What's Your Experience with Low-water-use Washing Machines?

Hi M.,

I definitely think it's worth buying the front-loading washer. I don't know if I save that much on utilities, but I definitely use less detergent than before and it does a great job cleaning our clothes.

You can look on sites like Craigslist and usually find people selling used ones for a lot cheaper than retail. (That's how I sold my first one when we had to move.) We found good deals at the Sears Outlet too, if you have one near you.

I have the Whirlpool Duet and LOVE IT!! I have 5 teenagers and it has cut my laundry time in half and cleans really well.
The best place we have found for buying appliances is Pacific Sales. Great service, prices and their price on extended warrantes is the best. Check them out online.

Another thing that might help you save money is when the time comes that you need to replace your water heated seriously look into a tankless. It heats the water as you need it not heating it over and over again waiting for you to need it. Takagi is the best out there.

Hi M.: we had a Maytag for about 13 years and it began to give us quite a bit of problems and, expecting my 5th child, we decided to invest in a Kenmore front-loader from Sears. It was a Consumer Reports Best Buy. I recommend going to the library, or seeing what you can find online from CR in regards to their ratings (we pay $30 yearly to get their info online - so worth it) on wshing machines. They give you buying advice as well. I do lots of laundry every week - like I think 9-10 loads. Our water rates where I live are high, but I haven't noticed our water bill go up. The washer cleans well, but I did need a srvice call. I wasn't being careful about cleaning out the seal and keeping little tiny washing items from the wash or putting them in a mesh bag. Anyway, I always think that you should think long term about all investments. It may really hurt now to spend that money, but it may really pay off in the end. Good luck! I'm happy with mine!

We just bought a Frigidaire energy star front loading washer from Sears. It was less than $900 and we sent in for the gov't rebate. When we priced energy efficient v. reg washers once you calculate in the rebate, some are about the same. We went to Home Depot to get all the info (re: efficiency, estimated yearly operating costs, and rebate) but in the end we found the cheapest one at the time from Sears. Hope this helps. It was worth it for us.

I would get one if I were you. I have one and it is the best.

I use a great detergent called SA8 (about a tblsp) and even though I have the small models (I live in an RV) the drying is less.

The washer is so much faster than the regular ones, and it stays fresh smelling (that might be the detergent, which smells great).

I do a lot of laundry too, my husband is in the Navy and I work out a lot myself. I wouldn't trade it for the world!!

Good luck, too bad you have to have one pronto, there is a site that you can get great proces from and the delivery is pretty fast but I don't think it would be next day.

M., we purchased front load washer and dryer for our new house and I love it! We purchased our washer and dryer at Howard's for around a thousand dollars for both. Plus right now, a lot of rebates are being offered for purchasing energy saving products. We just received $50 in the mail as a rebate for the washer and I am expecting a couple more. All this info was given to us at the appliance store. I have also read complaints that the front loaders dont leave clothes feeling clean enough, but I totally feel otherwise. My clothes come out clean and smeling great. With the front loaders though, you will have to purchase different detergent, but it wasnt more expensive than the regular stuff, plus it feels like it lasts longer b/c of the stronger concentration. Good luck!