Washer/Dryer Recommendations

[Big Phan]

I have a Kenmore front loader and I LOVE it. It is quieter. It holds more stuff. It almost dries the clothes. The salesman recommended a mid range dryer to go with it and I love it too. I did get a large capacity dryer since the washer is large capacity and I like to do as few loads as possible.

The front loader does have a tendency to tangle jeans a bit, but I can live with that.

I always use the HE detergent with it.

I had a friend and one of my sisters who had a Maytag front loader and had lots of trouble with it not draining correctly and getting musty smelling...That was a few years back so maybe they have corrected that problem.

Anyway, the Kenmore is great and so far it has run like a charm!

I absolutely hate folding clothes so I tend to wash medium-sized loads so I don't have so much to fold at one time. I think I'd go nuts folding a super-large load of clothes. I know, I'm still folding the same amount of clothes, but the shorter stints of clothes-folding are more tolerable to me. I rationalize smaller loads by thinking the clothes are able to slosh around in the washer better thus getting them cleaner. Weird, I know.

[FunkHouse9]

You can find HE detergent right in with all of the other detergents in nearly any store. They just have a logo on the bottle that tells you it's HE.

[buffettbride]

I have a Kenmore front loader and I LOVE it. It is quieter. It holds more stuff. It almost dries the clothes. The salesman recommended a mid range dryer to go with it and I love it too. I did get a large capacity dryer since the washer is large capacity and I like to do as few loads as possible.

The front loader does have a tendency to tangle jeans a bit, but I can live with that.

I always use the HE detergent with it.

I had a friend and one of my sisters who had a Maytag front loader and had lots of trouble with it not draining correctly and getting musty smelling...That was a few years back so maybe they have corrected that problem.

Anyway, the Kenmore is great and so far it has run like a charm!

I absolutely hate folding clothes so I tend to wash medium-sized loads so I don't have so much to fold at one time. I think I'd go nuts folding a super-large load of clothes. I know, I'm still folding the same amount of clothes, but the shorter stints of clothes-folding are more tolerable to me. I rationalize smaller loads by thinking the clothes are able to slosh around in the washer better thus getting them cleaner. Weird, I know.

I do med size loads too for almost the same reason. It also dries faster.

[AlbatrossFlyer]

I'd go with a front loader. Do keep in mind, front loaders sometimes require that you use high efficiency (HE) detergent. My understanding is that if you don't use it, among other things, it can cause the seals on the door to dry out and then they can leak.

I wanted a front loader but the hubby gets Consumer reports and the above sentence is what stopped me. I don't want leakage. Anywhere. That's why we have those metal water hoses going into the washer instead of the rubber hoses (which harden and split and cause MAJOR leakage !).

HE detergent is low sudsing. has nothing to do with drying out the seals...

the trick to keeping the washer from getting smelly over time is to leave the door slightly ajar. otherwise the inside will never fully dry out.

[Big Phan]

It is time to replace our washer and dryer, but I'm hesitant about a front loader.....I'm just not sold on them....maybe because I grew up with a top loader???

I know the feeling, Molly. You'll notice I called the top (oops...meant front) loaders 'new-fangled' in the poll...guess they aren't quite so 'new' anymore, just different from what I'm used to. I think I'm gonna take the plunge, though. I know I've never put this much thought into a washer before.

[springparrot]

It is time to replace our washer and dryer, but I'm hesitant about a front loader.....I'm just not sold on them....maybe because I grew up with a top loader???

I know the feeling, Molly. You'll notice I called the top loaders 'new-fangled' in the poll...guess they aren't quite so 'new' anymore, just different from what I'm used to. I think I'm gonna take the plunge, though. I know I've never put this much thought into a washer before.

Please let me know what you think about your new washer


Larry wants this one

with flames painted on it....don't think the flames will happen

[AlbatrossFlyer]

It is time to replace our washer and dryer, but I'm hesitant about a front loader.....I'm just not sold on them....maybe because I grew up with a top loader???

I know the feeling, Molly. You'll notice I called the top loaders 'new-fangled' in the poll...guess they aren't quite so 'new' anymore, just different from what I'm used to. I think I'm gonna take the plunge, though. I know I've never put this much thought into a washer before.

the original washer was a front loader, top loaders came later...

[chippewa]

I don't remember anybody using it, but we always had one of these in the basement when I was growing up. Cheap, too.



Or you just just use Dean's abs.

[Big Phan]

It is time to replace our washer and dryer, but I'm hesitant about a front loader.....I'm just not sold on them....maybe because I grew up with a top loader???

I know the feeling, Molly. You'll notice I called the top loaders 'new-fangled' in the poll...guess they aren't quite so 'new' anymore, just different from what I'm used to. I think I'm gonna take the plunge, though. I know I've never put this much thought into a washer before.

the original washer was a front loader, top loaders came later...

I didn't know that...thanks for enlightening me!

[Big Phan]

Or you just just use Dean's abs.

You want me to walk around in dirty clothes, don't you?

[PartofthePhlock]

I don't remember anybody using it, but we always had one of these in the basement when I was growing up. Cheap, too.



Or you just just use Dean's abs.

It can second as a musical instrument too.......that is if you put thimbles on your fingers.

[springparrot]

It is time to replace our washer and dryer, but I'm hesitant about a front loader.....I'm just not sold on them....maybe because I grew up with a top loader???

I know the feeling, Molly. You'll notice I called the top loaders 'new-fangled' in the poll...guess they aren't quite so 'new' anymore, just different from what I'm used to. I think I'm gonna take the plunge, though. I know I've never put this much thought into a washer before.

the original washer was a front loader, top loaders came later...

I didn't know that...thanks for enlightening me!

Me either---my Grandma had a wringer washer and it was a top loader.....I wonder how the front loader wringers worked?

[Big Phan]

Please let me know what you think about your new washer


Larry wants this one

with flames painted on it....don't think the flames will happen

I'll let you know! I think I better get off the computer and go look for one.

Wha??? No numbers on the side either? Purty, though!

[springparrot]

Please let me know what you think about your new washer


Larry wants this one

with flames painted on it....don't think the flames will happen

I'll let you know! I think I better get off the computer and go look for one.

Wha??? No numbers on the side either? Purty, though!

Please, don't encourage him

[PartofthePhlock]

You can find HE detergent right in with all of the other detergents in nearly any store. They just have a logo on the bottle that tells you it's HE.

Thanks for the heads up on the HE detergent ......my life is way to sheltered...I need to go shopping before my rubber seals to dry out. ..

[Mrs. TTG]

I am on my 2nd set of Kenmore washer and dryer. I wanted the front loader, but decided it was too expensive at the time. I have been pleased with my Kenmore's.

[Salukulady]

I don't remember anybody using it, but we always had one of these in the basement when I was growing up. Cheap, too.



Or you just just use Dean's abs.

My mom raised 3 of her 5 kids on one of these...yikes!

When I was a teenager my dad bought a used Maytag....it lasted my mom until I was 30, so 16 years ago when it was time for me to buy a washer, I insisted on a Maytag. I got the full size Maytag stack combo. The best $$$ I ever spent. We have 4 kids and run the hell outta that thing everyday. Have had to replace the firing coil on the dryer twice and a belt on the washer once. It works like a gem still. When I went to buy a new dryer coil, the repair place I got the part from, asked me how old it was. When I told him, he said I got a good one. It seems Amana bought out Maytag about 10 years ago, so if you buy a Maytag now, you're just getting an Amana, a good washer but not a true Maytag. The people at the parts place told me to stay with my old Maytag as long as I could keep it running. They are the best.

[Big Phan]

Thank you, everyone, for your helpful suggestions and comments today!! Come Tuesday (I really tried for Monday ), mi casa will have the following:


Kenmore Elite He3T. I couldn't get a picture of the dryer to post, but it matches the washer. Not top of the line stuff, but it works for me.

It was on sale plus an additional 10% off. I got a mail-in rebate form for the delivery cost and for the cost of hauling away the old stuff. Mr. BP will get an additional 20% discount through his employer. It balanced out to not much more than a regular top loading washer/dryer set.

I passed on the $199 board that sets on top so you can fold clothes (WTH, like the top isn't already flat???), the $199 storage bin that holds detergent, fab softener, etc., and the washer and dryer bases that cost $239 EACH.

Now, I'm off to see if I can coax a few more loads out of the old washer!

[Big Phan]

My mom raised 3 of her 5 kids on one of these...yikes!

Yikes is right! Sometimes I forget how 'easy' we have it.

Good luck with your Maytag. My Mom had the same one for a looong time - close to 40 years.

[springparrot]

Thank you, everyone, for your helpful suggestions and comments today!! Come Tuesday (I really tried for Monday ), mi casa will have the following:


Kenmore Elite He3T. I couldn't get a picture of the dryer to post, but it matches the washer. Not top of the line stuff, but it works for me.

It was on sale plus an additional 10% off. I got a mail-in rebate form for the delivery cost and for the cost of hauling away the old stuff. Mr. BP will get an additional 20% discount through his employer. It balanced out to not much more than a regular top loading washer/dryer set.

I passed on the $199 board that sets on top so you can fold clothes (WTH, like the top isn't already flat???), the $199 storage bin that holds detergent, fab softener, etc., and the washer and dryer bases that cost $239 EACH.

Now, I'm off to see if I can coax a few more loads out of the old washer!

WoooHooooo
Let me know what you think when you've used it for awhile