Washers and dryers

The people who are buying our house asked to have appliances included, so I am on the hunt for a new washer and dryer. To maximize space in small condo laundry room I'm thinking about purchasing front-loaders and stacking them. I've found out that they're several hundred dollars more expensive than top loading washers. Is it worth the extra money? Any suggestions on what to look for?

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

Try a combo washer/dryer unit. They do not need a vent to the outside and run of regular household electrical circuit. I LOVE mine. Best deals are at Sear Appliance outlet stores. Very efficient with water and power. There is a small learning curve but the handbook is GREAT. Kenmore offers a clone of the LG or Samsung one at a MUCH better price. Get the "large" version, since it is somewhat smaller than what you may be used to. People in Europe, where electricity is VERY expensive, have been using similar machines for at least 15 years, maybe much longer.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/2019 10:23PM by walesmaven.

I'll look into it. Never knew there was such a thing!

@walesmaven wrote:

Try a combo washer/dryer unit. They do not need a vent to the outside and run of regular household electrical circuit. I LOVE mine. Best deals are at Sear Appliance outlet stores. Very efficient with water and power. There is a small learning curve but the handbook is GREAT. Kenmore offers a clone of the LG or Samsung one at a MUCH better price. Get the "large" version, since it is somewhat smaller than what you may be used to. People in Europe, where electricity is VERY expensive, have been using similar machines for at least 15 years, maybe much longer.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

I was told by a Maytag owner not to buy LG washers or dryers. My Maytag is 35 years old still working.
Front loaders tangle clothes and leave an odor, you need to wash your washing machine.

When they first came out, front loaders were able to use far less water than top loaders, which made them a better deal in the long run. However, top load washers have improved and can be quite competitive in terms of efficiency.... Odor: One of the things you HAVE to to with front loaders is leave the door open when they are not in use, otherwise, water will collect in a few places and become rank.... We had a front loader for years and it died not long ago. We were going to get another, but, due to space considerations, chose to go with a top loader.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

Kathy..I love my stackables, don't take up room and use less water, it is a top loader. I am leaving mine for the new buyers as well, along with my Fridge and they want to buy my dining room, so, I'm glad someone will take care of it. I don't entertain anymore, now I don't have to worry about what to do with it. Don't buy LG, parts are impossible to get, mine is a Fridgidaire/heavy load 17 year old never had anything wrong and works like new.

Live consciously....

Consumer Reports lists an LG model as their top pick. I wonder if something has changed since you got your advice?

@shopper8 wrote:

I was told by a Maytag owner not to buy LG washers or dryers.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

NO PROBLEMS with any of the things mentioned. I have had mine for 3 years. Just real the detailed manual and you will LOVE them! The people who wrote the negative reviews obviously did NOT read the instruction !!

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

Walesmaven my negative review is based on my daughters large capacity front loader, which I use frequently when I'm there. I have read the manual so I could figure out how to clean it. Also we leave the door open after every wash. What brand do you have? What instructions are you talking about. This is an Electrolux front loader, the clothes sometimes turns into knots, I have to untangle before putting them in the dryer. I just want to wash my clothes. Your answer was negative.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/2019 06:47PM by shopper8.

Kenmore Elite
3.5 years of constant use. No odors. I came with a large instruction book that addressed, in turn every bad thing that some customers had said in reviews, and exactly how to properly program the machine to avoid exactly those "problems." It is a clone of the Samsung or LG. See Consumer Reports for reviews.Your local library probably has that. Unfortunately, the brand that you are familiar with does not get good reviews at all.

I did a LOT of research before buying and saved about $500 by buying a former floor model, with full warranty, at the Sears Appliance outlet store. BTW, the current tariffs have added 25% to the price of washers and dryers. The importers ARE passing that on to the consumer, not absorbing it.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

As Kathy noted, LG is THE top rated brand. Samsung is a close second. Mine is a combo washer/dryer.... all in one unit. AS I stated, Europeans have been using this type for at least 15 years. Super versatile and super efficient. LG is rated tops for reliability.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

When doing a job, I asked (for myself) and was told, LG has problems getting parts, so I didn't want that.
I'd only get parts made in this country to avoid stress, but washers/dryers are made well and energy savers
today. I heard Samsung is rated #1, but you still can't beat Whirlpool or Maytag who have been in business for a zillion years, or mine which I mentioned above. I sometimes wonder if these European countries pay for ads saying their #1...just a thought.

Live consciously....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/2019 10:17PM by Irene_L.A..

Consumer Reports does not do ads. They do research by testing products and surveying thousands of owners of the products. It is the online reviews that I distrust.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

So this thread made me get up from my chair to go look to see what brand of washer and dryer I had. I have a Whirlpool cabrio washer and dryer. I remember getting a good deal on them as they were the floor models being sold because a newer model just came out. Before that, I had a stackable unit that was here from the person before me. It was old. Though it never happened, I was always afraid that it would tip over if the load became unbalanced...lol.

Kim

Kathy, do a shop st a big box to get the pros and cons of LG and Samsung appliances. I did one a few months back and was very impressed with LG. The salesperson told me that all of her appliances were LG and she had one issue in 17 years (due to something she did, not mechanical). She said local technicians were dispatched with stock parts in a matter of days.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

Funny honny, I did Best Buy on a job and was told the oppsite about LG, saying Samsung was #1, but since I've never used that brand, only know what I was told, but as we see, different strokes for different folks...I think they make them all well today, and having a friend with a LG T.V., he said its too computerized for him. I remember when Boise was the best, and I replaced my dishwasher with one, and the pump stopped working after 3 months, my warrenty just ended, and they gave me such a hard time and expensive price to fix it, I used another company, go figure. Personally, I want easy to use, not computer driven, as more "chance" for things to go wrong.

