Laundry Debate: Should I Buy a Top Load or Front Load Washer & Dryer?
In the market for some shiny new laundry room appliances? Chances are your head is spinning with all the options out there on the market. With so many cool features, high-efficiency ratings, good reviews, bad reviews, and everything in between, it can be tough to choose just what to buy.
With this straightforward list of pros and cons for front load and top load washers and dryers, we hope to help you explore the options and narrow down what’s going to work best in your home!
Top load washer and dryer
Pros:
- Tried and true design.
- People don’t complain about bad smells or mold.
- You have the option of an agitator or no agitator.
- Generally the most affordable option.
- There are more brands and options to choose from.
- Option for a gas or electric dryer.
- You can use many types of laundry detergent.
- They can handle smaller loads if needed.
- Less vibration through your floor.
- High-Efficiency is an option.
Cons:
- No useable countertop space on top of units.
- Shorter people (or pregnant mothers during their last month of pregnancy 😉) might struggle to get the last of their wet clothes.
- Clothes might get tangled frequently.
- Requires more energy to complete a cycle.
- Tougher on fabrics.
- Washers with an agitator tend to be the loudest.
Some of our favorite top-rated, top-loading washing machines:
I searched different types of popular appliance features with strictly high ratings across the board. For Best Overall, I found a mid-price, highly-rated option with some bells and whistles. Budget-Friendly is the high-rated, least expensive option. Large Family Approved is the largest capacity highly-rated washer.
⭐Best Overall – Samsung 5.0 Cu. Ft. 11-Cycle High-Efficiency Top-Loading Washer
⭐Budget-Friendly – Amana 3.5 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer
⭐Large Family Approved – LG 5.2 Cu. ft. High-Efficiency Top Load Washer with Steam and Turbo Wash
Front load washer and dryer
Pros:
- Useable countertop space on top of them.
- Stackable to free up extra floor space.
- Adding pedestals makes laundry easier to grab.
- Pause button for throwing in stray clothing found after starting a load of wash.
- The most gentle on clothes.
- Uses the least amount of water.
- Cleans clothes the best due to its design.
- High-efficiency helps cut back on utilities.
- They can handle smaller loads if needed.
- Option to have a gas or electric dryer.
- Many colors to match your home decor.
Cons:
- You’re likely to drop clothing when transferring from washer to dryer.
- You might have to bend a lot to take clothes in and out.
- Normal wash times can be longer than other washers.
- They can tend to be the most expensive options.
- Mold or bad odors are most common with front loaders if not cleaned properly.
- Can be tough to clean.
- Small garments can get stuck in the door.
- You must use HE (High Efficiency) detergent.
- Some have a strong vibration.
Some of our favorite top-rated, front-loading washing machines:
I searched different types of popular appliance features with strictly high ratings across the board. For Best Overall, I found a mid-price, highly-rated option with some bells and whistles. Budget-Friendly is the high-rated, least expensive option. Large Family Approved is the largest capacity highly-rated washer.
⭐Best Overall – Maytag 4.8 Cu. Ft. 12-Cycle High-Efficiency Front-Loading Washer with Steam
⭐Budget-Friendly – Samsung 4.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front Load Washer, ENERGY STAR
⭐Large Family Approved – Electrolux 8.0 Cu. Ft. Front Load Perfect Steam Electric Dryer with LuxCare Dry and Instant Refresh in Titanium
So what’s the Hip2BeHome team verdict? Here’s what some of us had to say:
✅ Top loaders vs. 👎 Front loaders
“We bought a top load Samsung washer. It was great but went out within 5 years – they just don’t make them like they used to! When we were first married, someone gave us an old Maytag that had rusting paint and it lasted us forever!! A fresh coat of paint and it was like new.
