Front Loading Washers and Dryers

Hey S.!

My father-in-law has a front loading washer and he has horrible mold!!! The seal around the window is rubber and he didn't notice it until it was too late. The window stays wet and when you close it, it sits against the rubber in the dark. And then the mold starts. He has tried everything to get it off and nothing has worked. Also, the center bottom of the rubber (in between the metal tub and the door) is a small gap where the plastic window sits...in that small gap, water collects. Every time he is done with laundry he has to take a towel to it and dry everything out. In my opinion...not worth the money and extra effort. I am perfectly happy with my top loading machine!! Good luck!

I love my front loaders and have not had any mildew problems. I have the Kenmore Elite HE4t (washer) and HE4 (dryer) and have had them a little over a year.

My mother has the front loading washer. She began to have mildew problems right after she got it. The company had to replace the rubber ring, but it did not solve the problem. The mildew continues to grow on the new ring. She cleans it with bleach and she still has mildew problems.

My husband and I just went throught this same decision process, and we decided to go with the toploader w/out an agitator. Our main reason for looking is that with three children, we needed a bigger washing machine to cut down on loads. We chose the toploader over the front loader for mainly two reasons. They recommend that you leave the door open because of how tight the seal is (i.e. the mildew problem), and we were afraid that we would find our children inside or swinging on the door of a front loader if the door was left open. In addition, the buttons on the frontloader we looked at were in reach of little hands, and we could see that being a problem too (although the pedestal would have put those out of reach). We also had more than one repairman tell us that the frontloaders were a pain to fix.

We have been pleased with our purchase so far and feel that it cleans better than our old one (which was pretty old :)...Hope this helps!

I have had a front loading washer for 8 years, and I have never had any problems with mildew. I have a GE, but will be buying a new one when we move (to match my new dryer that I replaced last year). The main benefits I have found with the front loader, it does not use as much water, and I honestly think it cleans better.

I have had an LG front loading washer since Nov. I like it, however I feel like it takes longer to wash clothes. I think the reason mold/mildew can occur is b/c it does not breath when the door is closed. Once u put clothes in the dryer, u need to leave the door open, mine stayed cracked all the time for air flow. My mom shut it once, not knowing, and yes it smelled moldy. Mine had a clean cycle I used with bleach. It solved the problem. One thing I do enjoy about it is it uses much less detergent. You do have to buy the special HE detergent, but it still is much more cost efficient. Also, it spins jeans, towels, sheets so well that drying time is cut down. Good luck...oh, another drawback, about a minute or 2 after u start it, u can't open it to put that found sock in. the door locks, b/c of water at the door..

I am having problems with my front loader right now! I have heard that my problem is not all that uncommon either. The door lock is not functioning properly we have to really play with all the buttons to get it to unlock or to even lock so the washer will start. The first time it happened we were getting ready to go out of town for a week and I had a whole load stuck in it! I have heard of the door lock failing and water pouring out onto the floor, this has not happened to me.
As far as mildew I keep the door cracked when not in use otherwise it can start to smell musty.
Also if you have an upstairs laundry room, I have mine on a pedestal so it can shake the whole top floor and I have to get my husband to keep pushing it back in place. I have heard that this is not so much of a problem if it is not on the pedestal but i don't know.
The washer was very, very expensive but I am wishing I would've gone with a top loader.
My washer in a Kenmore HE4t, also Sears service is not as helpful as it was a decade or so ago.
Hope this helps!, good luck on your move!

My husband sells appliances and many people who have bought the front loaders regret it. Bending to load washer and not being able to open lid to add more clothes while washer is agitating are some reasons.

Interesting that you should ask as I was just researching this myself. I have a Maytag Neptune and I do like it except for the persisting mold/mildew problem around the seal. I bought it about 10 years ago and because I really am weary of the dealing with the moldy seal, what I've decided to invest in next is a Staber, www.staber.com . It seems to have the same technology as a front loader with the convenience of a top loader. Being a top loader but something called a vertical axis, there isn't a seal holding in the water like front loader. That and it doesn't have electronic controls and opts for manual controls which are more reliable. I had never heard of it but it seems like the perfect solution!

