I'm Going Old School.

[milee]

With two active boys and all our crazy outdoor hobbies, we generate a lot of dirty, stinky laundry.  Average 6-7 loads a week.  So our washing machine is a popular appliance.  That said, we don't abuse the washer or do anything with it that it's not designed for.

Even though I research them on Consumer Reports and online for customer reviews, the last three washers we've gotten have been incredibly disappointing.  We've spent around $800-$900 on each of them and none has lasted more than 5 years, with them gradually falling apart after year 2 or 3.  This most recent one lost characters on the display panel after 2 years and literally parts have been falling off for the last 3.     Last night, it finally and totally died mid-wash. 

So I'm shopping for a washing machine today and I'm thinking about forgetting about the new, "efficient" front loaders and going Old School.  Speed Queen still makes center agitator built-like-a-brick-shithouse models - the kind that people used to buy and get 20 years use out of.  I might go this route this time.

Frustrating.

[Cookies Galore]

Go for it! I've been looking at Speed Queen as well for whenever our washer and dryer go, which hopefully isn't soon at all. *knock on wood*

[gs11rmb]

Our dryer started seriously squeaking last month and we had an appliance repairman out to fix it. He said when it comes time to buy a new washer or dryer he recommends Speed Queen!  Not the digital ones, just the old fashioned twist a button and go type. They aren't usually carried in Home Depot or Lowes, etc. because they're mostly used in laundromats or apartment complexes.

[Lizard Queen]

I do more laundry than that, and my LG frontloader is still going strong at 9 yo. I'm all for the well built reliable appliances, though. Wish I could remember the name of the brand I heard of years ago. That was supposed to be really solidly designed, too. I only ever saw one for sale at the local furniture store.

[Deleted]

My old Frigidaire front loader set lasted about 15 years and two kids in cloth diapers.  Now I have my brother's monstrosities that I bought off him when he moved.  I don't even remember what brand they are.  LG?  Maytag maybe?  I just know they're freaking huge, and on pedestals which makes it worse.  My old set was counter height.  Lots more bending to get the clothes in and out, but my laundry room seemed a lot more "roomy". 

[Sharon]

The last washing machine I bought was a speed queen.  Love, love, love it. 

[alabamagal]

I have never left the old school!

Last washer I bought was maybe 4 or 5 years ago.  Old school top loader, dial selector, 3 water temps (hot/warm/cold).  That works for me.  i don't want to spend 15 minutes pushing buttons.  When we were shopping, there was one top loader that had about 20 different cycles - jeans, towels, cotton, perm press.  I didn't see an "I just throw everything together" cycle, which is how DH does laundry.  To me, the front loaders are overly complicated and can have too many things go wrong.  I laugh at the ad that shows a model where you can ad something after you start the cycle - I have never had an issue with that on a top loader!  Front loaders do use less water, but I have always lived in the area of cheap, abundant water.

My mm recently bought a top loader no agitator model.  She said that was all she saw at the store.  She loves it, though.  Easier to load/unlaod and can put large comforters.

I always pretty much buy one level above the cheapest model for all appliances.  I had a cheap model clothes washer once and it was very loud, which was an issue because the washer was just off the kitchen.  At current house, washer in the basement.  Even if the cheaper ones only last 5 years, that would be equivalent of a top of the line lasting 25 or 30 years, so I am fine with that.  I think i probably average 10 years.

Also our laundry loads have decrease significantly with kids out of the house.

[giramomma]

Our washer died 4ish years ago. We bought the dumbest, plain non-bells and whistles washer we could, because at that point, we were still washing cloth diapers. I'm not sure what brand we have.

Our dryer is likely getting close to 30 years old and I don't want to replace it.

What I do now, is just look at consumer reports for an idea of highly rated brands for a particular appliance and then purchase something that's in our price range. It's worked so far.

