anyone have a front loading washer?

[mom-from-missouri]

My washing machine is biting the dust. If it makes it through another week of laundry it will be doing good.

Before I moved, I had a front loading Kenmore washer and loved it. But, it was sold and DH has this 12 year old one that I hate (maybe it feels my dislike and that is why it is acting up).

When I replace it, I want another front loading, energy efficent one. I could get what I had before, but wanted to hear from others.

Does anyone have one? What kind and what are your likes and dislikes?

[Like2Plan]

I have a Whirlpool Duet. I really like it. It does a nice job.

[mom-from-missouri]

do you know its capacity and how many gallons it takes per wash?

[lifeisgood]

I have a Bosch Next Series 500. I've had it for a year replacing a Neptune front loader. The Neptune was okay, except for the class action law suit associated with it. The Neptune lasted 6+years. This Bosch front loader has a high spin speed cutting drying time in the electric dryer by 10min/load. I noticed a $15/month reduction in the electric bill. I don't like that if you put towels or large items in the Bosch, the washer runs for a long time (2 hours). I am a big fan of front loaders due to energy efficiency and gentleness on clothing. I believe front loaders in general use about half the gallons of a toploader. 22 gallons versus 40 gallons I think. I did most of my research from Consumer Reports and a laundry forum (can't recall the name, but you could do a google search). Hope this helps.

[jIM_Ohio]

we own front loaders. If laundry is close to living area (we have first floor laundry, so we hear it when watching TV) get a low vibration one- they are noisier than anything I have had before (this is my fourth washing machine).

[Like2Plan]

Originally Posted by mom-from-missouri

do you know its capacity and how many gallons it takes per wash?

It is a large capacity washer. It can take up to 16 pairs of jeans or a sleeping bag at one time. The directions say that you can fill the washer so that the door shuts easily and the clothes can tumble easily. (My last load of towels included 11 thick towels, 10 wash cloths, 3 hand towels and a bath mat. )

Link to web site

The water used per cycle varies according to how many clothes have been loaded into the washer. I have read that it averages between 12-18 gallons per load.

[cheapdoggy]

Do you really save enough to make it worthwhile?
I see those machines starting at around $600-700.
What is the payback period?

[Like2Plan]

Originally Posted by lifeisgood

I have a Bosch Next Series 500. I've had it for a year replacing a Neptune front loader. The Neptune was okay, except for the class action law suit associated with it. The Neptune lasted 6+years.

We replaced the Neptune, too! (Our Duet is almost 2 years old). We had to have the Neptune repaired a couple of times. We had the 5 yr extended warranty and as soon as that was expired, we decided if it acted up again, we would ditch it because the repairs were pretty expensive (something on the order of $300+). We gave up at about the 6 year point, too.

[zakity]

I have a Duet. I am torn on if I like it or not. I used to love it. We have had it since 2002 or so. It was great until the back bracket wore out and broke. It was partially because of just wear and tear and partially because the soap wasn't diluting enough. The repair shop replaced the drum. The old drum had huge baffles. The new one has little ones. If I put a regular sized load in there now, everything winds up in one huge knot. I had to start doing like 1/3 of the normal loads to keep things from knotting up.

[Seeker]

We replaced our 1990's purchased "old-fashioned" washer and dryer last year (since repair people were now wanting to replace motors and things that basically would cost more than half the cost of new machines).

After researching and reading all the horror stories about the front-loader washers, we purchased ('old-fashioned") GE Profile machines and have not had any issues with them. Admitedly they are less than a year old.

Even though they are the original style (top-load washer and front-load dryer), they clean and dry our clothes and everything much better than the Amana's we had. These GE's are also hugely quieter than the originals.

Ultimately, I'm very satisfied and recommend that you do research before purchasing any particular model for front-loads or any other type.

I don't expect the newer machines to last 16 years like our older machines, but I may be getting a bit cynical from all the negatives I read about washers/dryers.