We have the Maytag (he3 I believe) and haven't had any mildew problems. We've had them for 4 years now. My only suggestion is to try and get one that allows you to add clothes after a cycle has begun. Some don't and it's a pain! Of course, there is a point when you wouldn't want to add anything but if you forget something in those first few minutes it's nice to add it!

You will have a mildew proble with a front loading washer if you close the door completely after a wash. Always leave it open so that it can dry inside and you will be fine. We have one and I leave mine open to dry out when I'm done. The guy that installed it gave me this advise.

We bought a new Whirlpool front loader last August and have had no problem with mildew. I always leave the washer door open for a little while after I'm finished for the day, so maybe that helps with any mildew problem.

BTW, we live in a sort of rural area and are on a well that isn't the best producing in the world, and we have had no problems with our water supply since buying the machine.

G. R

I am unsure if I would buy another set of front loaders. We have the Kenmore Elite HE3 set and yes the washer gets mold on the door seal if you do not dry it off or wipe it down EVERY SINGLE TIME. I have a close friend who has a similar set in another state and she expresses the same problem and refuses to buy this design again. I agree with other reviews, the clothes drop on the floor easily during transfer. However our set has a pause button to add clothes and different load sizes to control water usage. We have never had trouble with the dryer or dry times.

Hi S.,

We have the duet front loading washer and dryer. We have had them for about 3 years, and I love them! We have not had any problems at all, and since I bought mine, two of my neighbors have bought them and they have not had any issues either. Good Luck!

I've been looking at front loaders myself and haven't decided yet on which brand seems to be the way to go. I do know that I like to read consumer opinions about stuff like this before I make up my mind. Here is the link to epinions.com about the Bravo. http://www.epinions.com/Maytag_MTW6600TQ/display_~reviews

Best Buy and Sears are also good for getting reviews as well. I know I saw the one that Whirlpool has like that, no aggitater, and thought it was nice till I read the reviews that it twists the clothes, knots the clothes together, etc. So much for that one for me!!

Good luck!!
~S.

I have the Maytag front load model number MED9600SQ0. I have had since Aug 07. I love them. All I have to do is add clothes, detergant, select water temp and cycle and the washer adds the water with out me haveing to think is this a larg, med or small load? I have never had any mildo issues. I do leave my door open after I am done using it. My washer also alows you to add clothes with in a few minutes after starting a load. The dryer has a sensor on it so It will stop when the cloths are dry and not go through the full time. I love them and have no intentions on going back to top load. I got mine at home depot on sale with free delivery at $750 each. I did not get the pedistals( which i regreat) but my husband did not see the point in spending another $450. I had to compromise. I am happy and love them. It makes doing laundry more enjoyable. Good luck to whatever you decide.

Hi S.,

We recently purchased a front loading washer and were told to leave the door open after using it to let it air dry to prevent mold/mildew from accumulating on the door area. Good luck with the move!

I love my front loaders! All you have to do to prevent mildew is keep the door a little ajar when not in use and look in the seal area because baby socks can get in and mildew.

We have a Fridgidare front loader, about 10 years old, and I had heard about the mildew problem. All I do is leave the door ajar on the washer for the rest of the day after I do a load. We're using the Kirkland (Costco) brand of HE (high efficiency) detergent -- I love that it comes unscented. Also good is the Tide HE. We just had the set serviced for the first time a few months ago. There was a bunch of lint piled up in the dryer drum, and apparently you're supposed to have it serviced for that about avery 2 years or so! oops! Also got a new motor for the washer. no big deal -- love it!

