Washer/Dryer Opinions Needed!!
 

Okay. I've been reading a post about color catchers and see lots of comments pro and con front loading machines. I'm getting ready to buy a new washer and dryer in the next few weeks and am leaning toward a HE front loader. Throw those opinion at me - why should I buy or not buy a front loading machine? I know I can count on you guys to tell me like it is!! Thanks!!

I bought a Maytag HE front loader washer and the matching dryer. I use the recipe for home made soap in it. I have had no trouble at all and have owned it 1 year. The clerk told me to leave the door open after I finished using it to make sure the rubber seal was thoroughly dried each time or it would develop an odor. No problem. I leave it open until it is dry and I have no odor. It cleans wonderfully, saves on water. It super spins so the clothes go into the dryer drier and the dryer uses less electricity. Most of the clothes come out of the dryer, go on hangers and go straight into the closet. I bought the raised drawers for the units to sit on to save bending over. I totally love everything about both machines.

I love my HE front loader- it uses much less water and is so much easier on the fabrics than the old top loader. Only drawback for me is that I can no longer felt in the machine.

Have a front loader....works wonderful. The only draw back that I see is that when you are unable to 'soak' in it. Other than that, I leave the door on the washer open until dry and there is no order

I love my front loader -- have owned it for over 10 years. I use less soap and water. I can stuff a sleeping bag into it, and it comes out thoroughly wetted and cleaned, whereas in my agitator machine it just floated in the same position through the cycles and came out with clumps of wet powdered detergent folded into it. I have successfully felted mittens and pieces of woolen sweaters that I cut up and use for pot holder innards. They don't have an agitator to get tangled in a length of fabric. My old machine's agitator once got tangled in a bra and ripped the straps off, and once got tangled up with a sleeveless shell and stretched one armhole to elephant proportions. I'll never go back. Oh, and I used to live downstairs from a woman who had a machine with an agitator that pumped up and down. It was like having a trampoline squad living overhead.

If you're wanting a front-loading washer, for the size, you can get the same in a top-loader. I have an LG, which is every bit as big as most front-loaders. It's HE and has no agitator.

Have front load, LOVE IT!!! LOL, but I would consider getting the stands also, to cut down on bending. I didn't because I didn't think it would make a difference but now I think it would!

About the dryer - if you are in an area where natural gas is available, consider a gas dryer. We had one and it was so much more economical than an electric one.

I'm one of the ones who posted about the color catchers and had to have the repair person come out. Now I and everyone on here know about this so it isn't an issue any more. Anytime there is a new product that comes on the market something like that can happen but once you know you also know to take measures like pinning it to the fabric or putting it in a mesh bag to keep it out of the pump. Years ago it happened to a friend of mine with a baby sock and a top loading washer.

I love my Maytag front loader HE washer. It uses less water, it senses how big your load is and fills it accordingly so you save on your water. I can honestly say that my water and electricity bill went down when I got my set. You can wash more clothes at a time with a front loader than a top loader. I use the laundry detergent at the store that says HE on it which is easy to find even in the cheaper brands and it works great. If I could go out now and do it all over again knowing what I know I'd buy the same ones again. It was and is a good investment. I think that with all appliances though if you can afford it buy the best warranty plan you can afford to get you thru the most yrs. This is only the second washer I've owned in 23 yrs and I've only had this one for 1 1/2 yrs so that tells you how long the other one lasted. Actually it was still working but I put it out to pastor when the outside housing rusted away from the frame and it really made a lot of noise when it ran. I figured 21 1/2 yrs was good enough. I hope I'm half as lucky with this one.

My front loader has a soak feature so that isn't with all front loaders.

I used to use those top loaders. At Christmas my daughter gave me her old set (less than a yr old) because she got a new set after they rebuilt their house after the flood in Minot. She didn't have the drawers, but if I could afford to buy them I would so I didn't have more knee issues. LOVE the washer and dryer. takes less water & soap and everything comes out a lot cleaner than in my old machine and dries a lot faster in the dryer. would never go back to a top loader.

LOVE my front loader! Wouldn't buy anything else! It is HE so buy soap from Costco. Uses far less water. Can wash my hand washables in it. Knock on wood...7 years and counting...no service calls! Also got rebate from either the water or electric company (don't remember which) so that was nice. Love not having an agitator as well. If you do buy the washer, remember to leave the door open some (if you can do safely around kids). I found mine develops a bit of a musty smell since it was either washing clothes and wet or closed if not in use.

I too, responded to the color catcher thread. I love my front loader-uses less water, less soap, less electricity and the clothes are cleaner because they don't set in the dirty water like a top loader. Mine is whirlpool. I didn't buy the stands because I thought they were too costly but I would have liked to have had them if I had the extra cash. Do your research but I would highly recommend the front loader. Make sure you use the HE detergent or you will ruin the machine.

