Choose the best Washer & Dryer for your home

Washers & Dryers have to be the most important appliance in a person’s home.

They can yield the most savings out of any other appliance you buy. Before I go any further, I would always strongly suggest getting a matching set. Not only do they look better together, but some of the high-end models have features that require it’s mate.

There are three different types of washers and dryers; front load (stackables), side by sides, and unitized.

Front loaders can be stacked one on top of another to save on space, they can go side by side, or they can go side by side on pedestals. Pedestals are a great thing to have because they elevate the washer & dryer so that there is little or no bending of the back involved.

One VERY important thing to remember with these front loaders is that with most of them, it is NOT recommended that they operate on any 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, etc. floor applications. These must have a solid, level, concrete surface under it to be able to support the high spin cycle of the washer. If these machines are placed on any floor other than the ground, the floor must be reinforced with a Durock or any other concrete-like reinforcer. If this is not done, there is a good possibility the washer can damage your floor, and that will be a world of headaches you do not want to involve yourself with!

There are some front loaders out there however, that can go on any floor, for example, GE’s Adora front loaders have the capability to go on any level application and perform great! It’s due to the way their tub is suspended. Some manufacturers such as Maytag or LG bolt their tubs directly to the machine which will cause the entire thing to shake and vibrate. GE has their tub elevated using shocks and springs like on a car. So just be sure that you double check with the manufacturer as to whether the washer & dryer of interest can be placed on any level. Of course if your wash room is in the basement you’re fine, but this is still good information to know. You wouldn't want this happening to a neighbor or friend

Another fact to know about front loaders is that though they use the least amount of water and the least amount of energy, they take longer to complete a cycle than a top load washer would. Depending on the particular washer these times can vary.

Side-By-Side washers & dryers is your traditional, top load set that sit next to one another. People have moved away from these because of the more gentle front load washers out today; but technology has taken another spin on things, and has placed top load washers back on top. Top load washers now come “agitatorless”. Why is this so good? Well the agitator found in older-styled washers are extremely harsh on fabrics. The agitator, over time, wears the fabric down. After being roughly handled in the washer, it’s placed in a dryer without dry-sensors that cause even more damage, which I will explain later on.

So now with the top load washer without the agitator, you have a machine that will not only wash faster than front loaders, it’s even more gentle on your fabrics than the front loader's “tumblers”.

The GE Profile Harmony washer is 4.0 cubic feet in capacity, and will efficiently wash 24 bath towels, while the Kenmore Oasis washer, 4.5 cubic feet will efficiently wash 23 bath towels. See the difference? GE’s Profile Harmony washer has a 4.0 cubic ft capacity, but can wash 1 more towel than the larger 4.5 Kenmore Oasis washer. Not to knock one product over another, I just simply want you to understand how much paying attention to language in ads can save you.

Another difference in the high-end, lower-end models of washers is the stainless steel tub. These are important for several reasons. First, the tub won’t rust. Second, the tub will last longer, generally has a lifetime warranty. Third, it harbors less than .01% of bacteria, which means no more mildew smell or growth. Lastly, it won’t crack.

Another thing, remember why I said most front loaders should not be placed on any level but the ground because of their suspension? Top loaders have a similar issue with tubs being bolted to the machine. If you have been one of the lucky consumers to have a washer walk on you, you will appreciate this information.

Clothes washers walk because of their suspension system. Many tubs are just bolted to the bottom of the machine, so when the load gets unbalanced, it will begin to shake or even walk. If you can, make your way out to a store that carries any GE top load washer, and push the tub around, then walk to a Maytag and push that tub around. You will notice a HUGE difference. You can push the GE tub around with very little effort because again, they have a spring and shock suspension, so they will never become unbalanced or walk. (No I don't work for GE... I just know they make good products and most places carry them, so it's easier to use that name than "Miele" who are excellent by the way, they just aren't as common.)

Again, if you do not have the time or means to make your way out to a store. Simply call the manufacturer of the appliance of interest and ask! Customer service lines at these major appliance companies are excellent and really know their stuff.

