Somewhat OT: Washing Machines

This is only sort of OT, since washers are sort of related to fabric.

I bought a new Maytag when we moved into this house almost 5 years ago, and it is on the fritz AGAIN. I am considering replacing instead of repairing (since I am already up to 1/2 of the original cost in repairs) and would like to know from you fabric experts what brand you have, and what type (top loader, front loader, HE) if you have purchased one in the last couple of years.

The repairman told me that my Maytag was just made at a bad time for the company, and that he recommends Whirlpool. I am thinking about a new Whirlpool top-loader, since I have read that the front-loader HE machines can really mangle your clothes.

So, any opinions out there? (And some sympathy, since a new washer will eat up the money I was hoping to buy an embroidery machine with?)

Reply to
TinaR
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Tina..definately a top loader..I have a Sears and it is great..just find out who is making Sears for this year..

Reply to
lyn5

I bought a Kenmore top loader a few years back. The model I got has a "hand wash cycle" - the machine agitates slowly for a few seconds and then stops for a bit then agitates slowly, etc etc. This felt like a splurge at the time but I got it anyway since I don't like doing hand washing and now I REALLY like it for gently washing quilts. HTH Allison

Reply to
Allison

Hey Tina, It is so good to have you back here with us. I can't believe it has been 5 years since you moved. Gosh time flies. I have a Bosch front loader. I don't particularly get along with it but it does a great job cleaning and is water efficient which is really important here. The thing with front loaders is they run a long wash cycle. Often over an hour so be sure to ask about that. So far as the mangle clothes that has a pretty easy fix. Just run the spin cycle speed down. It is adjustable with every wash cycle so that shouldn't be an issue. Slower spin means more drying time though. Everyone that has the Whirlpool front loader from Costco seems to like them a lot. I would go for that if I had the choice again. Taria

Reply to
Taria

Thanks, Taria, I have actually been busy quilting the last couple of years! I lurk here constantly, though. My sister's children have started having children, and you know what a crop of babies can do to your quilting output - I made THREE for the last one, and there's another one due in May so I guess three is the new minimum number.

I've heard all sorts of good things about the Whirlpool front loader, also, but am not sure I would like that long cycle.

I have a contractor friend who can get me great pricing at Sears, so that is probably where I will end up getting one.

Reply to
TinaR

Whirlpool bought Maytag a few years ago, so a Maytag should not be poorer quality than a Maytag. Is conserving water important to you? If so, front loaders use a lot less water. They can also spin out more water, so the drying time is a lot less -- and less energy used by the dryer. DD has an LG front loader and likes it. You do have to be careful with the kind and amount of detergent you use; too much suds is hard on the machine. I'd have a front loader if I had my own washer. However, I live in a condo and use the washers in the building; we have top loaders. If I had my way, we'd replace them with front loaders when they need to be replaced, but we have too many really elderly people using them and I'm afraid they'd not use the right type or amount of detergent.

Julia > This is only sort of OT, since washers are sort of related to fabric. >

Reply to
Julia in MN

Thanks, Julia - I think my Maytag was made in that period when they were going under and Whirlpool had not yet bought them.

Reply to
TinaR

Reply to
Roberta

I am not from the US as you might know but would like to say I have always had a front loader, (top loaders are not popular or easily available over here.) I have never really had a tangling problem, well maybe tights( panty hose) do sometimes.

Reply to
Estelle Gallagher

I bought a front loader HE about two years ago. Never had to fix it. Love it so much you couldn't pay me to get rid of it. The only thing I didn't check well enough was the cycles it offers. I can't set a normal load to use hot water. I have to use the white cycle. Not a huge deal. I have never had problems with it twisting and mangling my clothes,ever. Sometimes it will do this with sheets but not very often and I always shake my sheets before putting them in the dryer anyways.

They are more expensive to buy but cheaper I think in the long run. My spin cycle has four settings, and I have never used it on high. The clothes only need a few mins in the dryer compared to my top loader. A load of jeans would take 60min, now maybe 20-25 if it's a really big load. They use a lot less water, and less soap. In Canada most of the time I can get the soap the same price as for top loaders so it's cheaper yet with that. And depending on what you set your cycles up for it's cheaper on power as well.

M> This is only sort of OT, since washers are sort of related to fabric. >

Reply to
Joanna

Forgot to add if you do go with a front loader, HE you must only use HE soap. From others mistakes I've learned that HE soap suds less which is good. If you use too much and the suds spill over inside it can blow the motor. Salesman told me you can use regular soap but only use 1/2 of what you normally would use. I spent too much money to take the chance. When I first got mine I really had an urge to see at least a little bit of suds but now it doesn't bother me.

