Partially based on the replies that I got from this thread, I bought a set of LGs. They are great.
I figured out the model that I wanted, found the best price on the internet, brought the print outs to Home Depot and they matched the price.
Our infant top loading washer (around 4 years old) died right before Christmas, and our dryer was on the way out. We looked around and read reviews and ended up buying a Bosch front-loading washer and dryer. Waited 3 weeks for delivery but have been happy so far. We paid less than $1300 for the pair but it was a special circumstance involving a Sears staffer who quoted me a price that was about $200 less than the going rate per every other person I talked to that day. So I insisted on that price and got it.
We’ve had them a couple of weeks and while the washing time is significantly longer (usually at least an hour) the drying time has been cut drastically. They are also both very quiet, and many times I don’t realize my husband has started a load until I walk into the kitchen and see the drum moving. So far we’re happy, and we’re taking steps to try to prevent the mold issue by drying off the washer door seal and leaving the door open for an hour or so after running a load.
I have a cousin who has ran a repair shop for over 30 years. At a recent family reunion my wife made a “lonely Maytag repairman” joke which lead to a discussion about brands. His opinion was that Whirlpool were the most reliable.
My advice beyond that would be would be to make sure you have the full installed price when comparing. I’ve ran into high delivery charges and last minute requirements for “installation kits”, etc.
Seconded. In consumer reports, “Roper”, a bottom price brand although it is made by Whirlpool or somebody, has the least repair problems. We have one. I got it new at Home Depot for $200.
I had a very fancy Neptune front loader. I hated it. I like the soap rinsed out of my clothes and it didn’t use enough water to properly rinse. I wound up running it many cycles to get the soap out, wasting time and electricity and saving no water.
With the top loader, I might run one extra rinse cycle or maybe a full extra cycle for hard to rinse items like towels.
My only regret about the Roper is lack of a gentle agitation mode. I am sure the model one step up probably had it, and I should have got that.
Dryers are all the same. They heat and tumble clothes. Prefer gas to electric, if you have a gas connection, as they are cheaper to run.
Most front loaders require the use of HE detergents for this reason. The down side to HE’s, less brand selection. The up side, less soap required.
Leave the door cracked open when not in use. That came in the instructions for our Kenmore front loader.
Love it by the way. The capacity is fantastic.
Yes, I used the HE. I wonder how many of you have actually looked at the rinsewater that is coming out of your machines. Even top loaders are putting out a filthy soapy mess after only the first rinse. If instead of rinsing you run a hot cycle again, there will be just as much suds and sometimes even more than the first wash cycle. All washers leave an ungodly amount of soap and dirt in the clothes unless you go for an extra rinse cycle or two.