topic Re: Washer and dryer in Home

Washer and dryer

FuzzyFace — Fri, 18 May 2018 16:05:59 GMT

How long should a good washer and dryer last?I bought mine 8 years ago and they're starting to make funny noises. I suspect that we might be entering the "nickel-and-diming-to-death" era and I think I might not bother repairing them but just keep using them till they finally give up for good.

I'm especially anxious to get rid of my front loader machines because it really hurts my back to bend down to use those things. Can anyone recommend top loaders that are good quality?It doesn't have to top quality because it's just three senior adults in my family--no small children's dirty clothes (although sometime I could fit into that category because I love to go out in the garden and get dirty).

Re: Washer and dryer

BalletBabe — Fri, 18 May 2018 16:26:58 GMT

@FuzzyFace wrote:
How long should a good washer and dryer last?I bought mine 8 years ago and they're starting to make funny noises. I suspect that we might be entering the "nickel-and-diming-to-death" era and I think I might not bother repairing them but just keep using them till they finally give up for good.

I'm especially anxious to get rid of my front loader machines because it really hurts my back to bend down to use those things. Can anyone recommend top loaders that are good quality?It doesn't have to top quality because it's just three senior adults in my family--no small children's dirty clothes (although sometime I could fit into that category because I love to go out in the garden and get dirty).

I had same issue. Mine also 8 years old. LG brand. I had my dryer go out and paid 250.00 for a new heating element last April, then it died again in Dec. They would not give me a warranty because they wanted 75.00 to clean out the vent. The vent had just been cleaned, but unless they do it, they will not give you a warranty. I bought a new Dryer in Dec. and did a lot of research and I went with Whirlpool. Also many recommended it on face book. I love it so far.

The washer works, but I hate it. Never again will I buy a Front Loader. I am going to replace it soon. The amount of mold it collects is awful. Good Luck.

Re: Washer and dryer

Imaoldhippie — Fri, 18 May 2018 16:29:40 GMT

My Kenmore's from Sears are about 3 yrs old, washer is a top loader with no agitator. I have all Kenmore appliances in my home.

Re: Washer and dryer

BalletBabe — Fri, 18 May 2018 16:32:05 GMT

@FuzzyFace I guess I didn't answer your question, but seems to me 8 years is about it anymore. It is a throw away world. LG has those things on the front where you dial a number and put your cell up against it and it reads a code telling LG what the issue is. That is a waste of money in my opinion. Was curious does your front loader get a lot of mold?? I have to leave the door open and that is a pain because I have a parrot out there and I like garage open during the day because she feels like she is out side. I can't do it after running washer because I had a snake crawl in it one time.

Re: Washer and dryer

zanna — Fri, 18 May 2018 16:32:33 GMT

@FuzzyFace, my last set only lasted 6 years (1 person household!) and the Lowes salesman told me that was about average. I replaced it with a basic, no-frills Maytag set that was on sale and I LOVE it. The washer is top-loading, but I have to warn you, the drum is deep, so you still have to bend over to unload the washed clothes and put them into the dryer. Still, this Maytag set is solid and I have been very pleased with it's performance over the past year.

Re: Washer and dryer

Peaches McPhee — Fri, 18 May 2018 16:37:47 GMT

Are they both going at the same time? That's so strange.

IMO, there is no "nickel and dime" phase with appliances anymore. Once they break, don't repair, just buy a new one. They are now disposable goods. Sad, but true.

Re: Washer and dryer

FuzzyFace — Fri, 18 May 2018 16:48:33 GMT

@BalletBabe wrote:
@FuzzyFace I guess I didn't answer your question, but seems to me 8 years is about it anymore. It is a throw away world. LG has those things on the front where you dial a number and put your cell up against it and it reads a code telling LG what the issue is. That is a waste of money in my opinion. Was curious does your front loader get a lot of mold?? I have to leave the door open and that is a pain because I have a parrot out there and I like garage open during the day because she feels like she is out side. I can't do it after running washer because I had a snake crawl in it one time.