We currently own an LG washer without an agitator, and I like it, but I have heard that the washers with agitators clean better, so I may be going back to that after this one dies. I never considered buying front loaders with all the bad reviews I’ve read in the past.” – Mary
“I hate my front loader! I can’t wait for it to quit working!” – Michelle
“I bought a front loader washing machine when they became popular years ago, and I hated it! The rubber lip would always get moldy and gross and stink! No matter how much I cleaned the thing, it would be gross. I finally went back to a top loader without an agitator in the middle, and I love it!” – Jennifer
“Top Loaders all the way. Everyone I know with a front loader complains about the cost, smell, leaks, and mold. No thanks!” – Jamie
“I love my top loader! I want to say I bought it used at least 8 years ago – no joke! It is super old but it never fails on me, so I am in love!” – Erica
“I love the top loading set that I bought and all of the cycles that it has. My mom used to have a front loader when I lived there. While it was nice for my 4’11” self, it did tend to smell, the rubber lip would get gross, and–considering I am the only short person in the family–it’s easier for me to use a stool to get into the top load. LOL!” – Alana
“We had a whirlpool (top loader) for 12 years until it sounded like a helicopter. Then we bought a Hotpoint set from Lowe’s – top loader made by GE. The first week the washer went bonkers and I about broke my tush falling down the steps to stop it. A repairman had to replace a piece that broke. Apparently, you need to load your washer evenly, i.e. one for one. Not just one pair of pants and a sweatshirt, but one of each so that they have equal spin power. I never washed that way before. But since taking his advice, I haven’t had any issues. I will go back to Whirlpool when we decide to buy new again.” – Amber S.
“I absolutely hated my front loader! I have a cheapie top loader now and it does the job perfectly.” – Angela
“I love my Samsung top loader! I hate the front loader machines as I did not like that you had to always have the door open to avoid the mildew smell. And mine always had little bits of mold growing around the rubber ring! Yuck!” – Bryn
“I’ve had my current Maytag top loader since before 2000. No bells and whistles, but the thing is a workhorse. My only wish is that it would handle larger loads like comforters, but I do feel like the agitator really gets clothes clean.” – Stacy
👎Top loaders vs. ✅ Front loaders
“We have had our front loaders for about four years now, and I absolutely love them! We’ve never had an issue with bad smells or mold, but I do make sure to take care of it by leaving the door open to dry and clean it when needed. I also just really love the overall look and think the designs are so sharp looking!” – Sara
“Love our newer Maytag front loaders! I use vinegar on mine, and it’s fine! You can’t use too much detergent is all, and leave the door open after washing sometimes. I love the look and have never had an issue.” – Lina
The verdict? Top Loaders – 10 vs. Front Loaders – 2
So it’s pretty clear to see which our team prefers, but enough about us. What type of washer and dryer do you have at home? Let me know in the comments below!
We, too, went to a front loader washer after our top load washer died. Frustratingly, the front load lasted 4 years and then died. Of course, the price to repair it would have been almost the same as just replacing with a new washer 🙁 So, we are back to a front load and will continue to use that model over a front load in the future. My mom has had her Maytag and it is well over 25 years old! They just don’t make things like they used to!
I meant to say we are back to a top load washer now 🙂
Wow! Awesome to hear how long her Maytag has held up! It sure seems appliances lasted a lot longer, years ago. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
Speed Queen is made like they used to make them. We bought one 5 years ago and would have already replaced any other brand. Worth every penny and it gets everything very clean.
I agree speed queen does get your clothes clean but the 2018 and newer models do not clean your clothes as well. I bought a 2017 model and dearly love it. I found a dealer who had them still in stock last year. If you look on you tube you will see the test between the 2017 and 2018.
Not true. It’s different technology for water saving. The water sprays from the side of the top loader as opposed to filling the tub up entirely and spins the clothes. I would not hesitate one second to buy a newer model Speed Queen. They cannot make a bad model if they tried.
Go Check out the difference on YouTube its not about saving water as they still fill with water Speed Queen does not make one that just sprays the water like HE Machines it is about making them cheaper with a fixed agitator. I researched Speed Queen Long and Hard before I bought one.There is a appliance dealer that did the videos on which cleaned better the 2017 with a moving agitator or the 2018 that had a fixed agitator and due to the videos he lost the right to sell Speed Queen appliances. Go Check it out before you say something is not true as I know what I saw and other videos explained why Speed Queen did the fixed agitator.
We love the Speed Queen. We bought the washer and dryer about 4 years ago. It is the same quality as laundromat washers and dryers. Washer fills with water all the way, and the agitator gets all of the clothes cleaner than any other washer we have ever had. The dryer drys a load of towels in 40 minutes. We did not get the digital model, so there are less things that can go wrong. They are expensive, but worth every penny. We expect them to be the last washer and dryer we will need to buy for a very long time.
