Opinions, please: Washing Machines

[Cainanite (imported)]

I own an LG 2150HR front loading washing machine. I bought it for several reasons. LG has the number one reliability rating, and at the time, was the only one to offer 10 years parts coverage on the motor, 3 years parts coverage on the Electronic controls, and 1 year parts and labor. I bought a three year performance guarantee for it.

I have it in an apartment, and having something quiet was imperative. With the unit I purchased, it had something called True Balance. It is basically a set of counterweights and sensors to keep the machine from going off balance. It makes for a VERY quiet operation. My neighbors never hear it running.

One thing. You'll need to get a level out and make sure it is truly level on your floor. Once you do that, the machine takes care of itself. Until I leveled mine, it really shook things up a bit. It was trying to balance the machine on an uneven floor. Once I got the legs adjusted, all the components could work properly.

My clothes have never been cleaner, and I've noticed that they are lasting MUCH longer too. Things that would wear out on me in a few months, now last for years.

As I pay my own power bill, I have noticed my power consumption drop off quite a bit. The owner of my building has also noticed the water bill go down. (There are only 4 suites in my building)

Some things to look for when you buy.

Try and find a machine with a speed-wash, or small load cycle. Front load washers take about double the amount of time to wash, so if you need something in a hurry, a speed wash option is key.

Try and find a machine you can add more water to for bulky loads. The one I have has something called Water+ Mode. It adds double the water (which is still a tiny amount) so if you are washing comforters and Duvets, they won't suck up all the water, and not get clean.

Look for a machine with a built in sanitize option, or built in water heater. This will make sure that when you need something washed in hot, it is HOT. Not lukewarm from the taps.

Get something with a tub-wash feature. If you ever have something disgusting explode in your washer, and coat the inside of the drum, you'll need that feature. Also it is handy to keep the inside of the machine from ever developing a smell. If you keep the door closed on the machine all the time, it can also develop a smell. Best to leave the door open between uses, and let it dry out.

Look at the hinges and the locking mechanism. Stay away from flimsy hinges and plastic locking mechanisms. On a front load washer, if these fail, you can have water leak, and that isn't nice. Go for something meaty looking, not flimsy. You'll thank me.

If you are thinking of buying the dryer too, buy it at the same time. Don't wait. The dryer will be designed to match the washer. Old dryers cannot dry the amount of clothes you can wash in a front load machine. You can wash loads twice as large as you were with a top loader. The old dryer just cant keep up. Also, if you plan to stack the washer and dryer, you'll need to get the same make and model. They can and do change from year to year, so there is no guarantee that you can get the matching dryer two or three years down the road.

When you use the machine, DO NOT use your old soap. Switch to the HE labeled soaps, and follow the directions exactly. All it takes is a couple of tablespoons of HE soap to wash a huge load in a front loader. There is no need to add an entire cup of soap. All that will do is foam up too much, and the inside of your machine may begin to smell.

Another good thing to look for when buying your new washer, is an emergency drain and trap access on the front of the machine. These new machines spin 2 or 3 times faster than the old ones, and can suck things into the drain that could clog the pump. Emergency access on the front will save you a trip and bill from the plumber.

Also... Pay for professional delivery. These new machines are HEAVY. 300lbs or so. Get someone who has the truck, tools, and know-how to move it for you. Do not attempt this on your own. Pay the delivery fee. If they offer leveling and set-up service, take that too. When I was selling appliances it happened every day. Someone tried to take it home themselves to save the $50. They would invariably call us to come out and install the machine, or carry it into their house. Trust me on this. Pay the delivery fee.

Let me know if you have questions. I have way more information than I should about different washers and dryers. I've sold them for years, and that knowledge doesn't fade.

[Sweetpickle (imported)]

I had a fancy LG frontloader at one place I lived, it seemed quiet and slow.

It did have a fancy circle of lights and plenty of buttons to push.

Now I have a cheap one from Home Depot.

They both got the cloths clean, and I use a very small amount of detergent.

I really don't notice the difference.

[george2u2 (imported)]

Had Westinghouse front loader for decades then went went with a Calypso the the top loader with a wobble plate. It would not rinse mud out of a jacket. Currently have a Fisher Paykel top loading washer and top loading dryer that I use, I enjoy the wrinkle free tumbling of the dryer until I get back to hang my clothes up. Also have an Equator washer dryer that uses water to dry your clothes like the Bendix washers from the 1950's. The Equator machine takes forever to do a load where it washes then drys in the same tub. Also had a Staber top loading horizontal axis machine but the electronic drive went out on it.

Most of the time I just do my laundry in 10 minutes. Five minutes to drop it off and five minutes to pick it up.

[StefanIsMe (imported)]

Guys, thanks for your opinions!

Cainanite, your response was especially helpful.

I ended up buying an washer and dryer by LG; the 3070 models, pretty much top of the line.

I never usually buy that far up ANY line, but this was worth the $2,200.00 investment.

Steam option (on the washer, this increases wash time to TWO HOURS, but it's the most efficient cycle; the machine uses an INSANELY small amount of water, just a cooling pool and jets of steam, but clothes come out amazingly clean.

Sterilize/allergenic option too, and it's true what they say; get a chair, 'cuz you'll be staring at the clothes tumbling around in that washer (front-load with a huge 'port-hole' window).

It's hillarious watching it on 'towel' setting; it turns the tumbler a half-turn, lifting the towels then letting them SLAM down to the bottom. Yes, I got stoned and watched.

In fact, I washed clothes on half the settings, just to see what it'd do.

I had no dirty towels... I actually just pulled clean ones out of the cupboard and threw 'em in, just for giggles. Talk about dumb! There goes the savings on THAT load!

The dryer dries with steam (no plumbing, just a little (very well designed, strong feeling) 'bucket' in a drawer that feeds a steam-system. When washing and drying in steam mode, a whole load of shirts comes out of the dryer with NO fabric softener or sheets being used in either machine with zero static; amazing.

As long as I get good life out of them, I'm really happy. Never bought new (I've only ever had 20 year old pieces of shit), I can't believe I spent this money, it's insane, but damn, these are cool machines.

1 year warrantee only on basic parts, but 10 years on the drive motor/connections and lifetime on the drum. Consumer Reports said don't even think of buying extra warrantee; it's not recommended for better quality machines.

And yes, Cainanite, I DEFINITELY had pro installation (by the same store I bought it from); no freakin' WAY am I gonna try to move 300 pounds down the stairs, haha!

[littletits (imported)]

I don't know if they are available in the U.S but if they are buy a Miele washing machine/dryer? They are made in Germany and are bullet proof. Ours is over twenty years old and with three"girls" and a business it runs every day and never had any problems. They are expensive but well worth the money if they are going to be used a lot. You know what they say" Buy cheap and buy often"