Comments on: Front-Loading Washing Machines & Prayer for Mrs. P

By: KK

KK — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 23:06:06 +0000

Definitely praying for her.

By: April

**** April **** — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:07:32 +0000

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.

By: Christian Mommy Writer

Christian Mommy Writer — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:55:22 +0000

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.

By: Respectfully Yours

Respectfully Yours — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:26:15 +0000

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.

By: Molly

Molly — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:37:56 +0000

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!

By: Marice

Marice — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:53:09 +0000

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

By: bluewhitelife

bluewhitelife — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:49:23 +0000

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

By: Lindsay Blogs

Lindsay Blogs — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 06:26:10 +0000

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.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 05:43:31 +0000

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

By: Acting Balanced Mom

Acting Balanced Mom — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:52:54 +0000

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

By: Ames

Ames — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:05:06 +0000

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.