If this washer's a-rockin'...
June 30, 2013 9:07 PM Subscribe
We moved into a home that has a front-loading washer on the second floor. We hate it for a number of reasons, mostly because it shakes the whole house when it runs. (It's level and it does it every time regardless of load size.) What can we get that won't break the bank?
We'd like to replace it with a top-loader but I swear every model we have researched is accompanied by a litany of negative reviews. Often the complaints seem to have to do with not enough water getting in because of regulations and whatnot, but still--it's a bit disconcerting.
We'd like something that is reliable, not fancy. Most of the washers we've used in our time come with many more cycles than we'd ever use. We just want something that's simple and will let us do our cold water washes in peace. We're hoping to find a relatively inexpensive model that will meet our needs. Right now there are just two of us but a baby (and cloth diapers) is on the way soon. Our budget is somewhat limited. We've been looking at models that range up to around $600-$650, but obviously we'd like to spend less if we can.
Any suggestions? In Canada (Southern Ontario) if it matters.
Bonus question: if we do get a new one, what do we do with the old one? How do we move it easily?
We'd like to replace it with a top-loader but I swear every model we have researched is accompanied by a litany of negative reviews. Often the complaints seem to have to do with not enough water getting in because of regulations and whatnot, but still--it's a bit disconcerting.
We'd like something that is reliable, not fancy. Most of the washers we've used in our time come with many more cycles than we'd ever use. We just want something that's simple and will let us do our cold water washes in peace. We're hoping to find a relatively inexpensive model that will meet our needs. Right now there are just two of us but a baby (and cloth diapers) is on the way soon. Our budget is somewhat limited. We've been looking at models that range up to around $600-$650, but obviously we'd like to spend less if we can.
Any suggestions? In Canada (Southern Ontario) if it matters.
Bonus question: if we do get a new one, what do we do with the old one? How do we move it easily?
(in the us, not sure if this is available there)
I had a pretty good run with the cheapest washer sears sold. It lasted me about 2 years until I moved then I ended up selling it to the complex my mom lived in for one of their laundromat washing machines-and it lasted for at least 5 years there until she moved (could still be going as far as I know).
The complex was restricted to 55+ in age and most units had their own machines so the washer wasn't abused to bad or anything but still...not to bad for washer that cost about 200 (in 2002).
It was just the most basic washer in the Kenmore line. Top loading, only had one water level setting, small drum, hot/warm/cold on temp settings and like 3 cycles-regular/delicate/heavy with the only real difference in those was how long it agitated. The small drum also made it easy to balance loads if there was a problem.
posted by bartonlong at 10:30 PM on June 30, 2013
I had a pretty good run with the cheapest washer sears sold. It lasted me about 2 years until I moved then I ended up selling it to the complex my mom lived in for one of their laundromat washing machines-and it lasted for at least 5 years there until she moved (could still be going as far as I know).
The complex was restricted to 55+ in age and most units had their own machines so the washer wasn't abused to bad or anything but still...not to bad for washer that cost about 200 (in 2002).
It was just the most basic washer in the Kenmore line. Top loading, only had one water level setting, small drum, hot/warm/cold on temp settings and like 3 cycles-regular/delicate/heavy with the only real difference in those was how long it agitated. The small drum also made it easy to balance loads if there was a problem.
posted by bartonlong at 10:30 PM on June 30, 2013
I briefly sold washers while working at a hardware store. We got a lot of complaints about washer vibration and noise. Most washers installed on the second floor of a house will make noise because the floor beneath them is not strong enough to resist the motion or to block the sounds a washer makes. You might be able to buy quieter washer, but I don't think you will be able to get rid of the vibration. If you own the home and are willing to pay for some work, you could look into reinforcing the floor and adding sound insulation. You could also put a foam pad under the washer, like the pads cashiers stand on all day.
If you want to replace the washer, I would recommend getting a top-load model with a low spin speed, preferably a Kenmore, Whirlpool, or GE. Anything from $300 - $600 should be of this type. They will shake a bit less than high-speed, front-load washers. The more expensive ones have a little bit more sound insulation, but still not a lot. Don't get a top-load washer with a high spin speed, because those are just as loud as front loaders and shake just as much.
