Advice needed on washer/drier

[Admin]

John and I are in the market for a new washer and drier. We have done a little research, but not a lot.

We would prefer front loaders without the stands so that we can put a counter over them. However, we have both heard some stories about the front loading washers smelling after a while. I am not sure if this is due to a design flaw, or just people not keeping up with some kind of regular maintenance.

So we welcome any and all advice for types and even makes/models for clothes washers and driers.

Thanks!

Nora and John

 

[tundra ron]

My wife and I have whirlpool duet front loaders on factory stands. They have been very good no service call in ten yrs. A few minor things that we fixed ourselves. The smell comes from the filter because it is full of water. Leave the door open no problem. Clean the filter twice a year. Also use the right soap.

 

[srt20]

Yeah, leave the door open, leave the soap tray open, and clean the drain hole in the front door gasket every once in awhile.

Other than that, I know nothing about washer and dryers, except how to use them when I get yelled at.

 

[lenny]

Diana and I have LG front loaders that came with this house we bought 7 years ago and were used when we bought it. They have been flawless but we did encounter smelliness in the door gasket and every once in a while we clean that and run some vinegar through an empty load, we seriously love the way these machines run. The washer spins super fast and long so the cloth are rung out real well and they hold a ton of close. Good luck!

 

[f8man]

We also have the Whirllpool duets about 13 yrs. Have factory stands, used for about 2yrs w/o, long way to bend down w/o the stands. I find the odor comes from seal around door witch is very easy to clean,I know of no filter. Had heating element on drier go while under warranty. They seem to be very easy on water usage, for are use that was important, we paid I think around $1000 ea w/o stands and I know they have come down in price. My wife says she still likes them, but wouldn't have w/o bases. See you @ Snow show F8man

 

[polarisrider1]

We have the LG front load with direct drive and steamer option on dryer. Wife loves it. It has a really cool paint job is all I can tell you.

 

[joks79]

We have had our kids socks plug the drain several times. We ended up using garment bags to stop that issue. They also required to be leveled or they vibrate.

 

[russholio]

Lorna and I bought an LG front loader 3 or 4 years and it has been flawless. We love it. We too had heard of people complaining of smelliness but attributed it to poor maintenance. We leave the door and soap dispenser open when not in use, run occasional cleaning cycles and we've had no issues.

 

[willey]

I would highly recommend the he top load units. We had one in our last house and loved it. Very low water use and it did an amazing job cleaning. Our new house has 8 yr old front load duets and it's just pain to bend over to load and unload. ( building stands for them!!!). Cleaning is not quiet as good. The front loads do require a cleaning and leaving the door open.

 

[scoot]

We've had front loaders for several years now and love them. The water saving alone was worth getting them for our septic system. Like others have said, we leave the washer door open while not in use so we seldom get the musty odor. However I would highly recommend the pedestal stands if you do a lot of laundry, they've been priceless having saved my old back from the extra bending.

 

[whitedust]

I'm always looking for a better mouse trap so bought Fisher & Paykel washer & dryer that takes front loader tech & applies tech to top loaders for both washer & dryer. Fisher & Paykel washer & dryer by far has been the best washer & dryer we have ever had going on 5 years zero problems & would buy Fisher & Paykel again. Electric dryer also has nat & lp gas versions does not rotate clothers more of a back & forth motion that does a super job. The washer simular operation to front loaders but loads from top. Look up Fisher & Paykel online for models & is sold thru big box stores bought ours in Rhinelader at the Mart.

 

[rodehard]

We have Samsung front loader with steam. Works great with well and septic. Very little water usage.

 

[dcsnomo]

I have three washers and four dryers and replace them every 5 years or so. I know you want front loaders, but here's what I know- The purpose of a washer is to wash clothes easily and efficiently, the purpose of a dryer is to dry them. All the fancy bells and whistles and cycles and lights do nothing IMHO. So, after many trials I use Speed Queen top loaders, stainless drum, mechanical contol ( not digital). Has a reg cycle, PPress, Delicate, hot/warm/cold cycles. All I need. Fast, excellent job of washing. Best dryers are Ingliss from Best Buy, Canadian division of Whirlpool. Mechanical control, 3 cycles, drys fast.