[janee]

I totally agree.  I have an old Kenmore washer at the lake (which we rent during the summer).  It had a problem, the repair guy came out to fix it for $100 and said "don't ever get rid of this".  When I was researching replacements the new energy efficient ones would not have worked out for us, time-wise.  The wash cycle is over an hour vs about 20 minutes with my old one.  We have 5 hours to turn the house over and we never could have gotten everything done with a newer washer.

[bean29]

I like my new Samsung front loader just fine. I get that the cycles are longer, but it seems to work fine for us. I really only have 3 at home right now, possibly 4 if you count DD who usually brings her laundry home to do. She just moved on Monday, and says the new place has a washer and dryer available.

I have the oversized front loaders, and I think it was maybe even Milee who made me aware that I should pay attention to how I do small loads etc. It's not that you can't wash a really small load, you need to balance the load...so I saw somewhere to toss some tennis balls in the washer - I already kept tennis balls in the laundry room for drying down coats - now I just use them a little more often.

I do have issues with my dryer vent clogging up, but that is because my house is poorly designed - has nothing to do with my machines themselves.

I am pretty sure I bought a warranty on my washer.  I think they recommend the warranty b/c the newer machines have so much electronic features.  I also buy warranties on built in microwaves.  We are short, and the handle on the microwave tends to break.  It is a pia to take the machine down and replace it.  Replacing the handle costs almost as much as a new machine, but you need 2 guys to install it.  I had one microware that the handle was replaced at least 3 times under warranty.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

When I bought my last washer 6 years ago, the only agitator, top loading models I could get locally had very small tubs.  I used CR to find a new washer, along with a couple other weds to look at reviews (for instance, one model I looked at got ok reviews from CR, but when I looked at the store reviews for that model, there were major problems with the water sensor).  I was also hampered by the fact that my washer and dryer were across from each other, I could not open 2 doors at the same time, and needed a top loader.

I like my current washer, but I don't like how long it takes to wash a load, and I hate all the electronics on it.  So when this goes, I will be seriously looking at a Speed Queen too.

[milee]

OK, the Speed Queen has been ordered - to be delivered on Friday.

From reading the online listed capacity (3.2 cubic ft), I was worried it wouldn't hold as much as our last few washers, which were front loaders with a 4.2 cubic ft capacity.  Since I need it to be able to wash large things like pillows and comforters, I took a sample load with me to the store.  Yep - redneck but true.  Filled a laundry basket with a pillow and clean towels in the size load that fits in our current washer and hauled it down to the store to see if it fit in the Speed Queen.  It did.  

[milee]

Looking forward to getting a reliable machine.  That's been the one thing about our whole laundry system that doesn't work well so if this thing is bulletproof, that will be huge.

The best thing I ever did to make laundry easier was to set up a sort-as-you-go system.  In the common hall outside the main bathroom, I put three large shelves.  Each shelf has a full size laundry basket on it.  As everybody put their dirty clothes in the baskets, they sort the clothes by type - which means nobody ever has to go through and sort the laundry before washing it because it's already sorted.  Top basket is medium color things - warm, normal wash.  Middle basket is dark colors and delicates - cold, normal or gentle wash.  Bottom basket is whites and towels - hot wash.  

Right next to the middle basket is a bottle of stain treat and a pile of lingerie type mesh bags so that everybody can stain treat or put delicates in bags as they drop their laundry in.

Each basket holds a full size load, so it's easy to see when there's a full load ready.  Whoever adds the last item to the basket to fill it just dumps the basket into the washer and turns it on.

Before we did this, nobody wanted to do laundry and it was a huge PITA to sort, etc.  With this system, everybody works together to do a load when it's needed.

[Wisconsin Beth]

My mom shelled out for an industrial grade washer when hers died about 3-5 years ago. She washes sleeping bags in it. She says stuff comes out damp and her dryer time is less because so much of the water is spun out of the clothes.

My washer is newer than hers but not industrial. I kinda wish it was!

[TheOtherMe]

I have old school Maytag washer/dryer set that is 14 years old.  So far, so good.

[saveinla]

Aug 30, 2017 10:35:16 GMT -5 milee said:

OK, the Speed Queen has been ordered - to be delivered on Friday.