Lastly before we move on to dryers, know that most of the new clothes washers that have dispensers (which are important) use HE (High Efficiency) detergent. HE detergent is used and better than traditional detergent because it creates less suds which has been proven to get your clothes cleaner! Many of us want to see suds, we feel as though the suds make our clothes clean, well, actually they’re soiling our clothes. To get them their cleanest you need the proper amount of detergent, with the least amount of suds and to dispense the detergent at the proper time during the wash, which the dispensers handle. High-end models do all of those things, and surprisingly HE detergent costs less than regular detergent, not by much, but it is less, and now you don’t need to use as much detergent, so it saves you on detergent expense. You can find HE detergent at any local grocery store, Wal-Mart, Target, etc.

[SIDEBAR: For those of you that did not know, fabric softener ruins cottons! Sure it smells good, but it's taking the life from your clothes. With a good washer and dryer all you need is detergent to maintain that smell.]

I mentioned before that frontload clothes washers use less water and less energy as top loaders. This is true when compared to a mid-grade top loader . When compared to a high-end top loader, it's still the same, but not a significant or even noticeable difference. High-end top load clothes washers and front loaders all use about 18-25 gallons of water per wash. This is a huge step up from the 40 gallons of water low-end top load clothes washer's use! They also use at least 50% less energy than low-end top load models. This is a total savings average of $110 per year on utility bills.

Most ENERGY STAR clothes washers extract more water out of clothes during the spin cycle, cutting down on drying time, and less wear and tear on your clothing. This not only means big savings on utilities but on clothing as well!

Most ENERGY STAR clothes washers use the least amount of water by having sensors located inside of the machine. These sensors determine the load of clothing and provide just enough water to get your clothes their cleanest. No more water level options? Less work for you!

Whew! That was a lot of info. but dryers aren’t as involved as clothes washers. Just keep in mind a few things. Larger capacity means a faster dry time. There is more room for clothes to be tumbled around and air to travel through them. This in combination with a good sensor-drying system is a match made in heaven! The largest capacity as of right now is around 7.3 cubic feet, but of course in the future, these things will change.

Choose a dryer with a great sensor-drying system. What sensor-dry does is measure the moisture/temperature of the air inside of the drum. You set the dryer for the dryness you want your clothes to be, and once they reach that dryness, the machine stops regardless of the time it said it had left. My dryer never completes the full time it states. It doesn’t matter if the dryer says “60 minutes until dry time”, if your clothes reach that dryness level you set it at in 3 minutes, it’s cutting off. Now dryers are not considered to be energy efficient because of the actual energy used during operation, but the sensor-dry cuts the dry time on average in half! Now that’s a big way to save on energy!

Not only does this feature cut down on electricity costs, but on clothes cost as well. The over-exposure to harsh heat in the dryer is what causes our clothes to shrink and get that lint-bally thing going on. The sensor-drying systems eliminate all of that. Some dryers have more than one sensor so check out for those, the more the merrier!

Many dryers are beginning to come with stainless steel drums. This is definitely not a necessity! This would be more for appearance than any. Yes, the tub will last longer, but people generally don’t ever have any problems out of their dryer drum cracking, so if you can get a matching set and this is an option, you won’t see any difference in the outcome of your clothes having a stainless steel drum in your dryer from the enameled.

Lastly, one cool feature mostly all dryers come with now is a shoe rack. This rack is placed inside of the dryer to dry shoes, sweaters, or delicates that may get damaged if they were to be tumbled. That calls for a few less trips to the dry cleaners!

Like I stated before, dryers are not considered to be energy compliant, but if you get yourself one with a good sensor-drying system, it will save you over 50% of the energy normally used.

Sears has an array of washers and dryers to choose from; from low to high-end. Sears will deliver the items as well as professionally install them; and for an extra $25, you can get them to haul away your old appliances. (Not sure if this applies for BOTH appliances, please double check!)Sear's Washers & Dryers

Best Buy also has a wide range of washers and dryers. Along with Sears, Best Buy will also deliver, professionally install and haul away your old appliances. However, with Best Buy, if your purchase is over $499, your delivery and haul away is free. If your purchase is under $99, the total for both services is only $49. Best Buy's Washers & Dryers

Washers & Dryers for any Home Application

Select the washer or dryer that will work for you and your lifestyle, take advantage of these easy tips: