As posted previously, we recently purchased and just had installed yesterday a Bosch top loader washing machine. Our choice was made after much research and input from people who post to alt.sewing. I did not get the LG because there were gazillions of complaints on extreme vibration if it was not situated on a concrete floor. And I said no to the Whirlpool due to previous poor experience despite that it is a highly rated and popular machine. We got a great deal on the Bosch with an extra $200 off over Memorial day because my DH is a Vietnam vet and an addition $100 rebate. Overall, I am quite pleased with the machine.
What I like: It's a very nice looking machine and sturdy. The manual is huge but that's only because it's printed in so many languages. Despite my fears, the machine is quite easy to use, unlike many other electronics that are ridiculously complicated. It has plenty enough options including both Delicate and Hand Wash cycles. I was able to wash my underwires without any problem whatever in the Hand Wash cycle which does not spin at all. When it is done, you set it to drain the water and it does so without spinning. Very cool. The pedestal is just high enough for me.
You can set it for an extra rinse which we need right now since some of our things have residual detergent in them. It also has a 2 hour soak cycle. Our clothes came out noticibly cleaner the first time I used it. It does spin out an amazing amount of water and I can already tell that the dry runs much less (I still have my old dryer). There are many different cycles, several for cottons alone, woolens, delicates, hand wash, "permanent press" (can't believe that terminology is still in use!). In addition, you can set any of the cycles at quick wash, power wash and other things. You can also revise any of the cycles to your liking.
What concerns me:
Some articles come out quite twisted and knotted up--- shirt sleeves, short 1 yard lengths of fabric and other things--- and somewhat more wrinkled that with my top loader. I am not pleased about that and contemplating how to prevent that. Another problem, now resolved, was that despite the very long drain hose, it popped out of the drain pipe on the second run spreading water everywhere. Fortunately I happened to be in the room at the time and was able to stop it before the flooding got out of hand. We used duct tape to secure it. It's a flexible, not stiff, hose unlike the one for my previous 20+ year old top-loading Maytag. Seems like they should have designed a clip to prevent that from happening. After all the troubles we've had this week, that was just another hassle we did not need.
We also cannot find a lint filter. I find that weird.
Phae