Appliance Types

Appliance Brands

Article Categories

More Articles

Rant: why are front loading washing machines fundamentally flawed?

[BACK]
Rant: why are front loading washing machines fundamentally flawed?
Posted On: September 25, 2023

Background. New house, new GE appliances in 2010 - residential front loading washers had been around for easily 10-15 years (longer if you include commercial ones of course). We keep our door open after washes so the gasket can dry out, used “mold control” products on the gasket to prevent growths etc. Never leave washes in overnight. Busy family of 5-6 so we easily have 3-5 loads a week between towels, sheets, clothing etc. 4 years in and that gasket is covered in mold, and it is sometimes streaking onto clothing (yuck). DIY YouTube and change the gasket ($150 bucks) ANOTHER 2-3years later - same deal moldy moldy. Also the dryer pukes out and so I decide that we have had enough. Buy a shiny new LG pair (they must have gotten better 20 years later right) with steam this, sanitize that, drains on the rubber gasket. Sounds great. 2.5 years later and last night I change this gasket as well ($170 bucks - oem LG part). .


For “fun”, today I take this blackened gasket and soak it in a Rubbermaid tub with a whole wack of pool shock (soaked for 30-45mins) and a scrub brush for 10 mins …. The black stains are in there and not coming out. So in the garbage it goes. So fundamentally these things are just designed to fail! Our parents used washers for 15-25 years - this is 3-5 year trash. Why do we as consumers accept this garbage?? Rant done. But our next washer will certainly be a top loader. If anyone just does a little bit of reading one will see very quickly the HE versions are pretty much within 85-90 as efficient as the front loading versions, with none of this front gasket garbage.


EDIT: We also ran “affresh” tablets every few months on both washers …. Didn't help much.


Question from user swimingiscoldandwet at Appliances at reddit.com.


Answer:

Never have had mold with a front load. You are not doing something correctly.


Answer from user kokovox at Appliances at reddit.com.


[BACK]
Rant: why are front loading washing machines fundamentally flawed?
Posted On: September 25, 2023

Background. New house, new GE appliances in 2010 - residential front loading washers had been around for easily 10-15 years (longer if you include commercial ones of course). We keep our door open after washes so the gasket can dry out, used “mold control” products on the gasket to prevent growths etc. Never leave washes in overnight. Busy family of 5-6 so we easily have 3-5 loads a week between towels, sheets, clothing etc. 4 years in and that gasket is covered in mold, and it is sometimes streaking onto clothing (yuck). DIY YouTube and change the gasket ($150 bucks) ANOTHER 2-3years later - same deal moldy moldy. Also the dryer pukes out and so I decide that we have had enough. Buy a shiny new LG pair (they must have gotten better 20 years later right) with steam this, sanitize that, drains on the rubber gasket. Sounds great. 2.5 years later and last night I change this gasket as well ($170 bucks - oem LG part). .


For “fun”, today I take this blackened gasket and soak it in a Rubbermaid tub with a whole wack of pool shock (soaked for 30-45mins) and a scrub brush for 10 mins …. The black stains are in there and not coming out. So in the garbage it goes. So fundamentally these things are just designed to fail! Our parents used washers for 15-25 years - this is 3-5 year trash. Why do we as consumers accept this garbage?? Rant done. But our next washer will certainly be a top loader. If anyone just does a little bit of reading one will see very quickly the HE versions are pretty much within 85-90 as efficient as the front loading versions, with none of this front gasket garbage.


EDIT: We also ran “affresh” tablets every few months on both washers …. Didn't help much.


Question from user swimingiscoldandwet at Appliances at reddit.com.


Answer:

Never have had mold with a front load. You are not doing something correctly.


Answer from user kokovox at Appliances at reddit.com.


[BACK]

Gas Stove Burner Won’t Light? Here’s What It Might Be Gas Stove Burner Won’t Light? Here’s What It Might Be

Posted On: August 25, 2025
Hey everyone, welcome back to Appliance Helpers. Today we’re looking at one of the most common kitchen problems—a stove burner that won’t light. Whether you’ve got a gas stove ...[More]


NKBA’s Midyear Market Outlook Forecasts Increase Over 2021 NKBA’s Midyear Market Outlook Forecasts Increase Over 2021

Posted On: July 27, 2022
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has released its midyear 2022 Kitchen & Bath Market Outlook. While mortgage rate increases and inflation have both impacted the segment, the overall annu...[More]


water doesn't come out of fridge anymore! any ideas as to what's wrong? water doesn't come out of fridge anymore! any ideas as to what's wrong?

Posted On: March 7, 2023
Question from user TookAnArrow2thaknee at Appliances at reddit.com. Answer: I actually got a 1 to 4 inch in-line filter from Home Depot and bypassed that factory with a 1 to 4 inch&nbs...[More]


What You Need To Know To Keep Your Microwave Cooking What You Need To Know To Keep Your Microwave Cooking

Posted On: May 10, 2022
A hot and cheesy snack, a warm dessert, or a quick meal, they're all brought to you by the microwave. A working microwave is a beautiful thing. We want to help keep yours cooking. Let's loo...[More]


I know these are older models but are they energy efficient? I know these are older models but are they energy efficient?

Posted On: March 18, 2023
Question from user Icy-Memory-5575 at Appliances at reddit.com. Answer: The only thing close to the reliability of this machine new is a speed queen. Answer from user Muted-Associate at Appli...[More]


Nationwide Marketing Group Partners With Thermador To Expand Luxury Portfolio Nationwide Marketing Group Partners With Thermador To Expand Luxury Portfolio

Posted On: February 7, 2022
(image credit; Thermador) Nationwide Marketing Group’s luxury appliance initiative has helped independent retailers redefine the standard of success in this booming category over the past year, and ...[More]


What is the best way to use the dishwasher What is the best way to use the dishwasher

Posted On: October 18, 2021
You probably don't think about it much, but there is a proper way to use a dishwasher. Most people will load everything into the machine and let it run, except the utensils, which have their slot....[More]


Beurer launches new automatic curling iron Beurer launches new automatic curling iron

Posted On: November 9, 2023
Reposted From Source: news.ifa-berlin.com...[More]


GE Profile UltraFast Combo laundry solution GE Profile UltraFast Combo laundry solution

Posted On: July 13, 2023
GE Profile announced the availability of the UltraFast Combo with ventless heat pump technology, its all-in-one laundry solution and latest addition to the GE Profile laundry portfolio. The new com...[More]


Technology and design in the Grundig AeroFresh Fridge Freezer Technology and design in the Grundig AeroFresh Fridge Freezer

Posted On: March 21, 2022
The GR77KN5603V AeroFresh Fridge Freezer with VitaminZone crisper is a refrigerator of the Grundig Cooling range. Designed to keep food fresh, the model is equipped with AeroFresh technology that mini...[More]


Visa MasterCard

Site Secured By The Website Guardian
TOP