I have a 2018 Speed Queen set and it is pretty darn amazing. Love it so much more than my old Samsung set. I do not have a 2017 to compare but I have absolutely no complaints about mine.
I bought a newly built home 3 years ago and the builder “gave” us a washer and dryer. It was a front loader. I never had one before and I was so excited for the space! Well, I cursed that thing after about two weeks. It was so small I was doing an average of 9 loads of laundry per week (a family of 5). It held so little and took so long to wash each load that I basically had to do a load of laundry per day otherwise I could never leave the house on the weekend while I managed laundry. Finally, I broke down sobbing one weekend and told my husband we needed a top loader. He asked what kind, what features, etc. I told him I didn’t care. Just something that held more than 2.3 cu ft of clothes and loaded from the top. He came home with the Samsung one mentioned as the Best above. I LOVE IT. I LOVE IT. I LOVE IT. I am down to two, maybe 3 loads a week, it’s quiet, it’s quick, it’s perfect!!!! I never thought I’d love a washer so much. Now I just need a dryer that can also dry a larger load…LOL
Aww, SO glad you have been loving the Samsung, Christine! Thanks a bunch for taking the time to comment!
Samsung is junk. Give it a few years and it will need to be replaced.
Agree! Samsung and LG are the same company and their appliances are junk! I had a Samsung dishwasher that lasted 2 years. It was more to replace the part than buy new. Appliance guy told me that’s how they are – the parts are intentionally more so you will buy new. That alone makes me say no to Samsung/LG. How wasteful!
In the last few weeks our 10 year old Kenmore front loading dryer finally died. We knew what was wrong with it and decided to purchase a new set instead of fixing. We purchased the newest model Maytag front loaders, washer and dryer. The doors are square instead of the classic round. So far I really like them. I HATE there is no light in the dryer. I wrote Maytag and they had nothing to say. I was pretty shocked to know dryers didn’t come “standard” with a light inside, not to mention these are $1k a piece machines. lol…
Thanks for sharing, Amanda! You’re right! It would great if all dryers had that feature!
We had a top load and purchased a front loader. I hated it. The clothes smelled even after I used the cleaner products and wiped down everything that I could. After several years I couldn’t take it anymore and we went back to a top load machine. Never again will I buy a front load washer.
Oh bummer! SO sorry to hear about that, Linda. I haven’t yet taken the leap to try a front loader. Thanks a ton for the honest review!
I have only ever had top loaders, but was glad to see you have as a Con the potential difficulty of reaching down to the bottom. I am 5’7″ and have long arms and have to go to tip toes to get the final small items out. That never occurred to me in the buying process. Honestly, I would have gotten a different model if I had been forewarned .
I do not miss the use of the top as we have always put in a shelf over the machines. I would probably have gotten a different pair though, because the top of the dryer is not flat and again, something I did not notice at the time.
I know! Its crazy all of the features you realize you would need to check for when purchasing a washer and dryer. Thanks so much for sharing with us!
A checklist would be awesome! Who knew all dryers didn’t have a light? I would never even think to look and would also be upset if mine didn’t have one!
I know, right!? Thanks for the suggestion, Jen! I’ll be sure to pass that along to the team!
I’m also glad you list this as a con, but I would add “if you plan to be pregnant.” I love our LG top loader but it was pretty comical trying to get laundry out the last few months of pregnancy – I had to lay on my side and reach in one handed. Definitely a good factor to consider.
Great suggestion! Thanks, Melie! That has been added!
I went with the hype a few years back and got a whirlpool front load washer. My gut feeling told me to get the lowes warranty and I did thank God. Not even a year old and I kept getting the same error code and the door wouldn’t open. My clothes had to stay in there until the repair man came to fix it. After the 3rd time I called lowes and got my money back and got a top loader. And I’ll stick with the top loader.
Oh bummer! SO glad you were able to return it! That sure sounds frustrating! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! We sure appreciate it!
