Hi folks

I looked for a better place for this, and think it belongs here more than others, so...

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Okay. I'm buying a new washer and dryer.

I've done my research, mostly with my Consumers Reports membership, and I know I want one of a few particular models of either LG or Bosch. LG has an awesome reputation for minimal repairs, longevity, and features.

My question:

Do any of you use a new style "High Efficiency" washer? Do you like it? Is it worth the money?

LG has a couple very high rated ones. My concern is limited to the detergent. You have to buy a particular kind; you MUST buy "He" (high efficiency) detergent.

It's pretty expensive but you use just a crazy-tiny bit per wash. My friend with one says he spent just 50 bucks on detergent last year for his family of three.

The machines are about 900 to 1100, or about 300 bucks more than a new 'normal' washer.

Your opinions, please!

Kenmore by Sears.

Y'can't beat Kenmore washing machines and dryers.

I think they are made by whirlpool.. Not sure.

I remember one year consumers rated them over their makers label.

Why buy more then you need? Are you going to make up the extra cost

in savings achieved by efficiency? Use as much infrastructure as you can afford.

Conservation is paid back with new developments lacking any built in conservation.

They cheat. Why play?

Moi

About three years ago I bought a stackable front loading HE set from Samsung after an old compact all in one died. I am quite impressed. The savings in water and electricity are significant, particularily since the washer spins at such a high speed that the clothes are much drier when they go into the dryer, thus taking less heat to dry them, which is better for the fabric. Trade-off is that the cycles are about 50% longer which could be significant if you have to do a lot of laundry. On detergent I don't think there is any real difference in cost between regular and HE. The local mega-marts sell Tide regular and HE, usually CU's top rated detergent, in similar sized jugs listing the same number of washes per jug for the same price. My take is to get the model with the top technology, but the fewest bells and whistles. CU has not been impressed w/ most of the steam injected models, and I find that about 95% of my loads are on normal wash with warm/cold for wash/rinse temps, so most of the fancy cycles remain unused. If you are a fashion junkie with lots of delicate clothes your needs might be different.

Good luck.

Transward

I bought a set of Maytag which are rebadged Whirlpool a few years ago. I thought about a front loader but a friend mentioned since I live in a second floor apartment it would be very noisy for the people below. The washer was made in Germany due to reliability issues. My favorite feature of the washer is the double rinse feature.

I did not buy an HE washer. I wanted a stainless steel tub more than I needed a high efficiency model. Living alone I do not do a lot of laundry. Now they are advertising products to clean HE models to reduce odors. So between the additional expense, buying a product and running it just to use the product.

Good luck shopping and may they serve you well for many years.

I bought a Sears HE washer with the door on the top. I can't use a font door washer because I can't... I like it. Sears stands behind their appliances.

In case you didn't realize, those HE washers have tiny computers that run those cycles. You will need a service policy for a few years just in case.

I also bought a large, nice dryer with a sensor in it to shut off. It has a front door. I like dryers with huge capacity because the clothes dry faster and wrinkle less. It's electric BTW.

I like the HE washer because it used so much less water. I used to use well water and I hated the giant tub of water that filled up twice and then went into goofy giggling. It used too much water. The HE washer uses much less and thanks to the special detergents removes all sorts of stains that I create. I do leave rather unmentionable stains on small white towels. I won't explain that but the new detergents remove those stains.

I'm quite happy with the HE washer.

Kenmore machines are made by different manufacturers. You have to ask which one.

I bought a "HE" energy and water saver top loader washer model. Purchased the glass door option for the washer and am glad I did or I would not have seen the effect of the "HE" soap on the various loads as the lid locks. Some loads require as little as a 1/4 to 1/2 teasepoon of soap while others require up to 1/2 cup or more.

I like the top loader washer and am glad I did not get the front loader. The automatic water level sensor makes it almost as efficient.

We researched washers for some time before we replaced a 15 year old conventional Whirlpool. We found the best reason to purchase a HE washer is the small amount of water they use. The expense of washing clothes is mainly in heating the water.

The vast majority of detergents on the market are now HE rated, so the difference in cost is minimal. We have always used a fairly high end detergent as our water is very hard and the cheap ones do not clean well regardless of the washer. We normally use either Tide or Gain liquid. Measure carefully and use only the amount up to the lowest line on the cup. After pouring the detergent into the dispenser on the machine, put the cup in the tub with the clothes to get the maximum benefit from the detergent.

Unless dear wife insists, I oppose using fabric softener. It coats the fibers with wax and retards cleaning on subsequent loads. Try telling that to my wife.

Time is the ally of a HE washer. Use extra wash and extra rinse settings if available. Time is free and longer wash and rinse really make a difference.

We have had a top of the line Samsung steam washer for about 3 years now. It works great, we got it as it matches our dryer, more or less (mid-line Sammy) and I have worked with Samsung products for several years. LG is also a very reliable brand. My sister recently moved into a condo that came with high end GE washer and dryer. So far, they seem to be excellent too.

The Whirlpool designed high efficiency washers are now getting quite long in tooth. The design has not been upgraded in over 10 years and advances have been many in this field which yield cleaner clothes and more efficient use of energy and water. I would avoid any Electrolux built washers as they are made in a plant in Mexico that seems to not understand how to build things right. Frigidare washers are now built in either Mexico or China. They are considerably less expensive, but I do feel they are an example of the consumer getting what he pays for. Incidentally, the Kenmore and Maytag versions of the Whirlpool washers are mostly made in China.

In summary, buy a top-rated brand of washer. You do not need all the bells and whistles, but you do need to avoid low price point models and get at least a mid-tier model. Use a quality HE detergent. Use warn or cold water for all cycles except when washing bedding, sheets and towels used by someone who is ill with a serious disease like the flu.

Good luck,

Speed

It seems that Speed Queen is the new Maytag...

The Speed Queen washers and dryers are what laundromats generally use now. Sometimes the dryers are large commercial units, not sure of the manufacturer.

As for ability to get the clothes clean, I'd recommend a front loader. I found it got my clothes MUCH cleaner than the traditional top loaders. I remember I had a horrible stained white t-shirt that had pit stains for quite some time. I simply used it as a yard work shirt. I put it in the front loader and that machine nearly took out those stains in one wash after they had been there a while.

As for brand to buy, I have no suggestions. I've not been in the market for quite some time.

--LT

Except for whites I use only cold water to wash all my clothes. I have mostly had Kenmore, which are manufactured by whoever has the low bid, so one has to check to see who actually made it, for a given model year. I bought mine used for $150 for the washer and gas dryer. It's a large capacity, top loading, and it works great.

Elizabeth