From reading the online listed capacity (3.2 cubic ft), I was worried it wouldn't hold as much as our last few washers, which were front loaders with a 4.2 cubic ft capacity.  Since I need it to be able to wash large things like pillows and comforters, I took a sample load with me to the store.  Yep - redneck but true.  Filled a laundry basket with a pillow and clean towels in the size load that fits in our current washer and hauled it down to the store to see if it fit in the Speed Queen.  It did.  

What size of comforter? I have the Amana top loader washer and can easily fit a king size comforter with sheets and pillow cases and that is  my standard.  

[milee]

King.  But we're in Florida, so don't need very thick comforters.

[alabamagal]

At one point in my life when I had about 10 loads per week I dreamed about having 2 sets of washer and dryer. I also enjoyed going to the laundromat when something was broken and enjoyed being able to do all laundry at once. Yes I am weird about laundry.

[saveinla]

Aug 30, 2017 11:44:28 GMT -5 milee said:

King.  But we're in Florida, so don't need very thick comforters.

Thanks. I live in a hot climate too and don't need the thick ones.

[milee]

Aug 30, 2017 11:45:47 GMT -5 alabamagal said:

At one point in my life when I had about 10 loads per week I dreamed about having 2 sets of washer and dryer. I also enjoyed going to the laundromat when something was broken and enjoyed being able to do all laundry at once. Yes I am weird about laundry.

When she was in college, my sister worked as a nanny for a really nice professional couple that had triplets.  That couple had two washers and dryers, which was awesome.  They had both grown up wealthy, though, and didn't always have a concept what it was like to budget for your groceries down to the dollar and think about whether or not you can afford the electricity that month.  We realized that when the mother exclaimed, "I would die without these two washers!  I have no idea why everybody doesn't have two - they must just want to suffer!!!"

My sister and I had a good laugh over that and for years afterwards that was our "let them eat cake!" phrase.  ie - "I'm loving this Mercedes.  Why wouldn't everybody have one?  They must just want to suffer!"  

[Regis]

If you really wanted to go old school, you'd get a washboard.

[kittensaver]

The machines we have now are pretty ancient . . . I'm not exactly sure of their age. They were definitely already old when we moved into this house in 2001 (they were left behind as part of the sale of the house).

We knew we'd replace them at some point but that point hasn't come yet. In the 16 years we've been here, the dryer has needed one minor drum repair and one belt replacement. Both service calls were under $100 each.

These suckers have worn like iron. No electronics, no bells, no whistles, no viewing panels, no LED displays - only buttons to push or knobs to turn. These puppies have to be *at least* 25 or 30 years old! The (big) downside to them is that they are probably water wasting and otherwise not efficient from an energy-use standpoint.  

But I am *totally* sold on Old School. My next set of machines will be Speed Queen. The manual models, not the electronic ones. The ones with metal parts, not plastic parts. I've heard too many horror stories about front loading washers (they won't fit in my laundry closet anyway) and looked at one too many class-action lawsuits online.

Good choice milee .  

[dannylion]

When I get around to renovating my kitchen, laundry room, and powder room, I plan to replace my 28-year-old Whirlpool washer with a Speed Queen. Everyone I know has some version the fancy new high-efficiency washers and everyone has had issues with them from early on.  When I read about the Speed Queen, it sounded like just what I need.  The only way I'd consider a one of the fancy washer-dryer sets would be if they folded all the laundry and put it away once it was done, washed the windows, made dinner, and washed and put away the dishes. 

[NastyWoman]

Aug 30, 2017 13:02:03 GMT -5 dannylion said:

When I get around to renovating my kitchen, laundry room, and powder room, I plan to replace my 28-year-old Whirlpool washer with a Speed Queen. Everyone I know has some version the fancy new high-efficiency washers and everyone has had issues with them from early on.  When I read about the Speed Queen, it sounded like just what I need.  The only way I'd consider a one of the fancy washer-dryer sets would be if they folded all the laundry and put it away once it was done, washed the windows, made dinner, and washed and put away the dishes. 