BalletBabe, about the front loader washing machine: it's never had so much as a molecule of mold because a friend reminded me to keep the door always open and never shut it. I took her advice and it has worked.

The reason both are breaking down now, at the same time, is because I bought them at the same time--a set, I think. I don't remember what the brand was.

Shoot. I hate shopping for appliances. We need a new microwave too but for now we're just using masking tape to keep things in place...lol!

Re: Washer and dryer

FuzzyFace — Fri, 18 May 2018 16:57:22 GMT

@zanna wrote:
@FuzzyFace, my last set only lasted 6 years (1 person household!) and the Lowes salesman told me that was about average. I replaced it with a basic, no-frills Maytag set that was on sale and I LOVE it. The washer is top-loading, but I have to warn you, the drum is deep, so you still have to bend over to unload the washed clothes and put them into the dryer. Still, this Maytag set is solid and I have been very pleased with it's performance over the past year.

Zanna, when my DH and I had a baby and bought our first house, my mother -- who never spent a DIME on me if she could avoid it -- bought us a pair of Maytags--washer and dryer. I joked to her that if it was just DH and I, we could wash our clothes on rocks in a river for all she cared. But her little baby grandson had to have his dirty diapers washed in nothing but the best. (It actually became a family joke.)

Mom DID believe in spending more for good quality and she remarked that those machines would still be good when DS left for college. And she was right--those Maytags lasted 26 years.

But Maytag now isn't the same Maytag it used to be, I'm sorry to say.

Re: Washer and dryer

Apple Crisp — Fri, 18 May 2018 17:17:05 GMT

I have a GE top loader, no agitator, and a matching GE dryer. Both are 9 1/2 years old. I have had no problems, but have noticed that the dryer is taking longer to dry things then it used to. I ave my outside vents totally cleaned out at least once a year, so it’s not that. I am thinking I will be looking for replacements in the near future, but I will hold out as long as I can.

Re: Washer and dryer

Nightowlz — Fri, 18 May 2018 18:12:30 GMT

My dryer crapped out a few yrs ago & it was 31 yrs old. LOL!!!

I know my new one won't last that long.

They just don't make things like they used. I was going to say no pirde in workmanship but it's more like companies are cheap. It's all about money.

I'm still using the old type washer & dryer with the dial knobs no touch electronics etc. Those just cost more money to fix when it breaks down.

Been married for 42 yrs & we are on our 2nd washer & our 2nd dryer. Whirlpool.

Re: Washer and dryer

zanna — Fri, 18 May 2018 17:28:19 GMT

@FuzzyFace This is the first Maytag I've ever had and it's built like a tank. Not very pretty sitting beside all those curvy models on the showroom floor, but it was cheapest one and I've always wanted a Maytag. In the year that I've had it, not once has it gone off balance or anything like that. Handles my bed quilt with ease. I'll buy another.

Re: Washer and dryer

software — Fri, 18 May 2018 18:27:14 GMT

I have a 15 year old Kenmore top load large washer.

I made 1 repair on it myself but otherwise it's in good shape.

Hope it lasts a bit longer.

I rarely use my dryer but I have no idea how old mine is, it was used when I got it about 10 years ago.

Re: Washer and dryer

panda1234 — Fri, 18 May 2018 18:56:26 GMT

@Peaches McPhee wrote:
Are they both going at the same time? That's so strange.

IMO, there is no "nickel and dime" phase with appliances anymore. Once they break, don't repair, just buy a new one. They are now disposable goods. Sad, but true.

@Peaches McPhee

you are so right about this. If the repair costs half or more than half the price of the machine get a new one.

Re: Washer and dryer

x Hedge — Fri, 18 May 2018 19:40:50 GMT

@FuzzyFace wrote:
How long should a good washer and dryer last?I bought mine 8 years ago and they're starting to make funny noises. I suspect that we might be entering the "nickel-and-diming-to-death" era and I think I might not bother repairing them but just keep using them till they finally give up for good.

