So sad. Our washing machine gave great service for over 10 years, so I guess in terms of today's normal appliance lifespan it doesn't owe us anything. But it is still in great shape, inside and out, according to the repairman who just left. Unfortunately, the motor is giving out, and it's a problem that is not repairable -- only because that motor is no longer made, and replacing it (which our repairman used to do all the time with no trouble) now costs too much to be worthwhile. How sad that a good machine must end up as scrap just because the company would rather sell new machines than old parts.
On a related note: has anyone bought a machine in the last five years and been happy with it? If so, what are your recommendations? (I limit it to the last five years because apparently some brands have made major changes recently that have significantly affect lifespan.) Thanks!
I am particularly annoyed by the single serving nature and attitude exhibited by today's retailers and manufacturers (usually while at the same time touting their so-called green initiatives).
You should ask my mom about their washing machine. It has all sorts of buttons and chimes—even I looked at it, mouth agape, before asking for assistance—but she seems to be happy with it. I think it uses way less water or something, too.
Your mom's washing machine is really nice, David. I know, because it saved me from the laundromat experience this week. :) It's too new to know about longevity, but it is made by the one manufacturer both our repairmen recommended (Whirlpool -- which actually appears under many other names as well, like Roper and Maytag). I'm a bit hesitant to pay more for a washing machine than we paid for my new computer, however....
Stephan, Porter did look on eBay, and you can get discontinued motors there, just not -- at the moment anyway -- the right one.
We bought a new washer recently. As much as I think I would like a front-load washer, I decided to go for cheap. I mean, no machine is going to last too long anyway, right?
The machine I bought (Whirlpool) was essentially the same as the one I was replacing. Cheap, no fancy bells and whistles, cleans our clothes. It is large capacity, though. The one thing I absolutely do not like about it (and didn't realize until it was already installed) was that the lid has a locking mechanism. You can not open the lid during a wash without pushing a button and waiting a little while for it to unlock itself. Frustrating when all I want to do is throw in that sock that I missed! I would think it would be even more annoying for the people who like to fill their washer and then add the clothes (that's not me).
Anyway. It was cheap (relatively speaking) and it cleans the clothes. Someday, when I get my beautiful new kitchen - which will include a new bathroom and laundry room - maybe then I will splurge and get a front loader. Or maybe not.
Good luck.
S
We took the plunge. Perhaps we should have taken the cheap(er) route, too, but having used and liked our neighbor's Maytag top-loading high-efficiency washer while ours was out of commission, I was attracted to that brand. My only rule was that we not spend more on the washer as we did on my new computer! At $700 it was closer than I had hoped, but hopefully we will see some savings in efficiency.
I agree 100% about the locking lid. I always thought the purpose was that with the new HE machines (or front loaders, or something) the cycle got messed up and had to be restarted if you interrupted it. But no, with mine you can restart it just where it left off, no problem. There is no good reason whatsoever for the added complication and annoyance of the lid lock! If it's safety they're worried about, our old one stopped the spin cycle if you lifted the lid—and there's nothing to fear from the filling and agitation cycles.
But the most annoying unintended consequence I've noticed so far is this: We have no sink in the garage, where the washer is. When I wanted to clean off the washer, dryer, or freezer, I'd start a load of laundry, wet a cloth in the spray as it was filling, wipe down the appliances, and throw the cloth into the washer. Easy. with the HE system and the locking lid, I now have to go back and forth from the garage to the kitchen. So guess what cleaning is probably not going to get done as often....
I think the danger is of little kids falling in and drowning (or getting severely burned if you for some reason are using superheated water - that was on the news here recently). Too bad they don't have a "kids don't live in this house" setting.
Seriously? Kids drowning in the washer? I wonder how many times that has actually happened. Joy is the most physically advanced toddler I know, and by the time she could climb onto the washer I'm sure she was tall enough not to drown in it. Unless she climbed up, opened the lid, and fell in head first. I suppose it could happen.
On the other hand, I'm more than convinced that the move to refrigerators, freezers, and closets that open from the inside was a very good one. So maybe I'll warm to the locking lid eventually.
The burning story was on the news here a few weeks ago. A father was changing his baby's diaper on a table near the washer, and looked away for a second, and the baby had rolled into the washer which was filled with scalding water. Of course the news never gives updates in these cases so I have no idea how it turned out. At the time of the newscast, the baby was still in the hospital. "But no charges were made against the father because there was no history of abuse so it seems to be just an accident." Whew...
It took me a moment to get rid of the picture of a changing table in the garage.... But of course most people probably don't have their washers there! Frankly, having the changing table and the laundry close together sounds like a rather good idea. :)
We used the top of the dryer as a changing table. It was perfect - we had a sink, a toilet, trash, and the laundry hamper right there!
S