I had a Kenmore front loader and I did have trouble with the seal/gasket so I replaced it with the Maytag Bravos HE top loader when it was time for a new set. My Maytag top loader was awful. The wash cycles took forever and I’d pull clothes out of the washer that had completely dry spots on them. (At least with the front loaders the clothes did go through the water.) The top loader did not use enough water to clean the clothes and without an agitator the clothes just didn’t move around enough to get clean and get the detergent completely rinsed out of them. (And yes, I read the manual and I know how HE washers work.) After a year of that and some research, I replaced the HE top loader with a Speed Queen. I LOVE my Speed Queen washer. You can’t get them at the big box stores; you have to go to an authorized dealer. Do yourself a favor and check out the Speed Queens if you’re in the market for a new washer! I kept my Maytag dryer and it has had to be repaired twice since I got my Speed Queen washer. Both of the appliance repair men complimented me on my Speed Queen washer.
How cool! Thanks so much for your recommendation, Alison! I’ll have to remember that!
We love our Speed Queen too!
Speed Queen top loader all the way! No fancy gadgets that will break and they’re built solid as a rock with a steel drum. Made in America and great warranty. They’re a little pricier than most other top loaders but have great reviews and are built to last.
SWEET! Thanks a ton for the feedback on the Speed Queen! Good to know what a great appliance it is!
After getting a front loader ge model back in 2009 that lasted until last year I went back to a top loader (whirlpool) with an agitator. I absolutely love it. For the most part things do not get overly tangled. But occasionally sheets do. But not to the point where nothing washes clean. I also do not feel like the agitator is ruining everything . I also got the matching dryer that has the hamper door that I LOVE because nothing drops on the floor.
Oh awesome! I have LOVED the Whirlpool brand! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us, Steph! I’m loving that hamper door feature! I’ll have to check for that when purchasing my next dryer!
I despise agitators. I had to put up with the standard small attached stacked apartment washer and dryer when I moved into a complex-owned apartment in October 2014. That agitator ate holes in several of my shirts. The dryer always took two cycles to dry my clothes if I had anything more than underwear and socks in there.
In Octobee 2015, I moved into a privately owned unit in my building. They had replaced that crappy machine with a Whirlpool front load washer and Whirlpool front load dryer that they stacked. I looked them up, and I believe they are 2008 models. I LOVE THEM. I don’t remember the capacity of either machine, but I can fit 8 bath sheets, 1 bath towel, 2 hand towels, 2 wash cloths, 2 dish towels, and 1 dish cloth in the washer at the same time. The dryer has a higher capacity than the washer. I always leave the washer door open for a few hours after emptying it. The washer has a clean cycle. I only have to add bleach. The dryer has a light in it. I have left the dryer door open for several days in a row many times since October 2015, and that bulb still hasn’t burned out.
Wow! SO cool! Good to know how well they have been working for you! Thanks for sharing with us, Sara!
I love my Speed Queen Washer and I watched a video on You Tube how to be able to open it and have it fill up and was a simple fix you put a heavy duty clamp on the brake in the back of the machine and presto you can then open and it will still fill instead of shutting off as I love to have it like the old school washers.
Oh cool! Thanks for the helpful tip, Nicole!
When front loaders first came out, we spent mega $$$ to buy a set. It worked so poorly for us that we GAVE IT AWAY in less than 6 mos because I couldn’t deal with the guilt of selling it to someone. It could have been our country well water, but NOTHING came clean. All my baby’s clothes remained stained after washing no matter what detergent or pretreating. Returned to a top loader with agitator with LOOONG cycles. When that died after about 10 years, we just got a Maytag “Commercial” top loader. OMG – I am in LOVE!! The cycles are about 30 minutes – less than half the time of the previous washer. The load capacity is small, I admit, but it’s all done so fast. And the clothes are clean. That’s all I wanted. Nothing fancy, just clean clothes. If you look it up online, you’ll see it’s not the most beautiful thing, but it’s definitely won my heart.
Speed Queen is the VERY best! There is no competitor that even comes close in quality. I have a top loader set and I absolutely love it. The brand is commercial quality and you cannot purchase them from a chain store. Not cheap but they last 20+ years. Prior to this set we had an LG front loader set that lasted just under 3 years. Washer was more expensive to fix than buying a new one. Had to leave the door open and wipe down the gasket after every.single.wash. Now our SQ top loader does not have to be wiped down after every.single.wash, no mold ever, no door that has to be open. Any engineer or washer/dryer repair man will tell you Speed Queen is built the very best and made to last years.
