topic Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine in Community Chat

Need recommendations for a new washing machine

Lady Chat — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 02:01:53 GMT

I prefer a top loader, but am wondering about washing machines with agitators versus non agitators. Does one clean better than the other? Are the ones with agitators harder on clothing? I know ones without an agitator leave more room for blankets and heavier items. Are there any particular brand of washing machines you prefer? Any help you can give me, would be so appreciated. My machine just died and I want to buy another as quickly as possible. Thanks in advance!

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

Foxxee — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 02:51:19 GMT

Speed Queen re-release of their older model, prior to and including the 2017 model. They stopped making this model in 2018. Customers were very upset, so they brought it back in 2019. You need to ask for it because SQ is still making the 2018 version many customers didn't like. Made in the United States. Can only be purchased in dealer appliance stores. Look for the 2020 version.

Maytag Commercial model of their old machine that lasted 20+ years. Remember the "Maytag Repair Man" commercials years ago. This is the version. It's made in United States in their factory making washing machines for laundromats, so made to last. Only sold in dealer appliance stores. Look for the 2020 version.

Both are top loaders with agitators and very good warranties. Neither one has a lot of bells and whistles that could cause problems. They are pretty bare, but offer everything we need to get very clean clothes.

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

sunshine45 — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 03:14:19 GMT

purchased a pair of speed queens two years ago......love them AND they have a 7 year warranty. expensive, but worth it, plus you can change the water level as you wish. also very quiet.

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

Caffeina — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 03:17:31 GMT

I've had a GE 4.5-cu ft High Efficiency Top-Load Washer, model #GTW465ASNWW for several months. It has lots of options, and plenty of room in the basket.

I've been using nothing but top loaders with agitators for at least 50 years, and have never had problems with them being hard on clothes.

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

FancyPhillyshopper — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 03:42:52 GMT

Speed Queen has an excellent reputation with the top load and agitator model TC5. They use commercial grade parts and offer a warranty. This washer costs over $1000.00, so it is not a budget purchase.

DH only wants an agitator because he believes clothes come out cleaner. We only want top load because side load have mold problems.

We just ordered this Speed Queen model from our local appliance store and we were told our wait could be as long as two months as the factory (made in USA) is producing fewer due to covid restrictions.

If you want something fast and more low budget, you could contact local big box stores like Home Depot and Loews and see what they have in stock. They do not carry Speed Queen.

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

aubnwa01 — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 04:18:13 GMT

I have an about 9-10 year old Maytag Bravos toploader without an agitator & when it dies, I'm going back to a model with a regular agitator. It does fine for my clothes & lighter items, but for large heavier things like sheets & towels, the stuff goes across the top of the little dimple thing (impeller?) in the bottom. Sometimes, it goes out of balance & I have to stop the washer & take things out & put them back in a balanced fashion like when I started the load. Other times, I open the washer after a load & a sheet is stretched across the drum like a literal drum.

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

RedTop — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 04:21:13 GMT

Depending on where you live, replacing an appliance may be more of an issue than you expect. Finding a washer period, may be the challenge.

I am in WV. My 20 year old dryer died in August, and I got one of two dryers in stock in this town! The store I deal with, is shut down temporarily because they cannot get shipments of any type of merchandise right now; no appliances, no mattresses, no furniture.

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

Lady Chat — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 05:38:29 GMT

Thank you!

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

Lady Chat — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 05:39:54 GMT

thank yu!

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

Nightowlz — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 06:07:36 GMT

@Lady Chat

I just bought one about a month ago.

First I looked to see what they had available in store online at Lowe's since it's the only place they had any in stock. The other place only had a few I did not want.

I have had Whirlpool or Kenmore. I read reviews on those & decided I did not want one of those. I started reading other reviews. After reading them I was not sure what to try.

Reviews listed said machines have water sensors & don't cover the clothes with water, some poured water on the clothes so they weigh more before starting wash, clothes don't get clean, the clothes get wrinkled from the spin cycle, the agitator in some tear your clothes up.

I decided to buy a Samsung top loader, impeller, no agitator 4.3 cu ft. It has turn knob for cycles with electronic display for the rest. It has a see thru lid so I have been able to watch it.

I use the high water level on most loads so it does cover the clothes. Our clothes don't get really dirty so have not had any problems cleaning our clothes. I do treat stains which I guess some people don't think you should have to do?

The only problem I have is washing a lightweight blanket it spins it into a ball so I have to go pause to move around so it will not be out of balance. Did not do that with heavier blanket.

New washing machines should not be more work. Don't know what washing machine manufacturers are thinking.

They say they only last 8-15 yrs now???

Good lucking finding the right machine.

I think you should read some reviews on model you like before buying it.

The first one I found I wanted would not be in stock until Jan. This may or may not be an issue where you live?

I had to wait a couple weeks for delivery.

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

Lady Chat — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 08:55:42 GMT

@Nightowlz wrote:
@Lady Chat

I just bought one about a month ago.
First I looked to see what they had available in store online at Lowe's since it's the only place they had any in stock. The other place only had a few I did not want.
I have had Whirlpool or Kenmore. I read reviews on those & decided I did not want one of those. I started reading other reviews. After reading them I was not sure what to try.
Reviews listed said machines have water sensors & don't cover the clothes with water, some poured water on the clothes so they weigh more before starting wash, clothes don't get clean, the clothes get wrinkled from the spin cycle, the agitator in some tear your clothes up.
I decided to buy a Samsung top loader, impeller, no agitator 4.3 cu ft. It has turn knob for cycles with electronic display for the rest. It has a see thru lid so I have been able to watch it.
I use the high water level on most loads so it does cover the clothes. Our clothes don't get really dirty so have not had any problems cleaning our clothes. I do treat stains which I guess some people don't think you should have to do?
The only problem I have is washing a lightweight blanket it spins it into a ball so I have to go pause to move around so it will not be out of balance. Did not do that with heavier blanket.

Thanks for responding! The washing machine I have presently is a Kemore, non agitator. In the beginning I just loved it, especially all the space in the basin, was just great for towels and blankets and bedspreads. But after about a year, I started having trouble with it malfunctioning. It seems like I was always calling Sears for one thing or another. It is only 4 years old. Personally I think I got stuck with a lemon. When it was working well, I really felt it did a good job. Now it's no longer functioning, and must be replaced. I wanted to get some feedback, because i wanted to see other peoples experiences with agitators versus non agitators. I know i would really miss the space it provided, and when it was working, it cleaned very well. I guess I'm wondering if other brands without the gigators have functioned better than mine, or if I should switch back to a machine with an agitator. It's also true that machines with agitators can do damage to clothing. So I'm just trying to figure out what's best to do. So thank you for taking the time to respond, I really do appreciate it!

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

Anonymous032819 — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 11:02:38 GMT

@Lady Chat

All of t washing machines that I have had in my 50 years have had agitators, and none of them have ever damaged any clothing.

Not even once.

If I were buying a new washer, I would go with a basic model.

Less of chance of something going wrong.

Sure, bells and whistles are nice, until one of those bells and whistles breaks, then you're looking at $$$$ to get it fixed.

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

AngelPuppy1 — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 11:11:03 GMT

I have LG stacking washing machine and dryer. Love them! Very dependable. I have front load washer which I never had before. The only drawback with front loaders is you have to dry them down after use.

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

tototwo — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 13:42:14 GMT

I've had both top-loader and front-loader - I prefer the top-loader. I had Whirlpool washers that lasted almost 20 years with few repairs needed.

Last year I bought a Samsung top-loader and it's a lemon. Plus, Samsung's customer service is non-existent. Their warranty is worthless. Never again! When I buy another washer, it will be a Whirlpool.

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

Shelbelle — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 14:31:01 GMT

Whirlpool top loaders, still my preference. For less expensive models Hotpoint by GE is a great choice, not many bells and whistles, but good performance.

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

FiddleDeeDee — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 15:06:08 GMT

Left my old Whirlpool top loader behind for my renters; she called me this morning and said "THANK YOU! OMG THE CLOTHES AND TOWELS ARE SO CLEAN NOW!!" Yep, they had been using a front loading washer without agitator at their old house (which THEY left behind for the new owners, lol). She asked me if my model could still be purchased and I said I had no idea, it's 20 something years old and was left there by the woman we purchased the house from. I told her about Speed Queen because that's what we'll by when we move out of a rental into our own home (our rental is a front loader, no agitator and I have to wash everything twice to get it clean and to removed all the detergent).

I'll pass the info about Maytag on to her.

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

cozyseeker — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 15:10:55 GMT

@Lady Chat Speed Queen commercial. The best investment we have ever made. They are very pricey, but worth every cent. Your local appliance store is the best place to find them.

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

caroln242 — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 15:13:45 GMT

I'm waiting for my washing machine to die...I want a Speed Queen!

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

Shaunac — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 15:35:46 GMT

@Anonymous032819 wrote:

@Lady Chat

All of t washing machines that I have had in my 50 years have had agitators, and none of them have ever damaged any clothing.

Not even once.

If I were buying a new washer, I would go with a basic model.

Less of chance of something going wrong.

This.

I need a new washer and dryer, but will only buy the basic as if something goes wrong with the electric board or any of the other extras that are now offered with the newer models, then it needs to be repaired.

Also, budget friendly. If the appliances don't last as long as they used to, then I've not spent more than $2k on the pair and it won't be so frustrating that it doesn't work anymore.

Re: Need recommendations for a new washing machine

CelticCrafter — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 15:36:37 GMT

After what I read and hear people say about front loader washing machines it makes me never want one.