Now that would not work for me. I would forever be afraid of waking up in the middle of the night with leftover spagetti between my toes because of a little rinsing problem

[Anne_in_VA]

I have Samsung front load washer and dryer set which I really like.  It's about 5 years old and we haven't had any issues with it yet.  We do about 5 or 6 loads a week and I try to make sure I don't overload it.  I do like that it has a 30 minute wash cycle which I use most of the time.

[jitterbug]

I have a Kenmore top loader without an agitator and I HATE IT!!!! When I first got it, I had to wash one of husband's dirty tee shirts 3 times and it still didn't get clean! The kicker was when I was washing a load of sheets and decided to throw a towel in with it - and some of the items were still DRY when I took them out of the washer! (It has a sensor that decides how much water to add).  Sears said it was because I shouldn't be washing sheets and towels together! (Sorry - its MY decision as to what I wash - it's the washer's responsibility to actually ensure there's enough water in it to cover the load!)  Luckily I have a sink next to the washer, so now I soak several items in water to make them heavier before tossing them into the washer. That seems to work - but shouldn't be necessary!!

[swasat]

Aug 31, 2017 12:33:41 GMT -5 jitterbug said:

I have a Kenmore top loader without an agitator and I HATE IT!!!! When I first got it, I had to wash one of husband's dirty tee shirts 3 times and it still didn't get clean! The kicker was when I was washing a load of sheets and decided to throw a towel in with it - and some of the items were still DRY when I took them out of the washer! (It has a sensor that decides how much water to add).  Sears said it was because I shouldn't be washing sheets and towels together! (Sorry - its MY decision as to what I wash - it's the washer's responsibility to actually ensure there's enough water in it to cover the load!)  Luckily I have a sink next to the washer, so now I soak several items in water to make them heavier before tossing them into the washer. That seems to work - but shouldn't be necessary!!

I had the exact same one and I HATED it with a passion!! That agitator took just so much space there wasn't much space for the clothes.

2 years ago I traded it in and got a top loader Samsung. LOVE the thing!! Its a beast and our laundry loads have gone down from 7-8 per week to 2-2 a week!

[weltschmerz]

Aug 30, 2017 9:34:08 GMT -5 janee said:

I totally agree.  I have an old Kenmore washer at the lake (which we rent during the summer).  It had a problem, the repair guy came out to fix it for $100 and said "don't ever get rid of this".  When I was researching replacements the new energy efficient ones would not have worked out for us, time-wise.  The wash cycle is over an hour vs about 20 minutes with my old one.  We have 5 hours to turn the house over and we never could have gotten everything done with a newer washer.

When I bought the lake house, it came with a 50 year old fridge that was still going strong.

[milee]

You know you've gotten the commercial model when the installation manual includes instructions on how to install the (optional) coin slot...

Didn't want to wait until Friday since laundry was piling up, so I picked up the machine yesterday.  Have done three loads and here's the scoop:

1)  It is slightly smaller in capacity than my old front loader machine.  

2)  It is significantly faster than any front loader I've had.  Most loads only take about half an hour in the aptly named Speed Queen, which I am loving.  Old machine's normal wash took more than an hour and a half; sanitize cycle (which I used for whites) was almost three hours... crazy. 

3)  Things appear to be coming out cleaner so far.  Basing this on the whites load.  Guess the towels benefit from being beaten up a little bit but they look whiter.

So the conclusion is that I'm a little bummed that it's smaller but am still happy with the choice since if I wanted to I could do three loads in the time one load used to take in the other machine.  And I'm thinking 10 or 20 years down the line I'll be happy to not have had to rush out to get another machine after yet another of the high tech ones crapped out on us...

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

We have a simple top loading washer and basic dryer.   We got them at Kmart for $250 a piece during Black Friday last year.   I am quite happy with them.

The fancy ones look neat but IMO the more neat crap they add means more crap to fix.  And it's always some teeny tiny piece of plastic that if it busts the entire machine shuts down.