My sweet daughter in law bought new machines ---- I love all the choices they come with, but I absolutely HATE the front loading washer - it was very difficult for me to put clothes in and especially difficult to get wet, heavy clothes out. I am active, but that is miserable for me and hard for me to see. Also, the washing machine door has to be left open and in her laundry room that is a nuisance. She is a small, young lady and she said it is a bit awkward for her too to get wet clothes out. I love the "chimes" on the washer though to let you know what cycle and when its done :-)

Some of the newer top-loaders are every bit as efficient and large, as the front-loaders. MY LE is HE, has no agitator, and has a huge tub. I use the same detergent I used, before (All liquid), which just happens to be HE. It also has a see-through lid . . . and plays a happy tune, when it's finished. :)

I can see I have some looking around to do! Great information from everyone! My old washer/dryer was a Whirlpool XL stack unit which I loved as far as the service and the way it operated. I just don't want another stack unit and thought I should take this opportunity to get something more efficient. This one was over 10 years old and worked great. Unfortunately, I had a garage fire which started close to the unit that it burned it so badly that the insurance adjuster had to ask me what make it was. I didn't even know they made top loading HEs! Thanks for your comments!!

I have moved 3 times in the last 12 years and each time I left my front loading Neptune behind with the new owners.
I continue to buy front loaders for they are just so energy efficient, use less water , detergent and they clean sooooo much better than the top loaders did. I have had them in side by sides and also stackables. I have no plans to go back to the agitator style. I am on 6 years with the most recent ones and we have not had any repair calls or other issues.
Thanks.

I have front loading Kenmore top of the line washer-dryer with the pedestals. I love them for their efficiency, how they get the clothes clean, and that they use less water. I do have a soak feature which I like. They are so much bigger than the old top loaders. They also spin out the clothes so they are damp dry. They have also decreased both my water and electrical bill. (I don't have the steam washer, though. My sister-in-law got one of those and she had nothing but trouble with it. She told me the problems, but once I decided not to get one like that, I put it out of my mind.)

I have an HE top loader. It uses less water and detergent, just like the front loaders, but doesn't have the odor problem, and I can open it up if I dropped a sock or something on the way to to machine! But I know the front loaders are much cooler looking than the old fashioned looking top loader, but not cool enough for me to spend several hundred dollars more !

I love, love, love my Maytag front loader and dryer. I leave my door open and wipe the rubber band dry so it does not develop an oder. My towels are so much fluffier. I used to store six high on a shelf and now I can only put four high there. I am so impressed at how much cleaner everything is and softer. The only thing I can say is buy the extended warranty. I had my set two weeks and the dryer had a ticking noise so I called and the repairman came out. It was free of course but he asked me if I had purchased the extended warranty and I said no because at the price I paid it should last. He said they don't last like they used to and a visit is $250 plus the front computer panel on the dry is $400 and the washer has 4 so it could really be expensive. I went the next day and got the warranty. It is 5 years on both plus 10 on the motor for the washer and was $400. I am glad I did it. Just wanted to be safe for a while. Good luck.

I say a little prayer everytime I do a load with my old style washer that it hold out and gives me many more years.
It seems with every appliance I replace the newer one is just made cheaper. Just bought a kkitchen aid efficient dishwasher and it takes 2.5 hours to do a load of dishes (how is this efficient?) Everything about the dishwasher just feels cheaper.
I wouldn't buy a front loader because of the price, the mold factor and the fact that I would have to buy the drawer because I can imagine it would be physically difficult without it.

I've had both and the only 'problem' with a front loader is that you can't pop that extra sock in if you find it after the wash starts. The front loader uses less water and soap and is quieter.

I have the front loading Maytag washer and dryer....both 10 yrs. old. I did buy the extended warranty and make a point of having both maintenance checked every year. So far, no problems. The basic charge I see that I save is almost $200 each visit for EACH machine. I also have a fridge with the extended warranty. I once had to have a small part replaced. Saved over $400 because of labor. I'm a fan of the extended warranties......As for the front loads, I like them, but like so many of you, will definitely get the drawers next time. I have gotten "old" over the last 10 years and I would like the added height. I have not used the HE soap but do only use 1/4 C of the regular stuff. No problems.

I love my front loader. I have a Kenmore elite washer and dryer. I have owned them since 2005 and have had no problems. The clothes seem to get extra clean and have never had whiter whites.

I've had a Maytag front loader and matching dryer for over 10 years and I love them. The washer has presoak, stain cycle, extra rinse, max extract, delay wash hand wash, delicates wrinkle free and cotton/sturdy push pads and the start push pad is also a pause one . Many's the time I've pushed pause to throw something else in. Just have to wait for the door to unlock which it does with an audible pop. The dryer has wrinkle prevent, wrinkle release, air fluff, senor dry and time dry push pads. Around the time remaining window are wrinkle prevent, cool dry, very dry, blank, normal, blank, damp dry pushpads. There's not much I can't do with them. Ihave successfully felted wool in mine also. I do have the drawers underneath and because I'm short it makes it a liitle harder to reach the push pads (they're on the back of the washer and dryer)but I manage.

Oh, and I've never lost a color catcher. When I fear there will be a lot of color migration I use two. I' ve had some really red and really blue ones.

