Best Washing Machines?

Hi L.~
We bought Frigidaire front loader washer and dryer a few months ago. I really love them, the washing machine gets the clothing so dry through a normal spin making the drying time less. We previously had a Kenmore, maybe about 8 years old, it had come with our home. It didn't spin the clothing as dry as the frigidaire we have now. My parents have the LG front loader in their home here in PA and their shorehouse. I love using them when I need to. Those are really outstanding. Good luck!

I have a Fisher and Paykel that has gone 7 years with 3+ big loads per day for 6/days per week. (7 in family) It was under warranty for 4 years, but I never had a service call. I finally did have a service call this year for a broken hose. Since it's manufactured in New Zealand, it's very conserving on water. I remember that our water bill dropped by 1/3 when we started using it.

So happy to read Carolyn's reply.

I just bought a Fisher and Paykel, at the Sears Scratch and Dent Warehouse in Lawrenceville.

I feel like I am the only person who feels like I DO NOT want a front loader. I like the way my clothing becomes clean with a toploader instead of flopped around in a front. However, the environment is not only my personal concern but it is a way of business for me. Here is what I have to offer.

Like a front loader the Fisher and Pykel uses 1/3 or less less water. The overall energy useage is approx. $11.00 for a year vs. $33.00 for a standard top loader. AND it spins out the clothing at 1000 rpm. Which means the clothing comes out so much dryer and uses less dry time in the dryer. (I usually hang all my clothing for eco reasons) but I still bought the matching dryer. My total tab for "NEW" non damaged, non returned equipment was $1033.00 delivered and hooked up for both.

Can't touch a top loader for that. Plus the Fisher and Paykel come with a "2year" warranty instead of the standard 1 year.

It is a company that sells over 1 Billion in product a year. They have been around for over 70 years internationally and while they are from New Zealand, there is an assembly plant right next door in Clarkston Ohio where my unit was made. So I feel good about supporting local labor too!

That is my recent story.

Good luck on your search.

Hey L.,

We have an LG front loader - recommended by consumer reports. I love it! It holds way more than a traditional top loader and it does get the clothes cleaner. Plus, the clothes are just damp when they come out so you don't have to run the dryer very long. (It has multiple settings so you can turn the spin speed way down if you have delicates, etc.) We have a GE dryer - nothing special because consumer reports seemed to rate dryers similarly. BUT, the one thing is to get a dryer with a large enough capacity so that it can hold all that you put in the washer. Have fun shopping!

I bought an LG Frontloading washer and dryer about a year ago and I love it. Our water bill dropped almost 60 a quarter just from that change. So now our monthly water expense is about 40.00 and that is with two small children so you know i live in laundry h#ll....LOL They really do hold a lot more clothing. I also still had a huge box of regular Tide left over when I bought the front loader. I still use it...although about half the amt as normal and only in every 3rd load or so.

They are quite powerful and my laundry is on the second floor and when the spin cycle is running it shakes the lighting in my dinning room which is directly below it. Just something to think about if your laundry is on the second floor.

M.

Hey L.- we're in the same boat!! I went to Lowe's (in Oaks, PA) today and Justin in the appliance department was AWESOME! He went through features of the different brands which was great. I also was at the Home Depot (in King of Prussia) and the salesperson was nice but not overly knowledgeable. Best Buy was a bust, they had a decent inventory but no help from salespeople. I didn't go to Sears...

I decided on the Maytag Epic front loader. My parents have the same model and I really like it, there's TONS of settings and the price and reputation is great. I also looked at the Whirlpool Duet but it is a little more $ and did not have the extra settings I was looking for. There are always promotions (free delivery, rebates, gift cards, discounts) so pick which machine you want and look for the best deal. Lowes is having $100 back on Maytag and Whirlpool starting Fri.

I'm all about water conservation, but I am moving from top to front loader to have less wear on my clothes. (I probably spend more $ replacing shirts and jeans than the difference in cost between front/top loaders!)

So, just shop around and really compare models based on the needs of you and your family! I think you'll be happy with whatever you pick out!!!

I have a Kenmore front loader that is about 5 years old. I think the clothes are much cleaner than the they were with the old top loader. The clothes are much drier at the end of the cycle, so less time in the dryer. We did not buy a matching pair, as I had a fairly new large capacity dryer at the time we bought the front loader. I bought the front loading washer mostly because I live in the outdoors so much. I am able to put down sleeping bags and even tents in the front loader, and I've never had any of my expensive gear suffer any damage. I've also been able to get twin sized comforters in the machine, as well.

There have been a lot of innovations in the 5 years since I bought my machine, so check out all the brands. But I highly recommend a front loader. Ours gets lots of use, and I've never had a problem. (oh! and they use lots less water, too.)