txstitcher

So many options! It's going to be a tough decision. Thanks so much for everyone's opinions/suggestions!

JanetM

I have Whirlpool Duet -w-Steam front loaders. They are high efficiency and require the HE detergent. I love them. The cycles are longer (unless I use Quick Wash cycle) but they require less water, less detergent, and they clean our clothes better than my old Maytags. My Maytags were great but were 25 years old when we replaced them.

My new frontloaders can do LARGE items very easily, like King size comforters and blankets. They also have dispensing units for Oxyclean, bleach, and fabric softener so I don't have to go back to add anything.

The frontloaders are larger than the standard top loaders so if you think you will buy frontloaders, check to be sure your space is large enough.

Lastly, they do cost more, but I really love the features and how much cleaner they get my laundry.

Sophie2

I love my Whirlpool front loader. My top loaders always got out of balance on big items or rugs. That does not happen with my front loader.

sandybeach

My sister recommended this set to me after she bought hers. She loves it. I went to Sears on Black Friday and bought a set for my son and DIL for their housewarming present. They love them.

Wait until Black Friday if you can.

BluegrassGurl

I bought a set of Whirlpool Cabrio (top loading) about 5 years ago.

They have not given me a minutes trouble; however, I am not happy with them. First... it takes FOREVER for any cycle to complete (typically 50+ minutes). I always rince my husband's work clothes before washing..... it takes nearly 40 minutes to simply rince. ON TOP OF THAT..... my clothes do not get as clean or when I put it on a heavier cleaning cycle.... it rips my clothes.

I wished I just bought a simple top loading set. It would have been a lot cheaper and I would have clean clothes.

My advice.... stay away from these.

ChaiQuilter

Does Whirlpool still manufacture Kenmore washers and dryers?

PatchGirl

I was in this predicament a yr. and a half ago. and I shopped and hunted and read reviews etc. and we have a Sear's scratch and dent near where I live and finally settled on a Whirlpool Cabrio. It is HUGE inside! bigger than a front loader! I can wash a qn. bedspread in it, not a problem! And it is SOoooo quiet!!! Washes really great even a blanket with pet hair! I have loved it from day 1 !!!!!!

BMP

My front loader is stainless steel and I have some rust spots on a few of my DH white T's !!!!!
Another thing I dont like about the front loader is you MUST keep the door open to avoid a smelly washer..who wants to have that, luckily mine is in the basement so no one has to see the door ajar all the time...Also the cycles take forever shortes is 27 minutes which isnt too bad but I sometimes dont think sucha short cycle and a large load will get clean, next one is 57 minutes at that rate it takes forever to do laundry !

athomenow

I have the Whirlpool Duet and I hate it. I will go back to top loaders after these die. My whites are not white and I can't get them white no matter what I add. And I've tried everything.

GreatStarter

I will never ever buy another maytag anything! Our first washer and dryer were maytags. Loved them and they lasted for years. Well worth the more expensive price. Our second set were Maytags...they lasted less than six years... And when the repair man came it turned out that it was almost as expensive to replace the washer than to repair it. The whole panels to run them are off of two main boards. They can't even change a fuse. He told me they used to be able to change the fuses but now they are part of the main boards. Obviously it was done so you had to buy new machines even thought the rest of the machines would probably last for years. Oh and the repair visit cost a minimum of $140.00 just for him to come (ok, Sears doesn't technically own the repair company, it just has contracts with this company only in our area) No other repair company would come due to the parts no longer being available to anyone but the one company with the Sear's contract) And I called every company that advertised as selling washer and dryers in both of our phone books. No one would come touch a repair on Maytags that were that model.
Also be aware that Maytag is now owned by Sears as are most of the big brands. They are making the repairs so expensive that people are trashing perfectly good machines.

Guess what we ended up doing-we bought a cheap still mostly mechanicly run washer. No, it's not as quiet as a maytag, but at roughly 1/4 the price of a new maytag I figure I can replace it 3 or 4 times before I spend as much as just buying that Maytag. It cleans just as well, and it's been two years and so far no need for repairs. So ask me in another four years how often I have had to replace it? Right now I think I will be much happier with this cheap machine over my beloved Maytags.
OOps, forgot to mention it's a toploader.