Looking for recommendations on brand, model, size and store to get washer and gas dryer. We are a family of 4. Prefer to do laundry only once a week. Other factors in the order of importance
1. Reliable
2. Energy and water efficiency
3. Ease of loading & unloading
4. Economical
Front loading whirlpool duet,love it! Got ours from Costco I believe. Can put comforters in it and it spins the clothes dryer, saving money during the dry cycle. Now if only it would dry clean.
I bought the front loading, water saving, expensive machines and they don't clean well at all. Went to costco and got the top loading whirlpool and it does a great job.
I have the LG W/D (gas on the dryer) which are great. They clean clothes, towels, pillows, you name it very well, use very little water and I thought were a good price. I negotiated $450 off the set, 25% off all the accessories ( hoses, mounting kit, etc) and picked them up for less than the Sears scratch and ding.
I bought the model that is one down from the top of the line with steam. I really don't see the need for steam or reason to pay extra for it.
Make sure you buy a washer with a stainless steel drum to last longer
We got the front-loading Amani washer for $400 at home Depot this weekend. It was one of the cheaper high-rated washers on Consumer Reports, and was selling for half their "average" price. My wife liked it because it's a high-efficiency design (basically all front-loaders are) and wasn't reported to have a problem with moldiness around the seal (if you keep the door closed).
We're keeping our old dryer tho. It works fine, and gas dryers haven't changed much... it's still a rolling drum over a burner.
I like front-loading, stackable for space savings. I think ours is Kenmore. Got it at their scratch-and-dent appliance outlet just off Morena.