn't completely drain is ridiculous. I have to towel dry it and keep it open so it doesn't get mold. I have a friend who works for the gov't and works with someone who is trying to build a case to get them off the market because they are so bad with mold. Good luck.
I did lots of research on this just a month or so ago and we ended up with an LG. I learned that LG and Maytag are actually the exact same machines but Maytag is exclusive to Sears and they are allowed to add a few perks that LG "can't" have. I went with the front loaders b/c of their energy saving perks, but honestly, I somewhat question my decision. I read a lot of mixed reviews on them and though it would be okay, but I'd consider the top loader, at least look at it.
I will also say, my biggest concerns stem from my child! My W/D are in the basement so it isn't a huge issue, but you do have to keep those doors open to prevent mildew and my son (22 months) will try and climb in the machines. It's scary! Plus, the buttons are all on the front so he was constantly changing the wash setting and stuff while I was trying to load and unload. Now I've figured out how to use the child lock on them, which is way helpful, but it was stressful for a while! So, if your children are small and you are going to put them in a high traffic or easily accessible area, this is another reason to consider the top loader.
Good luck, though, it is exciting!
It really is exciting. I have butterflies in my stomach for you:) Nothing like a big purchase to make me smile!!!
I have the front loader type. (Kenmore elite quiet pack 2; he3). If you are going to get the high efficiency (he), be prepared to pay A LOT for your laundry detergent. It works well but I had a top loader (Kenmore elite Oasis) that cleaned much better. It was the best washer I ever had. When we moved I brought it with me even though our new house had a washer and dryer because I just couldn't leave it behind. The front loaders do save water and time with drying. The front load washing machines do smell if you don't leave the door cracked. Every once in a while, run some bleach through a wash cycle; that really helps keep the mold smell away. Good luck.
Go check out Sears. They have lots of options and GREAT financing plans with 0% interest.
I bought a Kenmore front loader in 2003 from Sears - 9 years ago and it still works great! Just had the bearings replaced on the matching dryer (would have been $$ but called Sears for repair and for $193 it covered the service visit and ALL parts plus included a 1 year warenty on a 9 year old dryer. I love my front loader, and yes I do have to leave the door open slightly to prevent a mold smell. I have them side by side (no pedistal). My mother has hers stacked. I would recommend side by side with pedistal. With my mothers set (yes, I am 40 yo and did laundry at my mother's house :). She lives in CA and I live in VA and on our visit, my 3yo son went through all the clothes I had packed for him playing and getting dirty) she has the washer on the bottom and dryer on the top. I am 5'3" and had a hard time getting all the clothes out of the dryer. If you stack them, you may want to have a stool nearby.
Forgot to mention that at least with my front loading washer, if you want to add that "sock you found in the hallway" I just turn the washer off (push dial in) and usually the machine will unlock, add the sock, then start the washer again (pull dial out)....do it all the time!
I just bought a new house with no washer and dryer so I had the choice to pick my own. LG has this awesome front loader and it washes and drys so quietly. You wonder if its still on. It also has a dryer sensor.. Makes washing clothes actually fun! I was able to stack them so I have much more room in my laundry room and I use my sons old step stool to get up there!
To be exact it's the LG model WM2140CW from home depot. AWESOME! to avoid mildew you leave the washer slightly open to dry and follow the manual.
I love my ( side by side ) front loading Whirlpool duet HT. They do have a newer model out but I love it and have had it for 4 years now.
if you go side by side front load like we did either get the pedistals, stack them or build your own pedistals. you have to squat to change from washer to dryer and that gets old. one thing to keep in mind is that the washer door needs to stay open to breath or it will get moldy and stick making your clothes stink. so if keeping the door open will hinder your walking then dont get them. keep the drawer open too that you put the detergent in. a one inch crack is good enough. they do make top loads without aggitators now that can fit comforters. we got the front loading LG's a year and a half ago. so far we havent had any troubles and we love them. i can fit my king comforter in there nicely. oh and don't forget to only use he washing detergent, not many brands make it so the choices are few. but we love them....minus the bending over! best buy has a 0% credit card also to get big purchase items with.
DO NOT BUY AN LG!!! There are very few repairmen that are "qualified" to work on them and parts are very expensive and they are difficult to find and you have to wait a couple weeks sometimes for them to be delivered. Good luck!
We just bought a new washer...Maytag with a pre-soak, extra rinse and it's a super large capacity--LOVE it!
Oh--went with a top loader b/c of all the complaints I hear about the front loaders.
