Our house came with a washer and dryer and they are old. I think a rock and a stream would be as good. The +1 & I have picked a dryer that fits our needs (2 vintagers) but cannot decide on a front or top-loading washer. We have always had a top loader.
So if you have a front loader, please tell us how old it is, the manufacturer, if you have mold or smell issues around the door, if you leave the door open after use, and how well it cleans your clothes. (as compared to top loader you used to have)
We have been told that the mold issues have been solved with the newer models, (why I asked the age), but I hesitate to believe someone trying to sell the model they say has no problems. (moldy/smell issue is the #1 issue)
Please respond, the more comments, the better.

 

New Whirlpool front loader washer and dryer (side by side) about eight years ago. Hmmm...may be getting close to replacement time.

Anyway, cleans clothes just fine -- at least as well if not better than the previous top-loader. We do leave the doors open after use (more important with the washer, of course). No bad smells or mold issues, nor do I anticipate any.

Overall, very satisfied. I guess about a 4.6 out of 5 rating, if I had to give one.

 

I've had an Asko washer and dryer for almost 10 years. Washer is front loading. No problems at all. The washer uses very little water and cleans clothes well. I would get another one.

 

We have a ~14 yr old Kenmore Elite model HE4t front loading washer. I replaced its printed circuit board about 5 years ago. The electrical contacts on its circuit board were weak and failed to deliver the necessities during the washing cycle(s). Once the board was replaced it has been trouble free. It cleans very well.

The HE4t doesn’t have any odors or mold, but probably because we leave the door slightly ajar.

The accompanying Kenmore HE4 dryer does its job very well and has been trouble free.

 

I have a set of front loaders: Maytag Neptune series that was purchased in 1998. It is a gas (propane dryer) So far I had to remove my daughters underwear (years ago) that somehow (I still am amazed) found its way into the drain line pump. I admit that the belt/cog gear is noisy now and we are expecting to go at some point but rather than repair a 20+ year washer, we will replace it.

We have grown to like the front loader. The detergent and softener bottles are resting on the top with the spouts right over the receptacle for easy administration of cleaning liquids. Of course the rest of the top real estate is available for clothes. The dryer is also a front loader and has never hiccuped. We have been disciplined about cleaning the lint trap for every load and when I went in a few years ago for my last exhaust pipe cleaning, I found very little lint. My exhaust goes straight up into the attic and up to the roof.

As far as cleaning, the Maytag Neptune has always done a great job, much better than my Sears Whirlpool top loader that it replaced. At the time Maytag was touting how much research went into the Neptune for cleaning. It seems to me that in was not hype and it has lived up to its billing. We have been looking at new washers (Costco) and we will go for another front loader. I don't think we will get one with the pedestal however. Other friends I know say that they have but do not use the "steam" settings at all or very little. My wife and I are empty nesters so a giant capacity washer is not needed at all.

We did develop a little bit of mold around the rubber seal of the washer and found the simple step of leaving the door open all the time (cracked open not wide open) solved that issue. We don't have a pan either to catch any water but some friends do have those.

One side note. With my old Sears top loader, I found at the end of the wash/dry job, I would sometimes lose a sock or something and could never figure out what happened. Well, when we got the Maytags to replace the Sears Whirlpools ( I purchased them when I was single in 1980) they were still working so I donated them to my church for someone who needed them. As I wheeled them out on a dolly for loading on a trailer, I kept the washer strapped to it and laid it down on the driveway. That was when I noticed something dark ringing the inside of the case up at the top. I discovered several dozen socks and underwear that had slipped out of the tub during spin, stuck to the case and became fossilized over time. Mystery solved!

 

Currently have front loading Frigidaire, about 3 yrs old, usually leave door open to dry, cleans very good with little water. Would get another.
Levi

 

Good comments, thank you, keep them coming. Anyone notice water still in or below the tub after wash is done? (a problem I read about).

 

The wife goes to wash at the creek,and dries on the balcony....
No odors or mold...most of the time.

 

I've never noticed any water left in my Frigidaire.
Levi

 

I had a pair of Maytag Neptune front loaders. I never had a smell problem with the washer but I washed clothes such that the last load was whites and I always used bleach. After that I left the door open to let the unit dry out. They were both in the basement so it made no difference if it was open.

Those stayed with the house when it sold. When it came time to purchase a new washer for the last house I went out and purchase Frigidare (I think) top load. The wife did not want a front load as you had to bend down too low and it caused back problems for her. We looked at the risers for the front load machine but they were too $$ and we had a window that would be blocked so I (notice the word 'I' and not 'we') bought a top loader. After using the new top load machine the wife complained that she could not reach the items in the bottom of the tub.

Those stayed with that house when we moved! For this house I went looking at Home Depot and it just so happened that the Maytag reps was there that day. I told them of the problem of not reaching the bottom of the tub and she said that was a common complain (Maytag and Frigidare are now the same company). She said that everyone wants a larger capacity machine and the only way to do that is make the tub deeper. She pointed me to a Maytag machine that looked like it would fit the bill but I learned my lesson. The next day I brought the better half back and had her try to reach the bottom of the tub. She could so we had a winner!!

I never thought about things like that as I had done the laundry for the 20+ years. Be sure to check out the depth of the tub!!!!!!