New washer and dryer or not?

**eileen1** · 09-07-2009, 08:35 AM

First, many congrats on your upcoming baby - lots of sleepless nights ahead, but many, many, many happy memories in the making.

We did finally replace our 14 year old washing machine, a wringer type that did sometimes eat clothes with a top end loader and LOVE it!!!! The lack of a wringer makes a huge difference in not being so hard on the clothes.

In addition, it spins out so much better that our drying time has been cut in half.

As one service call can run you $80, unless you're particularly handy, buying new might be money well spent. We got ours from a small appliances store here in town rather than the big guys, and have been really happy with the service. It's a family run operation and I feel comfortable that if we have problems, we'll get help.

One last thought, I'm not real good on negotiating, but if you go to a smaller store spend some time and get the owner to give you her "best price" on a washing machine first. Only then at the "best price" might you want to say, well if we did get a dryer too, what would you think you could do on price?

Ours is a GE Profile and it's GREAT!!!!

**wnlbutterfly** · 09-07-2009, 08:39 AM

We bought our first W/D when expecting baby #1. It was from a Rent-to-Own center and was a return. We had that set from 1984 until 2008.

However, the newer ones aren't built to last like that anymore.

You could easily find a good used set and it might just run you 5-7 yrs with no problems.

We bought a new washer, and did have the matching dryer (new) and it was making such a horrible thumping sound I finally had them take it back. It was because of the rollers (actually it was because the drum had a seam that wasn't smoothed out), so everytime that seam went over the roller it thumped. Like you were drying tennis shoes, or a heart beat. Right now I am using my mom's used dryer (until they get their hook-ups installed at home to use it). It was a brand new dryer and the guy that works for that company that came out said that was actually "quiet" for that model dryer. PLEASE!

My advice is if DW really REALLY wants a new set, to make sure you research the models and get feedback from people that actually own a set. I have found others online that mention this model making the thumping sound.

**cschin4** · 09-07-2009, 09:17 AM

I guess it depends. Is it going to be in the basement or in a more prominent area like upstairs near your bedrooms. If in the basement, you might not need something to look pretty to fit in with the rest of the house. And, I think you could easily find a used washer and dryer if you do not have the cash to pay for it. But, if your wife is more particular about these types of things, then you may want to just go ahead and get the new one.

**jeffrey** · 09-07-2009, 03:08 PM

For energy savings for running the two, a top end washer isn't as important as a dryer. The majority of the cost of the washer is heating the water and the way they save money is by using less water. If you opt to wash in cold/cold, then it's not as big of a deal. If you will be washing in hot water, then it is.

For the dryer, the more you can line dry (if allowed), the more you'll save. Ther are a lot of little tricks that you can use to save money when using the dryer and washer as well: dryer tips and washer tips

**elessar78** · 09-08-2009, 07:01 AM

Thanks for the advice. Definitely valuable.

But from a personal finance standpoint, I'm curious what you all think. Our goal was to pay off debt, and be debt free in 11 months. And this sets us back approximately $1,000. Do I just bite the bullet and go along. Or should I insist we stick with the plan and not move into a place without a washer/dryer?

No, becoming debt free in 12-13 months (vs 11 months) would not be so horrible. But I like to set milestones and go for it, so wondering if this is a scenario where I need to show some flex?

**LivingAlmostLarge** · 09-08-2009, 07:15 AM

Yes you need flex. You realize how much laundry you'll have with a new baby? Especially if you go with clothe diapers.

Bite the bullet. And buying used is fine if it's energy efficient. I wouldn't waste money on a used set that isn't.

**MonkeyMama** · 09-08-2009, 07:39 AM

If I were you, I would spend $50 - $100 on an old washer/dryer.

As someone else said, they don't make them like they used to.

We had 30-year-old Kenmores (Washed a LOT of clothe diapers with our first baby, etc.). We replaced them with new Kenmores (highly energy efficient) in 2006. Honestly, I miss the OLD ones. We only replaced them because one needed a repair and we figured it was time to go new. (When we bought our house we filled it with old stuff so we didn't have to spend a lot of money - weren't even in debt - well maybe that's why).

When I lived with roommates we paid $100 for an old washer and dryer. Ours probably cost $50. These ancient washer/dryers kept us happy for about 10 years. The ones I bought with roommates were only a few years old. You will probably find an amazing deal on one that is not "energy efficient."

Oh - almost forgot to say - utility savings with new washer/dryer? Nothing particularly noticeable. Energy efficiency would be low on my priority list, for that reason.

**wincrasher** · 09-09-2009, 10:49 AM

well buying used is a crap shoot. you could get it home and dies the next day.

Since we're only talking about a$1k, I'd go for the peace of mind buying new with a warranty.

You are going to have ALOT of laundry, plus the inconvenience of carrying all that to a laundramat with a baby in tow - no thanks.

I got a set of front loaders for my new house this last spring. Love it. Times are much lower, very quiet (no vibration), less detergent, water and I think they clean better. But they were expensive - almost $2k for the set. At the time, they had nice top-loaders for $900 to $1000 with lots of features.

Go with a good brand, buy from a reputable place and look at the energy consumption placards you'll find affixed to the machine.

BTW, many of the new machines have "steam" features, so you can sterilize clothes, stuffed animals, blankets, etc. That may be handy with a baby in the house.

**Joan.of.the.Arch** · 09-09-2009, 11:34 AM

Even if you do decide to buy the new $800-$1500 machines, you could postpone the purchase until the baby comes. That would give you 6 (?) more months of paying down the debt. You'd almost be there.

Think about half way options, too. As Jeffery said, you might get the new drier, but old washer. You might get the new washer but an old drier. You could get the new washer, but hang things to dry. Then get the newer counterpart once your debt is paid off.

The decision needs to take into account how much time one can devote to laundry. I was a SAHM, and could carry things to the laundromat and dry on them on line in the backyard of our apartment. (But we also had a diaper service.)

**elessar78** · 09-09-2009, 06:32 PM

Well, it looks like my in-laws are taking the problem out of our hands. We mentioned, off hand, that we went washer/dryer shopping and they've been meaning to get a new set themselves, so they are giving us their current one.

Theirs is 20 years old, but works fine. So we're off the hook for now!

It would be nice to get new stuff, but not over getting FREE stuff!

**lehresman** · 09-10-2009, 02:50 AM

I've found that new washers and dryers are like cars. They lose TONS of value immediately. After watching craigslist for a few weeks, we found an almost new washer/dryer combo for $300. The lady was moving and didn't want to take her 2-year-old washer/dryer with her. They work great, and are almost new.

Of course, my experience doesn't guarantee the same for you. But I say that to encourage you to check craigslist first. Keep your eye on it for a few weeks. You might find an excellent deal.

New washer and dryer or not?