I got a Maytag top loader the first year of being married and it lasted a fantastic 16 yrs….After reading many reviews, I decided to go with another top loader, an LG I found at Costco. I love top loaders and would buy it again in a minute. It is true, you have to reach far in to get the clothes out, as others have said. My mom, who bought a front loader, likes my top loader so much, she wishes she had gotten one just like mine. In fact, she comes over to use mine to wash her comforter since my washer tub is more roomy. Top loader– all the way!
Thanks for the review, PH! Good to know how much your mom has loved your top loader!
I just bought a new washer and dryer last week! (Wish I would have seen this post before buying). My old Whirlpool front loader was 12 years old, and it was just done. The rubber around the door was cracked, so water would leak through the door. The motor was terribly loud (which, by the way was the 3rd replacement motor on the machine). And the darn machine “ate” my clothes! Yep, my favorite shirt came out full of holes – like it had gotten “stuck” on the side somehow and just literally torn apart. I swore I would never get another front loader. And I probably talked dozens of people out of getting a front loader! LOL But when I started researching, I learned how much more energy efficient the front loaders are. And in the 12 years since I bought my old appliances, many improvements have (supposedly) been made to address the problems of the older models. So, I gave it another chance! My new Samsung front loader was installed on Saturday. I hope I don’t regret my choice!
Unfortunately that brand is going to give you nothing but problems. They are very high-maintenance machines that break down continuously. That was our shortest lived appliance brand. I highly recommend going with Speed Queen once your Samsung breaks down.
I’ve had my Kenmore front load washer & dryer for 14 years and they’re still going strong. Occasionally they’ll smell musty, but that just means I’ve not been taking care to clean them every so often. Also, for those that don’t know, there is a drainage trap under my front loader. I’ve only had to clean it out twice due to kids socks getting lodged in there, but it caused the most awful smell for a few days and even prevented my washer from draining completely. It was a simple 20 minute fix, but once it was done the smell was gone! Regular maintenance of ALL your appliances will help them last. YouTube is a great source for those who like to DIY like me 😉
Oh wow! Thanks a ton for the helpful tip, Steff!
We have a Whirlpool Duet washer/dryer (front loaders) that we’ve had for almost 15 years. Knock on wood, we haven’t had any problems with them! I do leave the front door to the washer open when not in use and frequently add white vinegar to my loads to keep the inside clean (and to freshen stinky laundry) but I don’t do anything special beyond that. I do a minimum of 4 loads of laundry every week; usually more. The washer has sanitary and heavy duty cycles which have been super helpful with 2 dogs, 2 cats, a husband and 2 boys. I don’t think I could sacrifice the huge capacity of both the washer and dryer or the counter space on top!
Thanks for sharing! I have been a big fan of the Whirlpool brand! Good to know how well your set has held up!
I hated my whirlpool front loader too. Our laundry room is on the 2nd floor and it would rattle the whole house, I could’t run it while the kids were napping!! When it finally died I was ready to go old school back to a top loader , not HE but got talked into a top loader HE by the sales guy and Hubby . I only like it a little better 🙁 The soak cycle only wets the clothes a bit and sometimes I pull out clothes that still smell like sweat after a 58 minute cycle. So I run another cycle or soak my really bad workout clothes in a bucket ! That is not efficient at all .I can’t wait for this one to quit so I can get a commercial Speed Queen , and who knew I would miss my old Lady Kenmore set that we bought at a garage sale when we bought our first house, that one Hubby could repair too !
Oh bummer! Sorry to hear about that, Maggie! Thanks a bunch for sharing your experience with us! My old washer rattled a TON before it died. I couldn’t do laundry too late in the evening for fear of waking up the kiddos!
We had a front loader for about 4 yrs and I hated it. Things did not get as clean with it. We’ve had our speed queen for a couple of years and love it! Will never get another front loader
Oh good! Happy you are pleased with your new top loader! Thanks for the review!
