topic Re: Washing machines without agitators in Home

Washing machines without agitators

hoosieroriginal — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 19:52:57 GMT

My washing machine is almost 13 years old. I'm thinking of replacing it with a washing machine that doesn't have an agitator in the middle of the tub. I am constantly tearing my hand up reaching in for the clothes. Does anyone have one of these and how well does it clean your clothes, and would you buy one again? Thanks.

Re: Washing machines without agitators

Tallgal — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:10:23 GMT

I had a Whirlpool Cabrio washer without and agitator it lasted 2 years. Maybe I got a lemon but in my opinion it is a piece of junk. I didn't work right. I hated that washing machine. Also the machine was not cheap. I will never buy anything with Whirlpool on it. Hopefully others will respond to your post with a better recommendation that a Whirlpool Cabrio.

Re: Washing machines without agitators

SeaMaiden — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:18:15 GMT

I love my Kenmore Elite front load! It saves lots of water, does huge loads and cleans and spin dries so great. I will never return to a top load with an agitator. It is 10 years old with no problems. My last washer was a top load by Kenmore that lasted 15 years trouble free.

Re: Washing machines without agitators

StylishLady — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:30:54 GMT

When my RCA Whirlpool broke down, I got new high end GE washer and dryer. The washer is a top load w/o the agitator. It has worked quite well. Has sensors to adjust the amount of water used. DH says it sounds like an alien space ship when it is running.

Re: Washing machines without agitators

Dusty1 — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:34:57 GMT

I just had to buy a new washer before Christmas. I got the Whirlpool Cabrio. I didn't know that was it's name. I've only had it for a month, but I like it just fine. It is big, which I love. My dryer didn't get any bigger (LOL) so if I can't line dry, it takes a couple of loads to dry everything I washed, if I did a big load. It took me a few tries to figure out the best cycles to use, but it's just fine. Cleans well & spins the laundry out fairly dry. I use my homemade laundry detergent in it. I hope mine lasts longer than 2 years. I paid around $440 for mine at Home Depot, on sale. It's at $478 right now. Good luck.

Re: Washing machines without agitators

Dusty1 — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:36:22 GMT

@StylishLady wrote:
When my RCA Whirlpool broke down, I got new high end GE washer and dryer. The washer is a top load w/o the agitator. It has worked quite well. Has sensors to adjust the amount of water used. DH says it sounds like an alien space ship when it is running.

Oh yeah. My Whirlpool sounds like a space ship, too!

Re: Washing machines without agitators

MathisFan — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:48:21 GMT

I have a GE toploader w/o the agitator. I don't like it at all. I don't think it cleans as well nor does it rinse well. If I could afford to purchase a new washer with an agitator I would. This one's still going strong though. I think it's about 6 years old.

Mine sounds like a space ship too. lol

Re: Washing machines without agitators

lobstergal — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:47:49 GMT

I had a washer that had 2 side agitators. It was the worst piece of junk I ever owned. The clothes were always twisted and balled up on the sides of the machine so it ruined clothes. That caused the machine to be unbalanced so it would stop during the rinse cycle and I'd have to try to untwist and pull the sopping wet clothes apart. Nothing but a big PITA!

Re: Washing machines without agitators

Mssnoopyz — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 21:06:02 GMT

I have a samsung washer without the agitator and I hate it, I had it for 18 months now. The main thing I don't like about is the rinse cycle. If I have sheets or towels in it, the machine keeps rinsing because it is's trying to even out the load. My drum is deep and I'm short and trying to get everything out I have to keep turning the drum so the clothes are directly in my reach. Also all the clothing get twisted. I don't think I'd buy one with out the agitator again.

I had a front loader (10 yrs old) before and it broke and I thought the cost to repair it. I'd buy another front loader again.

Re: Washing machines without agitators

Witchy Woman — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 21:28:37 GMT

@Mssnoopyz wrote:
I have a samsung washer without the agitator and I hate it, I had it for 18 months now. The main thing I don't like about is the rinse cycle. If I have sheets or towels in it, the machine keeps rinsing because it is's trying to even out the load. My drum is deep and I'm short and trying to get everything out I have to keep turning the drum so the clothes are directly in my reach. Also all the clothing get twisted. I don't think I'd buy one with out the agitator again.
I had a front loader (10 yrs old) before and it broke and I thought the cost to repair it. I'd buy another front loader again.

I have a Maytag front Loader (Neptune) and it does the same darn thing. Not to mention I had to have the inner drum replaced because of the black mold that formed on the gasket. They did a recall and replaced it for free, but it still has some kind of black residue around it -- but at least it doesn't smell.

Everything always balls and bunches and twists. When this one goes, think I'm going back to a manual hand wringer!

