talk to me about washers and dryers

MrsRap720 · June 2015

Hi all,

I'm mostly a lurker, but decided to chime in to see if any of you could offer advice/recommendations on a new washer and dryer. Our house is nearly 30 years old, and as far as we can tell, the washer and dryer it came with are as old as the house. They're very standard, run-of-the mill Kenmore machines that do an ok job of washing and drying our clothes, and we decided we'd keep them as long as they both still worked. Recently, we've started having some small problems with both of them, and figured we might as well bite the bullet and get new ones before one or other of them dies on us while we're trying to do laundry before going on one of the vacations we have planned for the summer. Anyone have any recommendations in terms of brand, model, or place to buy from? We currently have a top-loading washer and a front-loading dryer, and would like to stick with that in terms of style - both machines are next to each other in our finished basement behind a set of doors, so sticking with the same design is probably best. We'd also like to spend no more than $1,000-$1,500 for the pair, including delivery and haul away of the old machines. Thanks in advance!

bridejl · June 2015

You may want to look into the cost of repairing vs. buying new, especially if the problems are small at this point. A few years ago my parents replaced their about 20-year-old washer & dryer due to the costs of the repairs. However, to this day my mom wishes she had it repaired rather than replacing. They just aren't made like they used to be (I've also heard this from other people).

formerlyGDaisy09 · June 2015

I have no experience shopping for a washer and dryer. but from buying other appliances (refrigerator/dishwasher) I'd definitely say there is more value in purchasing from a local retailer rather than a box store like home depot/sears. you'll get more help from the associates figuring out what you need, customer service for delivery and installation will be better, and the quality of the product will be better.

If you have access to consumer reports do some digging there. you'll notice there that Box store model numbers are a few numbers or letters off from the ones in consumer reports, thats because the box stores actually have some of the appliance companies make appliances using less expensive parts (read-break more easily) so the appliance manufactureres put a slightly different model number on them.

we have a front load washer, I like it for almost everything, however if I have a load that needs to soak, it's a little harder to make that happen.

hoffse · June 2015

I would suggest looking at Lowe's/HD and Sear's to see if they have a scratch and dent section. Also see if there is a Sear's Outlet nearby.

Washers and dryers are great appliances for scratch and dent because nobody cares what they look like. Often the dents are on the sides of the machine and you can't see them anyway. Sometimes the savings can be significant.

I would second looking at consumer reports. I would also suggest going lower end than higher end. I know it sounds odd, but we looked at replacing ours a few months ago and it seemed like the higher end machines had all these clothes-weighing settings, etc. so that they would only use exactly the right amount of water. I kept reading reviews that said this actually made it really hard to do tiny loads (because the sensors wouldn't get triggered at all). The cheaper machines aren't that fancy, and they will wash whatever you put in them. They're also significantly less computerized, so there is less on them to break.

Also, I know this is not an environmentally friendly viewpoint, but the high efficiency machines kind of skeeze me out. They don't use as much water, and in my brain that means the dirt/skin cells/crud isn't coming out of our clothes as well. I'm probably wrong about that, but I can't shake it. That's another reason (to me) to go lower end.

Sisugal · June 2015

I purchased Whirlpool Duet front loader and steam dryer. (from Lowes). BIG mistake. In one year I had to have the whole drum on the washer replaced . The steam feature on the dryer is leaking water - the clothes come out more wet than they went in. (yes, it is the dryer and not water connections) -- I turned off the water source to the dryer and plan to continue using it til it dies.

I had always had the old fashioned top loaders before --- and I plan to go back to them when these machines die (which I feel will not be sooner rather than later).

Have a Sears repairman come and look at the machine -- see what it would cost to repair them.
If too much to keep them --- buy similar machines from SEARS!

I find that the good old fashioned top loaders are more versitile.

Sisugal · June 2015

Few features on a machine means fewer potential problems! Keep it simple.

Erikan73 · June 2015

We bought ours at a local Sears Outlet store. They sell last years models that are discontinued and scratch & dent stuff. We saved over $300.00 getting our dryer there because it was a last year model that had been changed. Not sure what brands ours are at the moment, have to wait to get home to check.

vlagrl29 · June 2015

we've had ours since 2006 and the brand is whirlpool. Got them at NFM and have had zero issues.

Xstatic3333 · June 2015

Ours are Sears-Kenmore and were each around $600 new. We've had no problems after about 3 years. I would recommend avoiding any fancy computerized features. My parents got ones with supposed "fancy" settings that have given them nothing but grief. Ours are new, but simple.