I dispise front loaders. I lived with them for 30 years growing up and I HATED them. Give me a top loader any time. Ours were a little different cause they are only hooked up with cold water because the machine boils the water to wash the clothes but I still don’t like front loaders. I still buy mine used and my brother usually fixes them. I usually get a 10 year old one and use it for another 10 years or more. I either get them free on freecycle or pay 25 dollars for them. Either way I get my monies worth out of them. I bought a new dryer once and it broke down exactly a week after the warranty expired and the company told me that they weren’t meant to last forever. I told her that I don’t think forever is 3 years and have never bought an Amana again.
In the 20 years that I have had my house I have went through 2 washers and 1 dryer. All of them were free on freecycle and they were already 10 years old or more so they were worth every penny. I am happy with top loaders even if they are not as energy efficient as the newer models.
Thank you for posting this laundry debate. There were a lot of great candid comments. These days, new appliances are only meant to last 5-7 years on average according to sales folks. Since you are investing so much $ in an appliance that is so necessary, it helps for everyday people to give you their advice. Please post more debates in the future.
You are SO welcome, Lora! Thanks for the feedback! Stay tuned for another debate post real soon!
I have a Fisher and Paykel set. 11 years old and no repairs yet. You can go with the automatic water sensing or override and set your own water levels. Very simple controls. I plan on checking Consumer Reports out when this set dies.
I was wondering when someone would comment on Fisher Paykel. Our set is almost 11 years old and I love them! They needed a little maintenance at year 8 but other than that, they’ve been fabulous. I didn’t feel they were expensive and they are HE.
Fisher and Paykel are 2nd best to Speed Queen quality.
had a kenmore elite 1500$ front load washing machine and it was a nightmare, luckily had purchased the 5 year extended warranty and it got repaired so often I finally learned how to fix much of it myself. At the end of the 5 year warranty they had put 2300$ of parts and labor into repairing it and still would not replace it. They did extend the warranty for free for an extra year, so I kept it until that was over and it flooded my entire kitchen out into my dining room destroying my floors..not covered. Last month we purchased a GE front loader, its reviews were good, I have to have a super large capacity with a family of 6 and so far knock on wood it’s a great machine. I recommend no matter which way you go to spend the $ on the warranties….appliances are cheaply made and disposable in the eyes of the manufacturers…which is sad for us consumers but also a really bad deal for our planet. My grandma used the same set for 33 years, her replacement set broke in 2.
I have an old Kenmore washer, late 90’s model, it is ugly and rusty to look at. It does its job and well. Companies use to make things last, for that is what the consumer back then demanded. Now we all what the new and pretty looking things. We are also quick to throw out and spend the money. I guess we don’t work hard for our money.
Wow! I’m super surprised at all of the front loader horror stories. We bought our Samsung front load washer 11 years ago, and we have abused the living daylights out of that thing. We did a load of dirty diapers in it every day for 4 years, did at least 4 additional loads every week, and overstuffed it nearly every time ( except with the diapers. No top loader can compete with the stain removal capabilities of our front loader. I have only had 2 stains not completely come out in one wash. We have never had any mold even though we never wipe out the gasket and have forgotten to clean the filter on a regular basis (on the washer, not the dryer). We do leave the door and detergent drawer open on it when not in use. This year, my husband did replace the spider arm on it (not a small feat), but hey, we did abuse it for 11 years. If the new Samsungs are built like ours, I’d buy a new one in a second!
I was considering a front loader but after reading this, I’ll keep my top loader. It’s also ironic that while you do get countertop space with a front loader, leaving the door open for it to air out after a load would block your walkway unless the machine is against a wall. It also seems like a lot of work to maintain compared to a top loader, which is basically maintenance free.
I work in the Laundry industry, overseeing a 5 million lb/year operation.
Speed queen is made like and sold to commercial operations such as laundromats etc. I would get one in a heartbeat. We currently have a Maytag duet set and once they’re gone, I’m upgrading to speed queen.
Right. I am amazed at all the people who think Samsung is even on the same level as a Speed Queen. There is no comparison. Speed Queen is made superior to every brand out there. Samsung is about on the lowest of the low rung.
We don’t leave the door open that far. Just enough to allow some air in there. But if we had to briefly close it to walk around it, that wouldn’t be a big deal. I just can’t believe how much better it cleans than the top loaders (of which I’ve tried a lot).