[mom-from-missouri]

Originally Posted by cheapdoggy

Do you really save enough to make it worthwhile?
I see those machines starting at around $600-700.
What is the payback period?

In my area, a standard washer is around $350 for the features I want. So, I will be paying that anyway. For an additional $300, I can get the one that advertises it only uses 14 gallons per wash, and it spins clothes much dryer, cutting down on my drying time (I try to hang dry at least 1/2 the time in winter, full time in summer).

I am on rural water-lowest bill is $70. Average is $100. Highest $200.

Neighbors on either side also on rural water with family size similar to us have reported their electric dropped about $15 a month, and their water dropped in half.

So, for our family paying rural water rates, it should pay for itself in about 6 month just using the water bill alone. I would say our washer is the biggest water user in the house. According to the paperwork with our current washer, it uses between 25 and 40 gallons per load depending on the water level selected. I always use high. And, another feature is the front loader will hold more, so less electric due to having to wash fewer loads. So, payback time would probably be sooner.

[Like2Plan]

The Duet will do a normal wash in 40 mins, heavy duty in 1:20 and sanitize in 1:55. I generally just use the normal wash cycle. I do wash once a week, I will do 4 normal loads (lights, darks, towels and sheets) plus a couple of delicate cycles (they run about 20 mins, I believe).

You do have to use the HE laundry detergent or you risk doing damage to your machine due to oversudsing.

It's mate, the dyer has given us trouble. There was something wrong with the sensor--it would not dry the clothes dry enough (they would be wicked damp). We had 3 service calls on that (thankfully, we also had a service contract on this dyer ). Generally, the automatic drying cycle goes for 59 mins, but we still have to do a touch-up cycle occasionally.

[shelbylovesmelby]

I've been thinking about getting a new washer like a front loader if our washer ever dies simply cause it uses alot of water & I have to watch our leetch bed especially when it's wet ouside as to how many loads we do to how full the bed will be. Plus.... I was looking for something that could hold more say like a full-queen size comforter and actually "wash" it rather than soak it w/ clean water KWIM?

I wouldn't be looking for a new dryer, the standard is fine but maybe I'll look @ getting an energy star model next time. But like a pp said it doesn't make that much difference when you line dry 2/3's of the year


Great topic idea OP!

[zakity]

My duet will wash a california king comforter. Well, I run it through, then pull it out and put it back in and wash it again. There was a spot that was dry and that was why I rewashed it. After I washed it again, it was all we and smelled clean.

It will handle a queen size comforter easily without washing it twice.

We are on a well and a septic system. With the regular washer, DH would only let me do two loads a day. He doesn't care how many I do with a front loader.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

LG front loading and it is awesome. 14 gallons versus 44 gallons, so every load I save a ton on heating hot water. I also save because the clothes are dryer so less drying time.

Also you use a ton less detergent, so I have the same laundry bottle after 3 years from Costco and on average I do 3-4 loads a week.

Now add up your loads and figure how much on hot water you'll save and it breaks even personally I think less than 6 months, @ 30 gallons a load! eek. That's a lot of water to be using. Plus your water bill would be higher.

[jasanderson]

Great post! I am anxiously waiting for my top loader to die so I can buy a front loader but I can't justify the cost yet Of course, my sears top loader was $500 when we bought it - had it fixed twice in the first 2 years and ever since it bangs and clangs but just won't die.

My sister in law did a ton of research and she said the LG gets the best ratings. My grandma always swore by Maytag machines - had hers for 30+ years but I don't know much about the front loaders - they are what are always in laundromats though so they probably have the most history on making them.

[nanamom]

I had never used a front loader until I had to keep house in my DIL house. Hers is a Myatag that can be an over under type but isnt right now. The think I noticed about it was how much my back hurt form bending down twice as many times. When I bought a new washer last year I got an over under for space savings but insisted on a top loader for the sake of my back. I do 4 loads every Monday and would be hurting by evening if I had to bend down that far.