Best Washers and Dryers for Quilts

[Jules M.]

My old washer and dryer are on their last legs. I want a new pair that will be appropriate for washing my large quilts, prewashing fabrics etc. I've looked at the new larger top loaders and front loaders, but I wonder what will really work best. What about the new steam models? Any suggestions and comments will be appreciated.

[Jules M.]

I have the Bosch Nexxt 800 series, there's a "comforter" cycle that works really well on large loads. I absolutely love this washing machine! There is also a sanitary cycle that runs forever and heats the water up and it's just killer for whites. I am very pleased with this set.

Have you "Tinkled" today?

[Jules M.]

Hi Ruth! I have to vote for my Fisher & Paykel set. Lowe's carries them. The company has been in the commercial Laundry bussiness for years(our hospital had their machines). The feature I really like is the top load washer has only 3 moving parts(yep, that's right..no belts and stuff to wear out). That the machine spins the clothes a 1000rpm...they are virtually dry when I put them in the dryer! Now the dryer is the coolest part of the set! It's a "top" loading dryer! It's wonderful, I never have to bend over to get the clothes out. The other very nice feature is the dryer tumbles like a normal dryer for about 4 minutes then...it reverses it's direction and
tumbles in the opposite direction for about 2 minutes. My clothes are never wrinkled, towels are never twisted, nice and fluffy. I have even washed 3 yards of fabric and it wasn't twisted! I'm sold on my set. Here is a link to their site.
http://www.fisherpaykel.com/laundry/...D3CE4579459A73

Hope that helps your quest!
Blessings,
Debbie S.

[Jules M.]

We bought the TOL Whirlpool Duet pair 2 1/2 years ago. It is a front loader, which I thought I would just love. And I do have to say it does a fantastic job. I can wash my queen size quilts with no problem. However, I don't have them on a pedestal as there is a window in the laundry above the washer/dryer, and I use to the tops for folding, etc. And it is a bit of a pain to be constantly bending over to get things out. So if you go with a front loader, get the pedestals.
Maggie in E. Central Illinois

[Jules M.]

As a result of the original question, I've "Tinkled" and found the wonderful BOM on the Bunny Hill Designs website. Also, I learned about washer and dryer brands that I'd never heard of and, therefore, would never consider when the time comes for me to replace my appliances.

Isn't the forum great?! Thanks to everyone.

Nancy

[Jules M.]

Nancy, my Mom says a "Tinkle" a day is good for you!

Isn't that BOM adorable?

Have you "Tinkled" today?

As a result of the original question, I've "Tinkled" and found the wonderful BOM on the Bunny Hill Designs website. Also, I learned about washer and dryer brands that I'd never heard of and, therefore, would never consider when the time comes for me to replace my appliances.

Isn't the forum great?! Thanks to everyone.

Nancy

[Jules M.]

I personally believe in staying away from MAYTAG and BOSCH... I have had both product lines in the last 10 years and was very disappointed. There were/ are only three people in our family so we are not hard on either the washer/ the dryer / or the dishwasher.

Both product lines have died after less then 7 years of ownership. I had the Maytags then went to the Bosche ... I just replaced them all with KENMORE from Sears... cheaper and so far working better.

I think they may be breaking down prematurely cause we live in the country and use well water our softner is new... but as far as I am concerned MAYTAG and BOSCHE ARE SISSY CITY MACHINES... Kenmore is a country work horse.


Consider the kind of water you use in your house...well, softners, city supply... any other generalize problems.

[Patti P.]

OMG I have the opposite opinion of Maytag. I've loved mine and when I replace mine in the condo I recently bought, will go again with Maytag. I started with it because my mothers 40 year old machine that my sister now uses in the garage! When my parents sold their home and lived in a travel trailer, mom put the machine in a utility trailer and dragged it all over the country.

[Patti P.]

I have always loved Maytags, but the company has changed ownership, and they are not putting out the quality as before. The salesman at Lowe's (who also repairs appliances in his own business) steered us to the Whirlpool (who I think makes the Kenmore brand). My stepdaughter with 3 kids has the same set, and our best friends with 3 kids have the same set, and none of us have had any problems.

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

[Patti P.]

I have always loved Maytags, but the company has changed ownership, and they are not putting out the quality as before. The salesman at Lowe's (who also repairs appliances in his own business) steered us to the Whirlpool (who I think makes the Kenmore brand). My stepdaughter with 3 kids has the same set, and our best friends with 3 kids have the same set, and none of us have had any problems.

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

Hi Maggie,

I bought Kenmore appliances when I bought my first house and they were still going strong after 20 years. I only bought another new Kenmore washer dryer set because I wanted new appliances in my newly built home, that was 15 years ago. I've had no problems with them. It was also my understanding that Kenmore washers & dryers were then made by Whirlpool. This was my experience, but I'm not endorsing them.

Keep in mind that times have changed when it comes to all types of appliances and electronics. Our parents were able to buy appliances built to last. Today's appliances are built to be economically obsolete--in other words, built to last just long enough for you to need to replace them when new features and functions become available.

Detergents and water quality can certainly affect the life of your appliances. It's also important to ensure that anyone else using your appliances (e.g. college kids who tend to overload) are properly instructed on how to use them.

I strongly believe that you don't get what you don't pay for, so I avoid buying cheap. However, spending a premium is no guarantee of getting good value.

NancyinSTL

[Patti P.]

I love my Sears Kenmore washer and dryer - and yes they are made by the same people who make the Whirlpool. In fact the service guy I had here a while back told me it is the EXACT same as the equivalent Whirlpool model, just a different shell put on it! I keep a service plan current on all my appliances too, so when things do go wrong (hey, I've got kids and those little socks do get places they shouldn't, lol :lol: ) it is just a quick call and service visit - no problem! I have had my set now for 8 years and the only problems I have had was an agitator gear that broke last year (turned out to be a recall issue and was replaced free of charge) and a broken dryer belt also last year. Oh, and a baby sock stuck in the outflow hose several years ago, lol :lol: I don't know that I will ever buy different.

[Lorna B.]

I had a Maytag for years and loved it. But I also went with the front loading Whirlpool Duet about 2 1/2 years ago and have been very happy with them. The hold a very large loads so I have thrown large blankets in there.

Lorna

[Beth A.]

We purchased a front-loading washer and dryer a couple of years ago, and now I'm not sure I would buy that type of washer again.

1. You cannot use gentler soaps in it (like Quilt Soap) because it is bad for the motors. I even called the manufacturer one day, and they advised against using it, even occasionally. I don't like not having that option.

2. I don't like not being able to add clothes to the washer after it starts. Maybe it's me, but I always find a sock of something that fell along the way and I would like to add a bit later.

They now have high efficiency top loading washers. I would prefer those, I think. (Of course, I will now keep my front loaders for another 10 to 15 years, just like the last ones!)

Just my 2 cents...

BethMI

[Beth A.]

Couldn't resist putting my two cents in here as it always annoyed me to discover I'd missed a sock after I started the wash--one day by mistake I discovered if you open the soap tray (I have a Frigidaire set) it disables all the safeguards and you can open the door and add at will--won't work during a spin cycle. If anything a few drops of water will be on the floor.

Hope it works on your washer.

Barb

[Beth A.]

On my front loading Bosch, at any time you can pause the cycle and open the door after a moment.

One of the best washing machine discoveries I've ever made was Charlie's Soap, it is absolutely fabulous... heck it's better than fabulous!

Have you "Tinkled" today?