Our washer is a high-efficiency top loader, which has been perfect for us. We've had no problems with things not getting clean, but enjoy the energy and water savings (both are high bills where we live!) Having a top loader was important to me for the convenience of being able to stop it and add things to the load. Our old dryer was also high efficiency and we loved it. Sadly, we moved to a home with a gas dryer hookup so we can't use it anymore and are trying to sell it on Craigslist. Maybe I'm really dumb, but I didn't realize there were two different types of dryer hookups when we bought a dryer while still at our rental.

MrsRap720 · June 2015

Thanks for all the responses so far! I'm not sure we'd go the repair route - our house was full of relics from the 80s when we bought it (as well as many things that were DIY'd and not in the best way), and we've been slowly replacing them all over the last couple of years. Every time we've gotten estimates to repair things, it's always been more cost-effective to replace them (like our AC unit that needed repair last summer - we ended up getting a new AC and furnace for less than what Sears wanted to just replace parts of our old unit), so while it may be worth looking into, I think we're leaning towards replacement rather than repair. It doesn't look like there's a Sears Outlet near us, which is a bummer since it seems like it would be a great option if there was one, although we don't care for our other Sears-brand appliances very much. We have a Home Depot in walking distance, so that would most likely be where we'd look. Agreed with those who have said lower end and less fancy is better - that seems to be the consensus in what I've looked into so far. I have a coworker who said she often has to rewash things in her HE washer since certain items (like jeans) come out with a soapy residue on them, which seems to defeat the purpose of going with a HE unit in the first place. Anyone else have a particular brand or model that they really like?

brij2006 · June 2015

Ours are frontloaders, so it may not help you, but we have the Samsung set for 7 years now and we absolutely love them! And I mean LOVE! I seriously can't talk about them enough. They get my H's nasty oil covered work clothes clean, and we also wash cloth diapers in them and they come out perfect. I've never had an issue with them (knocks on wood) since we've bought them, and I also love that a king size bedspread fits in them.

cbee817 · June 2015

We had a Fridgidaire front loader and dryer that was purchased in December 2007 and both stopped working (motherboard fried) by 2012.. they were terrible. I also hated the front loader washing machine- it was grungy and you had to leave it open all of the time, which I don't like with little ones (ours are in the basement which they never went to when they were babies but I still didn't like the idea of the washing machine door being open). We now have a Maytag HE top loading washing machine and a Whirlpool dryer- no complaints so far and we can even wash and dry our queen size comforter.

AprilZ81 · June 2015

We got a matching washer & dryer set last May at Sears Outlet (scratch and dent) for about $850-900. We did pretty basic models, but our washer is a top load HE model without the agitator (more gentle on clothes).

So far zero problems and our dents were pretty minor.

Ditto PP that say fewer features means fewer problems down the line. The more technology present means the more difficult it will be to repair when it breaks.

blondie42107 · June 2015

We bought a front load set by LG about 9 years ago from Home Depot and have had zero problems!

MommyLiberty5013 · June 2015

We have front loaders for both machines. Whirlpool Duet pair purchased in 2008. We haven't had any trouble with them. My only complaint is that the washer door has to stay open all the time when not in use otherwise the interior smells like mildew no matter how frequently I do the "clean" cycle.

If you go with a top-loading washer, I do recommend getting one without the center agitator. No agitator means more interior space for large items.

Xstatic3333 · June 2015

cbee817 said:
We had a Fridgidaire front loader and dryer that was purchased in December 2007 and both stopped working (motherboard fried) by 2012.. they were terrible. I also hated the front loader washing machine- it was grungy and you had to leave it open all of the time, which I don't like with little ones (ours are in the basement which they never went to when they were babies but I still didn't like the idea of the washing machine door being open). We now have a Maytag HE top loading washing machine and a Whirlpool dryer- no complaints so far and we can even wash and dry our queen size comforter.

The safety issue with front loaders is definitely worth mentioning. My MIL lost a cat when she fell asleep in there and then her H shut the door, not noticing the cat was inside. It was so sad.

formerlyGDaisy09 · June 2015

hoffse said:

I would suggest looking at Lowe's/HD and Sear's to see if they have a scratch and dent section. Also see if there is a Sear's Outlet nearby.

Washers and dryers are great appliances for scratch and dent because nobody cares what they look like. Often the dents are on the sides of the machine and you can't see them anyway. Sometimes the savings can be significant.

I would second looking at consumer reports. I would also suggest going lower end than higher end. I know it sounds odd, but we looked at replacing ours a few months ago and it seemed like the higher end machines had all these clothes-weighing settings, etc. so that they would only use exactly the right amount of water. I kept reading reviews that said this actually made it really hard to do tiny loads (because the sensors wouldn't get triggered at all). The cheaper machines aren't that fancy, and they will wash whatever you put in them. They're also significantly less computerized, so there is less on them to break.