Re: Washing machines without agitators

hoosieroriginal — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 21:42:45 GMT

@Witchy Woman wrote:
@Mssnoopyz wrote:
I have a samsung washer without the agitator and I hate it, I had it for 18 months now. The main thing I don't like about is the rinse cycle. If I have sheets or towels in it, the machine keeps rinsing because it is's trying to even out the load. My drum is deep and I'm short and trying to get everything out I have to keep turning the drum so the clothes are directly in my reach. Also all the clothing get twisted. I don't think I'd buy one with out the agitator again.
I had a front loader (10 yrs old) before and it broke and I thought the cost to repair it. I'd buy another front loader again.

I have a Maytag front Loader (Neptune) and it does the same darn thing. Not to mention I had to have the inner drum replaced because of the black mold that formed on the gasket. They did a recall and replaced it for free, but it still has some kind of black residue around it -- but at least it doesn't smell.

Everything always balls and bunches and twists. When this one goes, think I'm going back to a manual hand wringer!

@Witchy Woman - I know I don't want a front loader - hear a lot of them get smelly.

Re: Washing machines without agitators

Lilysmom — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 22:07:35 GMT

I have a Kenmore elite front loading washer, ten years old, and still going strong. I love it. Hope it lasts another ten. No trouble! Fingers crossed. LM

Re: Washing machines without agitators

GCR18 — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 22:12:53 GMT

I have a Maytag front loader. It's somewhere around 14 years old. Haven't had any issues with it. It doesn't smell. It has balled clothes up, but it's rare. When I have to buy new ones, I'll include it when I do my research.

Re: Washing machines without agitators

colliegirls — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 22:48:21 GMT

I have a Maytag Bravos W&D, just a few years old. The washer is a top loader and gets the wash very clean. I am happy with it but I still miss the user options from my Maytag agitator washer.

Re: Washing machines without agitators

novamc1 — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 23:00:42 GMT

I have a Whirlpool front loader and I like it very much. After some defective electronic part finally got replaced soon after I got it, it has performed well for the past 6 years or so.

I went with a front loader because I liked the idea of clothes being tumbled around and not agitated. I don't like my clothes to get beaten up.

Mine cleans extremely well, although I always use an extra rinse cycle just because I'm compulsive about no liquid Tide remaining in the clothes. It could also be the Tide which results in great stain removal and cleaning, , however, but all I know is that the laundry gets cleaner than it used to.

Here's a short list of manufacturer-recommended rules for owning a front loader long-term without mold or smells:

--.always wipe out the little bit of water that collects on the outside rim of the gasket after every load

-- always keep the door open, not closed (this won't work if your washer is on display near your living area of course)

--read the owner's manual carefully when it comes to cleaning the machine. I think many complaints from owners result from not doing this.

My Whirlpool has a "Clean Washer" cycle that uses only bleach. It scrubs the daylights out of the machine and cleans it nicely. I don't seem to need to use the "clean washer/bleach" cycle nearly as often as recommended, because I don't close the door and leave a damp environment in the machine.

I think today's top-loaders without agitators would work for me, too, but I still like the front-loading aspect, especially when cleaning big items such as bed linens and quilts.

Re: Washing machines without agitators

LonestarBabs — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 22:58:25 GMT

Sorry, can't recommend one. I got rid of my Maytag Bravos pair, and before that I had the Maytage Neptune, and went back to solid, American-made basic technology with Speed Queen. Cleans better, easier on clothes, quick and efficient, long warranty and history of quality.

Laundry is actually a joy again, and it's possible that this Speed Queen pair will be the last I own -- they are that good and reliable.

Re: Washing machines without agitators

Nuttmeg — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 23:01:55 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
I love my Kenmore Elite front load! It saves lots of water, does huge loads and cleans and spin dries so great. I will never return to a top load with an agitator. It is 10 years old with no problems. My last washer was a top load by Kenmore that lasted 15 years trouble free.

I like my Kenmore front loader washer. You should check Consumer Reports for product rating.

Re: Washing machines without agitators

novamc1 — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 23:06:06 GMT

@LonestarBabs

I looked into buying a Speed Queen.......those are the workhorses that you'll find in shared laundry rooms in apartment buildings and in laundromats. I couldn't find a single dealer in the Wash DC area that sold them.

I found one small dealer far away in Maryland who supposedly had them, but he refused to travel the distance to where I live to get it delivered. To this day, I wouldn't know where to find a Speed Queen. I had come to the conclusion that you had to be a business owner who could buy them wholesale from the factory, not a mere retail customer.

Where did you manage to find yours?

Re: Washing machines without agitators

colliegirls — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 23:20:46 GMT

OP, do not even think about replacing that washer until it dies! There is nothing on the market that will be any better, really.

Re: Washing machines without agitators

Bhvbum — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 23:48:30 GMT

I have both, a Maytag front loader and a Maytag top loader. I also have two dryers. I have a big family and found I was ALWAYS doing laundry and this has made a big difference. I use both for different kinds of loads.

The frontloader is better with heavy loads like towels (better for spinning out water) and the top loader with sheets, etc. You just need a top washer for those odd ball kinds of loads that you want to stop and start it exactly when you want (like washing fragile or wool sweaters.) you can't do this with a front loader.