Washing Machine features

MrsAmers

Our washing machine died yesterday (Happy Mother's Day!), so we're headed out tonight to choose a replacement.

Any features that your machine has that you love or hate?! This one came with our house, so this is one appliance I've never shopped for before.

Thanks!

egpitt22

HIGH CAPACITY.

Seriously, ours has a bunch of other bells and whistles, I'm sure it could do a lot more than I use it for....but the high capacity has been life changing.  Get the biggest one you can find.

Luckystar2

egpitt22 said:

HIGH CAPACITY.

Seriously, ours has a bunch of other bells and whistles, I'm sure it could do a lot more than I use it for....but the high capacity has been life changing.  Get the biggest one you can find.

Ditto. We didn't get the largest size just because money was an issue (we had to buy it right when we bought the house) and I totally regret it!!

I also am not a huge fan of front loaders but that seems to be what they were all going to. I feel like they are ridiculously rough on my clothing so adjusting the spin speed is important to me

waltsgirl102503

Agree with Emmy.   When I bought mine front loaders were still fairly new and were very pricey.   I could get a small-medium front loader or the biggest, baddest top loader.  I chose the giant top loader and I profess my love to it still every time I use it.   I used to have to take my Queen comforter to the laundry-mat.  And that sucks the big suck.   Now I can wash it at home.   Mine also has a sensor for the size of the load and I do like that so I don't have to change that every time.  

amyjoy18

When we bought I went with the high capacity top loader, because I'm forever stopping my washer to throw in just one last thing (found socks, the stray kids clothing item found in the couch, one last dish rag) and a front loader wouldn't have allowed me to do that. 

We also have a 'steam assist" feature that I put on to assist in getting out something that is likely to stain.  It actually works really well. 

I also like to be able to change the spin setting.  Using the high spin and not switching the clothes to the dryer immediately can sometimes result in extra wrinkles, so if I know that I won't be home to switch to the dryer I'll change the spin setting to medium. 

The high spin is great though for things that won't wrinkle.  Sock, underwear and towels dry super fast.

MrsAmers

I'm reading some reviews online for top loaders without agitators, and there are a lot of complaints about them not using enough water. I can't tell if these are just dumb people loading it like an old style top loader or if there are real issues with this type.

We're going to the scratch and dent store, so I'd rather get a list of particular features I want instead of model numbers.

amyjoy18

MrsAmers said:

I'm reading some reviews online for top loaders without agitators, and there are a lot of complaints about them not using enough water. I can't tell if these are just dumb people loading it like an old style top loader or if there are real issues with this type.

We're going to the scratch and dent store, so I'd rather get a list of particular features I want instead of model numbers.

You're still supposed to load the agitator less washers in a "donut" shape, just like you would if there was an agitator.  I believe all (if they are HE washers) will have the sensor that tells them how much water to use.  If it's loaded incorrectly, I could see the washer not using enough water.

smynings_bride

We love our top loader without the agitator. In addition to high capacity our other must have feature is the delay wash so we can put it in in the am to set for running as soon as we get home so we don't forget and don't have a wet wash sitting there all day.

egpitt22

Delay wash??  That's brilliant!!!

kris356

My mom has a Samsung top loader and has been really happy with it. I take my king size comforter and our winter coats for her to wash and it is great. She has had it for about 4 years with no issues. She also has the matching steam dryer which is amazing.

A front loader really didn't work for her laundry room since you have to leave the door open and you enter the house through the laundry (well, they have a front door but no one uses it).

waltsgirl102503

We have delay wash on ours, too.  And it is wonderful!

MrsAmers

Thanks for all of your comments! The Sears outlet didn't have a huge selection, but they did have two of the top rated HE top loaders. Delivery on Thursday as long as it isn't during my afternoon work meeting...