Top loading washer. Got recommendations?
Kendrah
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (34)
dockside_gw
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Recommendation for a top loading washer/dryer?
Comments (21)Same story here -- had a top loader for decades, it finally broke and we got a front loader. Clothes had to be washed multiple times and still not clean. Stinky musty smell; had to keep door open all the time to keep musty smell from developing and it still developed gunk all in the crevaces of the rubber seal, etc. Hated it!! So I got a Speed Queen thanks to the laundry forum :) Finally! My clothes are clean in 25 minutes flat. With the old one it was literally HOURS because of all the rewashing and still they weren't really clean; I would just give up and throw them in the dryer. Laundry would pile up because it was taking so long! Also sometimes I like to soak things and you just can't do that in a front loader. I love it 'almost' as much as my induction cooktop. Fresh clean clothes, fast, and no stinky smell! I'm a busy mom with 4 dirty kids and a sweaty stinky DH. No time to wash twice. Get a Speed Queen!...See Moretop loading washer recommendation?
Comments (13)Wiping the gasket doesn't really do much for the whole picture. Residual water there is from the last rinse which is (or should be) clean water anyway. There are other more substantial areas of frontloaders that can retain smutz that are inaccessible without disassembly -- exterior of the inner drum, interior of the outer tub, pump and hoses. Detergent issues have several angles. Liquid detergent is sticky, thick, and goopy, has preservatives in it, does need to "dissolve" into the water moreso than may be intuitive (cold water being more of a challenge on that point), and can lead to some residue. However, overdosing detergent does not in itself cause mold and residue to the degree that's commonly believed. There's a balance point at which too little detergent does not condition the water properly to hold laundry soils in suspension and sequester mineral content (if hard water is involved). This residue will adhere to the aforementioned hidden machine parts. This is an old-style toploader I loaned to my neighbor for one of his rental properties while the machine he provides for his tenants was being repaired. The loaner was initially pristine. I had refurbished it and used it myself a handful of times. The tenants used it for six weeks. City water at their location is hard. They (a single parent and three teenagers) generate a lot of laundry, run full loads, and use Tide pods ... only one per load which isn't enough under the water conditions. Note the scum line that developed, in just six weeks. I also have hard water (private well, 15 years), and none of my washers have ever developed scum like that because I make sure to use enough detergent -- for example 4 tablespoons of Persil liquid for a full load, 8 to 10 tablespoons of Cheer powder (less of course for smaller loads). This is also an old-style toploader that I refurbed and my parents used for six years. It developed a leak and I pulled it down to fix that problem. Mom uses lower-end detergent such as Arm & Hammer liquid, tends to underdose, and lots of cold water. The residue is greasy laundry soil, NOT detergent ... it didn't generate any sudsing when I cleaned it....See MorePairing a top load washer with a front load dryer and pedestal?
Comments (34)I didn't think I had mold either until I pulled back the rubber gasket and took a look. Then what I found there and inside the detergent dispenser was beyond disgusting. I have always left the door open all the way since it was brand new. Now I also leave the detergent dispenser open and I still get mold. It's impossible to get the mold out of the gasket so I will need to get a new one for about $300. It's difficult to get your arm in the dispenser socket to clean as well. This washer/dryer I was told to be one of the best front loaders by 4 different mom and pop appliance stores (Electrolux) and I 've had 5 service calls in 5 years and my husband and I are empty nesters. My neighbor who got the Speed Queen at the same time as I got my FL has had NO service calls and she has 3 kids. I will not be replacing the gasket and instead will get a new Speed Queen top load washer and dryer. I don't need all this hassle. Photos attached....See MoreBuilt in Front Load vs Top Load washers in laundry room
Comments (17)I may have found my "happy medium". Looks like GE has a new feature that air dries the washer to keep it from getting moldy. This was my wifes biggest issue with the front loader. We will see. Thanks everyone for the great input! https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-5-0-cu-ft-Sapphire-Blue-Front-Load-Washing-Machine-with-OdorBlock-UltraFresh-Vent-System-with-Sanitize-and-Allergen-GFW850SPNRS/311972521...See Morewdccruise
4 years agoAnne Duke
4 years agowekick
4 years agowekick
4 years agoKendrah
4 years agoJ Corn
4 years agoKendrah
4 years agoSEA SEA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agowdccruise
4 years agokevinande
4 years agodockside_gw
4 years agowekick
4 years agoKendrah
4 years agodadoes
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoHighDesert Z 7a
4 years agoMDLN
4 years agoKendrah
4 years agowekick
4 years agoKendrah
4 years agowdccruise
4 years agoKendrah
4 years agowdccruise
4 years agoarmjim
4 years agoLarisa Batchelor
4 years agodadoes
4 years agoarmjim
4 years agodadoes
4 years agoarmjim
4 years agomaire_cate
4 years agojwvideo
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoKendrah
4 years ago
Related Stories
HOUSEKEEPINGGot a Disastrously Messy Area? Try Triage
Get your priorities straight when it comes to housekeeping by applying an emergency response system
Full StoryMOST POPULARA Professional Organizer Shares Her Top 6 Storage Products
Drawer dividers and undersink trash cans are among a pro’s go-tos for getting organized in the kitchen and elsewhere
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNHow to Keep your Dishwasher in Tip-Top Shape
As your dishwasher goes into overdrive, here are a few tricks for getting your plates, glasses and silverware sparkling clean
Full StoryLAUNDRY ROOMSTop 10 Trending Laundry Room Ideas on Houzz
Of all the laundry room photos uploaded to Houzz so far in 2016, these are the most popular. See why
Full StoryTRENDING NOWThe Top 10 Laundry Room Photos of 2018
Favorite features include drying racks and rods, folding areas and improved ergonomics to help with washday
Full StoryTRENDING NOWThe Top 10 Laundry Rooms of 2019
Green-blue cabinets, cement floor tiles and open shelving are among the most popular features of laundry rooms this year
Full StoryLAUNDRY ROOMSTrending: Top 10 Popular Laundry Room Photos in Summer 2018
See the new laundry room photos being added to the most Houzz ideabooks. Is there an idea in here for you?
Full StoryLIFEThe Top 5 Ways to Save Water at Home
Get on the fast track to preserving a valuable resource and saving money too with these smart, effective strategies
Full StoryMOST POPULARContractor Tips: Top 10 Home Remodeling Don'ts
Help your home renovation go smoothly and stay on budget with this wise advice from a pro
Full StorySTORAGE5 Tips for Lightening Your Closet’s Load
Create more space for clothes that make you look and feel good by learning to let go
Full Story
wekick