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Hi,

I need to get rid of my Whirlpool Duet washing machine due to all the mold. I've tried EVERYTHING to get rid of it, but am throwing in the towel and getting a top loader. I have narrowed the choices to the Samsung (WA484DSHAWR), LG (WT5170HW) and Maytag Bravo XL (MVWB850YW). I've seen mixed reviews for all three and am torn. Does anyone have any experience with any of these models? Any feedback is welcome.

Thanks in advance,
Iris

Hmmm, doubt that I will be of much help but thought I'd try to get the thread going.

In fact, I'm not even sure I know what you mean by a top-loader since it has been many, many years since I bought our last washer/dryer set. Our first set bought in 1976 (Kenmore from Sears is still working great at our old place) and the GE ones we bought from the individuals who custom built our "forever" home are working fine ~ cross fingers, I am NOT looking forward to trying to get new ones up a three-tiered landing so hope they last a long, long time!

So, a question or so? Why in the world would you have MOLD that couldn't be cleaned up as you went along? I just don't understand that... but, then, again, we live in a dry climate. So how does mold accumulate to the extent that buying new is better then cleaning up the old?

I'm sure others will have much more helpful answers but, for myself, I just have to wonder: If nothing changes, won't the mold just grow back again? And, then, you will be right back where you are today?

I personally wouldn't own a front loader. For me it will always be a top loader.

Anyway I was looking into it a while ago and read a review of the Speed Queen machine.. You know like in laundrymats. They DO sell for home use, just go on line to their website. and they will tell you your nearest dealer. Speed Queen is made in the USA too. YAYYY.

I decided that when I need another washer, that's what I'm getting.

Yes, mold can be a problem in the older front loaders. I have had two (one was a Whirlpool Duet) and what I found to keep the mold at bay is to always always always leave the door open after doing a load of clothes. Both of my washers have had cleaning cycles but I know the older ones do not. Have you gotten in touch with the manufacturer? There are products on the market that can help with the mold but maybe you have tried that. I find with the front loader that our water bill is cut in half...and it seems to be easier on the clothes. Good luck! I have had GE top loaders and had no problem....Maytag is one Mother had and she liked it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: May,

Can't help with the top loader but I can tell you that I have my first and last front loader...Maytag Neptune set...will not do it again!...any brand!!

Don't know anything about those specific models but for what it is worth my top loading Maytag is over 40 years old.

The front loaders are great for capacity purposes, but the mold issue is so out of hand. I've kept the door open and wiped down the rubber seal after every use. I've tried all the cleaning items that are sold, as well as bleach and vinegar. I'm just done. The top loaders I mentioned are the He kind, without an agitator. I like the large capacity, but the reviews are mixed. I've read great things about the Speed Queen (not a bad review), but I'm worried it might be too small to wash a queen size comforter. Ugh. I wish they made them like they used to. Thank you all for the responses.

LoS - You better hang onto yours and if needed keep it repaired. They are NOT made like that any more!

I wish I had my old GE back! To heck with energy saving, water saving, won't wear out the clothes mess when you have to wash half loads and add more additives to the water and add an extra rinse just to get your clothes clean!

Anybody remember when washing machines used to have lint filters? They claim all that lint now goes down the drain (as if that is a good thing!!) but I don't believe it.

I sure don't like what I hear about front loaders. You shouldn't have to buy a cleaner to clean your clothes cleaner.

quote:

Anybody remember when washing machines used to have lint filters?

I MISS IT! The lint doesn't just go down the drain... the lint just lays on top while the water drains down through the clothes.

I have to put the clothes in the dryer now in order to get the lint off. Otherwise, if I just hang them up, they still have lint all over. Grrr.

Most gadgets and machines are NOT DESIGNED by the USERS. The lack of this feature makes it obvious.

My GE top loader, which is also HE (without the agitator) can do King size blankets and quilts without any problems. So, if the one you are looking at doesn't have the agitator, most likely it will be large enough for just a Queen.

I bought a Speed Queen Washer, and I love, love it. I returned a top loader HE washer two weeks after I had it Couldn't take the weird noises and no HOT water or the loooong washes. My Speed Queen is probably large enough to fit a queen size blanket but I never and never had washed these large items in my washers. I always go to the laundry to do them in the extra large size machines. I never felt that they got a good enough cleaning unless I did and I think that they would get pretty heavy after adding water to an already bulky item. Getting back to my Speed queen....the loads are shorter and you can cut water usage by choosing the water along with the size of your loads and whether you want an extra rinse or not. I figure I am saving money on eletricity because the loads wash quicker. And yes these are American Made and with metal parts instead of plastic.

quote:

and no HOT water

Your top load model didn't offer hot water cycles? Weird. Mine does, and the water temp is pretty close to the temp we have the hot water heater set at.

I have heard that our detergents are supposedly able to clean as good in cold water as they can in hot (can't prove it to me because they don't clean good in hot, warm, or cold without adding other boosters)...so someday soon we will have only cold water wash - no inlet for hot water. The way around that is to get two short hoses (one for hot water), a regular length hot water washing machine hose, and a "Y". Screw the appropriate hose to the appropriate faucet and run into the "Y". Then attach the regular length hose to the bottom of the "Y" and hook the other end to your washing machine.

