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[devohoneybee]

Does anyone have recommendations for a washing machine? Mine is 24 years old and is having a draining problem.

I'm inclined not to go with a high efficiency, because of the mildew problem. While I live in a very dry climate, I'm also very sensitive to mold, so don't want to risk that. If someone has strong opinions otherwise, I'm willing to consider, though.

Aside from that, any recs as to brand, type, warranties, etc?

thanks much.

Comments

[laurajv]

I almost always buy appliances from the sears "scratch & dent" warehouse because you get a normal warranty but pay less, because something has a scratch or whatever. Like I care about a scratch. That limits me a bit brand-wise, to things Sears carries, which means nothing really high-end (which is why my fancy high-end range top and vent hood came from elsewhere). Anyway, my laundry closet has a front washer, high efficiency, bought using that method, and so far I've had no mold or mildew issues. Every now and then I wipe it out with vinegar, and I often leave the door open so it can dry out instead of being wet inside. Front loaders cannot be opened during the cycle, which is a little annoying, but I add borax (if using it) directly before turning it on, and I put vinegar in the bleach cup or softener cup if I want to vinegar the load, and that works fine. The benefit to a front loader is really that you can do hand washables in it -- no agitator, so nothing to tear up delicate things. Clothes also tend to last a little longer, washed in front loaders, for the same reason, and there is more room for large items like comforters. But I do all my real heavyduty stuff in the old top-loader that came with the house, because for beating dirt out of stuff, ain't nothing like a top-loader.

I find washers are the kind of appliance where the low-end ones are gonna suck, and the high-end ones are cool as hell but nobody really needs a steam setting....