Suburbanmd, I actually did run his shirt through 3 sanitize cycles, so maybe it is the soap. Strange thing, on the 10 year old now broken machine, I only used warm/cold setting & FS. Perhaps the FS was masking the smell. Also, we have a recirculating hot water pump that was running, so basically it has instant hot water. Plus, the utility room is the first stop in the hot water loop. I can also verify this, as I just could not resist the temptation to put my hand in the flow of the water to test its temp. I have a load of linens to do tonight or tomorrow that I will do with the Kirkland HE liquid I have on hand and just let the machine do its thing as you say. The linens are not really that soiled, just one night stay by a guest, but still it will be interesting to see how it does and to check the soap level. Janet, it is ironic you mention your model number, as when the delivery folks first delivered my machine and placed it, husband looked at it and said it was not the right one. Turns out it was the WM2016CW! What I do not understand is why of all the models they took the water plus feature out of my chosen model. Do you find that the towels are actually in any water in the drum or have they absorbed it all? Mine has so very little you have to hunt for it and move them over just to find the frog puddle. Maybe this is quite normal for FL machines and being my first, I am used to the concept of water in a wash. I am still concerned about how it will do on the dog blankets and dog hair. How can it rinse the hair out when there is hardly any water? Only trial will tell. Oh, and yesterday it started leaking slightly from the front left hand corner! I wiped up water several times including when I first got up, and no, the only high water time was when it did the error code while wildly filling. I have read that over sudsing can cause leaks, so maybe this high water level reached that point? Then again, it might be something else. Do any of the FL machines actually spray the clothes to rinse them while they are spinning, much like the TL do? It seems like this would add a lot to rinsing the clothes. Thanks, Schutzhund

Hi Mom, thought I'd put my two cents in though this may not be the information you are looking for. I just purchased the LG that you mentioned and it's being delivered next week. I'm comfortable with my purchase, but I know nothing about the GE you mentioned, though from past history, I would not personally go with GE. I do recall my husband stating that consumer reports rated LG products well. I should also mention that I haven't read other reviews here prior to making my purchase, but instead based my decision on word of mouth from other LG owners, LG's track record, employees of local HD store who deal with the maintenance calls from their mfg products (LG products had the least amount of service calls), and I've also been told that LG has excellent customer service standards. Again, I know nothing of the GE washer, but I'm looking forward to my LG. I have a GE refrigerator (side by side) and would never purchase another GE product in my life - that's based on product performance and service calls/customer service!!! Just my opinion, though I know these are two different product lines entirely. Sears makes Kenmore products, and Sears will push their Kenmore products and say that they are higher end than Whirlpool, but I've heard the opposite is true. My Mom had Whirlpool washer/dryer her whole life, and never had issues. I personally like Whirlpool and trust the product. Whirlpool purchased Kenmore, but Kenmore has patents on certain features that Whirlpool cannot use, but the reverse is also true. I do not like Kenmore products, but that's my opinion and that opinion is based on both word of mouth and Kenmore products I've had in the past (vacume) - again, not the product you are talking about, but it's all in a name. Maytag has been around much longer than Kenmore, and I'd purchase a Maytag before a Kenmore (actually, I just ordered a Maytag dryer since I don't need a $700 LG dryer that's going to perform the same as a $370 Maytag product). I can tell you that LG's prices are being lowered because their newer models are coming out soon, something to keep in mind if price is a consideration in your decision making. WE purchased at HD, they price matched Sears pricing for $629, we got a $50 gift card, and a rebate for $59 delivery charge so the end total, not including tax is $520. Not bad for a high-end HE washing machine, considering all the other prices on the market. Good luck in your decision making process.

LG washer WM2016CW reqd replacement of spider...spider is the suppprt arm that holds the tumble stainless drum built in with shaft assy..if u can replace brake pads and spark plug then u can don this washing machine..if it makes a lot of noise or smokes during high speed spin..possible bearing or spider..So I open up then the inner and outer bearing and seal are all in good shape except cracked spider arm...the spider is the one that cracked....the outcome of dirt on spider arm is so bad even we are cleaning every 5 times of use.. but anyways I did replaced shaft seal and gasket for the tumble drum, spider and bolts ..expenses is 95.50 US and heavy cleaning like new..front loading is not really recommended. .better to buy top loading.I am going to explain this later....all of front loading design have the same principle..every brand of washing machine will last for 25 yrs if they can supply parts, so easy to fix and very basic..front loading use less water ..this is one of the reason why the spider arm gets dirty so easy..not like top loading always soak with water...

I have had my LG WM2688 since Labor Day. I got it at Home Depot when Best Buy was having a 15% off sale. So, I used that to my advantage. I took the Best Buy ad to Home Depot and got an additional 10% off because of their price match guarantee. It was a little struggle, but worth it, I think. To you question, though, iwm. One reason I liked the idea of the direct drive motor, and a selling point for the LG is that it is less parts to break. Time will tell for that, I guess. However, I had also heard horror stories about the vibration. The WM2688 has the highest RMP spin, and I was concerned that there would be a lot of noise. However, I there is no unusual noise or vibration. I hope that whichever machine you buy you have success with. I couldnt be happier with mine.