Dirty Laundry - Washing Machine Suggestions

So, why not ask the dirtiest group that I know - what are your recommendations for a washing machine?
We need to buy a new washer and dryer and since our last purchase there are new options:
Agitator or Impeller?
Top Loading or Front Loading?
Pre-rinse option
Extra Water Fill

The last one we owned was an LG front loading unit and I don't think it cleaned as well, left marks on our clothes and the interior door was always damp (mold). Current unit in our apartment beats the crap out of our clothes and they come out in a twisted mess (lots of pilling).

Suggestions from the stinky, dirty team? And I mean that in a nice way ...

 

We have a front loading Samsung we bought about 8 years ago. Does a good job. We learned early on that if you leave the door open when it's not in use, the moldy/mildew/dampness & smell are not present.

 

Hello H2O!!! We have used LG front loaders for a long time, and love them YMMV. Most other washer are made by LG, so chances are you might have one right now! We also have one of their mini washers that you install underneath. Pretty trick unit! The matching bottom on the dryer side is for storage which is very useful as well.
We get them used off of CL from people moving. Works out well and we use them a LOT and never and problems. Find the ones with the most buttons on them... those are the top end ones and while we don't use all the features, they definitely clean clothes well and have larger capacity (which we use!). We average a load a day and they last for years.
You do need to leave the front hatch open to dry out.

 

Whirlpool front loader, 20+ years old, date code says made in 1998. Back then were rebadged, made in Germany by Bosch. A few years ago, replaced a pump, $30 from amazon.
Took 3 hours to clean up the water mess, 15 mins to replace the pump.

Typically 5-6 loads in the weekends. To avoid the stink, first load socks with hot water, then jeans... towels last. Always hot water for sheets/towels.
And def leave door open.

Recently dryer vent completely clogged after 20 years.

 

I'll be the dissenting opinion.

In the OC house, we had a pair that looked like David's post above. They were only a couple years old when the circuit board in the washer melted down- mid cycle of course. The repairman said the board was easily more costly than a new washer. His advice was to buy the cheapest Maytag we could find that had the fewest buttons and lights. Those are the ones he never got to work on...

I took his advice, for which he didn't charge...

 

Years ago a tennis buddy worked in appliance sales at Lowes and at the time, he said to avoid LG and Samsung, too many failures. Rec'ed Bosch.
Not sure if that still applies...

 

What @Faust29 said x2.

We use a top loader Whirlpool w/o agitator. great results similar to linnk below.

https://www.whirlpool.com/laundry/w...ith-soaking-cycles,-12-cycles.wtw4850hw.html?

 

I’m right there. Before the company I work for discontinued them, I bought a direct drive motor driven washer with the built in agitator. Nothing cleans like those. You can still buy these units refurb from 3rd party. Solid design.
Why are they refurb you ask??? Idk mine has been going strong managing a house with two dirty kids and dirty ol me. Fisher &Paykel. Dryers had issues with the boards frying too. Everyone I know that has the older model washers loves them.

 

With all the riding I've been doing lately, my kits go in and out of the hamper to the trails 3 times before they make it to the washing machine. I am not the best person to ask for advice unless you want to smell like I do.

 

Just bought a new Maytag a few weeks ago, replace the GE nightmare I had. I only use top load washers and try to keep them simple as possible. Too many bells and whistles cause too many problems.

 

Have you stated this in your pre-nup?

 

Maybe this is why the night rides, so she can get a good night's sleep with fresh air.

 

I went through 4+ outfits at Frog Hollow.

 

Was that during or after the ride?

 

I spent a grand total of $600 on washer/dryer (different times, different brands) and would highly recommend avoiding anything with an agitator. Your stuff will last longer.

Front loader is a hype. Go inexpensive. You'll get your money's worth 10 times over.

YMMV.

 

6 months ago we replaced our 20 year old 4.5 cu. ft. Kenmore front loader set with a 5.0 cu. ft. LG based on ConsumerReports.Org. reviews. The LG talks to your phone and our son hooked it up to his. Now he calls us and tells us our laundry is done. Haha. I think he turned that feature off. The LG drier does have a steam feature that my wife uses all the time. Yes, you have to hook up a water supply to the drier. We then decided that we didn't want to run a bunch of puppy pee blankets and dog beds through our new washer so we bought another that Costco had on sale. Although our puppy is almost potty trained we use both washing machines all the time.

The Maytag with fewer features was less expensive than the LG and does just as good a job in my opinion.

The internet is wonky and won't let me transfer a photo from my Iphone to this site. Tomorrow I'll try to post a pic.
https://www.lg.com/us/washers/lg-wm4500hba-front-load-washer.https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=57c2...MzBody1mcm9udC1sb2FkLXdhc2hlci1yZXZpZXc&ntb=1

 

I had a Maytag washer I bought at Lowe's, included the extra warranty. After 3 years it crapped out, they gave me full value in credit. Bought an LG top loader, cleans great, low energy and water usage and no issues after 6 years. Clothes are very clean, and lasting way longer than they should.
Skip the big ass agitator sticking up, it doesn't clean as well and wears out the clothes IMO.

The one time ( well second time) the extra warranty paid for itself.

 

I like front loaders for the supposed water and energy efficiency. We had our first one, a Kenmore - not sure who actually made it, rot out after about 10 years. Got another one, but I forget the brand.
Even leaving the door open we have always had issues with mold on the door gasket. Lots of bleach wipes help. Overall, they do not drain well
@Stkx66 That's pretty nice having a second machine. My wife makes me go to the laundromat with our pet, greasy and nasty stuff. Luckily, I go to one with a pizza joint next door and watch a game with some beer and food for a couple of hours.

 

Note to self: don't go to public laundromats that @Rumpled frequents.

 

I think of the agitator as extra hands scrubbing. I don’t wear Gucci so all good with me. I don’t see my clothes wearing out to the point where they are unwearable. Not stretched, torn or deformed.

My kids often get grass stains, mud etc. I just found these to work better.

boxers are still holding up after a few years! Haha!

YMMV

 

Which one of them is you?

 

The one with the sweet ass.

 

Ahhh, the middle one.

 

Electrolux fancy shmancy front loader and drier. Purchased in 2015. No issues, no complaints. Yes, need to leave front loader door open for a few hours after use to minimize nastiness.

 

I'll double this. We bought new Samsung washer and dryer when we moved into our house 8 years ago and I have been really happy with both. It has got some nasty ass muddy clothes clean.