Another consideration might be the size. I have the largest you can buy for household use. Because I have allergies and asthma in the house I need to be able to wash all blankets and pillows on a regular basis. I made a blanket for our bed out of old blue jeans, needless to say it is way bigger than even king size. It's heavy and awrkward so hauling down to the laundry mat was not fun. Now the front loader washes it no problem. My salesman said if I can put it in there the machine will wash it. Although he warned about putting too many heavy things in there. He said it's more about the weight then the volume. If you repeatedly wash really heavy things you can blow a belt. But I never have so I would still recommend them. Take Care Joanna Alberta

Reply to
Joanna

I like the front loaders because I often have to do big comforters that won't agitate properly in a top loader. I bought an LG after reading Consumer Reports and will never buy one again. I've put in more than half the cost in repairs and for 3 years running I've had an out of commission washer for more than 4 weeks at a time. The first was nearly 2 months due mainly to LG who doesn't keep track of their part numbers and sent the wrong parts 3 times running --- every time I've needed parts. The repairman said the majority of his repairs are on LG's. I believe that it was Westinghouse he mentioned as being the one manufacturer he had the fewest service calls for. Anyway, it was the only manufacturer that was assembled in Germany as opposed to Korea (like the LGs).

Diana H- Gulph Mills, PA

Reply to
PhillyQuilter

Another consideration - a neighbor of DS is the repairman for Sears and he repairs several brands. He says most front loaders eventually leak. You'd want to consider whether that would be a major catastrophe or a minor nuisance. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

I wonder where you read this since just the opposite has been proven many times over in independent testing. Front loaders are more water efficient and also gentler on your clothes. They also rinse more efficiently. The only drawback that I could ever come up with is that you can't dye fabric very well or toss that stray sock you find into the machine while it's running.

Val

Reply to
Val

My front loader is a lower end Sears brand (Kenmore) bought about 8+ years ago. No leaks, but the pump went out when a car key found it's way into the pump's gears. Other than that it's a winner. I can stuff it VERY full with a king-sized quilt and it comes out very nice- minus a ton of dog hair, too! I'm very pleased with it.

Leslie & The Furbabies- iced in and still coming down- in frigid MO.

Reply to
Leslie& The Furbabies in MO.

I can stop mine in the middle of a load. You just have to pop out the cycle dial and wait a minute for the 'action' to come to a complete stop. Then the door will unlock and you can toss in that stray sock. I dye my fabric in jars or plastic bags and only use my washer for removing the excess dye- I can't comment on that. ;-)

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Reply to
Leslie& The Furbabies in MO.

My 22 1/2 year old washer finally bit the dust, and I replaced it with a front loader.

Now, I was happy with my old top loader, it had a 'gentle' cycle and held a good amount of clothing.... but I am IN LOVE with my new Electrolux.

We got the Electrolux because it was the only brand that has 'switchable' doors. Most FL washer doors open on the right with the hinge on the left, so that the washer is placed to the left of the dryer (completely unworkable in my small laundry room), but we did pay a premium for it.

Caveats to the front loader are as others have said... long wash times. The high efficiency machines use less water, and have no agitator, so that the wash cycle is fairly long.... longer if your washer has a 'sanitize' feature that will heat up the water for you.

As for mangling the clothes, IMO it is exactly the opposite. Without an agitator, the tumbling motion is all that 'moves' the clothes through the cycle. The only thing that can 'abrade' the clothing is the other clothes in the load. If you wash 'like kind' fabrics together, you should have LESS damage to clothing.

I can't say how much water is saved, as I haven't gotten my new water bill. But the salesman said it uses less water than my old top loader's 'small load' cycle. Stain removal products seem to work better too. And, maybe it is because so much water is spun out, the clothes dry faster and the dryer sheets seem to impart MUCH MORE softness. I re-use them as I always have, and still seem to have a lot of softness and 'fresh' smelling clothes even with the used sheets.

Reply to
L

Also had a friend that had to replace her door seal because a credit card made it into the wash. It literally sliced and diced the door seal. So you have to make sure to check pockets, especially with kids. Joanna

Reply to
Joanna

Wow! You guys are the BEST!!! What great responses!!

I had read complaints about front-loaders mangling clothes on Epinions.

I am also leery of them because of complaints about mold forming when water stays in the bottom of the "tub". This is a concern for me, since I am in coastal Florida and NOTHING every dries here of it's own accord - I have to hang "delicates" up in my sewing room with the ceiling fan on full blast - if I leave them in the guest bath, it takes two days to dry a t-shirt, even when the air conditioner is running. My laundry room is small, and even with the door open I'd be afraid there is just not enough air circulation to dry the extra water. And once mold gets started here, you can't kill it - you can only knock it back. I thought I knew mold from living in Georgia (where it's plenty hot and humid) but Florida mold is extraterrestrial.

Reply to
TinaR

Having always used front loaders for me it is second nature to run my fingers around the rubber door seal after each wash to check that there is nothing caught in there (anything from a coin to a babysock!) and that nothing has damaged it. They can just fail from old age, but getting in the habit of checking ALL the pockets in clothing is the best way to prolong the life of the seal. It can be lucrative too, get the money before it is laundered ;-)

Lizzy

Reply to
Lizzy Taylor

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