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[Anonymous]

Hi

My wife and I are moving to a new house.
We were thinking of getting a stackable washer and dryer instead stand alone machines.

Any suggestions or comments would be welcome.

Thanks,
Jeff :)

[Anonymous]

Stackable washer and dryers can really be a lifesaver when it comes to space.  But watch out!  You still want a full-size washer and dryer.  I had a stacking w/d in an apartment, and I had to run a load of wash *every day* to keep up with a 2-person washload.  The energy bills noticably increased because the small w/d unit wasn’t nearly as efficient as a full-size set.  I recommend staying away from the decreased-size washer/dryer units.

Also beware of the inital cost.  These units usually cost more for the convenience of stacking them.  Sometimes the cost is definitely worth it, sometimes it isn’t.  Consider a traditional unit, and then perhaps installing some cabinetry overhead for storage if space is a problem.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

These are available full sized.  I had a friend with a large family who bought 2 sets of these, as they fit in the same space as one each of the conventional type.

[Anonymous]

Hi Jeff,
My top loading washer died last summer, and I wanted to replace it with a front loader. So I purchased the washer half of  a stacking set. I LOVE it. It handles large loads ( be sure to get the standard size, not apartment size) clothes get cleaner, using less detergent & water.
blessings, Joy

[Anonymous]

Hi,  

I have a link that may help you decide what type of washer dryer you may want to look at before you buy.  It is at energy.com
http://www.energyguide.com/gear/subdept2.asp?SubDept_ID=21
It shows two washer/dryer combination.  It washes and dries and saves space.  I know this is the type I will purchase when I need a new one.

sas

[Anonymous]

Hi I’d like to add my 2 cents worth.  Make sure if you decide to get a stackable washer and dryer that they are two pieces.  I have a dryer that works but not the washer and it is all one piece.  What a waste.  Ended up throwing the whole thing out!

Also, I had to put in 220 electrical line for the washer/dryer combination as they were both electric.  tk635

[Anonymous]

The Euro-style front loading washing machines use less water and electricity that top loading washing machines. They are gentler on clothes. On the downside is their wash cycle is usually longer and you cannot put clothes in half way through a wash. They also require a low-sudsing detergent. Having said that they are a frugal and enviromentally friendly choice.

An electric clothes dryer will use up a lot of electricity. Dry them on the clothes line instead. Although I know that this may not be possible if you live in an apartment.

[Anonymous]

I have had a Maytag one for years now and like it mostly for the floor space saved ~ otherwise it is like any other w/d combo…  :)

[Anonymous]

Here’s another opinion on the stackable appliances. Although it’s probably too late for the person who originally posted, it may help someone else who is reading this later.

We have struggled along buying used $75 machines for years. Being a military family and moving around a lot, we have alternated between government housing overseas (where appliances are already supplied in the housing) and renting a home in the U.S., where we have used these secondhand monsters. Now that my husband has retired and we are settled in one place, we were replacing our washer or dryer on a fairly regular basis (we have gone through five used machines over a four-year period, counting both washers and dryers that have died). We also have a rather large family (ten children still at home) so a washer and dryer are VERY important to us.  :o

When we came into a bit of money that we wanted to invest wisely rather than just “blow” on groceries, we decided to get the frontloading washer and the dryer that stacked on top. I can say nothing but good about the washer. It uses far less water (we realized approximately a $20 savings the first month’s water bill) and gets the clothes cleaner without having the irritation of pantyhose, tights, and brassieres getting entangled in the agitator (there is no agitator).

Contrary to popular belief, it IS possible to add clothes mid-cycle, at least with my GE model. You stop the machine, allow the water to finish dripping (you never see the water level in the window; it is below the door altogether), which takes 30 seconds, and stick the extra article of clothing in. Yes, it’s a little more complicated than just picking a lid up and tossing a sock in, but the water savings FAR outweigh an occasional lack of organization that needs to be overcome.  :-/

Possible downsides to the frontloader: You need to make sure you are using a low-sudsing detergent, but most detergents (even the cheap ones) fit this description now anyway. If you have a bad back, you may find it difficult to bend down to unload the machine.

Now the dryer: The salesman told us that we would save a lot of electricity if we replaced our old dryer with the new one that stacked on top of the washer. I have no way to verify whether this is true or not in our particular case. We have used the dryer practically nonstop since buying it, because the weather has not been conducive to hanging clothes outside. In another month, we’ll use the dryer only on rainy days. (With laundry for twelve people, I cannot simply put the laundry off to another day. We do 2-5 loads every day, and sometimes even more. And sometimes we wash too much clothing for even the washlines to handle and end up using the dryer anyway.) Check the sticker on the appliance; it gives a basic idea on how much energy that appliance uses compared to other appliances of its type. Generally, you can expect to pay more for an appliance that’s low on the energy-usage scale.

You can go to the library and find the Consumer Reports’ annual Buyer’s Guide and compare features on the front loaders if you are concerned about which brand to buy. The frontloading washers at Lowe’s range from around $700, which is what we paid for ours, to over $1000 (the control panel looks like it’s computerized, and has far too many gadgets for me).

I’m very satisfied. ;D

[Anonymous]

My sister had a stackable what a laugh that was when mom got a hold of them.  Sis warned her to use a quater of the soap she normaly used.  Well mom did a load of laundery in the washer not only did we have clean stuff in the waher but clean kitchen floors while we were at it.  But they are still around almost 20 yrs. later.

[Anonymous]

One suggestion… Be sure to check out Sears scratch and dent stores (if you have one near you). We’ve bought many top of the line applainces there (with full warrenties) for several hundred $ below the price in the stores. You may find exactly what you are looking for and find that the only thing wrong with it is a scratch or small dent in one side.

[imported_TobsterParticipant]

This is definitly a late reply, 2 years after the original. I cannot read these posts without sharing my own excitement over my stackable front load washer and dryer! This has been my all time greatest appliance investment. These washers use half the water. You can stuff them full and do double loads and your clothes still come out clean. My front loader will actually pay for itself within 10 years from reduced water, sewage and electric bills. They are also super quiet!

About that detergent. May I suggest using the same powder as a regular machine but cut the amount in half. It works fine.

The Frigidaire and GE models from a couple of years ago have a dryer capacity of 5.7 cu ft. Although the washer is capable of double loads, the smaller dryer size seems to increase the likelyhood of wrinkles. Opt for the larger dryer if possible. The Maytag frontloader is all bells and whistles but it does do a great job…you pay for it through the nose though.

Thanx for letting me share!

[imported_tlbuckParticipant]

Haier does have the washer/dryer combos these days.

Check with Best Buy to see if they have any in stock.

[imported_daybydayParticipant]

I have the Whirlpool Duet front loaders. I insisted on the pedestal bases because of back strain.  I love them.  Washes better and gentler, less water.  I can only add a garment when the light indicates. After that the machine will stop the cycle. No big problem for me.  I can’t use the low suds detergent as I find it only in Tide Original scent.  My family needs the Tide Free.  So I use the Tide Free and by trial and error have found the perfect amount for different loads.  Down side was the delivery of the units.  They were to go into my basement.  Had to come through the front door. They are very very heavy.  They just made it through.  So if we ever move, they stay and are added in the cost of the house, and I will buy new ones.  Better than chancing a hole in the wall (again :)), or damage to the unit in transport.

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