Also, I know this is not an environmentally friendly viewpoint, but the high efficiency machines kind of skeeze me out. They don't use as much water, and in my brain that means the dirt/skin cells/crud isn't coming out of our clothes as well. I'm probably wrong about that, but I can't shake it. That's another reason (to me) to go lower end.

We Love our HE machines. for everyday stuff they work just fine. they have an option for a pre-soak and/or extra rinse cycles so workout stuff, towels, and any of the dog's stuff can get rinsed extra. WE'll be using those features a lot more often for cloth diapers.

bcarb · June 2015

Home Depot is having 30% off their major applicances right now!

Xstatic3333 · June 2015

formerlyGDaisy09 said:

hoffse said:

I would suggest looking at Lowe's/HD and Sear's to see if they have a scratch and dent section. Also see if there is a Sear's Outlet nearby.

Washers and dryers are great appliances for scratch and dent because nobody cares what they look like. Often the dents are on the sides of the machine and you can't see them anyway. Sometimes the savings can be significant.

I would second looking at consumer reports. I would also suggest going lower end than higher end. I know it sounds odd, but we looked at replacing ours a few months ago and it seemed like the higher end machines had all these clothes-weighing settings, etc. so that they would only use exactly the right amount of water. I kept reading reviews that said this actually made it really hard to do tiny loads (because the sensors wouldn't get triggered at all). The cheaper machines aren't that fancy, and they will wash whatever you put in them. They're also significantly less computerized, so there is less on them to break.

Also, I know this is not an environmentally friendly viewpoint, but the high efficiency machines kind of skeeze me out. They don't use as much water, and in my brain that means the dirt/skin cells/crud isn't coming out of our clothes as well. I'm probably wrong about that, but I can't shake it. That's another reason (to me) to go lower end.

We Love our HE machines. for everyday stuff they work just fine. they have an option for a pre-soak and/or extra rinse cycles so workout stuff, towels, and any of the dog's stuff can get rinsed extra. WE'll be using those features a lot more often for cloth diapers.

My theory is that a lot of the so-called HE problems are really front loader problems. We have a HE top loader with an agitator and stuff gets clean, PLUS we can wash queen-sized quilts. Even if I didn't care about the environmental side, with water/sewer running $100 a month in my city I'll take what I can get!

blondie42107 · June 2015

We have HE front loader and I think there's plenty of water in the machine to wash. With two kids, I see my fair share of stains and dirt. We've had no problems. My friend cloth diapers and has a front loader with no problems.

I also use Ecos laundry detergent which can be used with standard or HE machines. I buy it from Sam's Club for $15 and the bottle says 210 HE loads.

abrewer5 · June 2015

I just replaced my washer a couple months ago, the first washer I bought was a Whirlpool Cabrio from HHgreg. It broke within a week, so I would definitely advise against that machine. It may have been a lemon, but it was a pain in the butt to return it and the issue was ridiculous for a brand new machine. No cold water supply and the main board needed to be replaced.

HHgreg was a hassle to deal with. They apparently have a no-hassle return policy that ended up costing us 3 trips to the store and 2 half days at work for a technician to come out (8 hours of vacation time).

We got an HE top loader, Maytag Bravos the second time around and I absolutely love it! It works great.

hoffse · June 2015

I know, I know. But it's a conceptual thing I have a hard time shaking. I want a lot of HOT water to clean the gunk out of clothes. It may not be rational, but there you go.

Other conceptual things I don't like to think about: how cheese is made and how mushrooms are fungus. Maybe not rational, but it skeezes me out to think about it.

short+sassy · June 2015

I'm another fan of the "scratch/dent" appliance section. And Lowe's will deliver/remove old for these items, just like they do for regular priced appliances. I don't know if it is like this at other Lowe's, but the one near me actually puts out the clearance appliances on the same day/time. You might want to ask at your Lowe's/Home Depot what day/part of the week they typically put out their clearance appliances.

I have an acquaintance who owns a bunch of rental properties and he says, on Tuesdays around 10AM, there are always the same dozen or so people stalking the clearance appliance aisle to see what new things will turn up, lol.

formerlyGDaisy09 · June 2015

hoffse said:

I know, I know. But it's a conceptual thing I have a hard time shaking. I want a lot of HOT water to clean the gunk out of clothes. It may not be rational, but there you go.

Other conceptual things I don't like to think about: how cheese is made and how mushrooms are fungus. Maybe not rational, but it skeezes me out to think about it.

I can't eat hot dogs for a similar reason.