Whatever you do, don't strap a washer down to try to eliminate noise. The vibration will have nowhere to go and will destroy the drivetrain of the washer.
posted by twblalock at 10:41 PM on June 30, 2013
If you want to replace the washer, I would recommend getting a top-load model with a low spin speed, preferably a Kenmore, Whirlpool, or GE. Anything from $300 - $600 should be of this type. They will shake a bit less than high-speed, front-load washers. The more expensive ones have a little bit more sound insulation, but still not a lot. Don't get a top-load washer with a high spin speed, because those are just as loud as front loaders and shake just as much.
Whatever you do, don't strap a washer down to try to eliminate noise. The vibration will have nowhere to go and will destroy the drivetrain of the washer.
posted by twblalock at 10:41 PM on June 30, 2013
Get a rubber mat to dampen the vibrations of the existing washer. Also, make sure that it is not only level, but that the feet are adjusted as low as possible while still maintaining level. And that the suspension isn't just broken, as often happens if it's moved without the shipping bolts in.
Alternatively, buy a new front loader that doesn't shake as much. I live in an 80 year old duplex and at some point in the past had the attic converted into living space. They did not reinforce the rafters or anything when it was done. I installed a Kenmore (Sears house brand, I don't know who actually made it) front loader in an upstairs bathroom and it made no more noise than a top loader. It can be heard when it's in the spin cycle, but it didn't shake the house dramatically or anything.
Those folks moved out and the new folks seem to have brought their own top loader that is quite loud, but it's infrequent enough I'm not going to go over there and complain/offer to fix it or anything, so I don't know if they bothered to level it or not. Point being that top load washers on second floors can work just fine without structural reinforcement.
I also have an Electrolux-manufactured front loader on my first floor and it is also not objectionable, but it's in a small closet with a dryer stacked on top of it, so the floor is pretty stiff there, despite the crawlspace and there's something on top to damp the vibrations. There are minor vibrations, but they're again on par with my experience with old school front loaders in houses without a slab foundation.
As a last resort, if you really must have a top loader, look at something industrial, like a Speed Queen.
posted by wierdo at 10:50 PM on June 30, 2013
Alternatively, buy a new front loader that doesn't shake as much. I live in an 80 year old duplex and at some point in the past had the attic converted into living space. They did not reinforce the rafters or anything when it was done. I installed a Kenmore (Sears house brand, I don't know who actually made it) front loader in an upstairs bathroom and it made no more noise than a top loader. It can be heard when it's in the spin cycle, but it didn't shake the house dramatically or anything.
Those folks moved out and the new folks seem to have brought their own top loader that is quite loud, but it's infrequent enough I'm not going to go over there and complain/offer to fix it or anything, so I don't know if they bothered to level it or not. Point being that top load washers on second floors can work just fine without structural reinforcement.
I also have an Electrolux-manufactured front loader on my first floor and it is also not objectionable, but it's in a small closet with a dryer stacked on top of it, so the floor is pretty stiff there, despite the crawlspace and there's something on top to damp the vibrations. There are minor vibrations, but they're again on par with my experience with old school front loaders in houses without a slab foundation.
As a last resort, if you really must have a top loader, look at something industrial, like a Speed Queen.
posted by wierdo at 10:50 PM on June 30, 2013
I have Maytag Brava top-loading washing machine on the second floor of my house. The vibration isn't any worse than my last machine, which was a traditional top-loader. The Brava uses very little water, and that alarmed me a lot at first. Most times, the clothes are only half-submerged. Plus the HE detergent doesn't make any suds, so how are things going to get clean? Well, somehow they do get clean...just as clean as they used to in the water-guzzling old machine with sudsy detergent. And even cleaner if I use Oxiwash or bleach.
The normal cycle seems to agitate very roughly, and there's so little water that the clothes rub against each other instead of just moving around, surrounded by water. If a dish towel has a raw edge, a trip through the washer will fray it badly. So I typically use the quick wash, and it's perfectly fine. I use the hand wash cycle for stuff that just needs to soak and swish -- that is, the clothes that aren't really dirty. If I want plenty of water, I can use the "bulky" cycle. If I need hot water, I need to run the hot water nearby first.