I have a front loading Samsung Silver and it does from time to time get mildew in the detergent tray as well as occasionally on the inside of the door. This has only happened when I let the clothes sit too long though and it is easy to clean. My biggest problem with the new front loaders is the amount of time it takes to run a load of clothes. My "quick cycle" is 59 minutes! If I had them to buy all over again, I would look for something a little more speedy. Hope that helps. Good luck!

I bought an LG front load washer two years ago and it's great. The best money I ever spent. You should register with consumer reports website and compare products. After I wash, I leave the door open for a few hours and I've never had a mildew problem. But in the hotter months you can't leave clothes in there, or they will smell soon after.

There seem to be a lot of negative opinions of front loaders,so I will offer you an opposing opinion. We bought the LG front loaders about 6 months ago and I LOVE them! All you have to do is take a towel and dry the seal after you're done with your laundry and then leave the door open to make sure it dries out. We never close the door when it's not in use. We've never had a problem with mildew. They are water and energy savers (if you get the energy star kind...which I think most of them are.) You can wash lots more in one load...which is great if you have young kids since they seem to go through so many clothes. But if you don't have a large load, our LG automatically adjusts to the load size. I think that they are great! They cost more, but from what I've heard, most companies are phasing out top loaders anyway, so the prices may come down. Good luck!

My sister in law and I have had this problem and i have heard of others who have. I also know some who haven't had this problem. The greatest solution is to regularly clean it and to switch clothes quickly don't leave them in washer after cycle and keep the washer door open after you use it so it can dry out.
They do wash more clothes and I LOVE mine personally.
Laundry is cut in half for me.
I have 6 in my family and I can do two loads every few days and then when I wash towels or sheets it is an extra load or two. But I have really enjoyed mine overall.
I don't have a Maytag.
I hope you find a great one and it blesses your family

You are correct. The seal around the door gets moldy. It needs to be replaced when this happens. If I had known it perhaps I could have bleached it every month or so in prevention. This also happened to my friends'... brand new and barely used she had to replace her door seal as well. It is a little frustrating.

I don't know about the Bravo but I bought the Maytag Neptune when they were first on the market. YES, THEY DO MILDEW! After leaving the door closed for a week (while on vacation), I opened the door to the most horrible smell. The Tech who came out to fix it replaced the white gasket around the door with a black one. Problem "fixed." You can't SEE the mildew but sadly, it is still there. Maytag offered $100 off a new machine after paying $1,000 for the Neptune just a year before.

And while this does not answer your question, I wanted you know the way that Maytag takes care of their customers.

LOVE my LG front loaders. Just leave the door to the washer open for a few hours afterwards to let it dry. I do that every time and in the 10 mos that I've had it I haven't had any mildew problems. And my water bill DEFINITELY went down when I switched over from top loader!

Hi S.,
The guy that fixed my washing machine recently said the ones without an agitater don't clean as well, and that the front loaders are really expensive to repair.

I did about 3 months research on this very thing. - I had trouble with a set of top loaders that were had been perchased new and the washer broke twice and the dryer 3 times in a three year period. They were Whirlpool brand. I found that Maytag, and all the Kenmore except the Kenmore elite were made by Whirlpool. I will never buy whirlpool again. Soo when I started this research, I wanted a front loader, but wanted to get the best for my money. Kenmore Elite and LG and the third one on the list wash the Bosch 500 eries. After much debate we bought the Bosch 500 series, because I did not need all the buttons and whistles that the Kenmore Elite or LG offered, so I chose the Bosch. I bought them at Lowes and paid about $ 2100.00 for the washer, dryer and 2 stands(which I would recommend buying so you do not have to bend over too far).

