Washer/Dryer recommendations/advice

Discussion in 'Home Improvement, DIY and Repair' started by stratsmom, Oct 24, 2013.

  1. stratsmom

    stratsmom Flower Fanatic

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    It will not be too much longer and we will have to replace our old washer and dryer :'( They are Whirlpools and are about 19 years old! They are still working but I'm afraid their days are numbered :-? There are soooooooooo many to choose from out there! What do my Stew Buddies recommend? I'd kind of like to try the front load (I think) Please help!
    Deanna
     
  2. waretrop

    waretrop Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    I can't help you much but I will share with you. I have one of those up and down ones. I love it. It's right in my bathroom so it forces me to be neat and clean.

    Now after years I realize that if one "goes" I will have to replace the set. For a while I thought that was a drawback but not any more. I would get another up and down one. I love it.

    That's my 2 cents worth.
     
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  3. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    Hi Deanna,

    We just bought a new dryer after the other died. Well, it half died, the dual heating element had lost one side so it needed replacement or repair. At 14 years old and with the newer ones having, depending on the price, more bells and whistles, we elected to replace the old one. I would not budge from buying one with a stainless steel tub so the price dictated the model. Off to the manufacturers web site to see what they had. We decided to stay with the same manufacturer, so it made the selection process easier. The stainless steal tub requirement eliminated several models and the price brought the selection to a model that had not been released yet. We had to wait three weeks and then we called our friendly, easy delivery, no tax, they knew us, appliance dealer. They ordered it and it arrived a 10 days later. It is from the same model line as the previous dryer but with a few more fun lights, a countdown drying time indicator and soft panel switches. More? I will P. M.

    I am on the top of a mountain in VA with a flaky connection but will try.

    Jerry
     
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  4. stratsmom

    stratsmom Flower Fanatic

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    Thanks you two :p I'm going to keep an eye on the sale ads, I'm sure there will be good sales on black Friday :-o I was trying to research on line and came across a "High Efficiency Top Loader" now, this one has me really baffled :rolleyes: All this over a washing machine! I think I need to measure my laundry area too, I'd hate to get something too big to fit
     



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  5. jbest123

    jbest123 In Flower

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    Unfortunately all manufactures only consider the bottom line. They all use the least expensive parts and assembly that's available. They are forced to do so to be competitive. That usually means outsourcing to China.

    Find the ones that have all the features that you want and choose the one with the lowest price. Believe me your new one won't last 19 years.
     
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  6. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    I agree with jbest...the new one won't last as long as the old one, but my repair man says "fix the old one" if at all possible. The new ones are/can be expensive to repair OR they are not rinsing the laundry detg. out of the clothes and people are developing allergies to the detg...because they are using so little water to be "energy efficient". maybe you can by pass that issue if there is a bulky setting that uses more water than normal.
     
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  7. koszta kid

    koszta kid Young Pine

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    My front load Maytag -cuts water ,soap use, and drying time in half.
     
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  8. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    I need two heat settings on a dryer and on the washer I want water level and water temperature choice and for a cost not to exceed $400, if possible. Not that I'm cheap it's more that I don't want to waste money on bells and whistles that I don't need to get my clothes clean and dry. We pretty much buy our appliances at Lowe's, they have good prices.

    I believe you will find that many of the machines are all made by one or two companies who bought out the competition. They still use the brand names and the body of the machines are a little different but the innards are all made by one company. Whirlpool, for example, manufactures some Kenmore appliances for Sears, the IKEA brand, Maytag, Roper, Amana, Kitchen-aid, Admiral for Home Depot and the Inglis brands sold at Best Buy.

    Find one with the features you will use and a low price, they are all going to last about the same length of time. ;)
     
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  9. koszta kid

    koszta kid Young Pine

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    Since MY DH worked for Amana 38 years-sold to Maytag-then to Whirlpool. They use out source -a lot. But to fix problems. And cut down on over-time. More and more made here. I bring ads from other stores. Ask if they match them .If you use Lowes credit. Get 5% off auto-BUT you have to (ask) for it. I go home and pay card off right away.
     
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