Washing Machine is dying a slow, pitiful death

marnold

marnold

Cathlete
Well my piece o' crap Kenmore will be buried this Saturday. Yesterday, I had to start the spin cycle with my hand...that is the last straw. :)

If you had under $1000 to spend on a washer, and you will never buy another Kenmore product if your life depended on it (DH's words :) ), what brand, model or type would you buy and WHY?

I am thinking of a High Efficiency, Energy Star Washer with a top load feature. I also want a large tub for comforters and sheets. I have heard that the front loaders leak at the door that is why I thought I would stay away from them.

DH is set on a Maytag and has never "heard of LG". :)

Do people still use Consumer Reports magazine?

If you have any advice, please help me! :)

Thanks, your friend and a woman in desperate need of a good washer :)
 
Hey Melissa,

Get yourself on over to the laundry forum at GardenWeb: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/laundry/

Browse around or try some searches. You should be able to find lots about different washing machine brands/models.

I have a Frigidaire Gallery that has been a good performer for the last 8 years or so, but my Aunt has recently purchased a Bosh washer & dryer set that is quite spiffy. Bosch also has a very good service reputation as well.
 
>If you had under $1000 to spend on a washer, and you will never buy another Kenmore product if your life depended on it (DH's words ), what brand, model or type would you buy and WHY?

Cannot really help you Melissa as I still have my Kenmore. But I will say I could not agree with your DH more. I had the Calypso from Sears that was an absolute pitiful piece of junk (clothes I would take out of the washing machine had never even gotten wet!) and after a year of battling they replaced it. I have an HE front loader now and it's ok, but the whole ordeal with Sears was one not to be repeated ---- until my refrigerator rivaled the Calypso mess. In that case the pres/CEO of Sears got a 9-page letter from me with a promise never to shop his co again. Too bad Sears has gone so down hill from their old days of reliability! Good luck with your search.

Lorrie

www.picturetrail.com/lsass



 
Gayle, the fact that you suggested this just tickles me to pieces. When I had to replace my W&D three years ago, I became completely absorbed in that laundry forum (and cannot believe I'm admitting this now! :))

Melissa, I ended up buying a Kenmore HE3T front-loading pair, which are and were identical to the Whirlpool Duets. Whirlpool actually makes them, in fact, and then adds a few different bells and whistles for Sears and badges them as Kenmores.

Before that I had a set of Whirlpools that lasted me 15 years with nary a hitch. The Kenmore/Whirlpools I have now have been terrific, too.

So I'd say look at Whirlpool, if the Kenmore badge makes you cringe. :) And I also agree with your DH that the Maytags are terrific!

http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/sport/sport-smiley-003.gif Kathy S. http://planetsmilies.net/sport-smiley-5536.gif
 
I have no advice, I just feel your pain. The dishwasher died and I'm doing dishes for a family of eight by hand, because DH thinks he can fix it (yes, but when?)

Then the microwave died and that's not a high ticket item, just got to take the time to go get another one.

And the drier is making these horrible squeaking sounds, so I think its on its way out. It died last spring and I put the wash on a line all summer. We fixed it, but obviously not well enough.

I hope you find a good washer. I could not live without that.

Living in appliance hell
Maggie:)
 
Thanks for all of the replies! I have to say that we are not suprised by the unhappy Sears customers. We are also shocked that the company has allowed the service to decline over the years.

Off to search! :)

ETA...just joined GardenWeb. Thanks to Gayle! This site is awesome!
 
<< Gayle, the fact that you suggested this just tickles me to pieces. When I had to replace my W&D three years ago, I became completely absorbed in that laundry forum (and cannot believe I'm admitting this now! :)) >>

It's not hard to get completely engrossed in the forums over there! DH and I are re-doing our kitchen and bathroom and those two forums have had me obsessing over things I never would have dreamed of, like finding the optimal place to put the toilet paper holder. It's kinda crazy, but in a fun way. :)
 
I have a front loader and no problems with leaks. My favorite washing machine was the Kenmore Elite because it always got every stain out!
But, like so many of you, mine just stopped working one day maybe 3 years after we bought it. Having to drain that sucker into my garage because the spin cycle didn't work got really old really fast! We tried the Maytag Neptune next and not only did stains stay in, but the liquid fabric softener would dispense AFTER the final rinse cycle so I'd find puddles of blue stuff at the bottom of the machince when I went to unload it. We had it less than 2 weeks!

DH did the Consumer Reports research and we would up with the Frigidaire front loader. I like it because it uses less water and it has a large capacity. It also does a very good job of getting stains out. I don't like having to squeeze clothes/sheets in and out of the rubberized port hole! Oh, and the fabric softener and bleach dispensers don't work at all, but frankly I just gave up. I switched to dryer sheets and Oxymagic instead. I got tired of waiting for repairmen to show up!

Jonahnah
Chocolate IS the answer, regardless of the question.
 
>You don't need a new washer. Just buy new clothes when the
>ones you have get smelly!! :p :p

Finally! The voice of reason!!! ;) :D

I have no washer advice, as my old Kenmore is still running just fine. I'm half tempted to get myself a new set of LG front-loaders just because they're so darn pretty. :p
 
I like Whirlpool. When I bought a used mobile home (my first house!), it came with a Whirlpool pair. They were old and had seen hard use, but they lasted me for over 10 more years. A few years ago, I had to put them to rest and buy another pair. Yep, Whirlpool again.

And oh wow - the GardenWeb! I haven't been over there in a long time! I may just have to go for a visit.
 
Hey ..

My advice is to stay FAR AWAY from Maytag .. working some in appliance sales Maytag has the most problems of any brand we sell. In fact we are about to stop selling them b/c of the problems and complaints.

Whirlpool seems to have the most customer satisfaction .. GE and Fridgidair also are good brands.

I have the whirlpool HE front loaders and LOVE them ... no problems w/leaks or anything. It is quiet .. uses less water .. and the clothes come out almost dry .. not like a reg. washer .. takes less time drying them.

My friend has the GE HE front loaders and loves them - she had Maytag HE front loaders and had a bevy of nightmare problems w/them .. had to trash them .. (they were only about 6 months old when she had to trash them)

anyway HTH.. happy researching and shopping!!!:D
 
Thanks again guys! I found out this morning that Whirlpool makes Maytag and Kenmore...just bought them out. Whatever happened to separate companies who make reliable products! UGH! I figure whatever I get, I will be spending some $ on the extended warranty. I have heard so much good and bad, for and against that I am a little dizzy now. :)
 
I have the Whirlpool senseon and I DO NOT reccomend it. I have had nothing but trouble with it. I said I'd never buy another one. Maytag's never break right? ;-) Isn't that why the Maytag man in the commercials are always bored? LOL. Good Luck.
LD
 
Okay girls! A decision has been made and it is (drum roll please)

LG!

I have been researching since last week and for what I want to wash and the energy efficiency I need...LG beat EVERYONE! :)

Now...my anniversary is next week and I have to tell DH that if he throws in the matching dryer, he is off the hook for our Valentine Anniversary extravaganza! :)

Thanks for all the help!
 
>Gosh, I guess I am lucky...my Maytag is 20 years old and
>still works!

Like I said the Maytag repair man never works!;-)
LD
 
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