I hate my HE front loader

[Deleted]

Can't stand it with a passion. Nothing is getting clean. There's mold under the gasket that has to be cleaned out. You are supposed to leave the door open whenever it's not in use, which takes up a lot of space. It's really rough on clothes. I have to drain excess water through a thing at the bottom of the washer. The clothes smell funky. I've used the tub clean cycle and tub cleaning detergents.

Anyone else have this problem? How have you fixed it? I'm about to throw in the towel and buy a new washer. This one cost about 1.5k and is less than a year old.

[Deleted]

anne, that is how my European washer is and it drives me nuts.

[thyme4change]

Ugh - sorry to hear that. Having appliances you hate is so frustrating. I actually love mine, but I got one of the earlier of the HE front loaders, maybe 10 or 11 years ago. It was right when the transition was happening. Throughout my children's lives, I've been surprised at how well my washer cleans. Are you running it full? I really pack mine - as per the directions.

[midjd]

There is some sort of cleaner you can run through to get the moldy smell out, but I've never used it, so I can't help you there I think you can also run it through a cycle using white vinegar.

I share your frustration, though - I always try to leave the door open (even though that means not being able to close the laundry room door) but DH doesn't, and that thing gets RANK after a day or two.

[bean29]

I also have one of the earlier HE Washing Machines. Mine is the Whirlpool Duet. I don't have too many issues with mine. I think my clothes get clean, and I don't think the machines smells. I do usually leave the door ajar.

I run full loads, but try not to overload it. When doing towels and jeans I leave some space at the top of the machine. If I load too many jeans in it wrings them out too hard, and they get creases in them. If you overload the towels it gets off balance and doesn't spin them out so they are sopping wet.

I would take a good look at the owners manual and see how they recommend the machine be loaded.

My manual says not to run single items or too few items. I ran a single pair of jeans for DD yesterday though and they came out fine.

[raeoflyte]

I clean my top loader machine by pouring in a gallon of white vinegar and running it through a hot wash cycle. No idea if that would help yours thoughs.

That sucks that you have to leave the door to the machine open. My cats aren't smart enough not to get in and I'd be terrified that I'd forget to check for them before starting it...

[justme]

I miss my parents, it gets stains out way better than my regular one. It's in their garage so the door being open isn't an issue. You'd think someone would make a quick release hinge for the door or something so you just take it off for those that have laundry rooms.

[thyme4change]

My cats aren't smart enough not to get in and I'd be terrified that I'd forget to check for them before starting it...

My experience is that they jump out when I start tossing dirty clothes in.

[Deleted]

I like my front loader, but it's also about 12 years old, I've never had to clean the drum or drain any water (although there's been a few occasions that it's leaked some), and it seems to do fine no matter how much is in there. It even worked well on our cloth diapers and I've heard that front loaders aren't as good on them.

Now I'm worried about replacing it someday if the new ones suck.

[nittanycheme]

I've had my washer for about 5 years, and I really like it. However, you may be filling it up too much if you have that much water left, or there may be something clogging up the drain (any lost socks?). I only fill mine up about 2/3rds when I run a load, and it works fine. My clothes are almost dry when they come out. My DH packs it full, and sometimes his clothes are sopping wet at the end because there isn't enough room for the water to spin well out of the clothes. He had it so packed one day that it leaked since the water couldn't drain out.

I also try to make sure to do a load of wash with bleach every so often - that helps kill the mold. I don't mind keeping the door open - it's in our second bathroom that we don't use a whole lot. I also don't leave it all the way open - for mine, just cracking it an inch or two is enough to let it dry out.

[alabamagal]

I love my $400 top loader. Got me through tons of laundry during the years I had 3 teenagers at home.

I would sell the one you got and get a new one.

[Formerly SK]

Are you sure there is nothing wrong with yours? Your problems make me think something is defective.

I've had two front loaders (the computer died on the first one after 6 years and it was cheaper to buy a new machine than a new computer). I'm on year three with my new one. I've never had any of the issues you are describing. I do leave the door open a crack (like literally a crack - you can't tell looking at it).

[8 Bit WWBG]

I am deeply scared that this is the direction appliances are going in: stylish, but overpriced and under-functional. That red LG set looks really cool, but it'd be less cool if it didn't get clothes clean, and required finicky maintenance.

At the $1,500 price point (for just the washer, too), I have VERY high expectations. It cracks me up that many people I know are in the process of "upgrading" appliances after the originals broke. The originals, while not pretty or high end, put in at least 10, sometimes 15 years of faithful service (as we did with a dishwasher). I hope our new one lasts at least as long if not longer.

[Deleted]

Oct 29, 2012 14:27:47 GMT -5 8 Bit WWBG said:

I am deeply scared that this is the direction appliances are going in: stylish, but overpriced and under-functional. That red LG set looks really cool, but it'd be less cool if it didn't get clothes clean, and required finicky maintenance.

At the $1,500 price point (for just the washer, too), I have VERY high expectations. It cracks me up that many people I know are in the process of "upgrading" appliances after the originals broke. The originals, while not pretty or high end, put in at least 10, sometimes 15 years of faithful service (as we did with a dishwasher). I hope our new one lasts at least as long if not longer.