FutureMrsMerati · June 2015

We shopped last year's Black Friday specials for appliances throughout our entire house and ended up saving a ton of money! We purchased this washer/dryer pair which happen to be a top loading washer and front loading dryer. Everyone we talked to at Lowes, Home Depot and Sears told us that the new top-load washers built without agitators are better for your clothes and more efficient, plus you don't have to spend another $500 on pedestals and leave your door open after washes to avoid mustiness in the washer drum. Ours are LG and have a TON of room! They also have a wifi-enabled chip which allows for over the phone diagnosis in case repairs are necessary. We love them!

http://www.homedepot.com/p/LG-Electronics-4-1-cu-ft-High-Efficiency-Front-Control-Top-Load-Washer-in-White-ENERGY-STAR-WT1101CW/203578178

http://www.homedepot.com/p/LG-Electronics-7-3-cu-ft-Electric-Front-Control-Dryer-in-White-DLE1101W/203578180

short+sassy · June 2015

FutureMrsMerati said:

We shopped last year's Black Friday specials for appliances throughout our entire house and ended up saving a ton of money! We purchased this washer/dryer pair which happen to be a top loading washer and front loading dryer. Everyone we talked to at Lowes, Home Depot and Sears told us that the new top-load washers built without agitators are better for your clothes and more efficient, plus you don't have to spend another $500 on pedestals and leave your door open after washes to avoid mustiness in the washer drum. Ours are LG and have a TON of room! They also have a wifi-enabled chip which allows for over the phone diagnosis in case repairs are necessary. We love them!

http://www.homedepot.com/p/LG-Electronics-4-1-cu-ft-High-Efficiency-Front-Control-Top-Load-Washer-in-White-ENERGY-STAR-WT1101CW/203578178
http://www.homedepot.com/p/LG-Electronics-7-3-cu-ft-Electric-Front-Control-Dryer-in-White-DLE1101W/203578180

I have LG front loading machines that are about 5-6 years old. But it is the older kind where you need to leave the washer door open or it gets a musty smell. Ugh. But we were lucky to buy them only about 1 year old from a coworker for $600 total, pedestals included. They spent a small fortune on them, but then decided they didn't like the front loading aspect and went back to a top loading set.Hmmpphh. Of course, they didn't tell us this, but the washer had a small leak through the door. But my H was able to slap some putty looking stuff (not sure what it is) onto the area that leaked and it has been just fine since.Other than having to leave the door open after washing and the small leak, I've been really happy with them also. I especially like the dryer because it has a "20 minute steam" setting that basically freshens clothes up and takes out the wrinkles.

JoanE2012 · June 2015

We bought LG a couple years ago when we moved in. We have the HE top loader washer - it's large capacity and no agitator. I was skeptical at first at how well it would clean, but I love it! We also have the LG dryer - love the rack for items you don't want to spin around and the steam function.

The only thing we knew for sure when looking to buy was that we didn't want a front loading washer - we've heard too many bad stories and I don't want to have to remember to leave the door open after each use.

bmo88 · June 2015

bridejl said:

You may want to look into the cost of repairing vs. buying new, especially if the problems are small at this point. A few years ago my parents replaced their about 20-year-old washer & dryer due to the costs of the repairs. However, to this day my mom wishes she had it repaired rather than replacing. They just aren't made like they used to be (I've also heard this from other people).

I second this advice. We currently have my parents Maytag washer and dryer that they purchased 17 years ago. They upgraded about 7 years ago and gave us their old ones. To this day, my parents regret the decision. They have spent so much money and time getting their new ones repaired. In contrast, we had to spend $40 and did a self-repair when a fuse burned out 2 years ago. We are going to keep our old washer and dryer as long as possible (knock on wood) because they are reliable.

vlagrl29 · June 2015

yeah my parents bought brand new washer and dryer not too long ago and have had more repairs on it than I have ever had with my 2006 model. She actually likes my dryer better than her new one.

blondie42107 · June 2015

So... Our 9 year old HE front load washer just needed it's first repair. We noticed a small leak. H ordered the $12 part which should be delivered to our house today. Just our luck... Lol

irishfemme · June 2015

We got a nice set of Samsung front loaders at Best Buy on Black Friday about 5 years ago. I think we paid around $1200 for the pair, which was a great deal. When it came time for delivery, they had run out of the white model that we'd purchased, so they upgraded us to another model in a sea foam blue color, which matches our kitchen perfectly (where they are installed...don't ask, previous owners had them there). It all worked out in our favor. We've been very happy with the machines, though. No problems that have required outside repair work.

My sister bought a cheaper Maytag set from HH Gregg a couple of years later. She's had some repair issues with hers. I think it's like everything else, that you get what you pay for, so I would try to stick to something mid-range in your budget.

ETA: We did NOT purchase pedestals for ours, as we have them stacked. My sister got hers thrown in for free...at least she got that out of the deal!

Also, no problems with odor on our front loading washer. I don't leave the door open because it's right behind the door to our breezeway.

talk to me about washers and dryers

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