top-load vs front-load

[stateofmind]

We keep our door open between loads but doesn't help. We use very little soap, have tried sanitizing, etc. We just fell behind on maintenance and I'm afraid I need to tear in and eradicate the mold that is obviously in there. Still going to get new, but don't want to sell these problems.

 

[Bobber]

Have a top loading Kenmore that was in our house when we bought it and it works great. Brought my old Maytag which is less than 10 years old from my old place and that's sitting in the garage ready to go when the current one busts down. I'm sure the front loaders have gotten a lot better, but I like the capacity of the top loaders and you can buy them cheaper and they tend to be very reliable.

 

[oldman]

Had a top loader, now have a front loader. It seems like the top loader would hold more clothes, the front loader uses a lot less water, and spins more water out, but takes longer.

 

[Sparkplug]

We've had different front-loads for a couple of years. I'm not tall (only 5'8") but I hate having to bend over to load the things. Even if they were on stands, that only gets them another 8" off the floor which isn't enough to keep from having to bend over and crawl halfway in to get items stuck in the back. If I could mount them so the doors were chest high, I'd love them. But with all the other advantages of a front-load HE washer, I guess I'll keep bending over to change laundry.

As as others said, keep the doors to the washer open a bit and occasionally run some washing machine cleaner through it and it won't smell.

I have the opposite problem - 4'11" and there always seems to be a coin or bolt in someones pocket that I don't get out before washing. So I keep a step stool in the laundry room. Also have used vacuum to get things out of the bottom.


I am a loyal Maytag person, have top-load He.

 

[Sparkplug]

I set my Maytag on heavy wash and have removed many stains from work clothes.

 

[1100011CS]

We've had a front load for 13 years. We're on our second set, as theFrigidare dryer gave out after ~10 years. Couldn't buy another that would stack on the pre-existing washer. Because of the arrangement in this house, we had to get another stacked/front load. We went with Maytag this time. Because of size-constraints where the unit sits, it was the only choice.

I've heard horror stories about the smell - we've never had an issue, with either set. But, we leave the door open when not in use and run one of the washer-tab-things through a couple times a year.

--When we bought the first set set, Neptune ruled the world. I asked a repairman if he had to do much service on them. He said that in the stop they call it 'Old Stinky'.

My Mom bought a top load about a year ago. She's in her 80's - change is not always welcome... When I'm home and do a load for her I find the clothes to be much, much wetter than the clothes that come out of our front load. The washer has no center spindle (plunger?) and she says that he doesn't think it gets clothes as clean. I'm not there enough, so I have no opinion.

We've had front loaders for a long time and have never had a smell issue. Never used a cleaning tab but always leave the door open when not using. For my wife who has back issues, a front loader on a pedestal is the only option anyway.

 

[azepp]

We've had front loaders for a long time and have never had a smell issue. Never used a cleaning tab but always leave the door open when not using. For my wife who has back issues, a front loader on a pedestal is the only option anyway.

Or you could just do the laundry so your wife with back problems doesn't have to. :spinny:

On serious note, we leave our Kenmore front loader open and I try not to let wet clothes sit in it for long periods of time after they're done washing. This seems to have solved the smell problem. The only thing I don't like about is is the vibration when it spins. Sometimes I think there's a helicopter flying over.

 

[Wesley]

Again try scoop of oxyclean with each load for musty smell. You may be surprised.

 

[3TrueFans]

Again try scoop of oxyclean with each load for musty smell. You may be surprised.

Nice try Billy Mays' ghost.

 

[Agclone91]

We keep our door open between loads but doesn't help. We use very little soap, have tried sanitizing, etc. We just fell behind on maintenance and I'm afraid I need to tear in and eradicate the mold that is obviously in there. Still going to get new, but don't want to sell these problems.

Seems to me like you fixed your own problem...use more soap. Hard to get clothes clean and smelling good if they are just rolling around in water.

 

[1100011CS]

Or you could just do the laundry so your wife with back problems doesn't have to. :spinny:

On serious note, we leave our Kenmore front loader open and I try not to let wet clothes sit in it for long periods of time after they're done washing. This seems to have solved the smell problem. The only thing I don't like about is is the vibration when it spins. Sometimes I think there's a helicopter flying over.

Right, and then she'll want me to make my own sandwich.

 

[cdnlngld]

Two years ago, got an LG topload HE with the wavesomething agitator.... Best washer ever! I can do a full set of bedding for a California king, at once(sheets, blanket, comforter, mattress pad) with room to spare.... and the matching dryer can handle the same size load(if properly loaded). I can do three times as much laundry, can add clothes in the middle of the wash cycle, and don't have to bend over and crawl in to get stuff stuck to the back. TOP LOAD ALL THE WAY!

 

[JWIL4CY]

We have a front-load and it has flooded the house 3 times. Will definitely go top load next time.

 

[JP4CY]

We have a front-load and it has flooded the house 3 times. Will definitely go top load next time.

To be safe, I installed one of these in my house. I got it off Ebay for $80.

Amazon.com: Floodstop Washing Machine Valve Shutoff Kit: Home & Kitchen

 

[ruxCYtable]

Mold problems with front loaders are like rain fade with satellite television. For the most part they just don't happen anymore.

We went front load with our new washer/dryer in 2011 and would never go back to top load.

 

[ruxCYtable]

Since Electrolux makes the LG and the Kenmore, should I expect the same quality from each?

Don't know where you heard that. Kenmore washers and dryers are made by Whirlpool to Kenmore specs. Electrolux MIGHT make one small european style model for Kenmore but that is all. I also don't think they have anything to do with LG.

 

[aeroclone]

Don't know where you heard that. Kenmore washers and dryers are made by Whirlpool to Kenmore specs. Electrolux MIGHT make one small european style model for Kenmore but that is all. I also don't think they have anything to do with LG.

Perhaps in this very thread?

I was a production manager once for Electrolux.
No LG's were made on the dryer line.
I do know that under my watch we made:
Electrolux
Kenmore
Frigidaire
Gibson
White Westinghouse

edit: A big misconception people also have is that there is a "Kenmore factory." Kenmore is just a farmed out, in house brand for Sears. Kenmore always has a sister appliance that is 95% identical to one you may find at HD, Lowes, etc.

 

[rbrook]

Don't know where you heard that. Kenmore washers and dryers are made by Whirlpool to Kenmore specs. Electrolux MIGHT make one small european style model for Kenmore but that is all. I also don't think they have anything to do with LG.

You are probably correct. Every 3 to 5 years Kenmore puts all their appliances out for bid to major suppliers. So for a few years they may be made by one manufacturer and then they may change to another manufacturer depending on who receives the new bid.

 

[NickTheGreat]

Are different appliances contracted differently? We'd been looking at fridges, and Kenmore fridges are clones to LG fridges.

 

[ruxCYtable]

Are different appliances contracted differently? We'd been looking at fridges, and Kenmore fridges are clones to LG fridges.

Yes. In the past their fridges have been made by different manufacturers from their washers/dryers. I've had Kenmore washers/dryers and dishwashers made by Whirlpool that were fantastic and I currently have a Kenmore fridge that was made by Frigidiare that is a total P.O.S.