The new appliance don't seem like they are as well made as the old ones. I replaced everything about 18 months ago and I am not overly thrilled with any of them. I threw the towel in on the stove and found a model from the same era as my original one. I even bought a backup electrical board, so it could be repaired later.

My HE washer is about 7 years old and I still like it. I leave the door cracked and have never had a mold issue.

[thyme4change]

The originals, while not pretty or high end, put in at least 10, sometimes 15 years of faithful service (as we did with a dishwasher).

10 years? Sheesh - my mom had the same washing machine for nearly 30 years. My washer at my old house was at least 15 years old, and I still consider mine "new" and it will be 11 years old next month!

[wodehouse]

We had a Maytag Neptune front load bought around 2001. I liked it but the computer board went out twice, the second time not under warranty. We then got a top load GE HE that does not have an agitator. This thing is HUGE inside, which is why the DW wanted it, it is great for comforters. The GE has never needed any service in 5+ years (knock on wood).

The Maytag front load didn't give us the mold issues, etc, but that seems to be a common complaint on front load HE machines.

[thyme4change]

We had a Maytag Neptune front load bought around 2001.

I think that is what I have - and I got mine in Dec 2001.

[constanz22]

I hate new appliances. I just had to replace my dryer, the approximately 30 year old Whirlpool I "inherited" with my parents house. That thing was a tank. I cried a little when it kicked the bucket and could no longer be fixed. I doubt the replacement will last 7 years, matter of fact, the belt broke the third day I used it! I will never buy any of these "top of the line" appliances. Just give me a basic model that washes and dries.

[Deleted]

I'm filling it pretty full.

However, you may be filling it up too much if you have that much water left, or there may be something clogging up the drain (any lost socks?).

I was told by the salesman that you had to drain it every couple of weeks. That should have been a warning sign.

A friend of mine has the same problem with her new front loader. I can't get the damn gasket off, it's glued on, and you have to peel up part to realize it's completely moldy under there.

I think I need to drink while I work out my plan of attack. DH is all for getting rid of it and buying a new one but I don't want to eat the loss.

I ordered some phosphates off of amazon to see if adding it to my clothing and dishwasher will help.

[Deleted]

I miss my LG front loader. Never had any issues with water being left in it. I did leave the door cracked though. I 2nd (3rd? 4th?) the idea that there may be something wrong with yours.

[Deleted]

I need to find the receipt. I have no idea where it is.

[kgb18]

I just got an HE frontloader last year. I love mine! Our door has a little latch that keeps it ajar when not in use without it being all the way open. Also, every so many cycles, it's prompts you to run a "clean washer" cycle without clothes. We haven't had any problem with mold, and I think my clothes are actually cleaner and in better shape.

I'm trying to remember what brand we have. I'm having a brain blackout right now ...

ETA

I think it's a Frigidaire

[Deleted]

I can't even remember what mine is...I think a Fridgidaire (Kenmore makes the exact same model). The only thing I really don't like about it is the capacity. It was fine when it was just 2 people, but now with 4 I wish I could pack more in there.

[spicyhotpepper]

I'm afraid to ever buy one of these now. It seems like too much trouble for the high cost (airing it out, filling it properly, mold, etc).

Stupid question, but once you start the water or once the wash cycle starts can you not open the door to add a sock or something you forgot?? Sounds like a hassle- what are the benefits?

[kgb18]

My machine has a pause button that allows you to open the door if need be.

Benefits: You use less water and less detergent. My tub is pretty large, so I can fit comforters and larger items that I used to have to take to my mom's (who has had a frontloader for years) or to the laundry mat. Mine also has a delay start feature that's nice. You can load it up and have it start hours later. A lot of times I'll put a load in before bed and have it come on in the morning so my first load is freshly washed and ready for the drier when I get up.

And it's a lot more gentle on your clothes because there's no agitator. I even wash some stuff that I used to take to the dry cleaner that I wash at home now.

[thyme4change]

A lot of times I'll put a load in before bed and have it come on in the morning so my first load is freshly washed and ready for the drier when I get up.

I almost always load it before I go to work, and have it run so it is ready for the dryer right when I get home.

[Deleted]

Anne, I warned you about the moldy gasket problem!!!

Apparently Magtag was sued over the issue but I missed out.

In Europe I had no choice. When I was done with the wash I would stick a dry rag in the gasket to collect the moisture. When we left I tried to let the new buyer know but he was in a hurry....

When we moved back I bought a new Samsung top loader without the center agitator. I'm really liking this machine.

[thyme4change]

I hate to say this - but I think we are going to need an appliance sub-board.

[Peace Of Mind]

When we moved back I bought a new Samsung top loader without the center agitator. I'm really liking this machine.

I love Samsung products so thanks for that info. when I need to replace our top loader (which I prefer as it's just the 2 of us).

[Deleted]

POM,

We got the larger one so I could wash quilts. Because of the barfy-boy Siamese, I generally need to wash a Cal-King comforter, or blanket fairly frequently. One of the things that impresses me is how dry the clothes are when they are done with the spin cycle. I've had to double check to make sure I turned on the machine!