LG.

I don't know where the pump is, but mine was 12 years old before I had a bit of trouble with it. They make excellent front loading washers.

Toronto Veterinarian, thank you! It is so refreshing to hear from someone who is happy with their front loader! :)

Absolutely love my Maytag MHW6630. We have been using it just over a year now, and never a whiff of mold. We wash lots of king bedding in it. So far as pump access, dunno.

In the last 6 years I've had 5 different front loaders (in 3 different homes), and 3 of them were LG. About 5 years ago, I replaced my 12 year old LG washer/dryer set with a set by Gorenje (I couldn't get the LG I wanted), and I really liked that one too - you don't have that brand in the US, I think. My next home had a condo construction standard top load all-in-one, and I replaced it when I could with an LG set. When I moved in here I had the Samsung set that the previous owners left, and I replaced those lousy machines within the first few weeks - they were horrible....I replaced it with an LG Washtower. Three homes in 6 years, and I've liked LG so much that if there wasn't one there when I moved in, I made sure to get one.

What size washer will you accept and what is your budget? Have owned Miele for ages and never any mold. if you routinely use hot and sanitize there should be little if any mold.

I had an Electrolux FL and kicked it to the curb. It was 5 years old, fully functioning and clean as a whistle but our clothing built up biostink. I ran 2 hour heavy duty warm cycles with extra rinses and somehow the clothes werent getting clean and built up the biostink. We ended up buying an LG FL and it is so much better. No more stink in the clothing. The model is the 3900 which has been replaced with other models since then. It handles my king size quilt with no problems.

Thanks so much for this additional input!

Luna, we are willing to spend up to about $2K for a really good washing machine, although it would be great to spend less! I love our Miele dishwasher, but I see that most Mieles are not in stock. I also see that the ones that are in stock are 2.3 capacity and marketed as "compact". Are you able to fit a queen quilt in yours? I assume we could not get away with that with the 2.3 capacity.

It depends what the quilt is made of. If it is filled with down then you will have zero problems. When down gets wet it shrinks significantly. youbcould wash a king size if it was down. If it is synthetic fill that does not shrink in the washer. depending how ”full” the quilt is stuffed ,you would very likely get a queen, but not likely to get a king size.

hopefully that helps. We have a queen size down comforter and have no problems washing it in a Miele W1. Don’t own anything king size.

Abt in chicago has them in stock according to their website.

W1 top model with full LCD: https://www.abt.com/Miele-WXR-860-WCS-W1-24-Lotus-White-Front-Load-Washer-11613700/p/162914.html

Same washer with rotary dial for cycle cycles:

https://www.abt.com/Miele-WXI-860-WCS-W1-24-Lotus-White-Front-Load-Washer-11614140/p/162913.html

MOST Miele owners are very happy with their washers. I am pretty sure you would be as well. Washes on any cycle other than than the EPA ”Normal” cycle always reaxh their set cycle temperature using the onboard heater. Nornal usuallt will as well as long as you have actual hot water available near the washer.

We do many 60C (140F) washes in ours and never, ever have stink. we can always kill funky smell on towels that kids leave on the floor for days that were damp woth just normal detergent and a Hot (60C) or Sanitize (170F) wash. Sanitize take a while, but at least we know the water gets hot enough to almost anything.

We have had all of the bodily fluid stuff that compes with kids. We no longer worry that if you put in ”soiled” textiles they will come out germ free.

+1 on LG front loader. Go for a model with Turbo Wash and steam/hot water heater. The Turbo Wash blasts the clothes with water throughout the cycle so it goes faster and also cleans better. I was able to fit a queen comforter in my 3.7 cu ft unit, so you definitely can with the newer, bigger units. For mold, just never close the door all the way and you'll be fine. LG has a spring magnet to hold the door in place while still cracked open. I sold the house with the LG (had them 6.5 years) and moved to a rental with Whirlpool FL's and there is no comparison to the LG.

Regarding the OP’s original question part regarding pump access, Speed Queen front load washers have easy front access to the pump located behind a panel for that purpose.

HU, thanks so much for your help!

Speed Queen front loaders have the reputation of being the longest lasting machines out there, I guess the experience of thousands of laundromats helps? We really like ours. Some say "But it's only 3.5cu-ft"? Well, that's larger than the 2.4cu-ft of a Miele, and frankly most people with the massive 4.5cu-ft (or whatever) front loaders only load them to a fraction of that capacity in general anyway, so what does it matter?

Theres more imvolved in cleaning machines and avoiding odors then mearly wiping the gasket off…. odors can depend on several things such as what detergent you use, the temperature you wash in, liquid or powder detergent, too little or too much detergent. Have you ever run regular cleaning cycles using Citric Acid? its great for cleanimg washers and dishwashers. More then likely there is gunk built up inside that you cannot see or be able to even see. im surprised this has not already been mentioned here and it will not matter what brand you buy, no getting around those issues … as fsr as one that won’t have mechanical issues who knows now days… i love my LG

Ken, thank you! So you have a SQ front loader? If so, do you find that you can wash a queen-sized quilt or comforter?

MiMi, thank you for the input! It does sound as if too much soap and water temperature are big factors too. Any brands you especially recommend?

Luna, I am not sure if you are still following this thread, but I have a follow-up question for you. How many bath towels would you say you can fit in your Miele front loader in one load? Thanks so much!

I agree with LG! Also, I recommend the 1 cup citric acid on a tub clean cycle monthly!

I agree with the citric acid approach to keeping a handle on gunk buildup. Oh, yes yes, we wash both queen AND king size comfortors in our Speed Queen and it cleans them like a champ!

I recommend you buy an LG or Bosch washing machine because these are the best companies producing washing machines at normal prices.

I just can't think of a single useful feature that we don't have on our SQ. What are we missing?

The onboard heater thing is a favorite of so many on this forum, but to us it's a total "don't care". The SQ does not mix in cold water with the hot on a hot cycle and we have a hot water recirculation pump, so I make sure the pipes are primed before we start the machine when running a hot wash and it's plenty hot enough based on the washing results.

I'm curious, how many loads a day does it take for 14 people in a 2.4cu-ft washer?

We donfive to seven a day. it might sound like a lot, but its not one person doing it all. We have multiple bins in the laindry room for colors and types. its about the soze of the washer. when a bin is full someone puts rhe whole basket in.

Girls are more picky, especially things they paid for. They take turns washing their specifx things with specific detergents and specific cycles. Towels all go in no matter the color.

saniwash is used a lot during sick season.

As for features, it is the old you dont miss what you never had. Auto detergent dispensing doeanr sound that important until you use it. Its great for kids since they dont have to measure. Just load, turn dial to cycle, set temp and push start. The bin has the settings on a card.

Just depends on your needs/wants.