The government has gotten past being ridiculous!

Could not think of what it is called so took a while to find one...a splitter.

I have one outside on my front water faucet so that I can hook up soaker hoses to both planting beds and operate from one faucet.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KeepYouInStitches,

Thanks for the heads-up.

No, no hot water. I talked to Sears and they said that that is the way the new washers are designed, the top loaders are anyway.

I buy cheap knee high stockings & attach one to my drain water pipe. You wouldn't believe the lint they catch!! When it looks full----I just throw it away & use another.

The reason our detergents don't clean any more is that the took the phosphate out of them.
I make my own detg. & add it back in!
I don't have any issues with my front loader. No mold...it gets wiped when I'm done for the day & the door & detg/softener tray both get left open & a slug of white vinegar goes into the tub...keeps anything from starting.
It cleans fine. It uses WAY less water. I hang out as much as possible & I don't have lint problems. I do "fluff" everything in the dryer for about 10-15 min. when I bring them in.

ga.karen, I add 1/2 teaspoon TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) - found at Lowe's in the paint department the real stuff not the artificial - to my store bought detergent. Makes a big difference!

I use vinegar instead of fabric softener.

Count me in as one who loves her front loading washer. I don't get mold and I don't do any thing special to avoid it.
In my second home I have a top loading, I don't like that the clothes come out so wet.

quote:

I don't like that the clothes come out so wet.

Is this an HE (without agitator) machine? If so, which brand?

I'm making notes on these issues as we will be in the market for a new set in the not-so-distant future.

Our current GE Profile HE top-load has a setting for normal spin, or extra dry spin. I only use the extra dry spin for heavy items.

Using a top loader washing machine is like going back to my mom's "auto" washer that you had to physically put clothes into a wringer and then drop into rinse water!

Front loaders wash clothes better, use less detergent, less water, and will NOT get mold IF you leave door open as TOP LOADERS also require in instructions.

Front loaders in COnsumers Reports got top ratings for cleaning and SEAR'S KENMORE always is in the top 3 for dependability, value for money BUT you don't get fancy name on brand spot!

Kenmores are made by a KNOWN mfr. but gets their own name plate. SO why pay for a name?

ALSO: Top loader BEAT your clothes clean, take more water, detergent, spin cycle can shake a house, and just aren't as good for your clothes as a front loader. I was one of the last to cave in but now would never go back to top loader since I got my 2011 Kenmore Front loader!

You don't have to figure if load is small, med or large--machine does it for you!

quote:

Originally posted by marcydaisy:
IF you leave door open as TOP LOADERS also require in instructions.

This is where I would have a problem -- I have a very narrow laundry room -- leaving the door open would be dangerous to my knee health I think.

Do front loaders have an option of which way the door opens? IF I were to go that route, the door would have to have the hinges on the left in order to conveniently load the dryer. Otherwise, wouldn't the door of the front loader get in the way of transferring clothing from the washer to the side by side dryer? I don't know -- just wondering.

With lower back problems, what about getting clothes out of the washer -- if it is not on a pedestal, is it any more difficult than getting clothing out of the dryer?

I am not a fan of my Maytag Neptune front loader and have mentioned it before in detail, so won't go into same detail again.

However, to answer MyLifeVacation1's question...it is no more difficult to remove clothes from the front load washer than it is to put them in and take them out of a dryer. MOF I think it's is easier. The washer door opens right...the dryer opens left...leaving that expanse free and clear of doors. You just shuffle the clothes from one to the other. I spin the washer drum to check in case something is stuck on the top because there's no need to stand on your head looking in there.

If you have a top loading washer, you bend over and get clothes out, twist and lower to put clothes in the dryer. Straighten up to get more clothes, twist and lower...repeat. With both front loading appliances, you just bend over, grab, twist, poke, twist, grab, twist, poke, etc. No up and down. It is faster.

Another thing...you can raise the front loaders with the pedestal or have someone build a platform for you for both machines to make them higher. (The special made pedestals are not cheap for all they are...)

As far as which order the front load washer/dryers are placed? It seemed once common for the washer on the right, dryer left. At least in my experience

We bought new W-D a couple of years ago. The LG washer is hinged on the left. The LG dryer door can be reversed either left or right hinge. Some models/brands of either unit may either be reversible, or not, so do check if it matters to you?

Our ten year old home, needed to be set for dryer on the right, faucets/drain on the left, so we just needed a longer, close fitting dryer vent to hook up to the existing port, near the floor, and the hoses were long enough to reach the faucets/drains.

Just saw this on Yahoo:
http://shopping.yahoo.com/news...tests-211451620.html

StepDs washer hookups weren't thought out in her old house...the washer sits sideways to the dryer and the top lid opens blocking the doorway into the laundry room. I am quite certain that years ago a DH told his DW, "I know what I'm doing..."

is514, if you live in Ohio there is a pending class action lawsuit against Whirlpool for residents regarding the mold issue with your Whirlpool Duet. http://www.cleveland.com/busin...-loading_washer.html

Yuck, is my reaction when I clicked on the link in the article and read what was going on with the Whirlpool front loaders that the company knew about.

I know there is a class action lawsuit against Sears for the Sears models that were made by Whirlpool for Sears. That is a different lawsuit.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: still tryin,