Follow
Share

Need to get the order in as it may be a couple weeks to delivery. Our washer has taken more abuse of late with more laundry generated with mom's care and the aides. (Seriously, if you're drying someone just washed and presume they are now clean, can you not reuse a towel? Or is that just how I was raised???) Anyhow since it was purchased in 2003, Dad is in favor of buying a new one (AND dryer). I am uneasy with a front loader and have heard about the issues.....but agitator or not? Heard some are disappointed without one, but the reviews in Consumer Reports, whom I trust, indicates that people are satisfied with the cleanliness even in models without. I mean how could they make so many without if they didn't do what they were supposed to?? AND the one's with agitators cost LOTS more these days. I'm just relieved that I could still use my Persil in HE washers. Looks like LG is leading with the hightest ratings and there are a couple best buys...ANd then we have the dryer...gas vs electric....though they say although the gas is a bit more there is cost savings that will balance that out . Feel free to share your thoughts....It could be a couple weeks till delivery so I want to decide ASAP. Thanks in advance...

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
Perfect 10 clients use colour-coded towels and flannels along the lines of light tops, Blue Bottoms (any contrast will do, but blue makes it easier to remember); and then of course the top towels at least can be re-used.

They also have somewhere for you to hang them to air, spacious enough that you don't need to be a Tetris ace to get them all on tidily.

I am about to become the proud owner of a Bosch combined washer-dryer - if all goes well with the space and connections I've just had made for it, touch wood - and as luck would have it a new client yesterday has exactly the same model. I was delighted that I didn't even realise it was on in the next room until it went into its final final spin and then peeped politely to say it was finished. She said she was thrilled with it. This one wouldn't do for you because you'll need the separate machines but I should have a look at the brand.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
gdaughter Aug 2021
Thanks for the info...If you got the BOsch 800 series WAT28402UC which is compact, it scored quite well at 76 but as I'm trying to watch our budget I went with the "best buy" top load HE which scored closely to that at 81.

Good luck to us all.
(0)
Report
We had a Whirlpool duet front loaders and they lasted about 8 years. The circuit control board went haywire on dryer and we had to hit it for a year for it to work. We purchased recently LG front loaders and so far Im happy though they are significantly louder than the Whirlpool set. The noise is my only complaint so far. The units have way too many bells and whistles so that does make them seem more complicated. A repairman that i had out once told me to think of appliances these days as disposable after about 10 years. Dont buy most expensive and go somewhere in middle. We faced shortages of inventory when we purchased LG's so we were limited in choices.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report
gdaughter Aug 2021
Our current ones are Whirlpool but they do poorly in the ratings, if one has any faith in the ratings, which I do. Ours were not Duets, but have lasted 18 years so I guess we were both gentle and blessed. Noise shouldn't be much of an issue with the elders being deaf or close to it and the machine is in the back corner of the house in its own room....I think the shortage in part is reflected by the generally excellent reviews. The model I was looking for, I was told at one place has been on order for 3 months! I guess I should take that as a good sign, and am relieved I have found a couple places that indicate stock IS available....
(0)
Report
Maytag was bought out by Whirlpool and I had heard Whirlpool made Kenmore. I got one of the last Maytags. Its now 36 yrs old.

My Mom was always told the more bells and whistles the more repairs. Call a repair place and ask what they recommend.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report
gdaughter Aug 2021
OH thank you for clearing that up! I was wondering who was on first! EXCELLENT SUGGESTION! THANK YOU SO SO MUCH. Will wait another day to place order if I have to. SOmeone along the way suggested Speed Queen and there are a couple reviewed models...their rationale was that those were what laundromats used so they could take a beating, which we never would do...thanks again
(0)
Report
Most are made by whirlpool w a different logo stuck on. Get the simplest! Easier and cheaper to repair.

I hate those frontload water saving machines as they don’t put much water in there it’s like they get your clothes a little moist and roll them around.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
gdaughter Aug 2021
Totally agree with that line of thinking. I don't need or want the bells or the whistles...Someone else opposed the front loader routine...though I will say that the person I spoke with at LG yesterday indicated that agitators are going to be a thing of the past....or as my cousin said "That's what family's are for!"
(0)
Report
My FIL owned a laundromat and did all his own repairs. He always said "Speed Queen because they are easy to fix, Maytag because they never break". Of course, this was back in the 1980's.

If you get LG or Samsung, I would get a service contract, something I usually forgo.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
MJ1929 Aug 2021
Maytags have changed. My husband has a little side business buying broken down Maytag front loaders and selling the parts. There's quite a call for them, I'm afraid. I can't tell you how many times he's rebuilt mine!
(0)
Report
See 2 more replies
Older vintage washer and dryer, probably Sears or Montgomery Ward
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Speed Queen top loader. It's not computerized and is a good basic mechanical machine, so nothing ever goes wrong with them. It's what they use in laundromats, so they take a beating and keep going.

Around here the local Facebook neighborhood page is full of people saying LG and Samsung machines are a nightmare. They break after a year and cost a fortune to fix. They eventually give up on the bells and whistles and get the Speed Queen. It's a lot cheaper, too.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
MJ1929 Aug 2021
And of course you can reuse a towel after a shower or bath. I don't live where humidity/mildew is an issue as they dry, but water certainly is, so we use ours for a week.
(1)
Report
See 1 more reply
My cousin just bought a large, like king size down comforter large, top load no agitator. MADE IN THE USA and it is the best washer and dryer I have ever used. Maytag

I love my Maytag and my husband repairs it whenever anything gets sketchy. I believe that they are designed to last and I believe in supporting manufacturers that have kept production in the USA.

If I have to replace my units, oh please no, I will be getting the top load, no agitator.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
gdaughter Aug 2021
Well, I don't know about forgoing the agitator, but I have written down your and other advice to further investigate. I too would like to support American companies, but not at a financial cost, as in expensive to begin with or to repair. HOw close to Cleveland are you? So you can loan out your hubby as needed?LOL
(0)
Report
Do. Not. Get. A Whirlpool. Cabrio.
OK, mine's 10 years old, but it came brand new with the house. It's one of those ones without an agitator, but there's a tiny gap between the part where an agitator would be and the bottom of the tub. It pulls the laundry into the gap and then when it spins it tears small holes it. I have lost several favorite old tees and even some nice light cotton sheets to it. And apparently they were aware of the issue because they have instructions on how to separate each piece of your laundry when you load it, not just for the dryer, because that's a thing, but also for the washer. And it's so energy efficient I have to set the water level up higher than it should be or nothing gets clean. I really miss my old front-loader from Sears.
I do appreciate the opportunity to vent!
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
SnoopyLove Aug 2021
I miss our older-than-the-hills Sears Kenmore washer! That thing just chugged along forever and got things squeaky clean.
(5)
Report
See 2 more replies
Went through this but with a washer that went kaput. Are your washer and dryer still working OK? They definitely do not make ‘em the way they used to so I would hold onto them unless there is a problem that can’t be repaired.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
gdaughter Aug 2021
Well, you know what service calls cost...we were thinking it was better to just put the money into a new one instead of having someone come out considering the age of the washer. Now you got me to wonder....
(0)
Report
See 2 more replies
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter