The beauty of my washing machine is that it uses little water and no there are no harsh jets etc the drum also rotates clockwise and counterclockwise for a more even clean. I have washed a few antique quilts on a light cycle and they came out just fine.
Jeanine

I have always heard not to use a front loading washer for quilts. Don't know why -- I think something to do with more water force. But your quilts are ok?

Nancy - we purchased front loading LG washer and dryer (that stacks) just before Christmas. (They've replaced a stacked Kenmore front loading washer and dryer that were about 18 years old). Both washer and dryer have huge drums capable of washing and drying king size comforters. Like Jeanine's both have a large variety of cycles and heat settings. On a side note I'm washing fewer loads per week with the new machines which is nice since we're watching our water consumption here.
Barb

Nancy,
I have recently purchased a front loading Maytag precisely because I wanted a large drum with no "prod" in the middle for washing quilts and tribal textiles of all sorts. I naturally got the dryer that goes with it and love the large drum and variety of cycles and heat settings. Thus far I am very very happy with both.
Good luck with your homework.
Jeanine

Hi Debbie,

Now that you've had your washer & dryer set for a number of years, are you still as pleased with them. My 20 year old set will need replacing soon, so I'm starting my search now.

Thanks,
Nancy

On my front loading Bosch, at any time you can pause the cycle and open the door after a moment.

One of the best washing machine discoveries I've ever made was Charlie's Soap, it is absolutely fabulous... heck it's better than fabulous!

Have you "Tinkled" today?

Couldn't resist putting my two cents in here as it always annoyed me to discover I'd missed a sock after I started the wash--one day by mistake I discovered if you open the soap tray (I have a Frigidaire set) it disables all the safeguards and you can open the door and add at will--won't work during a spin cycle. If anything a few drops of water will be on the floor.

Hope it works on your washer.

Barb

We purchased a front-loading washer and dryer a couple of years ago, and now I'm not sure I would buy that type of washer again.

1. You cannot use gentler soaps in it (like Quilt Soap) because it is bad for the motors. I even called the manufacturer one day, and they advised against using it, even occasionally. I don't like not having that option.

2. I don't like not being able to add clothes to the washer after it starts. Maybe it's me, but I always find a sock of something that fell along the way and I would like to add a bit later.

They now have high efficiency top loading washers. I would prefer those, I think. (Of course, I will now keep my front loaders for another 10 to 15 years, just like the last ones!)

Just my 2 cents...

BethMI

I had a Maytag for years and loved it. But I also went with the front loading Whirlpool Duet about 2 1/2 years ago and have been very happy with them. The hold a very large loads so I have thrown large blankets in there.

Lorna

I love my Sears Kenmore washer and dryer - and yes they are made by the same people who make the Whirlpool. In fact the service guy I had here a while back told me it is the EXACT same as the equivalent Whirlpool model, just a different shell put on it! I keep a service plan current on all my appliances too, so when things do go wrong (hey, I've got kids and those little socks do get places they shouldn't, lol ) it is just a quick call and service visit - no problem! I have had my set now for 8 years and the only problems I have had was an agitator gear that broke last year (turned out to be a recall issue and was replaced free of charge) and a broken dryer belt also last year. Oh, and a baby sock stuck in the outflow hose several years ago, lol I don't know that I will ever buy different.

maggieszafranski wrote:
Hi Maggie,

I bought Kenmore appliances when I bought my first house and they were still going strong after 20 years. I only bought another new Kenmore washer dryer set because I wanted new appliances in my newly built home, that was 15 years ago. I've had no problems with them. It was also my understanding that Kenmore washers & dryers were then made by Whirlpool. This was my experience, but I'm not endorsing them.

Keep in mind that times have changed when it comes to all types of appliances and electronics. Our parents were able to buy appliances built to last. Today's appliances are built to be economically obsolete--in other words, built to last just long enough for you to need to replace them when new features and functions become available.

Detergents and water quality can certainly affect the life of your appliances. It's also important to ensure that anyone else using your appliances (e.g. college kids who tend to overload) are properly instructed on how to use them.

I strongly believe that you don't get what you don't pay for, so I avoid buying cheap. However, spending a premium is no guarantee of getting good value.

NancyinSTL

I have always loved Maytags, but the company has changed ownership, and they are not putting out the quality as before. The salesman at Lowe's (who also repairs appliances in his own business) steered us to the Whirlpool (who I think makes the Kenmore brand). My stepdaughter with 3 kids has the same set, and our best friends with 3 kids have the same set, and none of us have had any problems.

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

OMG I have the opposite opinion of Maytag. I've loved mine and when I replace mine in the condo I recently bought, will go again with Maytag. I started with it because my mothers 40 year old machine that my sister now uses in the garage! When my parents sold their home and lived in a travel trailer, mom put the machine in a utility trailer and dragged it all over the country.

I personally believe in staying away from MAYTAG and BOSCH... I have had both product lines in the last 10 years and was very disappointed. There were/ are only three people in our family so we are not hard on either the washer/ the dryer / or the dishwasher.

Both product lines have died after less then 7 years of ownership. I had the Maytags then went to the Bosche ... I just replaced them all with KENMORE from Sears... cheaper and so far working better.

I think they may be breaking down prematurely cause we live in the country and use well water our softner is new... but as far as I am concerned MAYTAG and BOSCHE ARE SISSY CITY MACHINES... Kenmore is a country work horse.


Consider the kind of water you use in your house...well, softners, city supply... any other generalize problems.