I have a front loader in a rental unit, and the top loader is a lot less noisy and shakes the house a lot less.
When I first got the Brava, I was very unhappy with it. But now that I've figured how how to use it, I'm fine with it. Try to screen for reviews by people who've had their machine for a few months.
posted by wryly at 12:28 AM on July 1, 2013
The normal cycle seems to agitate very roughly, and there's so little water that the clothes rub against each other instead of just moving around, surrounded by water. If a dish towel has a raw edge, a trip through the washer will fray it badly. So I typically use the quick wash, and it's perfectly fine. I use the hand wash cycle for stuff that just needs to soak and swish -- that is, the clothes that aren't really dirty. If I want plenty of water, I can use the "bulky" cycle. If I need hot water, I need to run the hot water nearby first.
I have a front loader in a rental unit, and the top loader is a lot less noisy and shakes the house a lot less.
When I first got the Brava, I was very unhappy with it. But now that I've figured how how to use it, I'm fine with it. Try to screen for reviews by people who've had their machine for a few months.
posted by wryly at 12:28 AM on July 1, 2013
Buy a Miele and never buy another washing machine. To remove the exisiting machine, assuming it is heading for the dump, dismantle it with a view to removing the concrete blocks.
posted by BenPens at 3:40 AM on July 1, 2013
posted by BenPens at 3:40 AM on July 1, 2013
As for removal, most appliance stores will haul away your old appliance when they install the new one. This assumes you pay for delivery and installation. At Sears (in the US), we paid a nominal (additional) $10 for haul-away of our old refrigerator when they brought in the new one. Totally worth it.
Oh, and a top-loader will likely do a better job on the cloth diapers, so I think you're making a good choice -- if you can find one you like.
posted by devinemissk at 5:53 AM on July 1, 2013
Oh, and a top-loader will likely do a better job on the cloth diapers, so I think you're making a good choice -- if you can find one you like.
posted by devinemissk at 5:53 AM on July 1, 2013
Oh, and a top-loader will likely do a better job on the cloth diapers, so I think you're making a good choice -- if you can find one you like.
We washed cloth diapers for twins, and I can't agree with this.
posted by werkzeuger at 6:48 AM on July 1, 2013
We washed cloth diapers for twins, and I can't agree with this.
posted by werkzeuger at 6:48 AM on July 1, 2013
+1 for Kenmore. When we bought our house there was a perfectly functional Kenmore set that had been there since the '70's and is still going strong (we rent that house out now). We got a new Kenmore set, bottom of the line, floor model for about $400 for the washer AND dryer, and 7 years later it still works fine.
I also can second that top loaders work better than front loaders for washing cloth diapers. The main advantage is you can fill the washer and soak the diapers for a bit before you start agitating.
As for the vibrations... I have a friend who has her washer/dryer on the second floor and yeah, the whole house vibrates during the spin cycle. I think this is just a feature of second-floor laundering.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 7:46 AM on July 1, 2013
I also can second that top loaders work better than front loaders for washing cloth diapers. The main advantage is you can fill the washer and soak the diapers for a bit before you start agitating.
As for the vibrations... I have a friend who has her washer/dryer on the second floor and yeah, the whole house vibrates during the spin cycle. I think this is just a feature of second-floor laundering.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 7:46 AM on July 1, 2013
I bought a front loader to save water, and they do vibrate a lot. When I had a top-loader on the 2nd floor, I could certainly tell when it was in the spin cycle. Consumer Reports requires a subscription, but your library probably carries it.
posted by theora55 at 9:22 AM on July 1, 2013
posted by theora55 at 9:22 AM on July 1, 2013
> I think this is just a feature of second-floor laundering
It is, according to the Sears guy who came out to look at mine when it was driving me insane. I just use mine on a medium spin speed and can live with it.
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:13 PM on July 1, 2013
It is, according to the Sears guy who came out to look at mine when it was driving me insane. I just use mine on a medium spin speed and can live with it.
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:13 PM on July 1, 2013
« Older How do extroverts deal with unexpected alone time? | Caring for a cloth coffee filter -- how? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by synecdoche at 9:24 PM on June 30, 2013