• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Front Loading Washers....

bob4432

bob4432

Lifer
replacing an older top loading washer/front loading dryer and have heard that a lot of the front loading washers have issues. is this something that is brand centric or is the front loading washer an item that shouldn't be?

fwiw, the regular top loading washers we have had have lasted easily 10-15yrs, are the front loading ones built well enough for this type of lifespan?
 
oh, if it starts leaking it gets messy.
+ people sometimes don't leave the door open..since the door is smaller and stuff it takes longer to dry..mold issues.
 
in the process of putting in a new floor so would really like one that doesn't leak 🙂 as far as mold, will just leave the door open when not in use and since i live in phx, az, i don't think there will be an issue in that dept
 
Many front loading washers *do* have issues, from what I've read and experienced. My mom bought a Maytag, and it lasted 3 years before it started flooding and basically self destructed. Of course, it only had a 1 year warranty on it. It was going to cost 3/4 the price of a new washer for her to fix that one, so we ended up just buying a new washer. She went with a top-loader, and swore off front loaders altogether. Meanwhile the issue with her front loader was some component that helps spin the drum, and it's just as likely to fail in a top loader as a front loader, but whatever.

Friends of mine own various Kenmore front loaders, and have not had any problems with them in the last 4 years. I purchased a Kenmore front loading washer+dryer early this spring, and haven't had any issues with it thus far. I have been advised by *everyone* to get the warranty on them, because if something does go wrong, it's nearly as expensive as a new washer to have the problem fixed. I went ahead and got a Sears service plan on the washer & dryer.
 
I've got a Kenmore (Made in Germany, so maybe it's a Bosch?) front loading washer and dryer and love it. No problems at all either.
 
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
oh, if it starts leaking it gets messy.
+ people sometimes don't leave the door open..since the door is smaller and stuff it takes longer to dry..mold issues.
Click to expand...

Forgot to mention this -- definitely leave the door open on the washer. Many people did that with top-loaders, and never realized it. With front loaders, it's definitely important to remember.

Also, don't count on *anything* lasting 10 years. Every salesman I've talked to says that 5 years is the estimated lifespan on both front loaders and top loaders. My mother was pissed that she couldn't buy a warranty on her new top loader for more than 5 years, but they said that's all they'll warrant - they don't think that any new washer or dryer will last more than that.
 
We use a top loading washer and front loading dryer, but gas powered. I don't trust front loading washer. Kenmore Elite btw.
 
Originally posted by: GeekDrew
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
oh, if it starts leaking it gets messy.
+ people sometimes don't leave the door open..since the door is smaller and stuff it takes longer to dry..mold issues.
Click to expand...

Forgot to mention this -- definitely leave the door open on the washer. Many people did that with top-loaders, and never realized it. With front loaders, it's definitely important to remember.

Also, don't count on *anything* lasting 10 years. Every salesman I've talked to says that 5 years is the estimated lifespan on both front loaders and top loaders. My mother was pissed that she couldn't buy a warranty on her new top loader for more than 5 years, but they said that's all they'll warrant - they don't think that any new washer or dryer will last more than that.
Click to expand...

yea top loaders stay open by default, its just more natural, plus the lid has no seal anyways.
more importantly don't cheap out on the hoses. get the ones with the self shutoff valve if they burst. pretty cheap, but better than the rubber sh*t they'll try to install on delivery. save your floor from total flooding... they sell them at the local hardware store.. ~15-20 dollars a set
 
My next washer will be a front loader. That's what professional laundromats use, so I'd think if they were particularly bad, they'd use top loaders instead.
 
1st floor or 2nd floor? We bought a Whirlpool Duet Sport series about 1.5 years ago. It damn near shook my house down (on 2nd floor). The repair man came by and said to get a new one. Lowes delivered a new one and it did the same. I called the manager and told him that we couldn't live with it and wanted something else.

He was nice enough to let us swap. After reading around a bit, we decided to give Samsung's with VRT (Vibration Reduction Technology) a try. The inner drum is surrounded by an outer drum and it is packed with stainless steel ball bearings. When the load starts to spin and becomes off balanced, the inner drum shifts and pushes the ball bearings to the opposite side, nearly 100% balancing the drum during the spin cycle. The machine seems to detect being off balance much better than the Whirlpool did and will slow down and reverse the load a few times until it becomes well balanced. Any noticeable vibration is quickly stopped by the machine itself as it adjusts accordingly in the programming.

They have been wonderful. The only issue that I've had is that I spent too much on them (as they were on sale for about half price about 8 months after I bought them!) 🙁

I love them so far. As for the smell, run about a cup of bleech through them (empty) on the hot water cycle about once every two months. No more mold/smell.


And no, you do not have to use the HE detergent (IMO). Just use much less than you normally would of the regular liquid stuff. If you use too much, you'll get too many suds. Because it uses much less water, it uses much less detergent too.

Finally, not sure how big your laundry room is but mine is tiny (sadly). These were a blessing in that we stacked them and now have lots of room. Had to remove a shelf, but replace it with a floor shelf that actually holds more and still have much more room.

Good luck.
 
Bought the original Whirlpool Duet's with all the features and they have been rock solid for more than 5 years. We've used HE and non-HE detergent of various brands in it without any issues. The key to reducing vibration is to have them properly installed. If they are not level, they'll shake. Next year I'll be purchasing a new washer and dryer and without hesitation I will get another Duet.
 
Originally posted by: GeekDrew
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
oh, if it starts leaking it gets messy.
+ people sometimes don't leave the door open..since the door is smaller and stuff it takes longer to dry..mold issues.
Click to expand...

Forgot to mention this -- definitely leave the door open on the washer. Many people did that with top-loaders, and never realized it.
Click to expand...
[/quote]

You are right about that... nice to know my laziness has some benefit.
 
Originally posted by: dirtboy
Bought the original Whirlpool Duet's with all the features and they have been rock solid for more than 5 years. We've used HE and non-HE detergent of various brands in it without any issues. The key to reducing vibration is to have them properly installed. If they are not level, they'll shake. Next year I'll be purchasing a new washer and dryer and without hesitation I will get another Duet.
Click to expand...

I spent the better part of two weeks leveling them and over...over. There were also 3 different sets of people (Lowes and Whirlpool) that tried with no luck. The full "Duets" may have been better but the Sports sucked for me.
 
The Samsungs have the lowest vibration and are recommended for second floor installs. I have a two year old set and 0 problems my wife says she will never go back to a top loader, good enough for me.
 
We've got the first generation of the Whirlpool Duet series. We're not too happy with the washer although we've learned to live with it.

Yes, you have to leave the door open.

Ours shakes so bad on the highest speed spin cycle that the washer walks across the floor and bumps into the cabinet holding the laundry tub. Smaller loads make this worse. We deal with it by never running it on the highest speed. I have leveled this thing several times - no better. We had a repairman out over this issue and he replaced the stabilizers under warranty but warned us it would not fix the problem - he was right.

Pants legs and shirt sleeves knot up in a tight ball as the load is washed. It's a PITA. You go to empty it and the whole load wants to come out as a big wad. It's not easy to separate them. You have to experience it to understand the severity of the problem.

Yes, HE detergent is not truly needed. However, my understanding is that the use of HE detergent reduces the wear on the seals. These are the seals that cause the washer to leak and flood the area. Don't use HE detergent at your own risk.

It does get the clothes clean.

No complaints on the dryer.

Edit: I should mention that we have both of these on the optional pedestals. That may make all the difference in regards to the vibration problems. They provide very little in the way of storage. We got them to reduce how far we needed to bend over to load and emtpy them. We ain't young-un's.

Costco has several brands of HE detergent.
 
Isn't it amazing how the price of a dryer doubles if it matches the front face of a front loading washer? Er, uhm, the dryer was always front loading!!!
 
Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Lowes has 20% off energy star appliances now (washer included). Grab another 10% movers coupon from the post office or pay a few dollars on ebay.

I picked up this set at $718.56 for the washer and $727.38 for the dryer before tax:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn...49-WF328AAW&lpage=none
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn...49-DV328AGW&lpage=none
Click to expand...

hope you are not on a septic system, from Samsung:

"SAMSUNG does not recommend using it's Silver Wash option in conjunction with septic systems."
 
Been using a Frigidaire pair for 2 1/2 years now....on a septic system....without problems. Love it, actually. But, as mentioned above, high speed spins sometimes produces a ball of clothes, worst when doing loads of jeans.
 
Wouldn't a top loading washer do a better job of cleaning since the clothes are constantly soaked in water?
 
Originally posted by: shabby
Wouldn't a top loading washer do a better job of cleaning since the clothes are constantly soaked in water?
Click to expand...

No. I've had both and can tell no difference in them other than I use much less water now, lol.

The water sloshes and runs through the clothes continuously as it spins. The front loaders clean very well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top