Advise on New Washing Machine

[npeterson]

Hello, brand new member, who has been researching washing machines for the past few days after our older Maytag started having issues (2007 model, came with the house).

Our current machine is a top loader, non-HE, with an agitator. It's located in bathroom attached to our master along with the dryer. It's 27" wide and around 27"-28" deep.

Here is the issue, we cannot fit a new front-load washing machine in the current spot, it would stick out way too much (most seem to be around 32-33" in depth. So I started looking at what was available.

My criteria is basically:

It should be able to fit easily in 28" depth and 27" width.

Be good at cleaning clothes! (Doesn't wear them out, cleans well)

Be built to last (I consider 10 years a reasonable amount of time)

Needs to fit a reasonable amount of laundry (our current machine is 3.3 cubic feet with an agitator, and that's fine).

Unfortunately, I cannot seem to find anything that meets these criteria. Some people say top-load with agitators don't clean well and beat up clothes. Others report that front loaders are terribly high-maintenance (mold, leaks, etc). I hear people defending brands like Miele and Speed Queen, but when I look at Miele it feels like in the US they only really offer one washing machine that probably couldn't fit a set of queen sheets. Speed queen feels promising but it seems like it's more concerned with lasting a long time than cleaning well (some online reviews seem to reflect this). I've also looked at some models by Electrolux (they have a 2.4 cubic foot model that seems okish), and bosch (but those are also terribly small 2.0 cubic foot models). For reference, my wife estimates we do about 15 loads of laundry a week (family of 4, two young kiddos).

Thoughts? Am I overthinking this entirely?

 

[appliancedude16]

Speed Queen

Buy a speed queen top loader,

they are built to last and clean clothes really good, plus they are about 26 inches, the dryer is 26 7/8 inches wide.

 

[johnb300m]

Everybody here is going to tell you to get a Speed Queen.

Otherwise, there are fine models out there, front load and top load, from Maytag, Whirlpool and LG.

I'd highly advise to stay away from Samsung.

 

[panthera]

Several Options

Here are several possibilities, in no particular order - all I've either installed and followed for a few years (at least) so know they work:

1) Get the Maytag fixed?

2) A stackable washer/dryer would fit your depth and width description. Whirlpool makes 24 and 27", as does GE. Frigidaire makes one in 27" which is very highly regarded for it's cleaning and known to fail the day after the warranty runs out. The Whirlpool, Frigidaire and GE 27" models wash a full load. The GE seems a bit easier to install, the Whirlpools are easier to learn if you're used to traditional. Both will need a second rinse as they are, unfortunately, HE.

3) The mold problem with front loaders was caused by American consumers no longer knowing what their grandmothers did - you NEVER close the door completely, you MUST run a HOT water wash with oxygen bleach at least once a month. Then you NEVER have mold. Ever.

4 )Discontinued but still occasionally in big-box stores are the Electrolux 27" front loaders which are only about 24" deep.

5)<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cold water washing and cheap fabric softener are at the root of 99.999999999999% of mold, scum, dirty washers and, yes, premature failure of washers. If you must cold water wash, then use top of the line detergents and accept that at the very latest, once a month you MUST run a true hot water cleaning cycle with chlorine bleach.</span>

 

[this post was last edited: 5/2/2017-13:25]

 

[mrb627]

2 cents...

If you have been satisfied with the cleaning performance from your current Maytag machines, the Speed Queens will meet or beat that criteria.

Malcolm

 

[brucelucenta]

Yep, for what you are needing speed queen top loader is the answer. It is really the ONLY answer for a top load machine.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Yup,

Speed Queen TL is your best bet.
WK78

 

[yogitunes]

don't compare capacities of TLers and FLers equally.....

a 3.3 of a FLer will hold quite a bit more than the same 3.3 of a TLer

a FL set would offer a counter top area for folding or storage....a hanging rod over top never hurts as well...

if anything, take a load of clothes into the store, and load the machine to get a feel for how much that machine will do per load...

http://https//www.lowes.com/pd/Bosch-300-Series-2-2-cu-ft-High-Efficiency-Stackable-Front-Load-Washer-White/999957993

 

[panthera]

Speed Queen

I think it's worth pointing out that a well restored Maytag made prior to the Whirlpool takeover is going to be much cheaper than a new SQ and will with 100% certainty last the desired 10 years, if not longer than the SQ.

Yes, I think SQ is the only American made toploader right now which is well made and good at washing. I also think it's way more money than one needs to spend when there are still so many hundreds of thousands of outstanding Maytags from the pre-Whirlpool era out there.

 

[brucelucenta]

Panthera is quite correct, if you should be able to find a Maytag washer and dryer with low mileage that was made with the old Maytag design they would last as long or longer than a new speed queen set and be a whole lot cheaper.

 

[npeterson]

I appreciate the advice, and I agree that finding an old machine and fixing it would likely be cheaper. But ultimately my wife needs to do laundry, and if I spent two weeks hunting for an old Maytag to attempt to fix it would put my in the dog house.

So, I went to my local appliance store and bought the Speed Queen top loader, it comes Thursday

 

[panthera]

You'll be happy with the SQ

They're good machines.

Your argument for not looking around is also unassailable. 

 

[mrsalvo]

Speed Queen is an excellent washer, i have one and it suits our needs quite well. As stated in the owners manual you don't want to overload them though, and I do agree. I keep mine wiped down and in pristine shape. I think you'll like it, and the fast cycle times.

 

[washman]

Well..................never mind!

 

Hi Frig!