The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: Moustachienne on March 12, 2016, 02:36:14 PM
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Our 30+ year old workhorse may be on its last legs. We've previously repaired it once in the 20 years we've had it.
Modern machines are so fancy! So many cycles, so many options. We just like wash, rinse, spin for different lengths of time depending on the load.
Any recommendations for basic get 'er done makes/models?
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Check this out http://recraigslist.com/2013/02/how-to-buy-a-used-washing-machine/ (http://recraigslist.com/2013/02/how-to-buy-a-used-washing-machine/)
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My mum adores a twin tub washing machine. Some places call them a semi-automatic washing machine. Like this:
http://www.lg.com/ae/semi-automatic-washing-machines
She loves that she can easily control the reuse of the rinse water for the next load, and direct the water spun out after a rinse back into the washing section to reuse for the next load of washing.
They also tend to have dials rather than buttons and look like they would be easier to repair - not that we've ever had one fail.
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Whirlpool is usually rated as a highly reliable brand by Consumer Reports. Look for the discount brands that are made by Whirlpool. I think they make Roper, Inglis, Admiral and a bunch of others. The discount brands are likely just old Whirlpool technology, which is pretty solid. They use their "Whirlpool" brand line for the latest, greatest bells and whistles.
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Only HE models are available new, thanks to the federal government. Top loading HE machines use impellers and very small amounts of water instead of the old fashioned agitator that actually does the job. Reviews are generally bad. Front loaders tumble the clothes in small amounts of water. Me experience is that the laundry does not get clean. You have to leave the machine open between loads or the interior grows mold. In your shoes, I would buy an old fashioned, used top loading washing machine. Whirlpool made decent machines. Frigidaire and Hotpoint do not perform as well. GE makes Hotpoint, but I have had better luck with the GE machines. Look for a large capacity machine.
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Only HE models are available new, thanks to the federal government. Top loading HE machines use impellers and very small amounts of water instead of the old fashioned agitator that actually does the job. Reviews are generally bad. Front loaders tumble the clothes in small amounts of water. Me experience is that the laundry does not get clean. You have to leave the machine open between loads or the interior grows mold....
We had a front loader for a while. It didn't get our clothes as clean as our old top loader. We sold it when we moved into a rental that included a washer/dryer.
When we bought our home last year, we bought one of the new HE top-loaders. Not only did it not get our clothes as clean as even the front-loader had done, it broke within a month. I used the laundromat while waiting two weeks for a repair. After the repair, we used it for another couple of months before I got tired of using the bulky cycle for extra water and still not getting clothes clean...then I called Costco and told them to come pick up their lousy washer/dryer (I had to return the dryer, too, bc it was a set). Luckily Costco accepted the return and I purchased a new front-loader set from them. My expectations were low at this point, so I'm OK but not thrilled with the current set. I almost always use the extra rinse cycle so I'm not sure if the HE regulations actually save water or money.
I just want clean clothes. :(
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If you want to buy new, a top load mechanical Speed Queen. If you're okay buying used, follow the advice Aperture linked to - used Whirlpool top-loader, pre-2010, refurbished by a reputable, local used appliance shop that offers a warranty.
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Wow, I knew dishwashers had been hit by the efficiency regs, but didn't realize washers had been hit so hard as well. I guess I'll keep maintaining our '05-issue mechanical Kenmore set until we die...
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I'm posting mostly to follow. I don't have any suggestions - we have a front loader that does a terrible job of washing the clothes. I would replace it, but it's only 7 years old, and I understand all the new ones are that way. I've reached the point where I'd even be willing to spend a lot if I knew the machine would wash stuff and be reliable. I'll read the how to buy used thread -- and hopefully some others will post recommendations. Surely asking for a machine that actually washes stuff isn't unreasonable?!?
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If you want to buy new, a top load mechanical Speed Queen. If you're okay buying used, follow the advice Aperture linked to - used Whirlpool top-loader, pre-2010, refurbished by a reputable, local used appliance shop that offers a warranty.
