high efficiency top load washing machines....and quilts
 

i have to buy a new washing machine. love my front load HE washing machine...but am really looking hard at the top load HE's....does anyone have any opinions? do they eat quilts???

betsey

I continue to have mine (10 yrs old) repaired because of the stories I've heard about the high efficiency ones not allowing you to add enough water. Check it all out before you buy one, especially if it is a water saver. I don't aggitate my quilts, so "eating" them has never been a problem.

I opted for a new top loader that does not agitate. It has a hand wash cycle that is perfect for washing fabric and quilts. It's different then the delicate cycle. I do not get thread tangles or raveling when washing fabric, even fat quarters. My laundry doesn't have heavy soiled items anymore from play or work so washing the clothes to death wasn't a concern when I was choosing a new washer. The washer does not fill up with water, it swishes and rotates. I don't think I saw a new toploader that had an agitator the moved the clothes like the washers use to be.

I have an LG top-loading HE washer. It's very large, has no agitator and has a see-through lid . . . and I love it! It adds water, according to the weight of the items being washed. Although the water level usually looks "too low," my clothes have always come out clean and well rinsed. If I want more water (for "first" washes), I wait until it adds water, then pause and open the lid; it thinks I'm adding more clothes and will add more water. For larger items like blankets/quilts, there's a "bulky bedding" setting, which fills the tub almost to the top. This is the one I have - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/LG+-+4.5+Cu.+Ft.+12-Cycle+Ultra+Capacity+High-Efficiency+Washer+-+White/9753888.p?id=1218167393996&skuId=9753888&st=LG wt5001c&cp=1&lp=1

Our son and DIL have a top-load, HE that does not have an agitator. With a new baby they are doing wash constantly. While I was there visiting, I had the opportunity to use it a couple of times and was very impressed. I have a front loader that I love, but when it needs to be replaced, I will be looking at the HE top-loader.

Thanks Neesie for your recommendation of the LG top-loading high efficiency washer. I have actually pinned it on Pinterest so when my current washing machine dies I will be able to remember what was recommended! I really dislike my current washing machine but it came with the house when we bought it and DH definitely doesn't believe in replacing appliances before they are worn out. He knows I don't like the one we have and is on notice that the new one won't be cheap!

The only comment I'll add here is to look at cycle length times. When researching a new dishwasher purchase, everything that I read said how the cycle times had been so extended. Because the DW's (and guessing clothes washers as well) are so low water consumption that the wash and rinse cycle times have been extended unbelieveably. My DW takes over 2 hours to run a cycle and that's without drying time! So, while we're saving water with our appliances, we're using considerably more electricity to run them!

I've no idea how long my dishwasher takes (also HE) but I do know if I need anything, in a hurry, to wash it by hand! LOL I think the longest my washing machine takes, is about 55 minutes. Problem is it's really hard to even find a good non-HE machine, anymore.

NJ Quilter has a point. My daughter has the newest front loader that they make. The wash cycle takes an hour from start to finish. My "old" washer takes 20 to 30 minutes. It would take less but it takes a long time to fill with water, and it has a super big tub. (When I got it I had several kids at home and lots of blue jeans to wash).
Sue

i'm shopping on line currently. did go to home depot last night. unfortunatly, i don't have a choice, i do need to buy a new washing machine. as i have well water and septic...i do need to think about how many gallons of water i'll be using each load....