Reader Question: Tips On Buying Washing Machines
This reader question comes from Susan. She was wondering if anyone had any tips on the what the best washing machine prices and quality are.
Question:
I was wondering what kind of washing machine you have, if you like it, and where you bought it. What washing machine would you buy if you had to buy a new one now? We’re a family that does a lot of laundry so a great washing machine is a must. Any and all advice is definitely welcome and much appreciated.
Do you have any suggestions for Susan? Which washing machines have you had luck with?
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We bought a little short of 2 years ago, a GE energy efficient washing machine, one with no agitator. Personally I do not like it. I understand it is energy efficient, however I feel it just does not clean the clothes as well. I have the extended warranty on it, and just recently had a service call since it wasn’t working just right during the spin cycle (only when blankets or with towels) and I have randomly rerun the spin cycle. Guy came out and said there was nothing wrong with it. Talking with him, and he is a GE serviceman, said that he is constantly being told that the newer ones without the agitator dont clean clothes well enough. He said that if he had to buy one he would personally buy one with an agitator. We do ALOT of laundry with two little ones, a 6 year old “puppy”, and then my husband and I. Hope this helps!
I have had a Kenmore Elite Oasis for a couple of years that works well for me. At one point, I was averaging 10 loads of wash per week. (Unfortunately, I don’t think they make this exact model any more.)
If for some reason, it had to be replaced; I’d look for one that got excellent reviews and was also as energy efficient as possible. Before I purchased my last one, I read all the reviews on the Sears website as well as Consumer’s Reports. And if I could hold out I’d wait for a sale. If there is a specific store you would prefer to deal with, stop in and talk to them. Most know when they run sales for specific items.
Since you mentioned that you did a lot on laundry, you might want to consider a machine rated as commercial. They usually have a higher sticker price but they are heavy duty.
Good Luck.
I recommend the Whirlpool Duet. I have had it for 5 years now. It works great and is energy efficient and also saves on water usage. The clothes come out clean and my jeans are no longer getting damaged by the agitator my previous washer had.. They are a bit pricey but well worth the money. Good luck on your search.
I bought a Maytag high efficiency front loading washer about 4.5 yrs ago and I LOVE it. I use about 1/3 of the detergent and softener that I used to and it gets virtually every stain out.
I have a Whirlpool basic top loader machine. We’ve had it for about 4/5 years now. I had a nice front loader before and when it started leaking, they told me it was some bearings or something and it wasn’t worth fixing. So I went with a solid less expensive model. I wash every other day, and it is like a rock. It is simple, no timer or anything and is a work horse. I feel good about the whirlpool brand. The fancy machines have so many bells and whistles and I really dont need all those things. Also the top loaders let you add in clothes, or open during a cycle that hte front loaders do not. I can even do a gentle agitation on large blankets then take them out which I couldn’t do in my front loader
I agree with Jen DO NOT BUY the GE Energy efficient w/o an agitater top loader it does not clean clothes well….
My family have been through several washers and dryers over the years, but there’s not one that I could recommend over any others. The best thing that you can do for any one that you get is to read (and re-read) the manuals that come with it. It’s important to understand what it’s recommended load size is, the recommended amount of detergent, the order that you put in stuff (soap or clothes first?), when you should use the heavy cycle over the normal cycle. However, the single most important thing to keep your machine running long and strong is to make sure that EVERYONE who will be using it understands all those things. (I recommend requiring a written exam
) I had to explain to my husband several times that, just because it all fits in one laundry basket, it’s not one load!
That is hilarious but true! After “the gang” broke my $1000 kenmore front loader after about 4 years, I typed up instructions for the new machine, Whirlpool Duet which I love, and put them in a plastic sleeve attached to the washer. Everyone gets verbal instructions as well about load size, and detergent usage.
I recommend the Duet, uses very little detergent and water and gets clothes clean.In fact it works better than the Kenmore front loader that they broke!