Live consciously....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2019 04:33PM by Irene_L.A..

Avoid Samsungs washers! They had a recall on mine (it was a 2012) and they sent DishTV techs out to do a bandaid fix on it. I even wrote the US president of Samsung about my issues and got nothing back. I dumped that washer for $500 and found out the new owner had to fix it two more times and then take it to the recycling center.

One very important caveat about front loaders...make sure you can access the debris trap easily! It's a filter much like the lint trap on a dryer that catches stuff before it goes out to clog up the water drainage system. I had an off-brand (Affinity, I think) which had the trap UNDER the machine so I would have to turn the whole monster on it's side to clean the filter. And lemmetellya, front loaders are twice as heavy as top loaders. Also, if the trap gets clogged, it may prevent the machine from running at all and even when it is not completely clogged, definitely contributes to the odor factor. Pennies stewing in muck stink. Other popular items to be found in the trap: bra underwires, entire pieces of clothing such as socks, underwear and bras. They slip in through the side wall. A front loader, like in laundromats, had been a life dream for me but a non-commercial one was a nightmare instead. YMMV

I love my stackables because the filter is right there and easy to clean...top loaders the only way to go.

Live consciously....

I never understood the appeal of front-loading washers. Top-loading washers have been just as efficient, long-lasting and cheaper than front-loading.

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

My back prefers one, lateral motion from washer to dryer. For things that do not go into the dryer, it prefers to pull wet garments toward my solar plexus. But this is just m, and just now I have reliable old machines that involve a top load washer and front dryer. These work well and are cheap to maintain. They do not make my back happy, but they make my pocketbook happy.

it's an ergonomic thing...

@Tarantado wrote:

I never understood the appeal of front-loading washers. Top-loading washers have been just as efficient, long-lasting and cheaper than front-loading.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu

In laundromats my clothes always got cleaner in front loaders. But personal machines must be different from industrial ones. I guess there are other variables as well.

I have a stackable unit like goes in apartments. Top loading washer and dryer on top. It looks small but washes blankets and comforters with no issues. That being said, I have done a couple of shops lately and if you go with LG or Samsung (or anything that isn't whirlpool or maytag) you might want to seriously consider getting the extended warranty so that if something does go wrong you are not SOL.

I am not impressed with my front loaders. Yes, you need to leave the door open on the washing machine so it does not get mold. I do not like leaving the door open all the time. My clothes got cleaner when I used my top loader and the washer and dryer lasted over 15 years with zero problems. I have had the front loaders for about 5 years and the quality is not the same but I guess they use less water and it does play a little song for me when the clothes are done. I just want my clothes cleaned quickly and thoroughly, don't care about the little song.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/05/2020 02:22PM by teriraia.

Many of the new, energy efficient top loaders specify that the lid must be open when not in use. My front loader only needs the door to be ajar about 1 inch to "air out."

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

You did not mention a brand name, but I can say one thing. All front loaders were not created equal. My fancy schmancy brand name units were overpriced and they under-performed. Other brands or models probably provide more value than the fancy schmancy units did..

@teriraia wrote:

I am not impressed with my front loaders. Yes, you need to leave the door open on the washing machine so it does not get mold. I do not like leaving the door open all the time. My clothes got cleaner when I used my top loader and the washer and dryer lasted over 15 years with zero problems. I have had the front loaders for about 5 years and the quality is not the same but I guess they use less water and it does play a little song for me when the clothes are done. I just want my clothes cleaned quickly and thoroughly, don't care about the little song.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu

I have LG stackables. Instead of having dried on gunk I can't see in the top loading washer, I have a cleanable gasket around the opening of my front loader. It's a tradeoff. I've had no trouble finding parts; unfortunately, I am about to replace the bearings for the second time in 5 years. We had lots of kids here, though, and lots of laundry. I think now that our last is on her way out it will cut down on wear and tear.

We got an LG washer and dryer a few years ago. I hated it initially due to the small amount of water it used and no agitator. I just couldn't wrap my head around the clothes getting clean in so little water and no agitation. Then I finally found a way to add more water to it by pushing the extra rinse button until it beeps once to add more water to the wash cycle. It was a sort of hidden little tidbit of info. I do have to say that my clothes are just as clean as with my old Whirpool, even when the water level is low. Now that I'm used to it, I like it. I can do Queen sized comforters and blankets with no problems. It's a top loader. Dryer is fine. It also plays music when finished. haha

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain

I love my front loader (not stacked.) I have never had an issue with clothes tangling, although it does happen with king size sheets (I kind of expected that). As far as odor, I just wipe the seal down every few washes and I do wash my washer. It has a self cleaning cycle option that takes 4 hours(!!) so I just do it occasionally at night or when I am at work. We don't pay for water (well) so the water savings are not a factor.

@Tarantado wrote:

I never understood the appeal of front-loading washers. Top-loading washers have been just as efficient, long-lasting and cheaper than front-loading.

I had to replace my washer a few months ago. Space limitations meant sticking with a top loader. I have a devil of a time getting things out of the very bottom. I have to hang over the side with one leg in the air. Seriously. Much to my surprise, I also had an issue with odor which never happened with my old machine. Running a cycle with hot water and vinegar then one or two with clear water took care of the problem. If I need to do that occasionally it's still worth it because my water bill has gone down.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

Washers and dryers

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine