Front loading laundry washing machine recommendations

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I've so far had good luck with my Frigidaire brand front loader, which turns 6 later this year. It's one of the vast number of Electrolux-made relabels. The only problem I've had with it so far is that the plastic door latch broke. $3, a philips head screwdriver and 5 minutes later that was fixed. It took longer to find it on the parts diagram so I could order it than it did to replace it.

With all front loaders, making sure the machine is precisely level is important to longevity. The high spin speed puts a lot of stress on the suspension if it's out of level. The other user error type thing that tends to cause problems is using too much soap, causing suds to get up into places they shouldn't and causing corrosion. Mold complaints are also usually a user error situation. If you leave the door and soap dispenser slightly ajar after use to ensure that any remaining moisture evaporates.

Our present Frigidaire (Gallery) was made by White Industries.  It has mostly worked fine except for the detergent/bleach dispenser which quit after about a year. I just throw the detergent and Oxiclean in the bottom of the tub.  Now the timer is acting up, the counterweights are not always doing their things and the rotating tub is sagging and will soon wear through the seal to the door.  I am not complaining since it has lasted 13 years. I just don't know if the present generation will do as well.  Mold, etc, has not been a problem as we have always left the washer door open a bit after the wash has been moved to the dryer.

[Red Arrow]

Sometimes you can buy a commerical washer, those are the kind that last & last, back in the 1990's  a  coin laundry joint in Columbus, Ohio was re-modeling and up dating their place so they sold all their old machines for a few bucks. If a machine can take the abuse that a commerical washer takes day & night and still work, think how long they will last in a good home well cared for.

I've used laundromats.  I don't want their used machines, even if they were free.

[Red Arrow]

But you will spend so much money in quarters...

But you get to keep the quarters.

[Conan71]

I've used laundromats.  I don't want their used machines, even if they were free.

Dear God, I never even thought of all the foreign DNA I'd be inviting into my home.  Being OCD, I mean CDO really sucks!

[dbacksfan 2.0]

Dear God, I never even thought of all the foreign DNA I'd be inviting into my home.  Being OCD, I mean CDO really sucks!

You know, kraut would buy a two owner used car for his wife. A Ford Crown Vic that was owned by a police department, and then a taxi company. Talk about DNA mix.

[saintnicster]

Not really- they take your old washers and sell them at a scrap yard for good money. I'd rather have that money myself.. Put your old washer in the back of your pickup truck and take it to the scrap place yourself. Last month I replaced the  radiator in my truck took the old one to the scrap yard and got $5.00 for it.

$5?  I know who is buying the next round of drinks!

[charky]

I've so far had good luck with my Frigidaire brand front loader, which turns 6 later this year. It's one of the vast number of Electrolux-made relabels. The only problem I've had with it so far is that the plastic door latch broke. $3, a philips head screwdriver and 5 minutes later that was fixed. It took longer to find it on the parts diagram so I could order it than it did to replace it.

With all front loaders, making sure the machine is precisely level is important to longevity. The high spin speed puts a lot of stress on the suspension if it's out of level. The other user error type thing that tends to cause problems is using too much soap, causing suds to get up into places they shouldn't and causing corrosion. Mold complaints are also usually a user error situation. If you leave the door and soap dispenser slightly ajar after use to ensure that any remaining moisture evaporates.

Our Frigidaire front loader is going on 8 years and hanging in there. That said...I wouldn't buy another one. Originally purchased from Hahn...and this was one of the rare times that I purchased an extended warranty. Glad I did as we've had it repaired 3-4 times over the first couple of years. Still acts up from time to time and won't fully drain. Had to repair the matching dryer a couple of times...luckily I was able to do it myself.

[dbacksfan 2.0]

Just a curious, but serious question, do all front loading washers keep water in the drum after use? The one I'm using is a Maytag Neptune stack unit, and there always seems to be water left after use.

[Red Arrow]

Just a curious, but serious question, do all front loading washers keep water in the drum after use? The one I'm using is a Maytag Neptune stack unit, and there always seems to be water left after use.

I understand that the tub surrounding the drum may not completely be drained but you shouldn't be seeing water in the drum which holds your laundry.

[Red Arrow]

Our Frigidaire front loader is going on 8 years and hanging in there. That said...I wouldn't buy another one. Originally purchased from Hahn...and this was one of the rare times that I purchased an extended warranty. Glad I did as we've had it repaired 3-4 times over the first couple of years. Still acts up from time to time and won't fully drain. Had to repair the matching dryer a couple of times...luckily I was able to do it myself.

I had to put a "kit" in our matching dryer too.  The drum was sagging since the gliding supports were worn out.  The edges of things would get caught between the drum and stationary part and get friction burned.  I thoroughly cleaned all the stuck lint etc at the same time and the dryer has worked well for the last few years.

[dbacksfan 2.0]

I understand that the tub surrounding the drum may not completely be drained but you shouldn't be seeing water in the drum which holds your laundry.

Yeah it's the outer drum, not the actual area where the clothes go. The biggest problem for me is that the washer only gets used about every 7 to 10 days, and just doesn't smell right some times. I just have a thing about water that sits in something for that long without being moved around.

[Red Arrow]

Yeah it's the outer drum, not the actual area where the clothes go. The biggest problem for me is that the washer only gets used about every 7 to 10 days, and just doesn't smell right some times. I just have a thing about water that sits in something for that long without being moved around.

Running a batch of washing machine cleaner may help.

We don't have that problem as we do the laundry every day to keep it from becoming a big chore all at once.

[nathanm]

Just a curious, but serious question, do all front loading washers keep water in the drum after use? The one I'm using is a Maytag Neptune stack unit, and there always seems to be water left after use.

Mine does not. Sometimes water will collect in the door seal if the drain hole gets clogged by something, but otherwise no.

charky, you know who the actual manufacturer was that year? (Like Sears' Kenmore appliances, Frigidaire appliances are white labeled and may not be made by the same manufacturer every year)

[Red Arrow]

Mine does not. Sometimes water will collect in the door seal if the drain hole gets clogged by something, but otherwise no.

charky, you know who the actual manufacturer was that year? (Like Sears' Kenmore appliances, Frigidaire appliances are white labeled and may not be made by the same manufacturer every year)

The labels in our 2001 Frigidaire  Gallery washer/dryer set just indicates manufactured for Frigidaire one of the White Consolidated Industries. It does not say "by" any particular company. 

From 1919 to 1979, the company was owned by General Motors. During that period, it was first a subsidiary of Delco-Light and was later an independent division, based in Dayton, Ohio. Frigidaire was sold to White Sewing Machine Company 1979, which was in turn purchased by Electrolux, its current parent, in 1986.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frigidaire

[Breadburner]

Call an appliance repair company and see what they recommend.......