Seeking Advice: Affinity vs Duet Washer

Happy mothers day. Thanks for the question, I'm just starting to look into a new front loader.. I bought the maytag neptune probably 8 years ago... LOVE THE front loader, but don't like the way neptune drains.

I have the LG washer/dryer and love it. It is very highly rated, and the clothes are really much cleaner and less wrinkled than with my old top loader.

We bought a duet washer and dryer about 7 months ago. We love them and have had no problems.

Hi,
I don't really have an opinon on which washer would be better, just something to think about. As a mother of 9 I have never even considered a front loading washer because it's to easy for kids to access. I had a friend wash a pet, toys and other non washing items because she had a child who loved to put things in the washer to hide them. Just something to think about.

I had problems with my front loading washer. When I called the repair guy to fix it because it smelled moldy, he said they all do because the seal has to be so tight. After about 3 years it broke and I asked the repair guy what washers work best. He said the simple top-loaders last much longet than the front loaders.

God bless,
K.

I have a duet sport and I LOVE it. We've had it almost a year. I've only had one problem. The drain got plugged once thanks to a very thin sock that slipped through. It displayed an error code. I looked up the code on the internet. Then we took off the bottom front panel and cleaned out the drain. Even 7 months pregnant, it wasn't that hard to fix.

I love that it tells me how long the cycle is going to be. My kids love to help me load the dryer. (8 and 3 yrs old.) They grab cloths and throw them up into the dryer.

It locks once you start the cycle on the washer. I've never had any trouble with the kids. They like watching through the window.

I don't have any experience with the Affinity.

I know it's not on your list but we've had LG front loaders for about 5 years now. Awesome! Very water efficient though I usually run the permpress cycle since it adds a little more water.

Never any problems with the mold odors. We were instructed to leave the washer door open when it's not in use to allow the internal components to dry thoroughly which will prevent mold growth. The washer is smart enough to know when it's off balance and will slow down, reverse itself and try a spin again until the tub is balanced.

Of course things have improved since then and now the new front loaders come with steam cycles, steam dryers, silver antimicrobial protection etc. I doubt you'll have problems with any of the top brands...Affinity, LG, Bosch etc.

I have the Duet washer and dryer, and I love them. My clothes don't look at worn as they did when I used a top loading washer, and it uses much less water, preventing me from feeling guilty about washing small loads of clothes. The delicate cycle is truly gentle on clothes. I have the washer/dryer set on the pedestals, so they're higher off the floor which made it so easy for me to load and unload while pregnant. My mother loved the fact that it's off the floor which is better on her back which made it easier for her to do her laundry while visiting me. She now wants a set. There's a special code to have it wash itself, and it also has a special code to lock the door so that no kids can access it while not in use. The only negative so far is that the spin cycle causes my washer to "walk". It's a common problem with it when the washer/dryer are not installed in a room with a concrete or ceramic floor. They suggest putting it (washer and pedestal) on a piece of plywood to prevent it from "walking". Also, if your laundry room is in the basement, you won't have this problem. My laundry room is on the main floor of the house (basement below), so the vibrations of the floor cause it to "walk." It's my only complaint. Be sure to use the HE branded detergent. If you happen to use a non-HE detergent, be sure to use less. The washer will still work if too much detergent is added, but it will go into a "Suds" cycle to try to eliminate the extra suds which takes a long time. Again, I love my Duet.

Don't have either of those but love my Kenmore front loader. It is so much easier on the clothes, and they take less time to dry since they come out of the machine less wet. Why not check Consumer Reports? They are usually right on target.

I also have the LG set and love it. I looked at the two you mentioned and ultimately decided on the LG. I had a new Neptune set before we moved from Iowa and had to have it serviced twice in the 1st year! So I researched them thouroughly this time and am very happy with my decision. Good luck with your purchase!
J.