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Spinoff-- washing machine reccomendations?
Topic Started: May 8 2010, 06:53 PM (524 Views)
Barn Girl
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So, last night I put a load of clothes in the washer before I headed up to the barn to feed and turnout. Hubby was still in the house and went into the kitchen about 10 minutes later and saw water dripping from the ceiling. Long story short, washer went nuts and overfilled and flooded the house. :o Not a good scene... it messed up hardwood floors downstairs, kitchen ceiling, recessed lights in kitchen, dining room table and chandelier, sheetrock on several walls and the carpet upstairs.

We're still trying to figure out the extent of the damage, and will have the insurance co. out but we now need a new washer. I saw the dryer thread and figured I'd see if anyone here had any recc's. I need a heavy duty, large capacity, top loader... and don't want a HE model. I need to buy one in the next few days because we do a ton of laundry. Suggestions?
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goodhors
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I always go with Sears washers, they have the biggest tubs.

I just ask which machines on the floor have the big tubs, choose a model with minimum wash choices. Neither cheapest or most expensive model. Has worked out very well for us. I don't use all the wash options, so wasted money to buy those for me.

I wash a LOT of farm-dirty clothing. Bulky things, coveralls, insulated coats (horse blankets, saddle pads!!) so the big tub is required. Big tub allows more water flow thru the material to clean better. City living clothing does not get that kind of filthy, so you might not need that in your washer choice.

I think the Sears prices are reasonable for a very tough, usable machine. They last about 8 years, with some laundry done almost every day, and multiple loads on wash day. My mom always asks where do we get all the clothes to wash? Not sure, but there is ALWAYS something that needs washing.

Machine may need a couple repairs over that 8 year time, some parts just get worn out with that much use! Sears parts are easy to get when you need them fixed. Husband says even with all our use, that the Sears machines last longer for us than most folks get. I guess common life for a washer is about 6 years. He talked to a number of repairmen, who ALL advised against the front-loaders. Very unreliable and need lots of repair, whatever the brand.
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jillincolorado
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BG what a MESS!!! :(

I for one have NOT had good luck with Sears. Bought BRAND NEW washer (front load, heavy duty capacity) washer and dryer six years ago and a fridge. Fridge has had MAJOR pronblems including needing the compressor replaced twice (in the first three years) and the washer has already been replaced after leaking issues (at four years old). Their service was HORRENDOUS and they even tried to tell me I hadn't purchased these items from them despite my ORIGINAL receipt and many many phone calls. Both of our parents had Kenmore appliances that lasted FOREVER with heavy use, so I was quite disappointed in the poor performance. The dryer is still hanging on but I jhave a feeling it isn't long for this earth.

When I replaced the washer I went with a GE large capacity front load HE model. It's great except it doesn't stay balanced so we constantly have to re-adjust the settings during the wash cycle. Very annoying.

I will be interested to see what opinions everyone has because I think I am done with the front loading types. I want a toploader!!!
Edited by jillincolorado, May 8 2010, 10:20 PM.
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MissBri
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But, I don't care - it's 5:00 somewhere
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I bought a brand new amana washer and dryer about 3 years ago - minimum cycles, heavy duty, extra large capacity. So far so good.
I think the most important thing is the less options, the better. I really only use the heavy duty cycle, so didn't need any bells and whistles.
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horseless no more
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Magical Leopluridon
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IF you have a Best BUY they have LG front loads for a reasonable price. I got a washer and dryer for 500$ each. Dh told me that they are cheaper now. Course dropped price after we bought them and after the 'if we drop our price or see it cheaper with in X days we will refund the differance'' thing.
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Sannois
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Love my Whirlpool, 11 years and knock on wood still going. Heavy duty, does the job.
Repair man who fixed whirlpool dryer this spring, Tiny part went out after 11 years said he loves them, holdup and are uncomplicated. He told me a few horror stories about those super fancy new models they sell now. Seems the computer can be a real problem. Gee No kidding, Computers sure can be a pain. Anyway, Jut think the old kind still work the best.
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onwego
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Can't you get a rebate now if you buy an energy efficient one?
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Barn Girl
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Yes, you can get a rebate, $75 if you buy an energy star rated washer. I reserved mine yesterday and have 60 days to buy the washer and redeem it. So at least that was good timing.


We definitely need a large capacity, we have a farm and lots of "farm-dirty" clothes, etc. plus hubby is a contractor. So we do a lot of really dirty laundry.

Hoping to get one tomorrow, will report back with what we got! Thanks for the ideas!
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Black Tack
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Info from my shopping today that I found quite interesting.

The top load washing machines use about 40 -45 gallons of water compared to 12 - 15 for the front loads.

Also the front loads spin about 3 to 4 times faster which therefore gets rid of much more water, making you use significantly less drying time.

The steam option for the washer helps with allergies and stain removal I believe.

Some of the washers now have heating elements which get the water much hotter for disinfecting, etc compared to just the hot water that we used to use.

The other thing you can get are timers that let you set when you want to use it so that you can do the laundry at night when the cost of electricity is much less.

