What should I look for in a front loading washer?

Question

I'm going to buy a front loader today and am wondering what I should be looking for. I've never used one before, I currently have a top loader.

Answer 1

I have purchased Whirlpools middle grade front loading washers.  I LOVE THEM!!  You will never go back once you have them.  Whirlpool now currently owns Amana and Maytag and is somewhat of a giant in the appliance world.  If took me sometime to get used to my front loaders.  All of the cycles are longer.

For example:

The cycle that I use the most is the "Casual" cycle this is a 56 minute cycle on warm with high spin.  BUT, I can put twice as much in my front loader than I could by top loader.  

I also love the "sanitize" cycle.  This is a 3 hour cycle.....yes 3 hours.  But cuts down on allergens on my kids sheets and bedspreads.  I also washed a towel that was left in a damp place by mistake and had mold on it and stunk to high heaven.  After this cycle the mold was gone and the towel smelled fresh...

The trick is to find a good salesman, the man that sold us our front loaders has sold appliances for 20 year.  Just ask for the salesman with the most experience.

Answer 2

go to consumer reports and pay for the service then look up washing machines and they will tell you all the best ones and all there pros and cons its an amazinf service and really helped us pick ours which has been working great

if your really looking to splurge u should get one of the ones with the steam cycle it really helps when you want to wear something again but dont have time to wash it it helps take odor and "staleness" out

Answer 3

Stainless steel interior. Much better than plastic. Also check the noise levels.

Answer 4

I also have a front load washer, but never again. I  have never

had to have a repairman out to fix one until I got this. A lot of

things you have to put in garment bags because they are more apt to tear fine cloth than a top loader. Some brands wont let the door open until all cycles are complete....even with resetting....and if it breaks down in the middle of a load you will have some very bad smelling clothes.

They do look nice, use less water and soap, but I have spent

more than I saved with the repairman. Next time it breaks

it will become a real nice paper weight and will go back to

the top loader.

Also if you wash heavies items such as blankets, the will

easily go off balance and sometimes just stop, so again

if the door wont open between cycles....guess what?

Answer 5

Hit the net and research each brand.  Some of them were recalled for leaking and for shorting out.  When I did my research, the LG brand was listed as one of the best.  Check with the local sales and repair places.  Find out what people are either returning, complaining about, or having fixed.  Check with friends, see what they have & if they are happy with them.

Research prices.  You can find the same thing at different stores for different prices.  Check the local scratch and dent store.  If they have what you want, but it has a scratch on the side that will never show where you are going to put it, you could save a significant amount of money.  Watch for sales & rebates.

I agree, stainless steel tub, no rust that way & lasts longer than plastic.