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I ignored my washer's increased shaking during the spin cycle too long. Last night during the spin cycle, it was shaking, squealing, and causing so much racket I had to scream "I don't know" when my son asked me what was going on.

I should have been doing some research before now, but didn't. I like the look of the front-loading washers, but am reading mixed reviews.

Any tips, suggestions, recommendations?

Thanks!

BTW...I'll be replacing the dryer, too.

Regardless of which kind you choose, I would by a mid-range model.
I was told by a repair man that the manufacturers are making the machines to last ~8 to 10 years now rather than the 15 they used to last.
They'd rather sell new machines than repair parts. It's part of their business plan.

Get a front loader. It uses a ton less water, is gentlier to your clothes, uses less soap and has larger capacity. We bought a fridgadare 10 years ago its still going strong. They cost a little more but are well worth the expense.

If you're somewhat handy, you can replace the bearings in the washing machine. Get your model number and look it up online. You can find diagrams for most models with parts lists. My dryer was squealing last winter and for about $50 in parts I replaced the drum rollers and belt, which fixed the problem and saved a ton of money.
Might be worth looking into.

Lisa,

Sorry to hear your washer has signed off, but Congratulations on getting a new washer and dryer.

I think the type of laundry would help you decide on the type of washer to buy.

We have a front loader - the selling points were it could wash a larger load, use less water and spin the water out better requiring less drying time.

I grew up using a top loader with agitator and had never used a front loader except at the laundry mat. This is what I learned since we bought the front loader

1) It does indeed use less water.

2) Because it uses less water you need to use less detergent or detergent made for front loaders - the reason, because it uses less water the soap does not rinse out as easily. I have found front loader detergent 1 time only.

3) IMO, it does not get the clothes as clean, spining vs agitation. My whites are duller so I had to go to alternative treatments, like vinegar or baking soda. BTW, 1/4 cup vinegar will get your whites whiter and fresher smelling and is earth friendly. Clorox was not doing the job and is not EF.

4) It does wash larger loads, however if you are doing sheets, blankets, drop cloths or large towels the spining causes them to become rolled up and the items rolled tightest do not get as clean. Sometimes there are parts that do not get water at all. This really surprised and disappointed me.

When it comes time for a new washer, I am going back to the top loader with the agitating drum.

Happy shopping and good luck.

i bought a front loader a couple of years ago.

1) the total wash/dry cycle is about the same. wash takes longer but drying is a lot shorter due the front loader spinning things dryer than a top loader.

2) cleans just as well as the top loader did. the acid test for me was my golf club towels. ground in mud and grass stains that would go a few weeks between washes.

3) greasy stains don't seem to come out though. might be a function of the detergent not the machine, but since i got coupons for 3 years worth of free detergent with the new washer, i won't be changing brands anytime soon. for anything greasy oxiclean is my friend....

I would put the bulk of the budget towards a good washer. The dry spin on some washers now almost takes away the need for a dryer. If you get a good washer you can skimp a bit on the dryer..

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. There isn't much if any price difference on the HE detergent.

One thing I'd keep in mind is if the washer has a big enough capacity to wash comforters. It's quite convenient to no longer have to go to the laundromat for that.

Weirdo is right, I bought a relatively inexpensive front loading Kenmore washer from Sears and it does an incredible job of getting the moisture out of my stuff before it ever reaches the dryer. It's only a year or two old, but so far, no problems.

We have an old Maytag washer that is just a gem. Our dryer is about 6 years old. A Whirlpool I believe. We'll upgrade when we move to the fancy front-loaders.

Oh yes, if I had to go to the store today and buy a new washer/dryer, I'd prolly go to Sears and buy whatever Kenmore model.

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!

nutmeg wrote: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!

Where do you find the HE detergent? I have checked all the stores around me.

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 think I'd stay away from the washer/dryer combo, unless you live alone, they're just tooooooooo small, and even then you still have to take the big stuff to the laundromat.

We have bought the largest capacity top-loader washers we could, we've bought 2 since we've been married. One was GE, and the other was a Maytag which is still at the old house

Thanks for all the information!

When I got the Owner's Manual out, I realized my current Whirlpool washer is 13 years old. Based on Dez's info, it's time for a new one. Long gone are the days of repairing appliances; they're now meant to be disposable.

I think a front loader is in my future. I'm liking the idea of using less water and being more 'green', too. (Although I would NOT call myself a tree hugger)

Unless I find a super deal on another brand, I'll go with a Whirlpool/Kenmore and use my husband's employee discount.

I read on several sites that people had problems with mold and mildew in the washer. Anyone experience that? It was suggested to leave the door open to allow the inside to dry out. Doesn't sound like rocket science to me - I leave the lid of my top loader open to allow it to dry thoroughly after a load is washed.

One more question...I wasn't planning to purchase the base to raise the washer height. Number one, I'm cheap, and number two, a little more bending may help the waistline. Do you have the base with your washer?

PartofthePhlock wrote:Where do you find the HE detergent? I have checked all the stores around me.

Target comes up in a Google search for HE detergent. Sears sometimes sells that kind of stuff since they sell the front loaders. Several years ago when I got a ceramic top range Sears was the only place I could find ceramic top range cleaner.

PartofthePhlock wrote:

nutmeg wrote: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!

Where do you find the HE detergent? I have checked all the stores around me.

Tide has one. I see it at my grocery store.

PartofthePhlock wrote:

nutmeg wrote: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!

Where do you find the HE detergent? I have checked all the stores around me.

Nearly every brand now seems to make an HE detergent. I find mine at Meijer's where we shop for groceries.

I didn't get the base for under it and wish I had (bending is not always my friend). But it seemed to be awful expensive for what it was...

Oh, the main disadvantage to the washer is that it is not good for felting the wool purses I make. It's hard to open and check for progress
But even that wouldn't make me go back to the top loader...which used to rip up my sheets a lot...

buffettbride wrote:

PartofthePhlock wrote:

nutmeg wrote: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!

Where do you find the HE detergent? I have checked all the stores around me.

Tide has one. I see it at my grocery store.

Thanks BB and BP,

I will look for Tide and check Target too.

FunkHouse9 wrote: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 !).