Laundry - What washer?

[Sally S Miles]

Not doodle related - hmmm, well I do wash dog bedding...

My washer is the pits - a Whirlpool Duet, mold growing disaster and I need a new one badly. Prices are absurd and I'm not jumping in blind.   Research says one thing, reviews another.

Front loaders have me wary at this point, despite many perks - I recall once upon a time buying a washer was soooo easy.

 So I am curious who has what and do you love it or hate it? Thanks

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

I had a Maytag Neptune (front loader computer wonder).  It was nothing but a pain in the _ _ _. Mold, leaks, computer crashes; the problems were endless.  I finally decided to replace it.  I wanted a top loader and something simple.  This is what I bought.

AWN432 Speed Queen Top Load Washer - 17 Cycle

I also bought a Speed Queen Dryer.   I love both.  Speed Queen makes washers and dryers used in a lot of laundromats.  I bought mine on line sight unseen from US Appliance.  They are real workhorses.  Not fancy but I don't care.  I just love having something that does the job.

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

I have a 25 year old top loading Maytag. Love it!! I just replaced my dryer last year - also a Maytag - that was 38 years old! My washer is basically a "bottom of the line" model with 3 wash cycles, and nothing fancy. I knew I wouldn't use all of the "bells and whistles" so didn't pay all the extra money for them.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I have a LG front loader and absolutely love it.  I hope I don't jinx myself now but I keep the door open at all times, wipe around the rubber rim and clean out the debris collector and have no problem with a moldy smell what so ever.  Keeping the door open when not in use is key on front loaders.   I also use the sterilizing wash cycle like every 2 months with the front loader cleaner too.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Keeping the door open is not an option for everyone.  If I were to keep the door open on a front loading washer it would block the doorway to the laundry/bathroom.  One should not have to go to all that trouble for an appliance.    That is exactly the reason I replaced a front loader with a top loader.  And I don't see where the laundry get any cleaner with a front loader.  JMO

[Wendy and Myla]

I have a front load washer and hate it!!!  I have to leave the door open when not in use just so it won't smell which I don't like at all.  I also don't like the fact that I can't choose the level of water it uses and I find that sometimes when I take the clothes out, some of them have dry parts on them - they didn't even get wet!  I also can't just soak the clothes unless I manually turn off and then turn on the machine when I'm finished soaking.  I don't like having to go on my hands and knees to get the clothes out and I could just go on and on.  I will never get a front end loader again.  I too wouldn't get all of the bells and whistles, just two knobs, one for cycles and one for water temperature!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

We have a septic system and well and when we moved here my husband researched and said it is better to get a front loading machine. I had just purchased a brand new top loading machine and dryer at our old house, but when we moved it was included in the contract to the buyers and we inherited a front loading washer and dryer at the new place. I HATED the new set and walked around for weeks letting everyone know it and saying, "oh goody, I get to do a load of laundry in my mini machine." It didn't last long and I went to Sears and purchased a highly rated front loading machine. It was the most money I EVER spent on a washer. Well, that machine has had more problems than any other washer I have ever had and is currently not working. Sears told me once it would be almost ONE MONTH for the next repair appointment, so I went out and got a Samsung front loader...much cheaper and so far (knock on wood) no problems. Sears did eventually show up for the repair and the machine worked for a bit and stopped again...would not drain. The initial repair the first time on the Sears unit was more than the washer cost and luckily was under warranty. If I had my druthers, I would return to a top loader.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I've got the Whirlpool Duet, same as you. I've read about the mold issue, but I don't have the problem, knock on wood. I do run the clean cycle when the indicator light comes on. I also clean the rubber sealer all the time, this is where I've read that mold can be an issue. I leave the door open too, this was another suggestion I read about. So far so good. Maybe if you give yours a real good cleaning and go from there, you can overcome the mold issue. Not sure why some machines have the problem and some don't, have you checked with Whirlpool about a fix?

[Adrienne]

I have had an LG front loading washing machine and dryer for past 6.5 years and absolutely love it.  Yes, I keep the door open, after washing load, to allow it to dry, then able to keep closed.  I also run the "tub rinse" cycle once per month.  I, too, hope that I have not jinxed my happiness. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have been thinking about washers since mine is over 20 years old. But still it washes and this is just future think. Front loaders are a no go for me because I hear the seals do get moldy so you need to leave the machine open.  That works fine for my top loader , which I leave open anyway. It  would be a problem with a front loader since the machines are in a small alcove off my bedroom. also, front loaders cause a lot more vibration and my machines are on the second floor. I would like a machine with an agitator and not a rotating drum which cause more repair problems I have read. They are hard to fid but I was told there are still some made.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Speed Queen makes machines with agitators. They have several models, different capacities and cycles. I have washed a queen sized comforter in mine with no problem. Their website has a retailer locator based on zip code if I remember correctly. I did a lot of research before purchasing.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good to know.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Also, one time at a laundromat, where I take enormous items once in a while, the washer was broken. It filled with water and did nothing more. I flooded the entire place to get my things out. who needs that at home?