My mom got a front loader and has to leave the door open all the time so it can dry out and no mildew will build up. She has to clean it out a lot too. It would bug me to have the door open ALL the time – neat freak that I am, and I draw the line at washing my washing machine haha! I’ll stick with the old fashioned top loaders.
I bought a front loader 5 years ago, and have never had a problem with mold, a bad rubber ring, or anything anyone has mentioned. Once a month I run the CLEAN cycle, remove the trap and clean out any lint caught there, and weekly wipe down the rubber seal/window on the door, and leave the door open when done so it doesn’t get smelly. It works as well today as it did when I first got it. I’d love to get pedestals, but I’m making do without. I love that it uses very little water and half as much detergent! Mine even has a sanitize cycle, which is awesome for the guinea pig cage liners! It would take a lot to get me to go back to a top loader (just like it would to get me to give up my Prius!!).
Oh wow! Thanks for the helpful feedback, Norma! Good to know how your front loader has held up and how you have been able to keep it so fresh and clean!
Top loader all the way at one point we have a front load and it grew mold, rubber kept breaking and clothes started smelling and that was with 8 people in the home we are now a home of 7 and our top loader works great ofcourse get it without the spinmer in the middle
maybe I missed them 😊 but you should totally check out speed queens🙌
Thanks so much for the suggestion, Lucy!
If you have a front loader, I have a few hints. First and most important is to use POWDER detergent. No liquids. I think I read that there is something in the liquid detergents that feed the mold. I use Tide w Bleach alternative, Gain, and Arm and Hammer. They still have these in powder form. When I wash darks, I use the OxiClean with odor removers and the detergent. I always wash my white load first and use bleach. This seems to clean the machine of the smell before I wash my darks/colors. I NEVER leave clothes in the washer for very long after I wash. They will smell if you even leave them in over night! I wipe my gasket and door down with a couple of paper towels and leave the door open over night to let it dry out. I go back and forth on top and front loaders. The top loaders I have had did not seem to clean as well, and I could not wash as much in a load, it took longer to wash, my clothes wore out fast, our water bill went up and it took longer to dry them so the power cost more. I know different models would be different results. I had midline models and not high end models, so I am sure there is a difference there. Presently we have a GE front loader. My preference would be a Speed Queen top loader, but we do not have the finances for that right now. We have a home warrranty, so when an appliance breaks, it can take weeks/months to get repairs or replacements. You almost need a back up appliance for everything! They worked months on my washer going back and forth, and finally ended up replacing it, with their choice, not mine. I like it pretty well, except for the typical front end loader issues.
Thanks a bunch for the helpful tips! Good to know what has worked well for you!
I’ve had my Kenmore front loader and dryer for 14 years now. I have no complaints. I keep the door open and never had any issue with smell or mold. Maybe it’s something with the newer models? Excellent job cleaning my clothes.
I will have to do my research once these konk out. I hope I get a few more years out of them.
That’s great to hear! SO glad you haven’t had any issues with your front loader! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us!
Does anyone have any experience with stackable top loaders? We are remodeling our basement, where our laundry room is, and are adding a bathroom in that space, so we need to go to stackables to create more room.
I was looking at front load stackables because they look nicer and less “apartment-y” than the stackable top loader…but I don’t want a moldy stinky nightmare like I keep reading about!
I’m doing my research on washers. In all I have not heard anyone speak of maintenance. This has been my experience. Top loaders – (several brands) Would get off balance and walk across the floor or sound like the drum was coming out. Had maintenance done but no fix. From reviews I’ve read on newer brands the problem is still there. Is it? Front loaders – (one brand) After 10 years of service the squeal started. Called repair and was told the bearing unit that was in the middle of the drum would need replaced but you had to buy the entire drum unit. Very costly. Do the front loaders have this problem today?
Hi Larry! I haven’t had a front loader, however I do have a top loader that can sound as if it may take off if I don’t load it in a specific way. I did learn from my washer repair person, that I needed to add even amounts of each item to my washer, to allow for a balance when washing. For example – 2 or 4 of a similar item, not 1 or 3. Since following that, I haven’t had any issues. Hoping that helps!