New Clothes Washing Machine Day

[MarkF48]

The 30 something year old Maytag washing machine bit the dust yesterday, so need to buy something. I've got a well, wouldn't mind saving on some some water, so wondering if the 'high efficiency' washing machines are any good. I've read reviews of people that like them and reviews of people that don't. Most likely considering a top load type as those seem to be the least problematic compared to a front load.
I can be sure with todays technology whatever I buy will not last 30 years

 

[DrRod]

I'm no expert but everyone I know who bought a new machine is shocked at how long the cycles run. My neighbor has a front loader that takes 70 minutes for a normal wash. And I've heard nothing but bad reviews on the front loaders -- they look cool but not many stars posted in their review columns.

 

[Jim Nelson]

We bought an LG front loader 3 or 4 years ago and it's been fine so far, bought a Maytag before that and it lasted 3 years and gave it up. Our young neighbors bought a Samsung 2 years ago and it literally exploded on the 3rd or 4th use with only a mattress cover in it. Luckily no one was near it at the time.It also tore up the drier when it went.Lowes was on top of it and replaced both units immediately,It took a while for Samsung to come through. From the research my friend did it's not that uncommon for this to happen and there are lawsuits on going.Usually iy is due to overloading they say but not in the case of my friends.
They are great when they work but there have been problems.

 

[IslandTractor]

The new high efficiency machines are very different from the Maytag. We've had a Kenmore (Bosch) for the past 15!years that is still going strong. The cycles do take longer but use less water and spin the clothes much drier so you make up time and energy in the dryer. Overall I like it better than the traditional washers.

We also still have a 30 yo Maytag at our summer place so we use both types. Only real advantage of the Maytag is that you can do most maintenance like belts or valves yourself. The Bosch is too complicated and a more precise machine. The difference is rather like carburetor compared to fuel injection.

 

[oosik]

I've got a Kenmore front loader. Had it eleven years now and no trouble. The "normal" cycle takes 50 minuets, uses a whole lot less water and does spin the clothes dryer. Its been a very good, trouble-free washer for me. And, not that it makes any difference, but I'm on a well also.

 

[downsizingnow48]

We have LG high efficiency front loaders at the city place and the country place (well water 30-40psi). They have been flawless for 5 and 2 years respectively. There is a fast wash cycle for people who are in a hurry.

 

[boomer1025]

Get yourself a Speed Queen washer

 

[MarkF48]

We typically hang clothes out on the line in the summer. The wife has heard the HE washers spin so much water out of the clothes that wrinkles stay in the clothes when hung out. Any experience with this or do most of you use dryers?

She also has concerns that it uses so much less water that she can't believe the clothes can come out as clean(?)

 

[SJay]

Get yourself a Speed Queen washer

I enjoy working on washers and have repaired my front load stack Maytag unit on multiple occasions. Had a church member give me a 6 year old Samsung front load and found that the spider arm was completely destroyed. I replaced the spider arm and it is working great. Definetly take a look at the Speed Queen

 

[aczlan]

We typically hang clothes out on the line in the summer. The wife has heard the HE washers spin so much water out of the clothes that wrinkles stay in the clothes when hung out. Any experience with this or do most of you use dryers?

She also has concerns that it uses so much less water that she can't believe the clothes can come out as clean(?)

My parents switch to a front loading washer in the early 2000s and it paid for itself in reduced water bills in the first year. The clothes came out just as clean and they were very happy with it.
I have considered going to one for us but our washer ( a housewarming gift from my mother-in-law when she bought a front loader back in 2007) just won't die and the front loader that my mother-in-law bought to replace the one that she gave us has needed to be worked on several times at a few hundred dollars each time.


Aaron Z

 

[TractorGuy]

When our 25 year old Maytag got replaced (wasn't dead yet) I went and bought all new Maytag appliances. The washing machine turned out to be an Amana with Maytag's name on it and was the worst piece of the bunch. It failed just outside of the 2 year warranty and got replaced with a bottom of the line Roper which is still operating today. The wife decided she wanted a matching dryer so I gave the Maytag to our daughter and bought a Roper to match the washer. It too died just out of warranty but they were so cheap I bought another one of those. It isn't a perfect match but is still working and I guess it's 3 or 4 years old. The Roper washer is probably 5 or 6 and is still running. No fancy electronic machines for us as long as basic simple ones can be bought.

Still using the Maytag branded stove, microwave, and dishwasher but had to replace the refrigerator this year.

