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.

I love my front load machine which we have had for about 5 or so years. Clothes are cleaner than ever and the machine does not beat them up. We are still using our old electric dryer and the washer so efficiently wrings out everything that they also dry faster in the old dryer than with previous machine. I think you will love it. But as to your question about pedestals. In the store where I bought mine they have a "scratch and dent" area and I was able to buy one for $60. It really is not damaged but it does not "match" the washer. Washer is white, pedestal is gray and it makes no difference to me. Our laundry room is in the basement so it just didn't matter. I would not want to do without one though. It would be very inconvenient in my opinion. The machine is not noisy nor does it seem to vibrate. My daughter, who lives in a different state was also able to find a mismatched pedestal at a decent price. So you might want to check around. I sure don't blame you for not wanting to spend that much on a pedestal.

We opted for no pedestal. My husband and I are both on the short side and didn't want to have to get a step stool to get clothes out of the drier.

I have a new front load washer and dryer. I opted not to get the pedestal for the cost, and because I am only 5'2". I do not have any regrets. I don't feel that the units are too low or that getting wet clothes is any problem. I will say that the washer uses less water, less energy, less detergent than the old, and it cleans much better. It also does such a great job spinning that the dry time (and energy) has been reduced as well.

I always wanted a front loader b/c of the economic factor. Never again. I can't tell you how many times I've started the wash and oops, a sock or a dirty washcloth. you can't open till it's done. Nevr again, ill get a top loader from now on. don't notice a cleaner wash either. and you have to clean it out about once a month too. Good luck to you.

Lynnie,

We have the Maytag Epic front load, and all I have to do is push the
pause/stop button and it will stop unlock the door for which I can add
the missed item.

Close the door push and hold the start button and away it goes again.

Guess I never knew not all front load machines could do that.

our whirlpools work the same way to add a missed item.

Had front loader without a pedestal and used it for several years. Then we added the pedestal. Then we moved and got new washer and dryer with the pedestal. Definitely if you have the means get the pedestals. You will not be sorry.

Our washer recently gave up the spirit so I too when with a top loader with no agitator. It's a Maytag and gets the clothes much cleaner then my old washer. Of course I'm short and when I reach in to get the last of the clothes out, I sometimes feel I'll fall in and be found next time a wash needs to be done.

I have pedestals for my Front Loaders and I store things in them One has light bulbs and misc. and the other has washing related things in it. I have a formula I use for fabric softener 2 cups hair softener, 1 cup vinegar and 6 cups hot water.

Google "homemade pedestals for front loading washer". Lots of alternatives to purchasing them from the machine manufacturers.

I recently replaced our 'dinosaurs' with a front loader set by Amana. I'm 63, in good health. The bending is no issue for me. The savings on water usage far exceeds any physical limitation issues. Front load washers only use about 9 gallons as opposed to 50 plus gallons to wash, rinse and rinse again with the top loaders!

I agree with this. I have had mine for several years and after the first year the company (name brand) refused to pay for the repair persons visit. My husband finally got it working decent after not being able to keep it balanced. but it likes full loads which is a problem for just two of us. My daughter has the top loading like yours and I so wish I would have gotten that one but after well over a thousand dollars can't replace. JMYO.

We purchased the Samsung W&D with pedestals when we bought our house. I just "had" to have the fancy ones with all the bells and whistles. I wish I had the old fashioned top-load type where I could control water level, etc. In order to wash a load that would have taken 20 -30 min. with the old type takes 102 minutes with the new type, and there is no way to control the water level. IMHO, clothes actually don't get as clean as they do with the old type W&D. The new type is part of the energy-saver that I think is a government requirement now.

My GF found two sets of the old fashioned top-load W&D on CL and bought them. She said as long as she can get parts for them, she will continue using them. If I could sell my set at a decent price, I would do the same thing...

I only have a front loading washer. i did not get the pedestal and have no regrets for not doing so.

I love my front loaders and the pedestals I can put all my laundry soap softers and such in the drawers

Pedestals - yes.

I don't have pedestals on mine and don't mind the bending. I love to fold the clothes on top of the machines and spread out my "piles" as I'm folding - put the folded on the washer and the unfolded on the dryer. If I had the pedestals, they'd be too high for me to fold on. I guess it would depend on your laundry space/room.

