need new washer

[nursemombren]

I need a new washer. Mine quit working.I've had it 1o years ,& I don't know how long my fil used it before us. What kind do you have? Likes /dislikes? Do you use homemade soap in it? Thanks I was reading about kenmore HE3 reviews Very mixed. Is there anyone who has a front loader for a few years without things going wrong? Have you heard of Bosch? Thanks so much everyone.

[halfpint]

I've had a Whirlpool front loader for several years. I really like it - I can do larger items in it (mostly bedding), and it seems to clean better than my old top load washer.

I also use my home made soap in it - the liquid type as I find the powder doesn't all dissolve - had the same problem with my top loader also so it's a water issue not the machine.

I have to keep the door propped open when not in use, or it will begin to smell inside. Also, you need to get the clothes out as soon as possible or they may begin to smell. When this happens, you have to wash the clothes again (although on the shortest cycle works). It's worse in the summer than winter, and I've found that using a vinegar rinse helps make the time you can leave them in the washer go a little longer. I wish that the manufactures would add a tumble cycle that it would tumble the clothes every so often (like many dryers have), until you open the washer - which I think would help with the odor. I've only had this happen a couple of times, and usually when some emergency came up and I had to leave the house unexpectedly.

For really dirty clothes, I've found it best to run them on a soak cycle before washing.

I'm not sure if they've made any improvements, but when I purchased mine most of my friends recommended staying away from the Maytag. My parents do have the Maytag, but with only two adults, don't wash more than a few loads a week and haven't had any problems with it so far. I generally wash several loads a day.

You might want to go to a bookstore and see if any of the consumer reports magazines have washer ratings. That can give you some indications of brands to look for and avoid.

I see you're new to HT, WELCOME!!!
Dawn

[Callieslamb]

I like my front loader. It spins more water out of the clothes so they take much less time/energy to get them dry. This is the reason we went this route. If we have to line-dry, it will be much easier too.

[nursemombren]

Thanks so much anyone else? I might get top loader.

[Kmac15]

If you have the money go for a front loader, the clothes are spun so dry they take only a short time to finish drying.
A top loader uses 40-60 gallons of water per load while my front loader uses 14-16 gallons per load and my loads are bigger.
My DH build a stand do I don't have to bend deep and my homemade laundry soap works great.

Oh ya you use 1/2-1/4 the soap as well.

[mistletoad]

Bosch are fantastic, but sadly out of my price range. We have a European made front loader, but it came with a much lower price tag. It must be about 4 yrs old now. I don't really like the American brands - I trust the euro washers because they are what I grew up with. My parents got their first automatic front loader in 1972. If my Danby dies I will be saving up for a Bosch or Siemens, but I will curse every day that I have to use the top loader I have stored in the shed.

[Nancy]

I've had a Maytag, heavy duty, top loader for at least 10 years with very few problems. The 2 problems I did have were easily fixed. They are affordable, work well, and have a great reputation.

[Texasgirl]

I have a Whirlpool top loader extra large capacity and heavy duty.

The only problem was when I did not see a tooth pick in dh's shirt pocket and it went through the wash and got stuck in the pump.

Repair man came out and he wrote the ticket up as under warranty.

It does a great job washing.

[nursemombren]

Thanks everyone!