I did have a couple of Fisher & Paykels, good machines but not right for what I was doing. I have one LG big fancy dryer, is holding up well but doesn't dry as well as the Ingliss machines and I don't need the 772 different cycles, temps and timers it has.

No, they are not sexy and pretty and red and chiming, but I crank out a lot of laundry for a lot less money and I beat these machines like a borrowed Polaris.

 

[groomerdriver]

Lorna and I bought an LG front loader 3 or 4 years and it has been flawless. We love it. We too had heard of people complaining of smelliness but attributed it to poor maintenance. We leave the door and soap dispenser open when not in use, run occasional cleaning cycles and we've had no issues.

I echo what russ says. If you know me I over analyze every purchase. The main thing I learned about a front loader is to have a cleanable filter which our LG has. On the lower LH corner of our LG is a door and behind it is a filter which you take out, clean and put back. If any "stuff" (coins, trinkets, etc.) has made it's way through the system the filter catches it before it gets to the pump system. If any junk gets to the pump system, call the repair guy (again, so I am told). There are other brand besides LG that has them but our LG was the right size (space limitations) at the right price.

Some other things to consider:

1. Get a unit with a direct drive system. Proven technology.
2. LG makes Kenmore front loaders if you are inclined to go the Kenmore route.
3. As russ and others have said, leave the door and soap tray open and you'll have no problems with smells. Wipe the inner gasket down on occasion.
4. Unit must be on a SOLID floor and be level. They can rumble at the high RPM spin cycle depending on the load.
5. (before I forget) I have seen red units that would match Big Red's color very well!
6. Get the extended warranty. These things do have problems, especially in the main circuit boards.
7. Do not put in too much HE soap. We have found that more is not better. We have had excellent luck with Tide HE.
8. Get the pedestals for sure! Your back will thank you!
9. I've read in too may places that top load HE units don't clean as well as front loaders. The Dee family gets dirty right? Stay with e front loader IMO.
10. I asked two local repair guys what brands have been the best. They said LG, Kenmore and Samsung. They service ALL brands, not just the 3 I mentioned.

Gotta go. If I think of more (and I usually do ) I'll email you.

 

[m8man]

We bought our front load W/D back in 2007. they have run steady (almost daily) since then with not one single problem.

They are the large capacity ones, and they do not stink/smell at all. I can say the HE soap is a bit more expensive but I think you can get more stuff in them.

we love ours (although I don't use them) and would definitely buy another set. since they are front loading make sure when you buy them that the doors open to the outside of each so you can trf wet clothes to the dryer without a door in the way....

we do not have the storage containers under them either.

good luck........

m8man

 

[Hoosier]

The stands for the front loaders are a ripoff. No reason they should half the price of the actual unit. Kind of like when you have to buy parts for a sled

 

[eagle1]

The purpose of a washer is to wash clothes easily and efficiently, the purpose of a dryer is to dry them. All the fancy bells and whistles and cycles and lights do nothing IMHO.

No, they are not sexy and pretty and red and chiming, but I crank out a lot of laundry for a lot less money and I beat these machines like a borrowed Polaris.

Glad I'm not only one that feels this way. Can't believe people want/ use all that electronic crap on a washer dryer.
Love our Maytags, turn dial, pull come back when it's done. No manual to "learn" how use.

 

[ragex2]

After much research we too bought an LG front load. It runs like a watch, wife loves it . would buy another. we don't get the "smell' very often , but Tide makes a 'wash machine cleaner' soap that takes it away, run it once or twice a year. and keep the doors open as stated

 

[Admin]

Thanks for the great advice everyone!

It's nice to know that the smell issue is really not much of one if you leave the door open and do a little regular maintenance on it.

We don't really need all the bells and whistles of the fancy front loaders, but like the capacity and lower utility costs of them. Plus a steam feature to take wrinkles out would be good.

Thanks!

John and Nora!

 

[timo]

yes leave door open on front end washer.
Also take a towel and wipe dry the rubber gasket in front and that will wipe away any water that stands on the gasket and that will eliminate your smell also