I’m in the market for a new washer and dryer. This will be the first “big appliance” that I have ever purchased. I’d like some opinions from those who have gone though the whole process. I see that there is a pretty big price difference in some of the higher end models that have the Steam Clean function. Is it worth it? The idea of never having to iron or dry clean is cool, but is that true? Also, what is the big deal about top loaders? I’m afraid that I’ll go to the store and buy one and wind up paying a few hundred more for a machine just because it’s red. But this is the kind of thing I often do. I am an impulse buyer and a terrible haggler. I’d really like to make an informed, smart decision here. One of my requirements is that I want to be able to wash large comforters in it. I think I broke my current one because I kept overloading it. Help me be a smart shopper!
I just replaced our washer about a year ago and really wanted one of those cool front loader machines. But they were expensive and the capacity wasn’t that great.
Instead I went with a Whirlpool Cabrio toploader. It has a HUGE!! capacity and still runs like a front loader using less water and the HE detergent. I also like that it has a very large opening unlike the front loaders.
I can use it to wash a king size comforter which is a lot better than having to drag that thing to a laundermat.
We’ve got an LG frontloader and it’s been great. The thing can swallow a king size comforter with no problems.
Between the reduced water and energy use, and some rebates we got from the water and power utilities, the machines will have paid for themselves in about two years. The washer spins so fast that even bath towels come out not much wetter than “damp dry” which results in less time in the dryer. Less time in the dryer = less gas used. I forget the exact figures, but I think we’re spending about $40 less per month on water and energy.
Our washer does have a steam feature, but we don’t really use it much. Specifically, we’ve not done the “steam fresh” that’s supposed to revive “stale” clothes that have been in the closet for months, but I think it does squirt in some steam on the sanitize cycle that we use on bed linens every so often.
So, based on our experience, you don’t need steam, and you don’t need red. But you do need a frontloader, and you need to look into rebates from the utility companies.
We bought the Kenmore He5 Steam washer and dryer about two months ago. I have washed several comforters in it with no problems.
I’ve used the steam several times as well. Sheets, kitchen towels, that sort of thing. The downside to the steam and sanitize is that it takes longer. The upside, and I don’t know if anyone else has noticed this, but they smell fresher a lot longer than if washed in the old washer and dryer.
We do have a 15 minute refresh cycle, and it has come in handy.
gotpasswords is right, the spin is so great, the dryer works half as hard. Bonus!
We didn’t get the red. I’m not paying nearly $200.00 for a color. But I did get the pedestals, and I don’t regret that a bit.
We managed to get a pretty sweet deal on the pair, the rebate on the washer and dryer, and now from the electric company. I can’t say how much it saves though, it’s in the new house where we didn’t have any thing to compare it to, I can only compare it to the washer and dryer in the old place.
I’ll let you know later today. I just bought a new washer. It’s a Whirlpool front loader. I hope it fits in the laundry closet.
I hate buying big expensive appliances, but for some reason, we like clean clothes.
We have paperwork for a water efficiency rebate and Hydro (electricity) rebate, $225 altogether.
My parents just bought new Maytag front loading washer and dryer. They’ve been thoroughly impressed. Not simply with the energy and water savings, but that the laundry is coming out cleaner, and in less time. It’s odd to have the wash part of the cycle taking more time than the dry, but nice not to have things backing up behind the dryer.
Yeah, that does take a little getting used to, but the machine does show a countdown timer so you know when to come back to shuffle things into the dryer. If the laundry room is far away, you can get a remote display for something like $200.
The sanitize cycle is long - not that I memorize laundry times or anything weird like that, but I washed sheets on Saturday, and the time was something like an hour and 45 minutes. But they were dry in 15 minutes, so it <heh> all comes out in the wash.
We’ve been using front load washers for about 11 years now. We’ve installed 3 (each time we buy a house) so we must like them.
Things to keep in mind about them:
You can use regular detergent, but you only have to use about 1/3 - 1/2 as much. Be careful when you start out or you could have a room full of soap suds.
A front load washer needs to be an stable, level footing. They spin fast enough that they can cause vibrations, if they aren’t level.
Get the pedestals, if you have space. Having the washer a little higher off the floor is nice.
Once you start the machine, you can’t add that sock you just found. It’s just going to have to wait for the next load.
All this praise for frontloaders makes me wish my laundry center would die. It was here when we bought the house and I’ve never liked it. Damn thing must be ten years old.
I’ve never replaced an appliance unless the old one died. I think it’s a law or something.
We have six of the pedestal/bases in the garage, being used as shelving, screwed to the wall studs. They were $10 apiece because of small dents.
Me, too. I didn’t want to buy a new washer; we had to. I’ve never had so much money that I’ve replaced or upgraded an appliance just because I felt like it.
Except the fridge. I hate, hate, hate our fridge, the one that came with the place. It’s small, old and I can’t see anything inside it, so broccoli and leftovers just slowly turn to slime at the back. That I want to replace, whether it breaks or not.
Anyway, the washer’s here, and apparently we have to use special soap for it. I wasn’t expecting that.
Another agreer with gotpasswords. I love my front loader (LG). I’m a huge fan of efficiency and the savings are clearly worth the extra cost up front. Pedestals can be expensive. See if you can bargain them into your price. You might have to open up the store charge. Definitely shop around to find the best price. Clothes do take a bit longer to wash, but imo, they come out hands down noticeably cleaner. I wouldn’t pay for color, though, and I had absolutely no success in bargaining for it.
I made the switch with washing machines due to the last one dying last month. It’s 7 years old, looks new, but the belt drive gave out, as is, learned from the friendly repair guy, is wont to do. So, a $360 repair, with 90 day warranty, wheras the same Machine, new, would have a year warranty, at $450.
I asked the smart repairman: WWYD? Get a new washer. Since I’m in the South, A very informative background report of every washer his mom and grandmom ever owned, and how he began his washing machine repair career, and why His Whirlpool is still working now, no repairs, 20 years later, with lots of good info as to the working innards. Basically, they ain’t made to last, long grumble fer good reasons.
So, I’d have gone with the more basic machine, top load, but, in looking at the front load Whirlpool Duet, got that because it uses much less water. It’s the cheaper model of front loaders. Wow! Whata great machine. Why the hell doesn’t everyone go this way!! Well, soon we all wiil. Quiet, efficient, works well.
Definitely, spend the 200 bucks more for an HE washing machine.
I researched this last summer, and ended up with an LG frontloader. Very nice. The capacity is huge and stuff comes out damp, so the drying is fast. I wish I had gotten the pedestals. They aren’t required, but they can save your back. 
I also have a Kenmore frontloader, which I generally like, except for a few small gripes. Number one, all the lettering for the different settings speedily wore off, so it’s like Wheel of Fortune every time you turn a dial.
Secondly, and this is inherent to front-loading machines, I don’t think I’ve ever once managed to take my laundry out of the washer without dropping at least one item on my not-very-clean basement floor.
I agree about the stability and the pedestals (our pedestals are great for storage.)
But if I forget a sock or whatever, my Bosch Next washer has a “Pause” button so I can stop the machine and throw the forgotten item into the wash.
My front loader definitely gets clothes cleaner than my old top loader did.
Recently bought a Fisher and Paykel Aquasmart top loader that works like a front loader. It has the water efficiency of a front loader, no centre spindle and easy to use like a top loader.
We love it.