Off-the-wall advice question

[nottaclue9]

I'm faced with having to buy a new washer/dryer. I want the top-loading type of washer. Am being driven a bit bonkers trying to make sense of reviews as I realize that basically, I'm just dealing with one company that makes the same product.

Any advice on a good set? I will not buy another GE! Other than that, I'm open.

 

[Britton30]

I have always had good luck with Whirlpool laundry equipment, I have a set 14 years old and all is fine. I did replace the agitator cogs and washer lid switch, no issues with the dryer though. I got them at Lowes.

 

[Lava King]

Like you said, there's basically one company (Whirlpool) that makes most of the major appliances for nearly all the name brands.

I'd say get the feature set that you want at the lowest price you can find and don't worry too much about the name brand attached to the machine.

Or, if there's an appliance repair shop nearby, talk to the repairman and see what he recommends. Note that he will probably be biased.

Anecdotally, I have a Maytag washer that is over 11 years old, it still works and looks like new. My Sears Kenmore dryer is pushing 30 and still gets the job done (I've had it for 11 years). Had to replace the igniter a year or so ago, but other than that, works fine. Note that I am single so my laundry equipment gets much less use than the average setup.

 

[whs]

I would never buy a top loader. That is pre-WWII technology. They are very rough on your clothes and do not clean very well. A Whirpool front loader would be my choice. If you are lucky, you get one that comes out of one of their German plants that they got from the former Bauknecht company. That was a top make right up there with Miele (which are the world's best).

 

[Britton30]

True Wolfgang, although I've always had a top-loader without hurting my clothes, I have sox and shirts from my school days, lol.

A front-loader uses a lot less water and soaps and the tumbling action I think will clean better.

 

[The Howling Wolves]

Never had a washer or dryer....Just turn the clothes inside out and when they wear out or smell real bad I donate them to Britton30.:roflmao::roflmao:
THW

 

[whs]

Now I know where the smell comes from when we have westerly winds,

 

[Anak]

We have a Kenmore He 3t Elite front-loader made by Whirlpool that's been with us for 10years or so now, knock on wood.

The wife likes it better than top-loaders because it's easier on clothes as the clothes tumble on themselves for agitation, and it uses less water and detergent unless you get a High Efficiency (He) top-loader then they're almost on a par with each other.

Some things to consider:

• If you go with a front-loader and don't order it with the door opening from the left as you face the washer you will have to place the washer to the left of your dryer, think about it; With the door opening from the right and the washer to the right of the dryer, you will have to lift the clothes over the door to put them in the dryer. Top-loaders don't have this problem.

• Check with the salesperson if you can have the washer door hinged from either side if you need them to open from the left, some manufacturers can do this. It's too hard even for an accomplished homeowner because different parts are involved. It may delay delivery, but it will save down the road during installation. I had to swap the plumbing and electric hookups for our set.

• If you do get a front-loader all the controls are on the front and the back wall may look unfinished because the top-loader hid that area, might have to break out the paint, if it bothers you.

• If you do get a He washer don't use regular laundry soap, use soap specifically made for He washers. It's a kin to adding dish soap to your dish washer and you'll be pulling SUD faults (scroll down a bit).

• Usually don't need a pedestal for a top-loader, but its nice to have for a front-loader.

• We've shied away from washer's that have "steam feature's". We had a bad experience with one years ago an haven't liked them since, don't know if it was the washer or how it was hooked up. I'm sure there have been improvements since then, but we're not interested.

If you've read this far it may sound like I'm partial to front-loaders, but there is an old sayin'; If my wife's happy, I'm happy.


Some helpful links:
Appliance411 The Purchase: Who Makes What?
Appliance411 The Purchase: Who makes Sears Kenmore? Ours has a 110. prefix, that makes it a Whirlpool.

One woman's view:
The Great Washing Machine Debate

Added this one in case you need plumbing or electrical help:
InspectAPedia.com - Building & Indoor Environment Problem Diagnosis & Repair

 

[nottaclue9]

Wow, I knew you guys would probably have some thoughts on this, but I basically got a PhD dissertation here. Thanks so much. Excellent information.

The reason I don't want to get a front loader is because of my physical limitations. Very hard to load/unload the washing machine. I don't have the room to build a stand for them, either, as there is shelving & cabinetry above the plumbing area. So, top loaders... My dad has the Bravos, and I have washed my stuff up there when I stay with him. If I were a sicko who absolutely loved to iron, they would be great. But my clothes came out looking like they'd been wadded up by the Incredible Hulk.

So, in checking out the top loaders, I get wildly varying reviews on both Maytag & Whirlpool. These are customer reviews from Amazon, so I take them with a grain of salt. I still have to do some more research, but I am very grateful for all of the viewpoints on this board. I trust you guys way more than Amazon!

 

[whs]

When I moved into this house, I first had a Maytag. It was a miserable machine - very poor engineering. It did not wash anything. The Maytag people told me that I had to pretreat the wash before washing to get the dirt out. I was wondering why I needed a washing machine then.

I now know why the Maytag man has nothing to do all day (if you remember that commercial). Everybody RMAs their junk machines. I returned mine and got a Bosch. That works perfectly.

If I were you, I would go with Whirpool.

 

[carwiz]

The best machine I ever used was my grandmother's ringer-washer. It would clean anything. That was back when soap was soap though and not a box of salt. It was fun to use too but you had to watch your fingers.

 

[nottaclue9]

Good to know, whs. Love your Maytag man comment! I've been checking out the Whirlpools, but the dryer that goes with the washer isn't very good. I can't stand those dryers that have the lint screen in the top of the machine; that lint goes everywhere (including up the nose) when you remove it.