Washer/Dryer help please

Wakin Dirrty · Outlaw Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 131 City: Nashville

So yesterday my wisher finally quit working so I figured its time to upgrade. I want to switch to a front loader style like the samsung or LG but there seem to be alot of choices now. My dryer is fine but I figure I can get a better deal buying both together. Any specific thing I should look for in a washer/dryer? Should I look for something that is energy star efficient? Any information would be very appreciated.

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

As I am doing the same research right now. My washer is like a mad bronco. I had to sit on it the other day because we thought it was going to go out and try and hump the damn counter it was bouncing so bad.

What I've learned:

-Front loaders
Easier to get stuff in and out
No agitator, so if you do a lot of delicates, that's a plus
Tend to be energy star efficient

-Top loaders
Agitator
No real difference
Easy to use

That's the difference. I've come to the conclusion, front loaders are a style fad more than anything. My mother has one, and she sees no real difference. I've been washing my clothes with a top loader since I was born. And they are clean and last for years. So I'm not jumping on the fadwagon and saving $1000 and getting a top loader and regular drier.
I'm sure people will post about how great they are, and I'm sure they are nice. But when they start coming out with designer colors, you know it's more about looks than performance.

I've also learned the energy efficient ones can take twice as long to dry, which kind of defeats the purpose.

Broccoli B · Posted: Sep 08, 2009 4:55 am Post subject:

Front loaders use less water and soap, that's about the only difference, they are also much quieter.

8824 · Posted: Sep 08, 2009 6:30 am Post subject:

check out Fischer Paykel

kinda of pricey but worth every cent.

since i moved I miss my washer dryer Sad

jjaszkow · Posted: Sep 08, 2009 6:35 am Post subject:

Having had both a top loader and a front loader, I think that the biggest advantage is the ease of transferring laundry between the washer and the dryer. One advantage of the top loaders is that for a given price point, you generally get slightly more capacity.

Other than that, haven't really seen too much of a difference.

That said, I don't think that I'll ever buy a toploader again.

Wakin Dirrty, if your dryer is fine, I'd save your money unless it's important to you that the two are a perfect match. Unless of course they are throwing in the dryer for free.

Rhawn · Posted: Sep 08, 2009 6:36 am Post subject:

LG = fancy looking POS

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

E.J. · Ladies Man Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 7597 City: Mogadishu

That is all personal opinion.....I do not wash clothing for a living and did not run a double blind study to get these findings. Just a guy that has done his fair share of laundry in both.

I cannot think of one thing, save for price, which would make someone choose a top loader over a front load.

Reasons to get a front load: They use less water. They use less soap. They are easier on clothing(no twisted up shirt/jeans). They have a higher capacity and do a better job with that higher capacity. It is easier to transfer the clothing. In the end, I think they are better in every way for what they are designed to do, which is wash clothing.

Only thing I can think of that was nice about the top load is having the "easy" option to throw in a late garment half way through a wash.

When my current set goes out, I will buy another. For me, the difference has been significant..... Michelle does most of the laundry and she is twice as sold as I am.

Rhawn · Posted: Sep 08, 2009 9:16 am Post subject:

DJew Jake · Posted: Sep 08, 2009 9:31 am Post subject:

Other nice thing about having front loading is you can do them as built ins and pu a counter overtop.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Rhawn, reasons why I always opt for the extended warranty on this type of item. Moving parts for the loss. Laughing

Anyhow, hopefully we fare better!

DJew Jake, this is on my fall/winter projects list. We need a counter in there badly. Should take me all of 15 minutes to install. I am just gonna buy a prefab laminate top, side brace it with some 1x1 and center brace it with a heavy duty bracket. Instant workspace for $50.

I had delusions of installing a slim cabinet between the W&D but we kind of like having that space open. We have full cabinets above so no need for extra storage in there. Cool

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

DJew Jake, now that is a point I've not heard before. Hmm that's a great one too. We're wasting tons of space, and with a short wife, having a counter down low versus the cabinets up high is nice. Thanks.

ohsix · Posted: Sep 08, 2009 10:02 am Post subject:

We bought a whirlpool front-loading set from Lowe's a few months ago. We bought on Texas energy-efficient tax-free weekend so we didn't have to pay sales tax on the washer plus Lowe's was having 10% off all appliances and whirlpool was offering an extra 10% off appliances so we saved quite a bit. This is the 2nd Whirlpool front-loading washer I've bought and I've been satisfied with both of them. The first one was used about a year, then sat in storage a little over a year (subject to ambient Wyoming temperatures) before I gave it to a family member. When he plugged it in, it always gave some warning that there was no hot water (when there was) so he called a repair man who charged him like $15 for a sensor and $35 to replace it.

