recommend your clothes washer - I'm flooded by too many options

[Anonymous]

Our 16-year old clothes washer finally bit the dust yesterday. I spent some time researching new washers and now am overwhelmed. Many of the available models in my price range received some pretty bad reviews. I'm looking for a top-loader (DH is 6'4" so no side loading for us) with large, family-sized capacity for around $600-$700. And, I need to be able to purchase my own detergent. I understand that some of the models require a specific detergent, which won't work for some of sensitive skin in my family. Please recommend your washer!

[Anonymous]

based on your description, I can't recommend my new washer which I love (LG). (Side loader and HE Detergent).

You might have a problem if you can't use any HE detergents--many of the new washers sold use only that detergent.

Check out homedepot.com and sears.com and see if you can narrow it down to a top loader, etc. with the criteria on the side. Also, see if you have a friend with a subscription to consumer reports--they might have a recommended model. Also, read the reviews on there, that can be helpful.

If your machine is over 16 years old, you will probably love whatever new one you get.

[Anonymous]

Get an online subscription to consumer reports. You will get better advice than whoever happens to respond to your question on DCUrbanmom.

[Anonymous]

The "special" detergent you speak of is "HE" detergent. Almost every company makes an HE detergent now - although it sometimes can be challenging to find the exact kind. If you haven't you might want to do a quick check to see if your special detergent is available in an HE version. Its also possible, depending on what you use, it is OK for HE machines. The main reason you can't use "regular" detergents is that they produce too many suds. Some of the more natural detergents (aka - if you make your own) don't have this problem.

If you aren't going HE, you have less options, but you should be able to hit your price point. Sorry, I can't reccomend anything. CR is only like $5 a month and you can join for just a month online if you want to see your ratings.

If you find you can find your detergent in HE, I highly reccomend the GE Profile Harmony. It is an HE, but upright. It has a ton of options. I think it is above your price-point at a regular price, but you may be able to find sale. Plus, in theory, you save on your water bill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:based on your description, I can't recommend my new washer which I love (LG). (Side loader and HE Detergent).

Love ours, too! Personally, I think it's as easy to get clothes into a side-loading washer as a side-loading dryer.

[Anonymous]

We've been very happy with our Samsung, but it's a HE front-loader. I'm not sure if they do top-loaders.

For what it's worth, my DH is also tall and he loves our fron-loader. We got one with a pedestal so it sits up higher.

[Anonymous]

I love our GE top loaders. Got it at Sears. Our particular one is not on the market anymore, but I'm sure you could find something similar.

No special detergent. Cleans fine.