Hate my front loader

[Anonymous]

I had a front loader before and had no problems, but my current Maytag front loader stinks. Literally. I've washed it, run cleaning cycles, hand wiped the seal, door, and drum, and have a dehumidifier running in the laundry room. I've run the soap dispenser tray in the dishwasher and also soaked it in vinegar. Nothing works!

I want to switch to a top loader (Speed Queen? LG?), but I have two concerns:
-I am very very short with short arms (last top loader I had to use tongs to reach clothes).
-Agitator in top loader could cause clothes to wear out sooner.

Does anyone have a brand and specific model they like? I've heard Speed Queen is usually good. LG I like as a brand and was thinking they might work better for short people, too.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, sounds frustrating!! I threw out a front loader/stack set when I bought my house. They were sadly too filthy to donate, I tried taking apart the washer to clean but still not good enough.

I bought a low tech, knobs not digital display top loader with agitator from Costco, brand is Whirlpool. LOVE IT. I wouldn't be surprised if I have it for 20 years. Things get clean, plenty of options, and it didn't break the bank. I understand the concern about agitator wear on fabrics but I don't really care that my towels might wear out after 2k washes instead of 2,010 washes. Bad example but you get my point. I don't think it's going to be significant.

[Anonymous]

I have a Samsung top loader that works fine. It is cavernous though, and I’m very tall. But it’s great how much fits in there.

[Anonymous]

Me too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry, sounds frustrating!! I threw out a front loader/stack set when I bought my house. They were sadly too filthy to donate, I tried taking apart the washer to clean but still not good enough.

I bought a low tech, knobs not digital display top loader with agitator from Costco, brand is Whirlpool. LOVE IT. I wouldn't be surprised if I have it for 20 years. Things get clean, plenty of options, and it didn't break the bank. I understand the concern about agitator wear on fabrics but I don't really care that my towels might wear out after 2k washes instead of 2,010 washes. Bad example but you get my point. I don't think it's going to be significant.

I am so sick of it! I feel silly complaining about it, but the washer stinks and it's making my clothes smell gross now too. It doesn't fill up with enough water to actually wash the clothes, but after running a cycle there is water stuck in the seal and all over the door... which I have to hand dry. Apparently this is common with this brand and model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry, sounds frustrating!! I threw out a front loader/stack set when I bought my house. They were sadly too filthy to donate, I tried taking apart the washer to clean but still not good enough.

I bought a low tech, knobs not digital display top loader with agitator from Costco, brand is Whirlpool. LOVE IT. I wouldn't be surprised if I have it for 20 years. Things get clean, plenty of options, and it didn't break the bank. I understand the concern about agitator wear on fabrics but I don't really care that my towels might wear out after 2k washes instead of 2,010 washes. Bad example but you get my point. I don't think it's going to be significant.

Sorry don't know why I said whirlpool
I meant GE. I think it's this set, not sure if this exact model is the size i have but maybe https://www.costco.com/ge-top-load-4.5-cu.-ft-washer-and-7.2-cu.-ft.-electric-dryer-laundry-package.product.100482835.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a Samsung top loader that works fine. It is cavernous though, and I’m very tall. But it’s great how much fits in there.

It WOULD be great to able to wash larger things in there with the depth. But I'm also thinking of my previous house where I had to stand on a step stool and use kitchen tongs with every load of laundry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Me too!

Are you my DH? Do you have a Maytag?

[Anonymous]

Do a cleaning cycle with 1/3 cup of bleach.

[Anonymous]

Have you cleaned the seal? Is it moldy? Are you leaving the door open after every wash cycle?

I constantly hear people complain about front loaders but I keep it clean and leave the door open and use powder tide and have had no issues. I find people with the most issues are using too much liquid detergent, have left the door closed after the cycle and mold builds up.

I’m a go clean co fan and she always praises the basic top loaders, incl speed queen. Great for soaking items too, which you can’t do in a front load.

[Anonymous]

My front loader has never smelled. I use Affresh washing machine cleaner about once a month to clean it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you cleaned the seal? Is it moldy? Are you leaving the door open after every wash cycle?

I constantly hear people complain about front loaders but I keep it clean and leave the door open and use powder tide and have had no issues. I find people with the most issues are using too much liquid detergent, have left the door closed after the cycle and mold builds up.

I’m a go clean co fan and she always praises the basic top loaders, incl speed queen. Great for soaking items too, which you can’t do in a front load.

I've cleaned the seal more than once, DH pulled the machine out and cleaned out the drain thing, I wipe the inside of the door after every cycle and also pull out the soap dispenser to drain and air dry, leave the washer door open, AND have a dehumidifier running. I use liquid soap sparingly.

[Anonymous]

We switched from a front loader to a top loader for all these reasons OP. I'm not super tall but not super short and don't find it to be a problem. My DD sometimes uses a heavy stool to remove laundry from the machine if my DH or I are not around.

Agree it's fantastic to be able to wash bulky items like comforters and pillows. We do have to be careful about balancing the washer when we do this, but I've gotten the hang of it.

We are moving soon and if we wind up in a house with a front loader, I plan to just replace with a top loader because I don't want to go back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My front loader has never smelled. I use Affresh washing machine cleaner about once a month to clean it.

Yes, that is the product I use when I run the clean cycle. I've been using it every 3 weeks or so, and then hand dry the suds leftover in the drum.

[Anonymous]

Front loaders are awful. You don't have to participate in this nonsense.

I bought a speed queen top loader and am living my best life.