I have the LG front load washer, purchased about 2 years ago. I was excited when we got it, however, disappointed at the way it SMELLS! You have to clean and dry the rubber gasket after every wash, and leave the door open to get it dry (or as close as it can be because water always seems to still be trapped under there) – and even then it smells musty. It doesn’t transfer to the clothes at all, and washes them fine, but I just don’t like that maintenance part of a front load washer. I’ve read online this is a pretty common problem with the front load washers of any brand. At least once a week, I have to run bleach through it on a maintenance cycle to try to keep it somewhat less smelly. Just my two cents
I bought an LG Front Loader model wm2140cw about 6 months ago (to replace another front loader that I bought about 10 years prior). I did research on consumer reports prior to purchasing and this one got very good ratings, and so far so good. Purchased at Home Depot.
We have a Kenmore, not sure of the model, but at the time was #1 on consumer Reports. It is a front loader and has a sanitize cycle (great for towels, sheets, etc and no bleach needed). I discovered too late the Sears Outlet where things are so much cheaper. Some are dinged, some are returns and some are brand new. It is worth the time to go look and see if you can find what you want for a substantial savings.
I am currently in the market for a new washer after 16 years. I have learned alot by not only checking out each model online but reading the reviews. Have learned that the GE models are the least liked (according to reviews). I still have not decided but know I want an agitator and the ability to choose the water level, not have the computer decide for me. So, this has been, by far, the most difficult search for an appliance I have ever encountered.
We just purchased a Whirlpool WTW4800XQ in March. So far it’s working well. This is the agitator machine, not energy efficient…but I do feel that it cleans the clothing well. Sometimes, though, the clothing smells a little weird…I’m not sure if it’s from the water or the detergent. My old machine made the clothes smell too..
I have a Kennmore Oasis HE top loader and love it. It has a large capcity and cleans well. I used to have a Maytag Neptune front loader and it never seemed like it held enough.
We got a large capacity Maytag almost 10 years ago and it still works great! I’m so glad we got the huge capacity, with a family of 6 it saves so much water and time! Good luck!
We have the Kenmore front load washer – big size. I have 5 kids and laundry is never ever ending. The clothes get so dry in the spin cycle that the dryer has to run much less. Have the matching Kenmore dryer also – love, love both. We rely a lot on the Consumer Report magazine ratings – plus what we can afford. Just make sure you get the pedestal to put under the washer/dryer so the height will be better – otherwise too low and it will kill your back/neck – and I’m short!!! Have had NO problems w/either. Good luck!
I have a Kenmore front loader and HATE it. I don’t understand having to wash my washer every month. My husband and I own a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy and I wash a ton of uniforms a week. If there is a soap build up it leaves brown streaks on the pure white gi’s. I had Sears out before and i was told to leave the soap drawer and the door open when not in use. I do about 15 loads a week and dont use a lot of soap. I would rather have a top loader.
I have the whirlpool cabrio top loader with 3.8 tub has agitator in middle. It has been really good. Holds about 1 1/2 regular size loads so has cut down on laundry time. Spins them so dry you almost don’t have to put them in the dryer.
If you do a lot of laundry, I would recommend a front loader. We bought the Whirlpool Duet and it is great. You can put as many clothes in as it will fit with no problem. But you must use the HE laundry detergent, or you will get a strong odor from the water on the first rinse. We bought it from an appliance store in Plainfield, N.J. (the best price and only 3.5% sales tax!)
I’m in the market for a new washer as well. I was talking to the salesman. He said that good non-agitator machines have sprays of water near the center of the tub, around where an agitator would be if there was one. The ones that don’t have those sprays don’t work as well. I haven’t bought anything yet, but will be reading everyone’s comments before I go shopping this weekend.
I also have a Frigidaire Affinity front load washer and after about 6 months it has a smell. I have to leave the door open to air dry after a load of laundry ( I can’t stand the idea of using a washing machine cleaner and wasting water…I bought a front loader to save energy and water). I’ve had this washer for a little over 2 years now and I’ve had it short out on me twice already. The company told me that it happens when there is surge of energy that goes throughout the house (like when we lost power during a hurricane and then regain power). I don’t understand that because my fridge or separate freezer did NOT short or any other large appliance for that matter. I personally do NOT recommend the LG front wash loader. Not only did it break twice already and it smells, I have to use half the amount of detergent than called for because it does not get rid off all the soap. For an experiment, do a regular load of laundry with the correct amount of soap, take out a piece of laundry when done and soak it in a bucket of water and you will see how much soap is left behind. This was a horrible purchase for me.