I need a new washing machine.

[Ilsa]

Should I get one of the high efficiency machines that use low water? We don't have blue-collar dirty clothing, just casual wear.

A top loader is preferred due to space issues. Are they as efficient in getting clothes clean?

[vlyons]

1. yes get an efficiency, low water machine.

[Ilsa]

2. Do you have one? Has it worked well for you? nt

[vlyons]

7. I had one when I owned my own home

Now I live in a condo, which has a laundry for all tenants.

[roody]

3. I've had a low water use front loader for 18 years. It gets everything clean.

And you can pack it full.

[Ilsa]

5. I need a top loader.

The space it will be in is not conducive for front loading.

Are HE top loaders as good at getting things clean? I'm finding all kinds of opinions online. I trust DUers more.

[Phoenix61]

4. I wouldn't

I don't want a washer I have to clean every month to keep it from turning into a stinky, smelly mess.

[cyclonefence]

6. Add me to the chorus

I have a high efficiency front-loader that not only gets everything clean (in cold water, too!) but has an enormous capacity. Because the axis is horizontal, it's hard to overload this machine, so you do fewer loads. And you use less detergent per load. Mine is an LG, which the tariffs are going to make ridiculously expensive, but it's an excellent machine.

Edit: just saw your post saying you want a top loader, that you don't want a smelly machine. Packing a front-loader full doesn't make it smelly or dirty at all!

[Little Star]

8. We had purchased one of those newer washing machines with out......

an agitator. Hated it!!! Only kept it about a year and went right back to one with a regular agitator.

[kimbutgar]

9. I got one of those without the agitator and my husband commented to me that his clothes

Are cleaner then our old argitator washer. Maybe it is the brand.

But I got the best deal ever on a washer and dryer set. Went into Lowe’s and they had a set that had been returned because they were two different colors. The price was about $500 for each. I asked the manager if they could do better. She said she’d give me the set for $250 and I had to pay the full delivery price with taxes and installation it cost me $550. The set retailed for $1400 originally. Always ask when you see a returned model of an appliance if they can do a better price. They want those off for floor and might negotiate a better price.

[Worried senior]

11. My daughter has one.

She loves it but I don't, I used it a few times and didn't think it got the clothes as clean as my 12 year old agitator does.

[Freethinker65]

10. I have an older high efficiency LG top loader

It cleans fine, no agitator, never had any issues of it smelling nor mold. It does tangle the hell out of long sleeved shirts and pants though. I usually use the extra water feature and towel setting (which is supposed to result in less tangling). I love it for my small cold water load laundry bag delicate "hand wash" items.

Honestly, my variable load old Kenmore with agitator was probably as good at cleaning and did less damage to my shirts.

[Ilsa]

12. I have found that even my old agitator machine

Will tangle pant legs, sleeves, and twist sheets into ropes if there is an excess of water.

It's a big decision, and I don't want to mess with returning a machine.

[IphengeniaBlumgarten]

13. Happy with my LG high efficiency top-loader

Bought it about 3 years ago. My model has a top that has a hinged flap at the front, a feature I REALLY like, since otherwise the cabinets above the machine would not let me fully open the top. Also I can have the flap open when the lid is down to let air circulate -- this only when machine is not engaged in washing, of course. This may make it less necessary to run the cleaning cycle, though I do so about once per month, as users guide recommended it.

No problem with clothes not being clean enough. And if the load becomes unbalanced, machine will automatically try to correct the balance -- wonderful feature!

[Ilsa]

14. I hear good things about LG. Not sure Samsung measures up. nt

[LakeArenal]

17. I have a Samsung

It washes fine. Looks good. Clothes seem clean to us.

[greymattermom]

15. Don't get the low water thingies

My clothes are covered with white stuff, and they scream while running.

[Ilsa]

16. What brand is yours? nt

[Bob Loblaw]

18. We're very pleased

with our one year old LG HE top loader. Uses less water and less soap. Very deep though. Mrs Loblaw and I sometimes use a grabber to reach the clothes when they're done.

[Ilsa]

19. Keep a flag attached to the grabber in case she falls in.

Something lightweight and easy to wave to signal for help!

Thanks, I'll probably get the LG I've been looking at on the Costco website. I need a sale!

[Bob Loblaw]

20. And brightly colored

for visibility. We also have an LG gas dryer we're happy with.

[Ilsa]

21. I left my wonderful gas kenmore dryer

in my old home as part of the sales contract. Bought a new dryer a couple of years ago when we pulled up stakes and moved east. I hope I don't have to buy a dryer for another ten years.