What is the Best Washer and Dryer to Buy
When it was finally time for me to get a washer dryer set I thought it was going to be a pretty easy purchase. I knew that I wanted to get one of those really pretty front loaders that come in all the fun colors. That was my main concern at first. Should I get turquoise tone or see if I can find a purple one? Doing laundry was finally going to be so much fun!
Then I decided that I better read through all of the best washer and dryer reviews and get a little bit more informed before I made such a big purchase. I'm glad I did because it totally changed the direction that my search went into. It saved me a lot of money and hopefully a lot of hassle too. I wanted to compile this information just in case you're as new to the washing drying world as I am.
I also went and called around at some local stores just because I was so sick of trying to figure this all out online. It seemed like there wasn't a "best" washer when I was looking through all of the reviews. There didn't even seem like a "good one". The brands names had all confusingly seemed to merge together so no one was sure anymore of who made what anymore. I decided though that it was better to be informed than to actually just have someone sell me something so they could earn a commission. This whole process was so exhausting that I gave up for a few weeks and decided maybe I'd just stick to the Laundromat. I definitely had information overload.
I had heard that Samsung was a good brand and Consumer Reports seemed to think highly of it. This also solved the problem of not having a lot of top loading machines available to me. Samsung makes some high end versions. I liked the WA5471ABP model because of the platinum finish. It seemed to have a few problems with the water levels but nowhere as problematic as all of the reviews that I'd read about the front loading machines. My main reservation here was simply price.
I also looked at a steam electric dryer that was DV5471AEW. I realized I had picked it because even though the set was white, it was pretty and unique. I loved the glass doors and stainless like trim. However, did I love it thousands of dollars' worth more than a white version? The problematic thing about a glass door on a top loader is simply cleaning. I don't wash my windows often enough so am I really going to be cleaning the top of my washing machine to make sure that there's no laundry detergent spots left?
At this point I decided for reasons I'll explain later to stay away from machines that had a lot of technology built into them. For me, the set would've been much more than what I had wanted to pay and I wasn't sure that it would be worth it to me. When did doing laundry become this difficult?
I had to read a lot of washer and dryer reviews about this brand because I didn't even know they made appliances. In fact when I sorted by the best rated at Amazon and was looking through the top 100 it took me quite awhile to even find a front loader. LG makes mostly top loading machines, http://www.shopcocktaildress.co.uk - red cocktail dress , and they are the ones with all of the fun colors and additional pedestals to choose from for that extra height and storage. The highest rated one I found was actually an all in one version so you don't need a vent. It was mainly recommended so highly just because of the space saving factor. Most people said they loved it in their apartments but really wouldn't use it in a conventional home and there were problems with the lint.
I naturally assumed that front loading machines were going to be better just because they were more expensive and much more prevalent. If I was going to spend upwards to a thousand dollars per unit, I could really expect it to work well. Right? Then I read hundreds of washer and dryer reviews and changed my mind.
Then I started reading through the reviews and come up with a common list of problems with all of the front loading machines out there, http://www.networkedcollab.org/index.php?title=User:Ksraxphwys#How_to_Become_a_Beauty_Guru_on_YouTube - http://www.networkedcollab.org/index.php?title=User:Ksraxphwys#How_to_Become_a_Beauty_Guru_on_YouTube .
1. Mold is probably the biggest problem. It can grow inside the washer or just leaving your clothes smelling like it. You can get something like Tide Laundry Washing Machine Cleaner but it costs $7.86 for 3 loads. That's right, http://www.weddingdress2013.co.uk - wedding dresses cheap online ; the expense didn't stop at your $1000 washing machine. Now you have to clean your washing machine too.
2. Each company and brand has different ways to combat the mold. In one case I read that I would have to dry out the machine with a towel after each load, http://slava-m.ru/forum//index.php/topic,148336.msg172561.html#msg172561 - http://slava-m.ru/forum//index.php/topic,148336.msg172561.html#msg172561 . I just wanted a machine that would wash dry my clothes.
3. You're going to have to read through the manual for each specific set you're looking at to learn better how to "care" for your machines. Most recommend that you leave the doors open so it can dry out. This was especially problematic for me because then it would essentially be in the middle of my doorway. It was probably what pushed me over the edge and made me decide to buy a top loading machine.
4. Is it really more energy efficient?
One of the big fads behind these is that they are supposed to be energy efficient. Think about your overall carbon footprint when deciding this. If you have to wash your machine through an extra cycle using a cleaner is that more energy efficient? If a repair guy has to come out 2 or 3 times to fix it and uses gasoline to get there is that more energy efficient? It just depends on how reliable your particular unit is and that varies wildly with almost every front loading machines having reviews scary enough that I decided not to buy them. Sure, it's supposed to actually spin more water out so you don't have to dry as much but there are other energy drains too.
5. You need to buy special detergent. It can't be too sudsy because of the way these machines run. This is one more additional expense as you'll have to get special HE or high efficiency detergents.
6. Glass doors have problems with them. You're supposed to close them gently by pressing in the center or it might ruin the seal. Just think about the last time you closed the lid on your washing machine. Were you careful with it?
7. These machines are really pricy. Sure, there seems to be a lot of new technology in the washer. What about the dryer? They really haven't changed that much but they just cost more because they are prettier and then just give you a matching set. There are steam dryers available but you'll pay even more for these.
After reading through all of the reviews I decided against a front loader; even though they are prettier. They just weren't reliable enough and they had so much upkeep that I felt like I should name it and it would be my new pet. I didn't want machines that I had to "babysit". I also read through hundreds of reviews, reports, and did at least 40 hours of research before making my decison on getting the most basic machines I could find. It was cheaper but this also had better reviews over items that were 3 or 4 times the price.
After reading through the various reviews I was so horrified that I decided to look for a used washer dryer. Hopefully I could find one that was energy efficient and in good shape that would outlast all of the new front loaders on the market, http://www.pandorahome.co.uk - pandora jewellery .
I started talking to people about their washing machines and several people told me that their repairman said that the more technology your machine has the more it breaks and also the more you will have to replace it. This was spot on with the washer and dryer reviews I had read. I don't need any kind of digital read out, I can use a dial. This way I don't have to worry about a computer breaking. This makes it much more difficult for a home handyman too and it's also a lot pricier for parts. The advice that I read the most often was that a lot of people who had "upgraded" to top loaders just wanted to get their old machines back.
This point was also driven home by all of the reviews I read at Amazon, http://www.zhangxiaojun.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=345975 - http://www.zhangxiaojun.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=345975 . I originally thought that this was just because of price. However, I started seeing four or five stars instead of all of the negative reviews. I started reading about people who were downsizing from their front loaders. Even on the more expensive Speed Queen AWN412S 26 Top-Load Washer that costs as much as a pretty front loader the reviewers just loved how much easier it is to use. There were brands that I'd never heard of like Amana, Electrolux, and Roper who were getting better reviews than the more expensive and well known brands.
|