apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Two words: Front Loader

I have had both a top loader and front loader washing machine, and if you can spend the extra duckets, get the front loader! It is quieter, uses less soap, less water, and does a better job of cleaning. There is also the added bonus of watching your clothes getting clean through the little port hole window.;-)

I have a malber washer and dryer stacked on top of each other in the kitchen. I love them. There are units out there that are a washer/dryer in one. I dont know enough about them...though i'd worry that if one part broke down, you'd be entirely up the creek without a paddle. I'd consider them if i thought they'd work, it would be nice to reclaim some of the space back!


Bonus feature: Its a new surface to stick all kinds of useful magnetic things on!!

Sorry I don't have suggestions on "small" models but what I will say is be sure to search www.epinions.com and any other feedback sites for specific models. Be sure to avoid Maytag - you'll find lots of complaints about their more recent models.

As to efficiency, personally I think front load washers are great. You'll read a lot of complaints about some front loading machines smelling like mold but I think if you leave the door open so any moisture can evaporate then you'll be OK.

Be sure to read opinions about noise, too. Unless you're one of the lucky ones that have a nice quiet isolated room for your machines.

For what it's worth I have a Frigidaire Gallery front loader and I love it. It's very, very quiet, and does a great job, it's gentle on the clothes and hardly uses any water. It doesn't hold a huge load but I have no complaints. You can add detergent and bleach after the wash cycle is running which is nice. One of the best things about it for me was the price that didn't kill my budget.

http://www.epinions.com/Frigidaire_Gallery_Front_Load_Washer_GLTR1670A_Washing_Machines

We have a malber combo washer dryer and I would not recommend it if you have the space for more (which appears to be the case). The main reason is that the unit is small, only 11 pound capacity, and takes a long time to dry clothes. It does a great job, and is ideal for us as we have a new baby and are in a top-floor walk up, but if you can get separate units, do so.

Clairepetrol, just as an FYI, the dryer part did break down and the washer still worked fine.

We have an LG washer/dryer combo unit and absolutely love it! It replaced an OK stack unit in a closet, but we wanted to save space since we have a small condo. This gives us a better unit and we now have an extra half closet we use for a linen closet. The things we like about the LG - it's small, you can set a timer for the loads so it washes/drys while asleep or away, everything is done in one swoop so no loading wet clothes into a dryer, less wrinkles (as long as you don't overfill), and it's more efficient. We are 2 adults and having 1 unit is plenty. We do a 3-4 loads per week and using the timer is key. You can set it so the laundry is ready when you get home from work or wake up in the morning. The unit is quiet although we usually have it run while we're not home so we wouldn't hear it even if it was loud. The model we have is an LG WM3677HW - http://us.lge.com/products/model/detail/home%20appliances_laundry_washer|dryer%20combos_WM3677HW.jhtml.

We paid about $1800 for it, but it was completely worth it in our opinion. I highly recommend these to anyone. You can hook this up to a standard 120V outlet and it does not require a vent at all. The unit creates almost no lint and every few months you have to clean the lint from the water pipe filter (very easy). The last few times I checked the filter there was almost no lint at all. Your clothes are the slightest bit damp when the dry cycle completes, but as soon as you take them out they dry instantly before you fold them.

we have a full capacity whirlpool washer/dryer stack unit.
we love it. we have moved it to three different locations and it still works like a charm. the dryer went out once and the washer continued to work. it is quite cumbersome to move but takes up very little space and is affordable.

I have an LG washer/dryer combo that I love. Set it and forget it! I pop the clothes in before I go to work, come home and if they're still a bit damp (as they tend to be, but doesn't bother me) a 30 minute dry cycle fluffs them up a bit before folding. If you go this route, get the bigger drum. There are two sizes and I think I'd never be finished with the laundry with the smaller capacity. I don't think the footprint is a huge difference between small and larger capacities.

After doing research, I discovered that Maytag makes a set of 23' wide front-loading washer and dryer that can be stacked. Bosch is another company that has a comparable product too.
I chose the Maytag, because my parents and sister (with kids, husband, et.al.) both have Maytag and sang-its-praises to me. Nothing like positive tesimonials especially from people who you love and trust.
I have no regrets.... economical in terms of energy use, extremelyquiet, use less soap, more settings that the standard apartment stack top-loading washer with dryer on top.

23 inch wide as opposed to the standard 27 inch wide... pardon for my typo - it is not 23 feet wide >>>jef

Jessie,

You imply that the clothes are usually damp after the dry cycle, can you elaborate? Does the extra 30 minute dry cycle do the trick to produce dry laundry?

My experiences with similar machines in the UK (not LGs, mind you) never got the laundry dry.