I'm especially anxious to get rid of my front loader machines because it really hurts my back to bend down to use those things. Can anyone recommend top loaders that are good quality?It doesn't have to top quality because it's just three senior adults in my family--no small children's dirty clothes (although sometime I could fit into that category because I love to go out in the garden and get dirty).

Only 8 years? Probably something simple like a worn belt.

They wear and need occasional replacement, just like in your car. You wouldn't buy a new car just because it needed an inexpensive, predictable repair.

Sounds like you just don't want the machines you have. Why not consider selling them and getting what you like?

Re: Washer and dryer

Mominohio — Fri, 18 May 2018 20:47:10 GMT

They say most appliances today are made to only last for 8 to 10 years. Programmed and designed and built to fail.

The biggest thing one can do to combat that, is buy the simplest ones on the market. The less bells and whistles the less there will be to go wrong. The more mechanical they are (knobs instead of touch pads), and the less electronic the longer they usually last, and have a better chance of being repaired at a lower cost.

The other thing is to scout estate auctions for older models of large applicances, that were built to last longer.

Re: Washer and dryer

mare54 — Fri, 18 May 2018 21:19:40 GMT

I had a Whirlpool set that I got rid of last year. They were over 25 years old! The only reason I got rid of them was the enamel was coming off the tub of the washer and getting rust on the clothes. I wanted a matching set. I replaced them with top loading Samsung. So far so good.

Re: Washer and dryer

GCR18 — Sat, 19 May 2018 00:37:20 GMT

I have a Maytag set I bought at Home Depot about 18 years ago. Nothing fancy, front loading. I thought the dryer was dying at one point, but it's chugging along. When one goes, I'll likely buy a new pair of Maytag's.

Re: Washer and dryer

AussieLuvr — Sat, 19 May 2018 01:11:40 GMT

We're having our kitchen remodeled and I'm going to get one of those one piece, stacked washer and dryer units. Its just my husband and I so it won't get heavy use. I also have an issue with bending down and lifting and this is the only solution to being able to use the washer and dryer without reaching or bending down. We have an expensive set in our basement but I can't do steps so my husband does all of the laundry. He means well but he puts whites, delicates, his work clothes and gardening/workshop clothes in together, washes them all in hot water and then puts them in the dryer for two hours on the "Fry" setting, LOL. He doesn't seem to get (or care) that washing and drying clothes correctly saves the clothing and means less work for me (ironing). So, after we have a single unit put into a closet in the kitchen we'll have his and her washers/dryers, lol. One thing I would tell anybody; make sure you buy a washer with an agitator. Our current washer cost a small fortune and it doesn't have one. Everything twists into a "rope" around the outside of the bottom of the washer and it doesn't get all of the water out. Good luck!!

Re: Washer and dryer

wagirl — Sun, 20 May 2018 14:57:10 GMT

I had my w/d pair for 20 years and just bought a new set, 2 years ago. I paid about $1000 for both. Top load washer with no bells or whistles except for being the current tech that everything is these days. It is a High Efficiency washer. I think all the crazy hi tech stuff is the reason these appliances are so pricey to buy and then to repair. Had my 18 year old refer repaired and the repair guy said that they are 10x busier repairing the new top line tech appliances because the parts are so expensive. Told me what brand to buy when I buy a new one as far as having them fixed. This was the first time I had to have my refer repaired in those 18 years. I put alot of $$ into repairing the old washer/dryer so decided to buy new ones. Hopefully they will last longer than 8 years.

Re: Washer and dryer

Pooky1 — Sun, 20 May 2018 21:31:59 GMT

we keep service contract on some of our appliances. washer at 3years old had it repaired. a 300 dollar repair . contract covered it. maytag dishwasher has been repaired like 6 times. all covered under contract.