Best washer for large family?

[Patrice]

I have been looking at this site (via mobile only) for a few days and have found a lot of great info! You all know your stuff! I am hoping that I can get a recommendation.

Looking for a washer and dryer recommendation:

Family of 6 (4 kids, cloth diapers = need water and a machine that doesn't recycle rinse water)
Septic/well water
Living on a farm (lots of dirt, way out so hard for repair man to get to in a timely manner, etc)
Husband wants FL, I prefer TL (because our last crap FL was CRAP! So I can be swayed)
Would like a delay timer
budget is $2,000 for the pair.

Seems speed queen is highly recommended-- would a certain model be better than another? What others should I consider.

Thank you for any help!

 

[mamapinky]

Hi Patrice, my new Speed Queen is a week old today its the AWN432 top loader, and I love it. The tub size at first concerned me 3.3 cf, but wow it really does hold a lot and I have a large family. Everything washes clean, although I always soak whites overnight so I can't say how clean those would come with a normal wash time, but everything else including a dirty stinky load of gardening clothes came out clean and fresh. The speed queen will give you a full fill for wash and rinse and it uses true hot water, not dubbed down to warm.there's no locking lid. You can shut the washer to do soaks, do mothers still soak cloth diapers? My vote goes to Speed Queen. You will get some great advice here, and you can trust they will stear you in the right direction in your search. Good luck Cheryl

 

[Patrice]

Budget is not set in stone....

We would be willing to pay more for the washer if it makes sense, so our budget is flexible

Thanks, Cheryl! Yes, I soak my diapers and would LOVE a true hot wash. I need to do more research on the sizes and what size loads can be washed. There is no laundry mat anywhere close to the farm, soI hope to get a machine that's large enough to handle my king sized blankets. (I have no big comforters bc I know they can't be washed in a home machine!).

 

[gusherb]

If you can afford it, I would look into a front load Speed Queen set. That would definitely get you everything you want and the reduced water consumption would be easier on your septic system. Otherwise a TL SQ washer should fulfill your needs.
I'm not really sure if I would consider any other brands, especially if you like longevity.

 

[logixx]

Yup, the Speed Queen FL would be a good choice. You could pair it with a basic but rugged Whirlpool (Kenmore, Maytag etc.) dryer for budget friendliness.

 

[henene4]

Tankless water heater

Not sure about your hot water situation, but as you have to deal with verry heavy stains and have to get a certain hygenic standard with the diapers, a FL like the SQ without heater could eventualy have a problem if your water heater is far away.

Basicly, as this washer uses less water, the problem of cold water sitting in pipes could proof as bigger issue then with a TL.

There are 3 basic ways to compensate for that:
1. Run certain loads of heavy soiled items through a warm prewash. You'd set it on a warm wash, let it fill and tumble a bit, then set it to drain and spin and then start the main wash with hot water. Wouldn't actually waste hot water, but compensate the cold water issue.
2. Start the empty machine on a hot wash, then drain it after the fill. Reduces detergent usage, saves a bit of work time, but wastes a few gallons of water.
3. Get a tankless water heater installed right at your washer. This way, you don't have to bother about anything, you could use it with the delay timer and you could even get washes at 140° and beyond while keeping your house water at a safe temperature for your children. Of corse, instalation and unit will cost some as well.

But these measures are just theoretical if you notice that water is just not hot enough.

On the dryer topic: If your dryer still works to your satisfaction, even if it was paired with your dreaded FL (Which FL did you have by the way?), you could just keep it.
I know most people in the US somehow don't like the idea of non matching sets, but in most cases, non-matching of washer and dryer have even the advantage of either safeing money, getting a way better setup for your situation (just because the SQ washer fits you perfect, I guess a nother dryer like those cheaper WP dryers would suit you just fine) or even both.

 

[oldskool]

Speed Queen

either top load or front load - can't go wrong.

I have the SQ top load; recent model; not top of the line, but more than adequate; King size blankets and quilts; no problem. Great cleaning and built to last. Queen and lesser size comforters; no problem; king size mattress pads also, no problem. The SQ front load I'm sure is equally durable, just don't have experience with them as I prefer more water - yes I'm one of the water non-conformists whom the government doesn't like, so sorry, I'll join a support group until I can do better.

John

 

[alr2903]

I would consider a SQ frontloader for most of your laundry. If you have a working dryer, I would use it up. You might consider a inexpensive TL machine from whirlpool for heavily soiled work clothes and soaking diapers.  Even a used one, or continue with the TL you have.  Having the FL SQ in the lineup would save your well and septic system the brunt of most of the water.   I always like the cost effective route.

 

[mamapinky]

Oldskool, I'm in line behind you about the support group lol
Patrice, I remember the diaper washing days, they do require lots of hot water..I'm wondering if you went with a FL would you get enough water, also diaper rinsing is of concern, since diapers require excellent rinsing. I hear a lot of talk about FL'ers not rinsing well, but I can't say they are all like that.