Our appliance repair guy said the Speed Queen 433 was the best.
As near as I can tell, Consumer REports isn't much good for reliability recommendatons.
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WE buy bottom of the line Maytags either new or used. I actually prefer new and you will get many years out of them.
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I bought a Whirlpool set off my real estate agent in 2005 for $250 and put them in a rental. They are still there today, washing laundry. His wife wanted those new-fangled front loaders. I think they are on their second set now. I just had a repair done on the Whirlpool washer that was installed in 1998 in another property. The property manager said the clips had to be replaced. Buy a decent older used Whirlpool set. Those machines are going to be like the 1950's American cars are in Cuba. Much loved and carefully maintained. They will show up on E-bay at prices higher than the new washers.
The federal government has mandated marginally clean dishes and laundry with the HE standards. The laundry detergents are now full of toxic chemicals so small amounts of water can do a minimally acceptable job. The DOE standards folks clearly do not understand the law of unintended consequences.
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I'm surprised to read about so many people who are unhappy with their front loaders. Here in Australia they get rave reviews. They are very efficient, but maybe they aren't HE like the US ones??
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The federal government has mandated marginally clean dishes and laundry with the HE standards.
I actually haven't had any problems with the high efficiency dishwashers. I have one and have used several others and they work great. And I don't rinse and I use a standard dishwasher detergent. But the washing machines are just terrible. That's what doesn't make sense to me -- if it can be done well with dishes, why doesn't the technology work for clothes? I feel like there must be a washing machine out there that works and meets the current standards.
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I'm surprised to read about so many people who are unhappy with their front loaders. Here in Australia they get rave reviews. They are very efficient, but maybe they are HE like the US ones??
My front loader washes clothes fine. No complaints.
I think this thread is just self-selective.
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Whirlpool is usually rated as a highly reliable brand by Consumer Reports. Look for the discount brands that are made by Whirlpool. I think they make Roper, Inglis, Admiral and a bunch of others. The discount brands are likely just old Whirlpool technology, which is pretty solid. They use their "Whirlpool" brand line for the latest, greatest bells and whistles.
I've researched washers a while. CR, JD power and swerthome.com all recommend Samsung or LG as the most reliable brands. They have 10 year warranty at least for motors, whirlpool only give 1year! As it is with cars, American brands are unreliable garbage.
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Thanks everyone! We had good news.
Repair guy found that a small part was stuck and was able to release it. Sadly, the part is no longer available but if it sticks again we'll know what to do. These 1980's Kenmore washers (made by Whirlpool) are worth keeping going. What's one repair call every 20 years or so? More parts will start to go eventually but we hope for another 10-15 years. :)
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I'm surprised to read about so many people who are unhappy with their front loaders. Here in Australia they get rave reviews. They are very efficient, but maybe they are HE like the US ones??
My front loader washes clothes fine. No complaints.
I think this thread is just self-selective.
I also have had no problems with my front loader. It washes the clothes just fine.
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We had an expensive front loading washer. It was OK, but a bit slow. It died after 8 years. Apparently it is mostly plastic, even the load bearing parts. My wife looked all over, did a lot of research, etc.
We ended up with a new LG Samsung with a 10 year warranty on the motor, drum, etc. We looked at Speed Queen too as they are built to last, but they cost more than we were willing to spend at the time.
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We had an expensive front loading washer. It was OK, but a bit slow. It died after 8 years. Apparently it is mostly plastic, even the load bearing parts. My wife looked all over, did a lot of research, etc.
We ended up with a new LG with a 10 year warranty on the motor, drum, etc. We looked at Speed Queen too as they are built to last, but they cost more than we were willing to spend at the time.
We bought an LG top loader last year and haver been pleased with it as well. Our water bill decreased dramatically also which was a huge bonus because this area has ridiculously expensive water.