Washing machines - call for opinions

[celticdragonfly]

Looks like selenite and I may be about to buy a new washing machine.

Short form - our 9+ year old washer has problems, repair dude said it'd cost $280-odd to fix it. That's probably more than half the cost of a new one, we're thinking.

So we're going to be looking into replacement. Maybe shopping some tonight, maybe later. Not sure where yet, either.

Anyway. The old one is a large capacity. I'd *like* to get a MEGA capacity, but doubt I can afford that, but I gotta have the large capacity.

Other than that - suggestions? Advice? Avoid brand X? Make sure we get one with those nifty new Left-handed Dingleboppers that they didn't have 9 years ago? Talk to me, people.

EDIT: On the various advice about frontloaders - it occurs to me that might really help with the "training Maggie to help with the laundry more" plan. Hm. How do you put the soap into those things?

Comments

[telophase.livejournal.com]

Look at one of those places ... oh, heck, can't remember the name but there's one in Grapevine Mills Mall ... that sells appliances with scratches and stuff. I got my washer and dryer for $300 lower than they sell in regular stores because they had scratches on the front. (Like I care about scratches? I'm not featuring my washer and dryer in the living room...)

Will go look for the name of the place I got them. I ended up paying about $750ish pre-tax for the set, I think, and it's a pretty big capacity, at least extra-large.

[aeddie.livejournal.com]

I love our Fischer and Paykel.

http://usa.fisherpaykel.com/global/laundry-products/laundry-products_home.cfm

27 yards of fabric at one shot. Haven't had any problems in the 4 years we've had them. Automatic water level. Delayed start. Programmable cycle.

The only problem is they aren't cheap. It was almost $1400.00 for the set.

Front loaders

[dawn-pillsbury.livejournal.com]

a_steep_hill and I have been very happy with the Equator (http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-Large_Appliances-All-Washing_Machines-Equator_Ventless_Clothes_Processor_EZ_3600C/display_~reviews) front-loading washing machine/dryer we got second-hand a year ago (from a couple who had the mangiest dog in existance and found it wasn't up to cleaning all the rags the dog generated - luckily the wet dog smell came out with a vinegar rinse).

Its only disadvantage is that it's designed for use indoors, therefore has no vent and thus the dryer component isn't terribly robust (takes hours to get things mostly dry). Fortunately, we have a long clothesline.

I highly recommend getting a front-loading machine (http://www.epinions.com/search/?submitted_form=searchbar&search_string=front+loading&tax_name=Washing+Machines&dyn_nav=0&dyn_nav_id=&search_vertical=t103377&searchbar_submit=Search). They use less soap and water and get the clothes *much* cleaner.

[whouseknecht.livejournal.com]

I strongly recommend you get a front-loading washer. It will not have the mega-capacity you want, but 1) it is gentler on your clothes, so they last longer, and 2) it is more economical of water, so your water bill will go down. It will cost you more up front (probably around $800+), but the payoff in clothes and utility bills is worth it in the long run.

We got ours from Sears (a Kenmore (what else?)), and so far have had no problems with it after five years.

Check out Consumer Reports annual buying guide for further recommendations.

[cynthia1960.livejournal.com]

Front loaders rock. The only thing I haven't tried doing in ours yet is intentional felting.

As for loading the soap, mine has a little drawer that pulls out in the front where you pour the soap, bleach, and fabric softener.

[callibr8]

[Front loaders]: How do you put the soap into those things?

Both the Kenmore (Sears brand) that I bought in 1999 and the one here at the Treehouse (which looks to be similar vintage), had a pull-out drawer at top left, for the soap/bleach/fabric softener. Ours is a "standard" size washer rather than large size, but it works fine for us; maybe we do a couple more loads a week, but that's not a real hardship.

We've seen the same cleaner-clothes, less-soap, less-soap-reside, less-wear results that others have reported. It takes approx ONE OUNCE of detergent per load, even on moderately soiled stuff (since we don't have pets or kids, nor do we garden, we really haven't had occasion to try to get heavily soiled stuff clean).

What's with the no-clothesline cr@p anyway? That's bizarre!

A final note: one can even use a front-loader for wool-felting projects. What I've done is to boil a kettle full of water, put the item to be felted in a large pot and pour the water over it, then carry the pot down to the washer and dump the contents in. I start it on a hot cycle with some soap and my "felting jeans" (stiffest/heaviest ones I could find, acquired at a thrift store), then as soon as the fill is done and the agitation starts I switch from the Hot/Cold setting to the Warm/Warm setting; that way if I need to put it through an additional time I haven't "shocked" the wool with cold water.

[marymont.livejournal.com]

What aeddie says about the Fisher-Paykel is completely true. However, what I love about it is the super-spin cycle. Your load is only moist when you put it into the dryer, which makes the dryer much more economical than it would be with standard spin cycles. The engineering is much better in some way than regular ones--Æddie and Selenite would be able to explain it to you far better than I can.

Brands

[bkseiver.livejournal.com]

We started out buying Sears, as your grandparents Seiver had. First one was ok, but died when we moved in 1983. Bought a Maytag then, still using it! For top-loading machines, it was innovative, in that to work on the motor you pop off the front panel. Other machines, you had to walk the heavy muthah out from the wall! Ironically, we haven't had to work on it. 'Nuff said.

Oh, and the Sears drier we bought in 1985? Replaced in about 3 years with a Maytag - still using it. Just sayin'.

[fabricdragon.livejournal.com]

i want the live journal icon.. its exactly right! can i have it?
if you have answered me already i will get it in two days. my email has been like that.
also you uploaded a sign langage one... its GREAT! where did you get that? are there more?

[jonzeartist.livejournal.com]

Pardon me for changing the subject but I looked up on the interests page people who like the comic "Xxxenophile" and you came up...is this true? :)

Jon