We have a Whirlpool 2.9 Cu. Ft. High Efficiency Front Load Washer and a Whirlpool 3.8 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Electric Dryer, both 23" wide. They are stackable. Both work wonderfully. The dryer has a moisture feature that will turn itself off automatically when it reaches more dry/normal/less dry. I keep it on Normal and as long as it's not overloaded, it shuts off at the right time.

ditto the above comment about Maytag. I had both my washer AND dryer cr*p out this year, and they're about 3 years old.

I'm shopping around right now, and several friends rave about their LGs.

I was lucky enough to inherit a set of euro style, small Sanyo Washer and dryer, the washing machine has no center agitator, so i can put more clothes in, and is 110V so it plugs into regular outlet, the dryer stacks above it but is seperate and is more like a giant hair dryer in a box, but it gets the job done, i can dry 2 towels or 10 t shirts in same amount of time. not sure if Sanyo still makes this type of set, but if you can find, it has literally changed my life. i only have to go to laundry to wash my heavy bed linens in fall/winter months. good luck.

If you can, get a separate dryer, and make sure it's gas or 220 volt.

Kenmore stacked washer and dryer have done a great job for us, for the price, they are fabulous, service anywhere is no problem and I really like how they work.
Saved us a ton of money and this set gets a workout at our house, I have friends who bought far more expensive front loader big brand washers and they have had nothing but trouble and the washers STINK, loading laundry is not the most pleasant chore but it should not make you puke.

If you can afford it, Miele is the only way to go for space, efficiency, and looks.

I posted this recently in AT:LA, but I have this set:

http://www.compactappliance.com/xq/JSP.detailmain/Ariston_Stackable_Washer_and_Ventless_Condensing_Dryer_Set/itemID.14716/itemType.Product/iProductID.14716/qx/shopping/product/AW125ASL75.htm?mtcpromotion=BizRate%3ELaundry%3EStackable%20Units%3EAW125ASL75

And it's great. Small footprint, efficient, and it has a decent variety of settings, with good drying sensors. Method HE detergent works especially well with it.

I agree with lightenup - the Miele is the only way to go.
I have the Touchtronic W1113 washer and the T1332C condensable dryer. The washer is quiet and has is very versatile in terms of cycles. The condensable dryer does not need an exhaust/vent. They're stackable via a kit too.

They're not inexpensive but the performance is great, especially when compared to other brands.

front loading a must. no complaints w/my G.E. Profile washer/dryer. small footprint, efficient. i have them stacked but they can be positioned side by side, too and they are reasonably priced.

Forget North American front loaders -- they can't match European ones for cleaning, energy & water efficieny and looks.

North American frontloaders are johnny-come-latelies to the model, and they have not mastered it in the way the European ones have. My AEG (16 year old!) outperforms both my mother- and sister-in-laws' brand new models of front loaders (each different). Also have a condensation dryer, which is a must in an appartment, as it does not need to be vented.

If you can afford it, get a Miele. If not, hunt down a less expensive Euro model -- AEG, Bosch, Ariston... (check out the reviews).

Consider the money an investment -- Euro machines last far longer than North American on average -- my mother-in-law is on her 3rd washer, whilst I am still on my first.

My test for washing machines, btw?

Which ones clean cloth diapers best.

Euro machines far outperform -- they have longer cycles, and offer high heat which North American ones don't. In North American machines, I have to run the diapers through 2 wash cycles in order to get them clean.

Before going shopping for a washer and dryer I suggest you carefully measure out the space you have for the machines. The available space you have can be crucial in determining the model to buy. Remember also that your washer will need 2-5 inches of additional depth to accommodate water supply and discharge hoses and your dryer a similar depth to accommodate the vent.

Concerning the dryer, decide whether you want an electric or gas dryer. If you want an electric dryer, determine what kind of electrical service you have available at your breaker box. All but the smallest electric dryers require 220 volt electric service. If you don't already have the appropriate service, you will need to get an electrician to install the line and recepticle. Only the smallest conventional dryers and condensation dryers manufactured by Miele and Bosch do not require outside venting.

As for recommendations, the enduring source for unbiased appliance evaluations is Consumer Reports.

I have had an apartment sized washer/dryer for the last 20 years. My first was the Kenmore stackable washer and dryer. Bought in 1986, the washer now belongs to my neice and I continue to use the dryer. The new washer purchased in 2002, is a Whirlpool Duet front-loader washer. Its capacity can overwhelm the dryer, but since I don't have venting options at my new apartment I have to keep the dryer.

Other things to keep in mind -- swing space for doors (with front loaders), and someplace to put the laundry as you take it out. Also -- make sure you can get the machines out easily for repair/replacement. Also -- consider getting a water cutoff valve right by the machines, and using it when you're going to be away for any length of time.

First of all I think you should consider your needs, you need smaller size parts, same efficiency, low noise, low energy consume. We all want this, and we also can find this in big retailer stores. I suggest you search for Sears parts, they are also cost effective.

great post !!
I read a few of your other entires.where can i subscribe to your blog?
Thank you for sharing.

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