I have had my front loader for 6yrs and I love it. It is great for short people who can't reach into a top loader to get socks and sm items. I have a pedistal for both mine and It saves my back from having to bend over if it was too close to the ground.It does save on water and soap.I am able to put clothes in it that I couldn't other wise because of not having to get twisted in a wringer type machine. It is great for delicates and sm loads.It is well worth the difference in cost.

I go for the machine with the fewest bells and whistles. the first set we had had features i never used so when it died i went basic.
My sister bought a front loader (she's on a well, thought it would be better using less water) . Never did like it. when she replaced it she went back to toploading.
DD has frontloader and loves it. i think the only thing it doesn't do is fold the wash LOL

I have a front loader stacking w/d combo. The one piece of advice I gave my daughter when she was looking at them is to make sure the washer has a pause button so that you can open the door and put in or take out laundry. Mine doesn't and there are a number of times I wish I had one. Other than that I like it. I'm not as fond of the gas dryer. It takes a lot longer to dry clothes than the electric dryers we've owned.

My mom had a front loading washer in the 50's, so these are not the newest thing. They are just a revival. My front loader pair sitting on pedestal drawers saves my back which has had several back surgeries. They save us money each month on our electricity bill. I use the homemade detergent which also saves money. In a few very short years they will be cheaper than buying top loading machines due to what they have saved us each month. The pain they have saved by being able to reach straight in to the clothes and not ever having to bend over is beyond calculation.

I hate front loaders. Had one for about 7 years and then it quit working. Seems the drum rolling at high speed breaks the 'axel' (don't know if that is what it is really called) after that amount of time. Repair is as costly as buying a new top loader, so that's what we did. Our previous top loader had lasted about 15 years, so the front loader was a huge disappointment, and, as far as I'm concerned, replacing it more than used up any water bill Hsavings we had while it worked.

My sisters front loader recently broke - after 6 years of light use. We had an old top loader outside on our patio for a year - DH was supposed to junk it, but never got around to it. He brought it to her house, hooked it up and it works just fine. So my sister was able to save the $$$ that would have been spent on a new HE front loader.

We got our front loading W& D from Home Depot they sold as a set for 999 I believe. I do NOT miss the top loading washer at all.The front loaders use less water and detergent. Which in the long run save you money.The set are Amana's the only downfall from getting it from Home Depot was that the installers broke the mount on the storage riser which caused undo stress on not only the washer but me also.They did make it right though after many many calls.Just a little tip for anyone ordering the risers there is a package of bolts and protective feet covers that you are to get when you buy the riser,please make sure you get them ,the first one installed that got broke they kept those out of both risers.I only found out about them after they replaced the one,needless to say I called the installers and told them I was not happy they stole them from us as we were the ones who paid for them ,they did nothing to make it right either so buyer beware I guess.

I just recently replaced my 29 year old top-load Maytag with one as close to it as possible. It is a Maytag commercial size and cost about half of what the front loads cost. My old one saw me through raising 8 kids and washing diapers as well. I like my new one very much so far. Good luck in whatever you choose.

I have a Maytag front loader & dryer, and chose not to get the pedestals because I use the top surface to fold my clothes. It would have been too high with the pedestals. I like the w/d, and the washer does have a soak cycle; however, it is really just an extended wash cycle. At our vacation home we have a GE top loader, and when I buy old quilts that I want to soak overnight I take them up there and soak them overnight in an Oxyclean solution. I really like the front loader--it works great except for that one thing. Have had trouble with the dryer--although it works well, we have had to replace the handle THREE times! The plastic part just snapped right off!

I have a top loader, but if you have the space-its eventually your choice-I use a special cleaner for the Maytag Washer & Dryer that we bought (use it in the washer)and I use HE soaps. I have no problems with smell, I leave the top on my washer open just out of habit.
We don't have the space for a front loader-but I really do suggest getting the extended warranty on the front loaders. I have an extended warranty on the top loader. Saves money when that machine decides to quit !

I bought Whirlpool Duets--front loaders. Since I am 5'8" tall I also bought the pedestals so that bending over is not an issue. Love the machines. I do leave the washer door open and the soap dispenser open (told to me by the repairman). He also told me that Maytags were not what they used to be....much cheaper and bad reviews now. Also LG takes forever if you need parts. Obviously I asked the repairman lots of questions when my old machine was being repaired. Whirlpool does offer an extended warranty on their basket (my machine was made before they improved the basket, so got it repaired for free). I have a laundry tub for soaking items and/or use a bucket with Oxyclean when necessary. When I researched machines (and I really searched them all out)...whirlpool was top rated.

My front load that is only 6 months old has a smell. I use front load cleaner almost weekly. Yes the door gets left open too.

I miss my top load!!! The front load does spin them so the drying time is less.

I've heard that they make a machine that washes and dries in one unit.

I have Whirlpool Duets. Love it. But do leave the door AND soap drawer open. Mine now has crud that grows above the softner holding area (on the machine, not the drawer, but in the drawer cavity on top). I do not seem to ever get rid of it, even after scrubbing with a toothbrush and bleach. Creeps me out a little!