Best washer/dryer features?
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Miriam, in my opinion there are three modern features worth paying for: quietness, the elimination of the dreaded agitator and energy savings.Some (but not all) machines are now almost Euro dishwasher silent. Very useful if the machines aren't located inside a bunker surrounded by 10ft. concrete insulated walls. All front loading washers eliminate the agitator that is rough on clothes. Finally, most newer machines (particularly front loading washers) consume less water, less energy and less detergent than the old machines. See my review of the fantastic Bosch washer we have below. Bosch dryers also have a great reputation but are extremely sensitive to venting conditions - we have had problems with ours because of a long vent run with several elbows.
I'd agree those are the key features. But there are other features to look out for, like:-steam mode - breaks down grease & lets you avoid having to iron that particularly wrinkly article of clothing After our Kenmore/Maytag set broke down after only 6 years we went with these: http://us.lge.com/products/category/list/home%20appliances_laundry.jhtml We love em. Well, as much as you can love a washer/dryer. They're super quiet, large capacity, & clothes comes out spotless & nice. Dunno about the energy impact but allegedly they're good in this arena. As the oblivious guy, what I like most is the fully digitized controls (vs the old style mechancal click wheels). They even have play/pause buttons! Makes the time doing laundry feel a little bit like playing with my ipod. By the way, we got plain old white. My mother in law is already impressed.
I love front loading machines, but definitely pay for the under-washer, under-dryer storage drawers, which raise the washing machine and dryer oof the floor, making it much, much easier to load, transfer, and unload. Relatively small expense add-on for a big convenience payoff. (And storing bleach and detergent right there makes it sensible, too.)
So, what is a great brand? Any recommendations? My Whirlpool died in mid-cycle yesterday and I am shopping today for a new one!
So, what is a great brand? Any recommendations? My Whirlpool died in mid-cycle yesterday and I am shopping today for a new one!
Probably not what you want to hear but our simple Whirpool is a tank and has been going strong for years. I'd get another one again. We had a Maytag before that was a lemon. I know my brother would say Bosch Bosch Bosch Bosch ...
We like our LGs. I know a few other folks that have them & like them.
We also had a whirlpool for years and it's very reliable, however after I saw the Bosch at Lonnie's I think that will be our next one. Mainly, it heats up the water so that whites come out much cleaner.
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