One salesman that we liked quite alot felt that LG, Samsung and Bosch are the top brands. When we were at Sears we found that some of the Kenmores are made by LG and some by Samsung.

I had my trusty Consumers Reports with me at the time but found that I could never get the numbers to match up to anything on the floor. I finally gave up :psycho: :brickwall:


Just some things to make you go hmmmmm. Because as you know I am looking for a dryer however now may just need to get both :innocent:
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goodhors
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The fact that front loaders do use less water, can mean the clothing does not get as clean. Water motion, water quantity moving, are a big factor in cleaning REALLY DIRTY things, This is even more true when you really fill the washer with big loads.

In my top loader, we wash 3 pairs of heavy weight denium (levis) jeans per load, using Large Load setting for water quantity. No more than the 3pr or they don't get clean. We just get dirty working outside! Daughter's very light weight denim, "designer style" jeans, are washed 5 pr at the time for the full load. They are not very dirty to begin with, super light material washes clean easier than work jeans do. I follow my mother's old directions to not fill the tub with load over 2/3 full of fluffy fabric. She is a Home Ec teacher from years ago, KNOWS what she is talking about in doing laundry. She always taught that overloading the machine is sinful, both in time and water wasted for a less than satisfactory result in clothing appearance. Clothing wears out faster with dirt in the fibers or you dislike it quickly because it is not nice looking very long.

I see folks at the laudromat cramming the machine FULL for the load, clothing comes out grimy grey. Mostly wasted money washing that way, because there are too many clothes to allow limited water to clean them well. Those folks think they are "saving" money with fully loaded machines. This is in both top loaders and front loaders, clothes just don't come clean with over loading the machine.

Me, I am there washing rugs that won't fit in my machine.
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Sannois
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I will stick with my 11 year old whirlpools! They have served me well, I only do laundry 2 times a week for 2 people. Like I said the thing that the service guy told me about the fancy new ones is that the computers have lots of glitches, He installed 2 new fancy ones in a guys new home, Wood floors. In one use the thing flooded the house, the sensor is supposed to tell it when the water is full it did not work, justkept filling. They got another one, Happened again. His floors suffered and he ended up buying the old kind. Sometimes technology is just too complicated. I will take simple! LOL ;)
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Black Tack
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Sanny I have Maytags that are over 10 years with us and we bought them used so am also used to older technology. I hear you about computers and more things that can break and watching out for newer unnecessary gadgets. I do think some of the newer features can be great though and am excited about the spinning being so much better so that clothes need far less time to dry.

goodhors, I agree totally with you about not over stuffing the machines. It definitely doesn't get clothes as clean. My 26 yr old son will figure that out eventually I am sure :innocent: I think that applies to any machine though, front or top load.

I don't think that because a front load machine uses less water it doesn't get very dirty clothes clean though. Again I think you just need to be careful of loading it properly. The one I looked at could hold 20 bath towels (pretty sure I don't have 20 :o ) Also with getting the heater you can get the water hotter for things that would contain dust mites, etc. Some of them have another feature for bad stains like blood where they start it in cold water and then move to warm/hot.

The sales man suggested not getting the pedestals although many of the machines we looked at have the anti kilter technology anyway. They go off kilter and then right themselves and keep on going.

I am still trying to decide on the steam features for the dryer though. Yes it helps with wrinkles which is awesome. If that meant I wouldn't have to take hubby's shirts to the dry cleaners that could save some $$$. However I doubt if they would have that pressed look so I don't think it would be enough. I usually take stuff out right away anyway and dry in smaller amounts so things don't really get wrinkled anyway. I iron once every 2 years whether I need to or not ;) Well, except during show season :innocent:
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jillincolorado
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My front load has the balance correction ffeature and I STILL have to correct it for heavier loads (towels...jeans) I've tried washing just two pair I've tried washing ten and everything in between and most time I have to get up when it starts banging. We've had the repair guy out and he says it's balanced. :sigh:


Anyone who can help me correct this problem would be my HERO! It's a GE, front load, heavy duty capacity.

I think we've both decided to buy a top load next time. I've had two front loaders and have not been happy with either one.
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Black Tack
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Is it on a pedestal Jaci?

My top load washer does that as well but usually when I have just a couple of things in it. Frequently enough though :(
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Buryinghill1
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Get a shut off installed AT THE WALL CONNECTION!

My former plumber (another state) installed w/d on 2nd floor (washer on a drain pan). He put a lever shut off at the base of the faucets. After each load I shut off the water. One simple lowering of the lever :innocent: This became habit. Run a load, take out the wash, shut off the lever. I did not run the washer when I wasn't home. If there ever was a leaky hose, only the guart or so of water in the hose would drain out. If a major break occured it was easy to shut off the water in a 1/4 second.

In my new house I did the same thing. Plumber said he did the same in his own house. :innocent:

My washer is a front load Maytag. 2nd one. Previous one was a Neptune - it was fabulous! Wouldn't fit in my new house, though. :teehee:
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