Mine are on pedestals, and I like them. But, one other warning. If your washer is not completely level the bleach
dispenser DOES NOT completely empty, leaving bleach to dispense into the next load. I ruined a load of brand new
towels. I do not use the bleach dispenser any more due to the problem. We even had the service repair out to
evaluate the problem. (Used the warranty) He could not get them any more level than we had them. Mine are
Frigidaire Affinity (both) Plus to clean the washer, I use vinegar to the max line in the soap dispenser and a 1/4 cup of borax in the drum. Set to rinse and spin. Start, just let it run the cycle. Nice and clean. (and no bleach left over to ruin
things)

We inherited the front loaders in our home we bought 4 years ago. IMHO they are no only over rated and overpriced, they under perform. The washer is eco-friendly. That means there is no hot water; just warm. It does have a "hot" water selector but it's a placebo. It does not spew forth steaming hot water like we have in all our faucets throughout the house. Ask you salesperson about this. The washer takes longer to fill because it is a "water-saver" and it doesn't get the clothes as clean as our "old" top loaders. The dryer stinks. No other way to say it. We have a 5x3 rug in the bathroom with rubber backing. The dryer simply does not dry it. No matter how long it's in there. We have to ask our neighbor to dry the rug for us. Guess what style dryer she has? My sister fell for the front-load marketing a few years back. She did nothing but complain about them for the reasons I mention. After 2 years she gave them away. She replaced them with a lovely set of top-loaders, a few years old, and is happy she did so. Need I say more? Just don't fall for the advertising and appearance. These are appliances, not home decor.

I have a top loader, but my DB (bachelor)has a front loader and when I am there, I hate it before I get the laundry done. I am a short person, but leaning over like that is a real PITB. I would suggest you get the pedastals.

I have Samsung front loader washer and dryer.
They both have a pause button that you can stop the cycle and add garments.
You only have to wait about 10-15 seconds for the washer to unlock.
No wait time for the dryer.
I also think my wash is cleaner than with my very very old top loader.
My daughter had scorch marks on her comforter which she tried to dry in her too small dryer.
My washer got out all the scorch marks. She was amazed.
I did not get the pedestals, but I also am a short person.

I do not have them. My dryer is stacked on top of the washer. The washer is front load and has a big opening. I have never missed or thought about having a pedestal. $500-$600 yikes! How about Craigslist? I do have back issues.

This is also a great idea. I know in europe the floor often is slightly elevated under the washer or dryer but it is only 4 inches or so. I am not sure if it is for the plumbing or to raise the machines.

Who would of thought that buying a washer or dryer could turn into a traumatic experience? We had to replace our wash machine earlier this year. I had no idea that washers had changed so much in the 18 years since we bought our last one. It was very hard to to decide. I did some research but it didn't help.
We've made our own washing detergent for years and the new machines don't like them at all ( I was told using it would void any warranty), so now we also have to buy low suds detergent. The machine weighs the clothes to determine how much water to use. The cycles are much longer then our old one. My family says I'm just a cranky old lady. Perhaps they are right--I miss my old washer, I could tell by listening to where it was in the cycle. I sure hope my dryer hold our a few more years- I still use my clothes line for many things. There is nothing like sun dried linens.
These are suppose to be my "Golden Years", I'm afraid there is more "Rust" then "Gold". Happy Wash Day.

We had mine installed so they stack. My laundry room is a tad bigger than a guest bathroom. My husband built me a laundry station as we call it and a large deep drawer for my laundry supplies.

They used to rattle a bit when on spin cycle but turning down the spin speed helped. I have no problems reaching into the dryer, nor using the controls. Being 5'4" we thought that might cause problems.

I have the regular front loader here at home and the washer with no agitator in our other home. The disadvantage of the front loader is you have to leave the door open to let it dry and if you don't have an area where the door can hang open, you won't be happy with the frontloader. I would not want the front loader without the stand...too hard on the back. They both clean efficiently.

I always wanted front loaders and pedestals but now that I have one I hate it. They off balance so easily and bounce up and down. Give me the older models

I am sorry to hear about the homemade laundry detergent issue. We are moving to a house where there is a front loader - Whirlpool Duet. I am leaving my old top loader here - it is over 20 years old and don't want to move it. My idea was to use the front loaders til I can get myself a set of old fashioned top loader with agitator and regular dryer after we are settled in.

I have been making my own laundry detergent for several years, powder, and it makes zero suds. I wonder if that would be a problem in the new house? I have done laundry there and it is fine enough for what I did, but it is very noisy. It is on tile on the main level, not a slab, so wonder if we put cushioning under it would it be quieter.

It doesn't have pedestals. I don't need them. I'm short and it isn't a problem for me. Plus I like to fold on top of the machines.

Personally I would never get a front load washer, but concerning your pedestal question.... Probably depends on how tall you are, I'm fairly tall ( 5'9") so having to get on my knees to reach get the clothes out.... So for me pedestal would be needed.

I'm about 5 feet tall and have no pedestals, but hubs is 6 feet and its hard for him to get the clothes out. His 70 year old body doesn't bend like it used to. I have the LG brand, it has a pause button so you can open the door and throw in that sock you dropped. It also has a sanitize cycle which is a pre-wash in hot water only. It has several options for hot, warm, cold combos. The thing I don't like about it is that if I don't dry the inside of the washer and dry under the rubber sealing gasket it smells and mold forms.