Now, about the mildew... We read everything about that and what causes it is shutting the door when you take a load of wash out and it forms a tight seal with the rubber seal. What we do is leave the door open and quickly wipe the seal with a small towel we keep for that purpose. You get in the habit of it and it is not a hassle. We have had them for a year now and I am still in love, lol. The wash time is longer depending on the soil, weight of the load and item(yes the diredctions say that the machine knows) BUT the items are spinned almost dry, so drying time is very reduced. They are green friendly and energy efficient. They use very little water or detergent. I would recommend the Bosch, Deb

Hello S.,
My husband and I just invested in a front loader washer & dryer. I love it!! The only down fall that I may have is that if for some reason I may leave my laundry in the washer over night..I must rewash for they will mildew. The salesman explained all of that to us. But I just leave the door ajar or either wipe the door dry before closing it. The greatest thing about the front loader is that it cleans the clothes awhole lot better than the top loaders. Dunno why, but it does and it saves on detergent use as well. The dryer is great! Once the clothes are completely dry; no matter the time it's set for..it automatically cuts off.
Good luck on your decision. Blessings, D.

I have the maytag bravo and LOVE it. I got it based on its increased capacity over the front loaders that were available at the time we purchased last year. My focus for my new washer/dryer was to be able to wash my entire King size bedroom set at one time - this set more than satisifies my every desire. The only thing I did not get at the time that I am thinking now maybe good to consider - Steam. The cleaning options and energy savings sound great. I have had no problems with my washer or dryer and July will make a year of regular weekly use.

Hi S.,

I have the Miele frontloaders, washer and dryer, and absolutely love them. I paid a bit more but they work wonderful, quite and are so cost effective when doing laundry. I also have the version of Miele that does not require bleach because it has both a sanitizing cycle and an Extra white cycle. I was a bit hesitant about purchasing this feature consdiering the red soil in this area, however, I am very impressed and would recommend these units to anyone in the market. I have had these units for over a year and do not have a black mildew problem. Good Luck!

I have a front load washer and do not like it. I would never buy one again. The main thing I don't like about it is that you can not control how much water you use. I know it is water efficient but there are times that I have something really dirty that I would like to fill up the washer with water to be able to wash it. Also it is very difficult to add anything to the washer after you have started the wash. Another thing I don't like about it is it is difficult to transfer the wet clothes into the dryer. I end up dropping half the clothes on the floor in the process. I have noticed mildew but it is not where your clothes are so it is not much of a concern to me. It takes just a minute to wipe it down. As far as dryers, I hated the dryer we got along with the washer. We had to buy a new one when we moved because we had a gas one and now we live in an all electric house. I did not like it because again it was energy efficent which is fine except it would stop running as soon as the outside of the clothes were dry. I would have to constantly have to rearrange the clothes to get the entire load dried. When we moved we bought the least expensive dryer we could and I like it so much more than the expensive dryer we bought previously. My sister has a washer that does not have the center agitation part and she loves it. She can put a king size comforter in it without any problems.

One thing to consider is where your laundry room is. We were looking at front loaders but our laundry room is upstairs and would have been very noisy unless we laid down some floor. We bought a new whirlpool top loader that is a dream!!!

I have an LG front loader and LOVE it. It is stackable so I have them stacked since I have a tiny laundry room. I have not had a mildew problem with it but to be honest I haven't paid that much attention to it. I do wash with bleach at least once a week when I do whites so that would probably take care of that. Also, my mom has a Maytag Neptune (I think) and it's the top loader without an agitator. It works just as well as my front loader and she loves it.

One thing I would like to mention about the front loaders is that they spin with such force that if you have it on a second story, you will feel it vibrating your house. It doesn't bother me too much and my son's room is right next to the laundry room and it doesn't seem to bother him, but it is definitely something to be aware of.

I have a front loader and it's fine. My sister has one and LOVES it. And we know a number of people that have them and really like them. The mildew thing is an issue (hence P&G is or already has come out with a cleaner to put in your washer to take care of this) however what I was told and has worked for me is when you're not using your washer, you're supposed to leave the door open. It was a pain at first and annoyed me but the fact that it didn't smell any more helped me get over it.