Maytag Washers Uncovered - An Overview

When choosing a washing machine, the consumer can become overwhelmed with the amount of choice out there. There are so many producers, which may leave your head spinning. Some of the features that have made choosing the perfect machine confusing are the combination of initial cost, efficiency, and cleaning ability. Maytag offers choices that will appeal to the consumer on any of these levels.

Some important things to consider are what features are important to you when looking for a washing machine? Do you have a large family? Then the cubic feet are going to be highly important. Do you wash delicates? If so, you will want a machine that has a reputation for washing delicates well. Do you prefer efficiency? Is space a factor? Do you have different types of laundry you wash? What colors appeal to you? What kind of connections do you have? These are all important questions to consider before you start your search.

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Maytag's Centenial Top Load Washer is the most economic version available initially. It features a wide opening lid and super size capacity. It is also made with commercial grade parts. You can pay a little more and get models that offer additional features, such as an additional rinse feature or two speed motors, as well as selecting extra options during the wash cycle. Some of the things to consider with a top loading machine with an agitator is that is uses the most water, can become unbalanced fairly easily, and because the clothes have to go around the agitator it can hold less laundry (expect about 12-16 pounds). On the plus side - it is much easier to add things to the laundry in the middle of the cycle.

The high efficiency top load models have no agitator, which increases efficiency and performance since the clothes are lifted and tumbled by discs in the machine. These machines spin at very high speeds, thus reducing drying time and energy consumption. Maytag's Bravo Top Load Washer is the largest washer offered. It has a sensor that determines the appropriate spin speed based on the weight of the laundry. Maytag claims it uses half the water and energy of the conventional washing machine. The CEE Tier II rating also makes it one of the most efficient washing machines you can get in this industry. Over the life of the machine, it would be wise to consider energy efficiency when determining what to spend in initial cost. You may well earn that money back with a high efficiency machine that uses half the water.

Another popular model recently has been the front loader. Maytag's version of this model is the Epic front loader. Front loaders are so popular in part because they can be stacked on the pedestals, providing a convenient place for storing detergents and other items. Maytag's Epic Front Load machine tumbles the clothes, rather than agitating them, using up to 65% less water than the average top loader. Wow. That is a lot of water over time. This model also has controlled lockout, Sensi-Care wash, and automatic water level sensor, sensor controlled suds and built in heater in addition to all the other options. This turns laundry into a genuine art by being able to select all the additional features.

Over time, however, Maytag has consistently stood out as a top performer with their products. You can go to Consumer Reports and find out detailed information. Before going to the stores, carefully consider which of the features will be genuinely beneficial to you. Think about the long term, as a washing machine is an investment in the future of your wardrobe.

Maytag Washers Uncovered - An Overview

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Are Front Load Washers Really Worth It?

Front load washers are becoming increasingly favored over traditional top load washers, mainly for environmental reasons. This type of washing machine is considered to be a "green" appliance because it saves water and energy, thereby making it more environmentally friendly than its top loading counterpart. In the long run, front loaders are wallet friendly, too.

Whereas top load washers use about 35-40 gallons of water per cycle, front load washers use about 15 gallons per cycle. The energy efficiency of these machines results from the fact that they use a lot less water. Therefore, you can save on both your water bill and your electricity or gas bill, depending on how the water in your home is heated. (You could save even more by washing your clothes in cold water, but many people believe that the clothes don't get as clean if you use cold water. However, different colors and fabrics require different temperatures. Personally, I wash all of my colored clothing in cold water, and all of my whites in hot water.)

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It has been widely noted that front loading washing machines do a better job of cleaning your clothes, linens, and other textiles, on the grounds that less detergent is required, and the wash action is lift-and-drop rather than back-and-forth. What this argument fails to address is that the hardness of your water plays a major role in how clean your clothes get and how much detergent you need to use. If you have very hard water (think Arizona), then it doesn't matter whether or not you have a front loader or a top loader, or whether you use high efficiency (HE) detergent or not -- your clothes would not get as clean as they would if you were to wash them in soft water.

Despite the long term advantages of front loading washing machines, there are a few drawbacks. The initial cost of your front loader may give you "sticker shock" because they are more expensive than top loading machines. In order to justify this investment, you will have to consider the long term cost savings of owning a front loading washing machine.

Another thing to keep in mind is that front load washers must use high efficiency (HE) detergent, which is more expensive than normal detergent. For example, a gallon of HE Tide 2X Ultra costs about .00 at my local grocery store, whereas the same quantity of non-HE detergent costs about half that amount. In addition to the high cost of HE detergent, there's also the challenge of finding it in stores. Many small grocers, especially mom-and-pop shops in rural areas, do not carry HE detergent. Even large grocery chains have only a small selection of HE detergents, and they are not always in stock, so you may need to buy more than one container at a time in case it's not available when you really need it. If you live in a big city, it may not be that hard to find the right detergent, but it can be a hassle in rural and semi-rural areas.

Another drawback to front load washers is that they require more maintenance than top loaders. Proper care of this machine requires you to wipe down the inside of the door, as well as the rubber seal, after each use in order to avoid mold and mildew. You may also need to lift up or fold back the rubber seal to mop up the water that collects underneath it. (The rubber seal will also attract any human and/or animal hair that was attached to your clothes, so you'll need to clean up that mess, too.) This will add to your paper towel expenses, unless you use a cloth towel, of course.

The bottom line is that while front load washers offer many perceived advantages over traditional top load washers, the cost savings will not be immediately apparent. If your washer happens to last several years, then you may realize the long term financial benefits of a front loading machine. However, there's a lot of anecdotal evidence on various web sites (blogs, forums, and other places where consumers discuss their experiences with various products) that many front loaders are not built to last. If you have a problem early on, it may be covered by warranty, but if not, be prepared to pay the proverbial "arm and a leg" to get your machine repaired.

Last but not least, you may not even have a choice between front and top loading when it comes to installing a new washing machine. The use of front load washers in new construction (or as a replacement of a top loader) may be mandatory according to the building codes in your area (yet another example of diminishing freedoms in the United States).

Are Front Load Washers Really Worth It?

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