 

[mrsalvo]

I have a Speed Queen, worth every cent and time and effort to find. Clothes come out clean first time around and soap is rinsed out. I care for an elderly parent, so it was important to me to get any soap reside out, so I needed a washer that uses water. Warranties on the Queen blow everyone, and I mean everyone, out of the water. Exceptional machine. I have model 432.

 

[neptunebob]

I was going to say like alr, that 2 washers might work best for you, but I was going to say the SQ top loader and an inexpensive front loader for the comforters.

Oh, and be sure to do Family Planning, that will help keep the laundry from being any more!

 

[yogitunes]

well that one was from the horses mouth, but don't see that as a great impact on laundry, I swear I get more laundry from three kids than when I had ten....

later down the road, consider gray water setup for things like the washer and kitchen sink, it will save your septic a lot....

cycle times may be a factor to keep in the back of your head.....the TL with do a load in about 40 minutes, the FL will require just over an hour.....but granted too, the FL will hold twice as much.....

I am all game for two washers, more if space allows, as noted in some of our collections, but even something simple as a wringer would help with soaking things like diapers or rugged work gear.....

 

[mamapinky]

Pat, have you considered duvet covers for your comforters, a king duvet would fit in the SQ and than you could get by with going to a laundry every 3 months. I just strip mine off weekly to wash, and I made 2 for the grandboys beds out of sheets, rather crudely made lol but I love them. Just a thought.

 

[nmassman44]

If your on a well and have a septic system as well, I would not get a top loader like the Speed Queen. Granted they do a load rather quickly but your water pump will be in use quite a bit not to mention the water being dumped into your septic system. I have an LG 3570 front loader that I love and has the capacity you seek and also has a water heater...something the SQ front loader does not have. The washer also has a steam feature as well as a Sanitary cycle that is designed for things like diapers. This front loader rinses well and on Cotton/Normal cycle , times are right about equal to a top loader. The washer uses TurboWash which has two jets in the front and an overload jet to spray rinse the load.
LG front load machines are also rated well in Consumer Reports, the SQ machines...not so much. And they are reliable. The other thing is price, the LG machines will not break the bank like an SQ front loader can and for what you get for the money, LG is the way to go.
The other thing is that the LG washer door can be propped open to air out between wash days and it will also let you know when its time to be cleaned out. This washer is not shy about using water an it uses that water efficiently. The only thing you will need if you go LG is water hammer arresters since they use a rapid opening and closing of the water valves. It will also heat water if your water temp isn't up to par.
I had an SQ washer and I actually still have the machine in my basement that is off to the side. I have replaced the drive belt once and with a large family, you will go thru belts on this washer in fact it eats them. Replacing the belt is no small feat but it can be done. The belt runs about $22 a pop. No drive belts in an LG washer, since the wash drum is direct drive.
The LG washer also extracts much more water out of the clothes than the SQ top loader. High speed tops out at 1200 rpm, the SQ 710 rpm. The hole pattern on the SQ washer retains water I found. If you want your clothes to last longer and with a large family, thats a huge factor, then again, the LG is the winner here. The SQ top loader will wear the hell out of clothes and cleaning is kinda meh. The LG I can throw stains at this washer and with a good detergent like Persil, it will remove anything and old stains too that have been set in. With kids one has to think about that since they get into anything.

 

[mtn1584]

SPEED QUEEN

Buy once and buy right!!!

I have a six year old AWN 542 so does my mother and brother!!! No problems whatsoever!! LG IS KOREAN MADE GARBAGE!!!! Oh yeah my ex has an LG which I pissed away money on!!! Mike, please stop bashing SQ washers for you do not know of what you speak!!! No one on this forum has ever had a problem with belts!!! You let your tenant use your washer that was your problem!!!

My advice buy once, spend good money up front, Top Load or Front Load, SPEED QUEEN is the way to go!!! I'd bet money that you'd be happy with them and unhappy with LG!
Mike

 

[henene4]

Actually, there were problems, several even, and some of the 5k+ post club even said that they are not the only thing out there that is good.

 

[mtn1584]

Really???

Don't believe me? Google SPEED QUEEN WASHER REVIEWS FOR ANY MODEL and see what customers say!!
Mike

 

[henene4]

I know they are good. But we have first hand people who say they have problems as well.

On the other hand, we have people who have pretty good experiences with HE TLs and FLs as well.

And you can't deny that a washer that uses 20+ gallons per load might not be that good on a septic system.
And with a SQ FL clocking in at 1500$ at least, not even haveing a heater which actually might proof as a big advantage here, a LG for half the price might be a acceptable choice as well.

 

[frigilux]

Normally, I'd recommend a front-loader, especially given your septic system; but if you want to soak diapers, a top-loading Speed Queen is probably your machine.

Mike, LG washers are not junk. Say it as many times as you want followed by as many exclamation points as you want. They are reliable washers that clean well using less water and energy than a Speed Queen top-loader. Everyone I know who has an LG made in the past five years likes it. A number of discerning people here at AW have one and swear by it.