 

[Gary Fowler]

We had 3 front loaders since 1990, all Kenmore brand. The first one lasted 15 year before a computer board had to be replaced at about $300 but luckily we just signed up for a extended warranty for it for $100 so that was good. We gave it to our daughter when we built our retirement home in 2010 and bought all new Kenmore appliances for the house. The new washer crapped out with some unfixable computer problem or something after about 5 years. So far the new one (also a Kenmore) has not had any issues.

We use them because of the lower water use and have not seen any problems with cleaning. They do require the HE type detergent which is about all I know about them since I buy the detergent and wife does the washing. I think they are much gentler on your clothes than the old agitator machines that used to tie clothes in a knot and even tear rips in shirts.
They do cost a lot more than you can get a low end top loader for but I think they are about the same price as a top of the line top loader.
Sister in law has a top loader (Whirlpool I think) and has had all kinds of repairs needed. I think everything on it except the outside cabinet has been replaced, (tub(was damaged when out of balance sensor failed) end bearings on tub, all kinds of sensors, computer boards etc ). The keep repairing it on the home warranty even though the repairs cost more than a new washer. Last repair on Friday last was over $500 in parts alone. She has got her moneys worth on that home warranty.

 

[not2old]

Our 16 year old Kenmore front loader started to get real loud when spinning which I attribute to a worn bearing that holds the tub. In two different places ,when I tried to order parts, they told me that they didn't repair front loaders due to too many comebacks and the rude costs involved. When I told them I was planning to do the labour myself, they replied that the bearing wasn't available alone, it was attached to a new tub. I got the hint and have ordered a new pair with the longest warranty I could find. I'm near 70 and expect that if I live to life expectancy that I will have to buy another pair someday. Didn't buy ones made off shore as I learned that lesson the easy way but I still wish real quality was available.

 

[David Wayne]

We bought a Whirlpool Cabrio, used it 2 years and got rid of it. Always smelled musty, even after running the "wash the washer cycle". Didnt get clothes clean. Maybe ok for someone that works indoors, but not a muddy ditch or the grandsons football uniform. I would hose them off and still took muddy cloths out of the washer. Now we have a good ole made in the USA speed queen with a mechanical dial and no computer boards. Salesman said it would make a little more noise because it has metal gears rather than nylon. It uses more water but the clothes come out clean.

 

[MossRoad]

Get yourself a Speed Queen washer

Amen! :laughing:

Speed Queen AWN432S with mechanical controls... :thumbsup:

It has an ECO cycle if you're so inclined, or you can use the Heavy Duty cycle and use all the water you need to.

Top Load Washers - Speed Queen - Home Laundry Equipment

 

[KennyG]

We bought an early Kenmore front loader almost 20 years ago. It worked well but was not reliable. We now have two laundry rooms and a 12 year old Meile and a 10 year old Whirlpool. Both have been trouble free and I would not consider anything but a front loader.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Get yourself a Speed Queen washer

I enjoy working on washers and have repaired my front load stack Maytag unit on multiple occasions. Had a church member give me a 6 year old Samsung front load and found that the spider arm was completely destroyed. I replaced the spider arm and it is working great. Definetly take a look at the Speed Queen

We bought a Whirlpool Cabrio, used it 2 years and got rid of it. Always smelled musty, even after running the "wash the washer cycle". Didnt get clothes clean. Maybe ok for someone that works indoors, but not a muddy ditch or the grandsons football uniform. I would hose them off and still took muddy cloths out of the washer. Now we have a good ole made in the USA speed queen with a mechanical dial and no computer boards. Salesman said it would make a little more noise because it has metal gears rather than nylon. It uses more water but the clothes come out clean.

Amen! :laughing:

Speed Queen AWN432S with mechanical controls... :thumbsup:

It has an ECO cycle if you're so inclined, or you can use the Heavy Duty cycle and use all the water you need to.

Top Load Washers - Speed Queen - Home Laundry Equipment

Do yourself a huge favor and get the Speed Queen. Not fancy or painted with some metal flake color, but gets your clothes clean!

I personally know of at least 4 horror stories associated to front load washers, and 1 horror story with an HE top load that would not fill with water for a full load.

 

[milkman]

Get yourself a Speed Queen washer

Have had a Bosch front load washer for close to 10 yrs. zero problems, I had to replace the heater in the matching dryer.

Speed Queen, my uncle liket Speed Queen wringer washer so well in the '50s that he wouldn't buy a TV because he couldn't find one made by Speed Queen.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Have had a Bosch front load washer for close to 10 yrs. zero problems, I had to replace the heater in the matching dryer.

Speed Queen, my uncle liket Speed Queen wringer washer so well in the '50s that he wouldn't buy a TV because he couldn't find one made by Speed Queen.

Hah! I wish Speed Queen built cars.

 

[smstonypoint]

How do the Speed Queens compare price-wise?

Steve