The Latest Spin on Washing Machines
Apr 29 '00
I have been washing clothes since age eight and consider myself a consumer expert in this department. Finally a topic I know a lot about! I’ve personally owned five and leased another five. Plus, I used my mother’s two machines during my youth. From GE to Whirlpool, I’ve tried about all the brands available and many different models. Trust me, they are very, very different and produce strikingly different results. Since I’ve never owned a front loading machine, my review will only deal with top loaders.
Brand Name Does Make a Difference
Certain brands of appliances have earned their high reputations through years of research and development and consistently reliable performance. Kenmore, Whirlpool, and Maytag stand out among washing machine manufacturers. All Kenmore washers and dryers used to be made by Whirlpool to Sears own specifications, so they were very close in performance. Both labels are outstanding performers and usually at the forefront of new features development. Maytag is quite well known for its workhorse reliability and, surprisingly enough, also stays ahead of the pack with product development. There are many other manufacturers to consider, but in my experience, these are the top three.
The Gentle Giants of Washers Are the Best Value
In the world of washing machines, bigger is definitely better if the machine includes the features necessary to properly wash a small load. Water level is not the only distinction between large and small loads. The agitator is usually much broader at the bottom of the machine than at the top. This is due to the centrifugal force used by top loaders to bring the clothes up from the bottom to the top of the water and back down along the agitator simulating the old washer board scrubbing effect. The clothes are gently pushed and pulled through the water and ever so slightly knocked against the agitator. Well, in a good model they are ever so slightly knocked. If the machine you are considering does not have a small load/delicate cycle and you ever intend to wash a garment labeled for hand washing, move on to the next brand.
Because the cost of increasing the overall capacity of the machine reduces as the size goes up, the largest capacity models offer considerable value over their smaller counterparts. This is true even in the stack type machines used in apartments and small laundry spaces.
Features ARE Important!!
You may read elsewhere that features are generally a waste of money. Well, that depends entirely on your washing style and skill. Some people (like me) want to be able to wash everything they own and avoid dry cleaning. I tend to buy mostly washable items, including hand washables. As mentioned in the above paragraph, only some machines are suited to this type of washing. The first requirement is variable speed. Washers come in a couple of basic versions: single speed and multiple speeds. The washer I currently own has two agitation speeds and two spin cycle speeds. Most washers that are more than the most basic bottom of the line model offer at least two agitation speeds: slow and fast. Some have the separate control for spin speed as well; many do not. Considering those hand washables again, you’ll want the machine to exert no more pressure on your garments than your hands would so opt for the multi-speeds in wash and spin.
Water temperature selectors are a must have on all machines. If the machine doesn’t offer a combination of Hot Warm and Cold, run away from it. You need all three temperatures to effectively wash clothes.
Other features such as bleach and fabric softener dispensers may be less important. I never use them, but I know many people who do. It’s really a matter of choice. Variable water level controls are great and give you optimal control over the size of your loads. My washer includes an optional second rinse that I use religiously. It has eliminated the irritating rashes my husband used to suffer from, a condition our doctor associated with laundry detergent. In addition, I find my clothes are much softer and easier to iron.
Three distinct cycles are critical if you own terry cloth towels, permanent press shirts, and delicate unmentionables. Each cycle will have unique features and are generally called “Heavy/Normal” “Permanent Press/Wash ‘n Wear” and “Delicate/Hand Wash.” The heavy cycle has a longer wash cycle, a single rinse and a longer spin cycle. The permanent press cycle has a shorter wash time and two rinses, one to remove the soap and the other to cool the clothes to prevent wrinkling. The spin cycles for permanent press include a spraying of cool water over the clothes, also to prevent wrinkling, and a shorter spin time. The delicate cycle has a short wash, a short rinse, and a short spin, again designed to imitate hand washing.
With regard to the buttons and dials on the operating panel, there is good to be said about all types. My machine combines a dial selector for the cycles, push buttons for speed and water temperatures, and a slide control for the water level. Each one functions well. A long time ago I had a machine that relied entirely on push buttons for every single feature selection and they did tend to jam up and stick. Perhaps it was because they were used so much. Some of today’s top of the line Whirlpool, GE, and Kenmore models use a solid state push pad operating panel which has proved reliable, but is extremely costly to replace and/or repair.
Prices Vary By Dealer, So You’d Better Shop Around
I live in metropolitan Phoenix and recently outfitted my entire home with new appliances. During this adventure I was amazed to learn the broad differences in price from dealer to dealer. Also, I learned that many stores carry less expensive models of the best brand names but you can have the top of the line by shopping at a manufacturer’s own store. Consider this: the washing machine I selected cost me approximately $500, delivered and installed. I purchased it from the manufacturer’s local retail outlet. I saw the exact same model at a department store priced about $200 higher. I also spotted this washer at a big electronics store for $300 more. Then I noticed that a similar looking model with considerably less features at one of the “membership clubs” for about $100 less, but no delivery or installation.
In the past I’ve also purchased my washers and dryers directly from manufacturer’s retail outlets and have always felt I got the best deal. The only retailer I would highly recommend purchasing appliances from is Sears because of their outstanding service reputation and ability to be competitive now that they have opened up the lines they carry. Sears can be more costly if you don’t catch the latest sale, however, so if you are seriously considering purchasing any appliance from Sears, ask the salesperson when it will be going on sale and what the discount will be. This information is available well in advance to the stores and if you can wait, the savings are often very, very good.
But Will You Still Love It Tomorrow?
No matter what features you purchase, the most important factor in selecting a machine may be the warranty(ies). Most washers will be problem free for several years but when they do break, the labor costs can make them too costly to fix. Unless you are handy with tools and repair manuals, be sure to get as much warranty as you can afford. A one or two year warranty will only help you if you end up with a lemon. The water pumps and agitator motors are usually the only moving parts on a washer and thus, the ones to give out. On a good machine, expect them to last at least 5 years or more. Make sure these are covered by any extended warranty you might select.
What color machine to buy may seem like a no brainer, but here is something to consider: black always looks spotty and is hard to keep clean. Almond is now passe. Grey was out of date before it hit the sales floor. Avocado and Harvest Gold - need I say more? White is the one color appliances come in that never seems to go out of style. And, in the unfortunate event you ever need to replace the washer before the dryer or vice versa, you can always find another white machine. Plus, you get to save anywhere from $10 to $50 for not selecting a color.
Make Sure it Fits
The outside dimensions of your new machine are as important as the inside capacity. Before you lay out $300 - $800, make sure the one you’ve selected will fit your space. As I always recommend, measure the width, depth, and height of your space before you step out the front door. Carry these with you and have the salesperson physically measure any machine you seriously consider before he or she writes up the order. With the wide selection available to most consumers, some model will fit your budget and your laundry room.
If your laundry space is critically confined or perhaps you just like the look of them, consider a stack model. Over the past 10 years these machines have become as reliable as their full sized siblings. In fact, there are several available that offer full size capacity in both the washer and dryer with minimal exterior dimensions. The one thing that tends to go in these is insulation, so location in your home is a big consideration. They can be a lot noisier than the bigger models.
The Final Spin
The washer you select today should be working hard for you ten years from now. Spend what you can afford to buy one you’ll love for a long time. The key elements are: reliability, price, variable temperature controls, multiple wash and spin cycles, large capacity, water level control, and features that will make your wash duties more enjoyable. Cool looks, colors, and zippy names will bear less weight in five years than they do today so try to get past all the marketing hoopla as you shop.
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TMJTWILSON
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