Front loading washing machines?

starhead Posted: Jul 15, 2003 09:06 AM

Front loading washing machines?

I'm looking for opinions from you girls out there that have the front loading washing machines. We're looking into the LG front loader and the matching dryer. Previously, we were going to get the whirlpool calypso top loader but it seems that the front loaders are so much more energy and water efficient.

So are they easy to use? Does it get your clothes clean? Any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Sassyz75 Posted: Jul 15, 2003 09:21 AM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

I do not own a front loader but I can tell you from research that I've done that front loaders are MUCH better for your clothes than top loaders...

dgtlsunshine Posted: Jul 15, 2003 09:49 AM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

We have a front loader. Here is the one we have. Its very efficient and very easy to use. It uses way less water. I would highly recommend a front loader. We also have the dryer to match and I recommend that as well.

smooch Posted: Jul 15, 2003 10:04 AM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

WE HAVE A FRONT LOADER!!! and we LOOOOOVE it!!! It uses so much less water, thus less soap, and it also uses much less electricity. And your clothes aren't tossed around like a pair of old socks, so they will last longer, and all sorts of good things.

We have a Kenmore from Sears. It's an Energy Star model, which as we buy new appliances and such, that's ALL we are buying. Trying to be good to the earth.

starhead Posted: Jul 15, 2003 10:18 AM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

Oooh, I'm so glad its all good things. The LG is energystar, too. It's only slightly more expensive than the other one we wanted.

Do you guys use normal detergent or special kind for front loaders?
Thanks for the info, and keep it coming!!

februarybride Posted: Jul 15, 2003 10:37 AM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

I have a front loader ... it's a whirlpool. I love it. We did a lot of research on washers and found that it is more energy efficient and uses less water.

starhead Posted: Jul 15, 2003 10:51 AM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

so what's the deal with the detergent? Are they more complicated to use?

Kathy116 Posted: Jul 15, 2003 10:55 AM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

I want one so bad! I love the Whirlpool one! When we finish our Master Bathroom, we're leaving space to have a new washroom area (of course hidden), with one of those new front loaders.

My aunt has one, but I forgot the name...supposedly it's amazing. I'll email her and find out what it is..

starhead Posted: Jul 15, 2003 11:54 AM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

any one else? I just want to have all the info before we spend so much $$$ on something.

kmcwed Posted: Jul 15, 2003 11:56 AM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

I LOVE the front loaders!! Every time we see one in Home Depot or Sears I pull my hubby over and say, 'oooooh looooook! I looooooove this!' HINT HINT......

smooch Posted: Jul 15, 2003 12:10 PM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

BTW, same kind of detergent - just less of it!!

chmlengr Posted: Jul 15, 2003 12:56 PM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

We also have a front loading washing machine and love it! It uses only 5-gallons of water, requires less soap, and it also uses much less electricity. And as mentioned already, your clothes aren't tossed around like a pair of old socks, so they will last longer. It tumbles the clothes, not agitates them. Another huge benfit is that it is whisper quiet. Good for those people who have their laundry rooms in high traffic areas.

Our is a Kenmore from Sears. We paid $800+ for it, but it's been worth every penny and pays for itself over time. We got ours 2 years ago and they have come down in price a bit.

michele31 Posted: Jul 15, 2003 01:03 PM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

I love my Magtag Neptune washer. My parents also have one as does my best friend. it is super quiet and wrings the clothes out almost dry. I had already gotten a new dryer so I didn't need the matching one. they are pretty expensive and even though my parents have it they said it was no better than a good dryer so next time they wouldn't spend the extra just for the matching set.

Teri Posted: Jul 15, 2003 01:29 PM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

We have a front loading machine in our apt - they were just replaced and we love them. Like the others said, less soap is used, and our clothes come out really clean. Not sure about the energy, etc since we're in an apt building, but ours is a little noisy. Towards the end of the cycle, the thing spins so fast it sounds as if it's going to fly away If the door is shut it's fine though.
I can't remember the brand name, but will try and look when I get home.

yabbobay Posted: Jul 15, 2003 01:32 PM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

ok...here is my question...

what if you forget to put something in? you can't just open it up and stick it in...right?

and what about the oxy clean...I usually run our water first to let the oxy clean dissolve...

I know this sounds moronic...but you explain your washing procedure?

michele31 Posted: Jul 15, 2003 01:49 PM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

you cannot run the water first with these machines Erica. but you can open the door if you forget an item. i have NO idea how it works, but no water every spills out. on mine, there is a side panel where you load the soaps into and it all magically gets into the washer.

yabbobay Posted: Jul 15, 2003 02:03 PM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

thank you michele...thats definitely reassuring...since I am always forgetting a sock or something of that nature...

and I am all for energy saving equipment...I'll put it on my list!!

smooch Posted: Jul 15, 2003 03:07 PM

Re: Front loading washing machines?

yup, at first i was hestitant to open the door. it's a front loader, all the water would come out, right? NOPE! it uses so little water that the level doesn't come above where the door is, so nothing spills out!

to give you some price ranges, our Kenmore we bought in December for around $700.

and, now that i think about it, if you wanted to dissolve the detergent in first, i don't see why you can't. because we already established that you can open the door. so why not run it for a minute or so, then stop it, put the clothes in, and start it again? i have never tried this, so i don't know, but i don't see why not.

btw, i used to let the detergent mix in first too, until we got the front loaer. have you ever NOT done that and then stood by a blacklight?

phyl Posted: Jul 15, 2003 04:19 PM

we have the neptune

...and because of our litmited space we got the stacked version with the dryer on top

it uses less soap- I use the same soap as I did before-costco liquid...uses less water and less electricity..and your clothes are not as abused.
When we figured out how much we would save .,it was worth the initial outlay of $$

Regarding opening the door: on the neptune there is no window on the washer...and the door LOCKS closed.. ther is a light that goes on once the door is locked. if you need to add an item to the wash, you have to press the stop button, then open the door and YOU CAN ONLY DO THIS IN THE FIRST MINUTE OF THE WASH. That part is inconvient for those of us who always find one more item after the wash has started.

LOVE IT THOUGH!