Ok, boring topic. But I have been trying to figure out what type of washing machine to buy.
First thought was a front loader; we have well and septic and the advantages of reduced water useage, gentler on clothes, and excellent cleaning ability are balanced by long cycle times, reported mildew build up on the front seal, and difficulty in getting repairs done.
Maytag has a calypso model that uses a small agitator but I hear it is hard on clothes.
Most perplexing is a new type of machine, the Maytag Neptune Top Loader, that has these two relatively flat agitators on the sides and has low water useage (but higher than a FL model). I can find nothing on cleaning ability, cycle time, or an other difficulties with it. It is so new that even the Maytag home page doesn’t mention it.
Last choice would be a standard agitator type, but I am in the mood for a change. Anyone have any advice?
Well FWIW we have had a front loader (Maytag) for several years and have never had a mildew problem on the front seal or anywhere else. We don’t live in a particularly humid climate however (New England). The cycle time is noticeably longer than for our old top loader (which was itself fairly new when we replaced it) but the front loader is also significantly quieter than any other washer I have ever had.
We haven’t needed to have any repairs done yet in 4 years of fairly heavy use.
Well, we currently use a front loader that’s about 30 years old: the only repair we’ve had to do is a new belt. I don’t know if the previous owners did any repair work, however. No problems with leaks, mildew, etc., etc., and I’m in a climate that can be rather humid.
The main problem I have with the front loader is that I find my clothes get very twisted up in it. That, and it’s a bit too small to handle blankets.
Plus, it’s fun to watch the clothes go 'round and 'round!
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We have a Maytag Neptune front loader that we got about 5 years ago. We haven’t had any problems with the front seal or mildew. We did have to get a repair done under warranty, and it dealing with Maytag was a phenomenal pain in the ass. I even wrote a Pit thread about it, but I can’t find it. (It may have been during the Winter of our Missed Content.) After dealing with the repair department, I’d be highly reluctant to buy another Maytag appliance.
That said: The front loader is far superior to an agitator machine. It is noticeably easier on clothes. I’d never go back to a top-loader. They stress the water savings, but there is huge savings to be had in having your clothes last longer. Plus, it washes a queen size comforter with no problem.
You get used to the longer cycle. Since the washer is larger capacity, I guess it sort of balances out. Besides, the washer has a “max extract” spin feature that really sucks the water out, so it spends less time in the dryer–also better for your clothes.
The one real negative is that you’re limited as far as the detergents you can use. You’re supposed to use “HE” detergents, which are formulated to be less sudsy. As far as I know, Tide is the only brand that makes a powder HE. It’s a little hard to find, and never goes on sale. On the plus side, it works really well.
Frankly, I don’t see why you’re even considering options other than a front loader. Your water issues make it a no-brainer.
I’ve got a Maytag that has the extra big drum so I can toss a quilt in there. I’ve had it probably nine years with no problems.
My dryer is a Kenmore. It came with the house when my husband bought it 25 years ago. We’ve made minor repairs, but that sucker just keeps on keepin’ on.
I have the Calypso. I’ve had it for two years and never has it been hard on the clothes. I just had to have a new pump put in and I did have a leek around the drain hose. The dryer pannel had to be replaced. I’ve heard they have problems with all the electronic things on them. I’m not sorry I bought it. During this time I moved out of a third floor apartment. So I’m thinking maybe the move didn’t help. The warranty has been great. I’ve had no problems in getting it fixed. Would I buy another one? I’m not sure. I still have lots of time on the warranty, so I have time to think about it…
No, a top loader uses more energy, although a high efficiency top loader can be pretty damn close. A big savings is in water volume, with the front loader using lots less. Does anyone know anything about the Maytag Neptune Top loader that has these two flat agitators on the side of the steel drum. It’s supposed to use only a little more water, and energy than a front loader without the problems like moldy gaskets. But does it have a slow wash time like the FL’s? Also the agitators take up space
We bought a frontloader some years back, and had few problems with it. I liked the lower water usage, though I must say I scarcely noticed a drop in my water bill, and I didn’t have any difficulty with the detergent issue or the twisting up of clothes.
On the other hand, when we moved we left it behind and are now using the old toploader left by the previous owners of this place, and this one has been just fine too.
I would recommend either style; just wouldn’t recommend a Maytag.
Front loaders are definitely superior for energy use, water use, and the clothes come out a bit drier so they save on drying too. I think the coolest thing is if you design your laundry room around a front loader, you can put a countertop over the washer and dryer. Great for sorting and folding.
We use a Kenmore front loader at work to wash our cleaning stuff and have run about 6-8 cycles per day for the past 18 months. We have experienced no problems with the machine and the spinning makes the contents much dryer than the top loader. Its a little more hassle getting stuff in and out of it but the reduced water and drying time has me considering getting one for my home. Water is expensive here and I don’t want to waste to much.
I installed my first front loader about 6 years ago, and like it well enough that I have now bought 3 of them (I keep buying houses that don’t come with a washer/drier)
The first time, I went with the front load because I was installing them in a condo, in the kitchen, and I wanted to be able to run a countertop over the top of the washer/drier.
I liked it well enough to keep going back to them, even once I had more space.
Green Bean mentioned having to use a special soap. I’ve never found this necessary. I HAVE found that I can use less soap then recommended (half to a third), because of the use of less water.
Random other bits:
I love the amount of stuff I can fit into one load.
The front load can be a bit of a pain to get to, because the door is close to the ground (manufacturers are now selling stands to put them on)
Depending on the floor, they can be loud. It happens during the spin cycles, when the drum gets spinning very fast.
There are models out there with delay timers on them, so you can have the washer run while everyone sleeps or is at work/school.
If you go front load, you CAN’T add anything to the load after you start it. That sock that fell out of the basket on the way down is going to have to wait.
As far as the mildew issue? We haven’t had a problem, but we have wondered if it could be a problem. So when not in use, the door is propped open.
