Front loaders - pedestal or not?
 

I'm about to replace my 15yo washer and 25yo dryer with a new set. Will probably follow the crowd and get a front loader but I don't know whether I want to spend the extra $500-600 for the pedestals. So I'm asking those of you who don't have the pedestals whether you wish you had purchased them. Is it hard on your back getting the wet clothes out of the washer? Hard to reach the back of the drum at the low level? The extra storage isn't an issue since I have a bank of cupboards in the laundry room and open shelving above the units now. For those of you who have pedestals, does the machine vibrate more with them (is it noisier?)? I appreciate any feedback you can give me.

I have pedestals for mine. I don't regret spending the money on them. Both my husband and I have back issues, so they do help. We are both in our 60s, so the less bending the better.

Yes, I notice the washer is nosier. My husband has put some kind of insulation or something around it and that does help.

I wish I could get pedestals for mine, but with the spot where mine
are located (end of hall, under hot water heater) there is no room.

If you know someone who is handy with cutting wood, etc... there
are some tutorials online for building your own pedestals for them.

So much cheaper that way.

Their horrible to get clothes out of at the lower level! I went with a new top loader with no agitator in the middle & I love it!! NO bending!! It also has water level sensors & only uses what is needed! Front loaders are way over rated IMHO :-)

We recently (in the last year) replaced our washer with the same kind of top loader with agitator. Thought about the one without the agitator with the water sensors. Neighbor has one and hates it. Doesn't feel it gets her laundry as clean especially, towels and linens.

I have a front loader, washer and dryer. I love them! I have back issues, so instead of buying pedestals that are way too expensive, my dh built pedestals out of wood and I use laundry baskets underneath for extra storage. JMHO

I just moved, and brought my washer and dryer with me. When I moved in I found that the previous owners left their front loaders with pedestals, even though they weren't part of the sale. I hate the front loader, because I want to have control over the amount of water used when I'm washing new fabrics or quilts, and I don't think the washer does a very good job of cleaning anything. I intend to eventually sell these machines, but am using them temporarily because the laundry room is only plumbed for gas, not electric, so I could use my old top-loading washer but not the matching dryer. I do know that I appreciate the pedestals, because they have made it easier to load and unload the machines.

I did not get the pedestals and am fine with that. Too pricey and they would have been a problem with the overhead cabinets. I'm over 60 but am managing fine. I sometimes use a tool that the disabled uses. A "stick" with a sort of hook on the end for those items that stay lodged in the back. And personally, I love my front loaders. I think my clothes are much cleaner than before.

I have front loader and love. Bend your legs - not your back. Good exercise!!!

I also purchased a top loader without agitator. I HATE it! I think it beats up my clothes. Jeans come out so tangled and twisted. My not new towels jam the dryer vent with lint- that never happened to these towels when new using my front loader. My laundry does seem clean if I do small loads. Too bad each load takes close to an hour. Whites take 90 minutes if you use that setting. Never again will I purchase a top loader. I can't wait to have a front loader again. Watch, this terrible machine will last forever, LOL. That would be my luck.....

I have a friend who purchased the pedestals for her machines and then tried to sell them. She wanted to use the tops to fold laundry and they were just too high!

Good luck, I hope you love what you buy.