BrentC5Z · Posted: Sep 08, 2009 10:13 am Post subject:

Bought the Maytag Neptune W&D about 5 years ago $$$$$!
I freakin HATE the washer! No it hasn't broke down, but you better get those wet clothes out ASAP. Stink like mildew after a few hours. I talked to the guys at Home Depot last week about the new ones. They still have this issue some. My next one will be a top load without the agitator. At 6'2", front loaders are a PITA for me anyway. And I don't feel inclined to spend hundreds on those drawer stands.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Brent87LT1, all front loaders have this issue. You HAVE to leave the door open after you use them otherwise they will begin to stink. They are, after all, water tight.

PS: take your clothes out when the load is finished you lazy f**k! Laughing

PPS: I dunno if yours has it or not, but ours has a "delay wash" feature so you can time it with your return home if need be.

Wakin Dirrty · Outlaw Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 131 City: Nashville

Hey guys, Thanks alot for all the good information. We bought the samsung washer and dryer earlier today. My wife has been wanting those for some time now so I figures we should just go ahead and get something we like. Again thanks for all the advice.

BrentC5Z · Posted: Sep 08, 2009 12:44 pm Post subject:

chavez, Yeah, after the first year we figured out the door thing. I do use the delay every now and then. Being a bachelor now, I have to "plan" laundry time.

PS: on the lazy thing, YOU ARE RIGHT! I have two types of laundry, dirty & clean. The washer is my hamper. When it's full, turn it on.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Bowen · Posted: Sep 08, 2009 4:00 pm Post subject:

If you go front loader, the pedestals are handy. I don't have them and every time I change the laundry it's a workout for the back with all the leaning down...

You can usually find a ton of them scratch and dent for way cheaper...

fish6942 · Addict Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 603

If space is a consideration, the front load washer allows you to stack the dryer on top.

Nooga678 · Posted: Sep 09, 2009 5:09 am Post subject:

Anybody got the combo that washes then dries them all in one unit?

dbismyname · Posted: Sep 09, 2009 5:24 am Post subject:

^ There's such a thing now?!?! Shocked

BrentC5Z · Posted: Sep 09, 2009 5:27 am Post subject:

joedirt00 · Posted: Sep 09, 2009 5:35 am Post subject:

Nooga678, unless you are a sigle guy in a freakishly small house they are no good. the problem is the dryer. Dryers are normally larger than the washer so in order for the same unit to do both the washer capacity is smaller. Also you lose time if you have to do multiple loads because you can't start another wash until the dryer is done. If you jam it too full every thing comes out wrinkled.

I have one of these in my Toyhauler that live in for out of town work. I can do a load every other day and keep up. If I let it go too long I go to the laundr-o-mat.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

The washer/dryer all-in-one combos are pretty commonplace in other countries. I can't imagine those home units are as bad as those found in RVs/yachts.

ctgretzky99 · Posted: Sep 09, 2009 6:53 am Post subject:

After owning homes for almost 20 years and buying many a washing machine and dryer at all different price levels for various homes:

Buy one of the least expensive there is out there because they ALL DO THE SAME FOCKING THING regardless of price. All the fancy crap amounts to nothing in the end.

Save the money and buy something else for the house.

Hollywood · Posted: Sep 09, 2009 6:58 am Post subject:

I agree ^^, go basic.

Also, anyone who can post on the internet should be able to build a pedestal out of some 2x4s and plywood.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

ctgretzky99, you can put way more clothes (or bulky items) in to most front loaders.

They also use significantly less water and much less power.

We bought steam washer & dryer. We use that particular feature every week (on stuff you would usually have to dry clean weekly). We also love the ultra low water use, the gentler treatment of our clothes, the delay feature, the ability to adjust the wash to our specific requests, etc etc etc.

I mean ****... how many dryers are you going to throw brand new silk curtains in without thinking twice about it? Ours...no problem.

I used to think that way. Until I got the better W/D and got used to the "extras".

FWIW: we paid $500 for the steam dryer on clearance at Sears. Brand new, but it was the last year model and it was the display. Had everything with it, and had never been used. 70% off FTMFW.

ctgretzky99 · Posted: Sep 09, 2009 7:38 am Post subject:

joedirt00 · Posted: Sep 09, 2009 8:34 am Post subject:

chavez, Mine is manufactured in Italy. The thing was freakin expensive too. I'm not saying its bad, just small and limited.

timmy · Addict Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Posts: 882 City: Jupiter, FL

I had a combo washer/dryer when I was living in the UK and it took FOREVER to do one load, and it only held 2-3 towels, freakin tiny. At least it was quiet.

churchy · Posted: Sep 09, 2009 12:26 pm Post subject:

I have Kenmore front loading washers and driers (HE - high efficiency)

They hold a ton of cloths. You can pack that thing full of jeans with no problems. Also large enough to do blankets, sleeping bags, duvets, etc.

Highly recommend.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

churchy, I got to try the sleeping bags in there (one at a time). Big thumbs up!

churchy · Posted: Sep 09, 2009 1:12 pm Post subject:

chavez, when you dry things like down (sp?) duvets and sleeping bags, throw a tennis shoe in there with it. It beats it up a bit and keeps things from bunching up.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

churchy, my sleeping bags are el-cheapo, but next time we wash our down comforter I'll do that.