We’ve been doing well with our Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University program. We should have our first debt snowball paid off within the next two weeks.
One thing that I said I wanted to purchase AFTER we finish the program was an energy efficient front-loading washing machine and dryer. I’ve been doing some research on front-loading washing machines and I’m not quite sure that I like what I’m seeing. Some wash cycles take in excess of an hour. I saw one cycle that took 2.5 hours! Part of my motivation for getting one was to reduce the time spent with washing, drying, and ironing clothes.
Also, I’m still seeing reports about mold issues with the door seals.
To top it off, I was at an appliance store with my husband checking out a front-loading washing machine when an appliance repairman, who was at the store to look for another product, came up to my husband and me and told us not to buy one. He said that the mold problem was a big issue and that they are expensive to fix. He also said that the washing machines and dryers are too heavy for the pedestals, which causes problems with noise and the machine moving around.
Do you have any problems with your front-loader? Do the benefits outweigh the negatives for you? Let me know what you think.
By the way…
Thanks so much to everyone that gave encouragement and suggestions on potty training my son.
I enjoyed reading your comments and emails and will take each one of them into consideration. It felt so good to know that I’m not the only one struggling with this.
For those of you that were wondering, my son will be 3 years old pretty soon. That seems to be the magic age for potty training success and boys.
Of course, I will keep you posted on the potty progress.
And one more thing:
Please keep Mrs. P and her beautiful daughter at A Little Pink in a World of Camo in your prayers. She’s a fellow military spouse and her husband died while deployed to Afghanistan. I just can’t imagine how she is feeling. My heart goes out to her. Please stop by her blog and share some words of comfort during this trying time for her.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
We just purchased one of these after finding out our (very) old washer was going to cost more to repair then to buy new. It seems that we had the same concerns you did, about the mold. After talking to the sales person and (really) looking at them ourselves and learning a little more about "how" they work, we decided to give one a try. We have only had it a few weeks now and so far I really like it. We went from a 2.8 cu ft capacity to a 4.0 cu ft and yes I can do more laundry faster (even with the longer wash cycle time). I guess for you it would depend on what capacity you have now to be able to determine how that would change for you. As far as fighting the mold issue, what we have been doing is leaving the door open after finishing laundry for the day. I usually end my laundry right before I go to bed so I just leave the door open over night and then close it after I get up the next morning. Also, we purchased ours at Sears and decided to purchase their protection plan. I know Dave Ramsey talks against doing this, however, as someone who have purchased these plans from Sears in the past, I have to say that they have more then paid off. The thing with the front loaders are that they are VERY expensive to repair or maintenance should you ever need to. I have personally heard of people that have had something go wrong with theirs but can't afford the repair bill so they are having to use a laundry mat until they can get the money to get it fixed.
Anyways…
Sorry for the long post. Just wanted to share our experience with you. Congrats on your snowball debt. That is awesome. We took the same class last fall and it totally changed our family and the way we live. It is just awesome. I know you are experiencing the same things, too.
I luv my front load washer… and I do almost all my laundry on the economy cycle – even the 'heavy duty wash' The two things that I have found is that it works best when full (but not overstuffed) and it uses WAY less detergent to get my clothes clean! I don't have mine on a pedestal base, so it is a little bit low to the ground, and if you use the MAX EXTRACT cycle it does shake a bit… but only enough that I know its there, not enough to worry about if you KWIM… I have a maytag epic z series and have for 3 years – I would never go back to topload again…
Stopping by from SITS
We had a font loader, I honestly did not like it, although I had wanted one badly for a long time. It's actually quite annoying to bend over the get things out of (didn't have a pedestal) and it took FOREVER to run. And yes, things did require less time in the dryer, but the washer ran for much longer and was LOUD. And when it broke, after only 4-5 years, it was ridiculous to fix, we were recommended to just buy a new one instead, a top loader.
Visiting from SITS
I have no advice about front loaders, but wanted to thank you for directing me to A Little Pink in a World of Camo. Her story really touched me this morning.
our front loader seems to have the same review as ames
we dry out the lining after each use and leave the door slightly ajar and haven't had any problems with mold. as for the machine moving around, there are pads you can buy to keep it in place. laundry is pretty fun to do with them, not gonna lie
thanks for following me back
our kiddo is almost at the same age! mine will turn three this July, how about yours? dont worry he'll soon be potty trained 
Feel free to visit me here:
Life Can't Wait and Up Now and What's Next
We bought a front-loader when ours went out 2 days before Bobby was set to deploy. He had been looking at them for over a year….."researching"….he called it! Even with looking at them and researching we felt rushed to make a decision because I could not go without a washer and dryer with 4 kids and him deployed! We wish now that we had not had to purchase so fast and had gone with a top loader. We too have to keep the door ajar and do a monthly "freshening" tablet to keep the mold issue from arising. They do wash a lot of clothes but I would rather have my old washer and dryer back and do more loads! We didn't get the pedestals and so it is a pain bending over to load and unload but this is what we have now and am learning to live with it!
I just posted lately about our experience installing my daughters new washer and dryer (front loading). For a good laugh visit:
http://wwwhiwit.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-daughter-just-moved-into-lovely.html
Anyway, we did purchase what they call a horse mat to reduce noise and vibration. So far, she loves it, but I did notice it runs long. I am enjoying reading the advice from your followers, thanks and good luck with your purchase.
Thanks to everyone for your feedback. It's interesting to see how everyone seems to have a different experience…
@Ames – The capacity increase would be nice, but not necessarily a benefit if I can do two loads in my top loader in the same time it takes me to do one with a front loader. If I purchase a front loader, I'm getting a warranty. It's too expensive to fix otherwise.
@Acting Balanced Mom – I heard that too about working better when full. Glad it's working well for you.
@Barbara – I heard that pedestals were a must because it will break your back with all the stooping.
@GAMommy – My heart goes out to her. I can't imagine what she must be feeling.
@bluewhitelife – I haven't heard about the pads yet. Are they expensive?
@Molly – It's always hard to have to try and make decisions like that before a deployment. It would have been a nightmare taking 4 children to the laundromat!
@Respectfully Yours – I'm going to check out your post.
I have a pair (washer/dryer) and I hate how goopy the inside seals become. I haven't ever used anything that wasn't intended for them but it's still a pain in the glutes and I have NO IDEA how to clean them. I'd be interested to learn how (do you know?)
I will say that I love them MUCH better than a top loading, however, and the cycle lengths run based on the choices you make. So if you choose "sanitary" it will run for a much longer time b/c it runs on HOT/HOT to disinfect. I've used it a couple of times. However, with the amount of energy it DOES use and the amount of soap/softener it DOESN'T use, it doesn't bother me at all.
So, all in all, I can say that I do like them but it's like any big purchase… you'll probably get what you pay for!
I have a set of LG reds on pedestals.
Definitely praying for her.