lulubelle Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I need a new washer asap. I've been searching for information. It is not easy to get. I am thinking Bosch 500/800 models or Whirlpool Duet. I want to be able to wash large blankets - is it important to have a heavy duty cycle for that? Also, is it good to have a cotton cycle or does it not really matter? There are so many options and they are all so different it is hard to know which is the best one for us! And, then I just think at that price range they should all be pretty good and just go for the one that I think is the coolest?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Have you visited the "Laundry Forum"???? ALl you could ever want to know - and more! LOL!! http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/laundry/ I have a Miele and have been happy with it, it's an older smaller machine. Miele's are technically built to last 20 years.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I have a Whirlpool Duet. I don't have a cotton setting, but it does have a Heavy Duty cycle. I don't know what the cotton setting would be for. My Duet washes blankets and comforters beautifully, and spins them almost dry, without using the Heavy Duty cycle. The Heavy Duty cycle increases the cleaning time, and is meant for cleaning super-dirty clothes, like mud-caked, grass stained jeans. You don't need it for blankets. If you plan to wash blankets, you may not want the storage drawer underneath. The washers vibrate and "walk" more when they're up high. They're more stable with a lower center of mass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 (edited) Have you visited the "Laundry Forum"???? ALl you could ever want to know - and more! LOL!! http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/laundry/ I have a Miele and have been happy with it, it's an older smaller machine. Miele's are technically built to last 20 years.... We have a Miele as well. We love it. We did just experience a very strange problem with our dryer. The drum broke away. It looked like someone had crawled around inside behind the drum and opened it with a can-opener. This would be impossible to do, but the Miele repairmen and I were slack-jawed wondering how this had happened. Never before had they seen or heard of such a thing happening. But Miele, being Miele, gave us a brand-new dryer with no hassle (and despite the fact ours was 4 years-old and out of warranty). I like they way they do business, and their products are top-notch. Bill Edited January 12, 2009 by Spy Car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjzimmer1 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I have a Samsung with the vibration reduction technology(VBT) and I love it. I have no problem getting a king sized comforter in there. I have it installed on a wood floor and that thing doesn't move AT ALL. If i wash a really heavy load (like towels) you will hear knocking for 10-20 seconds and then the VBT takes over and it is quiet again. My sister and mother-in-law both have front loaders installed on wood floors and complain how much they walk (one has a Maytag and one has an LG) but mine never does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I have an Asko, but MIL has a Miele. Miele wins, hands down. I've had to replace the belts several times and the computer once (in ten years). The Asko dryer died. Her Miele is still going strong. Although they look small, I can fit everything in there except the extra-long king arctic weight down comforter (lighter weight ones are fine). I especially like the "boil" cycle and the "wool" cycle. The boil cycle and Boeax take care of all animal odors and dust mites. The only wool I've sent to the dry cleaners in years are the lined jackets (coats and suits.) It's been worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I have the Duet and it's on the pedestals. I put it on them because the set sits in the basement and sometimes the basement floods a bit after heavy rain. I've never had them walk anywhere. Make sure you get them leveled well, though. EX has the Bosch and likes it a lot. The only differences between the numbers (300, 500, 800, etc) are the features the washer offers. The motor is the same in all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in SC Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I need a new washer asap. I've been searching for information. It is not easy to get. I am thinking Bosch 500/800 models or Whirlpool Duet. I want to be able to wash large blankets - is it important to have a heavy duty cycle for that? Also, is it good to have a cotton cycle or does it not really matter? There are so many options and they are all so different it is hard to know which is the best one for us! And, then I just think at that price range they should all be pretty good and just go for the one that I think is the coolest?! I've had my LG Tromms for two years now and love them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in AL Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Mine are now 2 years old and I love them. I don't have any complaints about them. I do not have them on pedestals (I didn't need the storage space, so I saved $$$), and they are on ceramic tile on a crawl space foundation. I've not had to adjust either machine for movement. I would think that for washing regular blankets, all you would need is a large enough drum. I agree with a pp in that heavy duty means a heavy duty mess needing cleaning. A friend of mine had a Miele washer, and when it died, she was told it would be two weeks for a repair guy to visit (I guess there aren't any local folks here), so she bought a new one...not sure which make. I will say, though, that she loved her Miele (it was 10 years old, I think). That was also a reason I chose Whirlpool....when these things break, I need repairs ASAP, and you can always find Whirlpool repairmen. :001_smile: Good luck in your search! (the other) Heather in Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Peregrine Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 The plastic front on my Bosch has cracked already as has the door. Along with my 4 yo dishwasher that died I would not recommend the Bosch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugarfoot Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 We have 2 sets of Mieles and one set of Askos. The Asko washer/dryer are a small, stackable set. Mine are noisy, but they're old... We have the biggest Miele set in our closet. I love, love, love them. We also have a stackable Miele set in the hallway laundry room. They're great, too, but smaller. I can't imagine ever buying anything but Miele! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 It has the pedestal that goes underneath, which I don't love. It makes the washer so tall -- and it is already "deep" (juts out away from the wall -- that I can't get to the cabinets above it. I rarely use any settings besides the Normal/Casual cycle, but I do reset the temp settings for various loads. I've washed comforters and blankets using the Normal/Casual cycle. No problems there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 (edited) I've had my LG Tromms for two years now and love them. Yup, I've had mine for about 5 and they're great. My only regret was not getting the pedestals, which we could totally buy, but it would be a pain to hoist the machines up and shove them under. I can wash king-sized comforters in there with no problem. I wash wool (but don't have a wool setting... I can't imagine how that would differ from 'delicates' or 'hand wash' - there's no agitator, so it would be - is in fact - very difficult to felt something), I was diapers, and everything in between. To answer your actual question, though... I'd look at reviews, look at the actual machines (in person), look into what effort you'll have to make in your area to have them serviced (the repair people in our area hand up on you if you have a front loader in general, or anything other than a GE) and then decide which one fits your washing style. All things being equal, it's more about what and how you wash. Edited January 13, 2009 by MyCrazyHouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ria Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 We have the LG Tromm Steam Washer and Dryer. The washer was rated #1 by Consumer Reports, and the dryer was near the top as well. Love them! Ria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the floating cottage Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 We have a Bosch washer/dryer front loaders and we love, love, love them. It still amazes me what will fit in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 (edited) I have the Whirlpool Duet and, knock wood, no problems. I have a huge king feather bed/quilt, & the kids all have full size down quilts, and they all fit in quite nicely with a good shove for the king, and no problems. A couple of tennis balls in the dryer, and we are good to go. I do love the spin dry at the end of the wash cycle. No dripping and drying time is reasonable. My fingers are double crossed now! Edited January 13, 2009 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akmommy Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 We also have LG Tromm and couldn't be happier. According to the salesman the Whirlpool Duets are actually made by LG, but the LG's had features that made them more durable machines in the long run. If I could remember what they were now I'd tell you. LOL:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Heehee. Ours are "allegedly stackable", but I would have to use a step ladder to push the buttons on the top on if they were. :D A friend has the all-in-one (she also only has one child, way past the diaper phase) and loves it. I aspire to a place in my life where my laundry could be done, one load at a time, in one machine. Wow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I have the Duet, stacked. My "laundry room" is actually a closet, so I didn't have much of a choice there! I love it, but I do have to be careful to leave the washer door cracked open and wipe everything down with vinegar/baking soda now and then. We're rough on our washer (cloth diapers, lots of pet-hair covered blankets, etc.), but it's served us well for the past 3.5 years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.