What @larsi said! I’ve owned front load for many years with never an issue. As he has stated key is to do some hot washes and leave the door cracked. Your laundry space sounds like it has plenty of airflow too. I’m thinking you’ll be fine with your projected routine! Enjoy your new machines!

@Becky, remember to put those crystals, scent beads, scent pods etc. in the drum with the laundry. Not in any of the compartments in the detergent/bleach/softener drawer.

You don't have to dry the boot, drawer etc after every load...just when you're done for the day with doing laundry.

Just get into the habit of wiping down the door/boot/drawer when done for the day, before you know it you'll just do it without thinking.

I have used Downy in a front load washer for the last 17 years with no problems. IMO main thing is leaving the door open when finished even if just cracked. I have never dried the rubber seal off when finished, just left door open. No smells. You should like the stacked option. More space in laundry room.

Becky, you can select the "Fan Fresh" option with any cycle. At the completion of the cycle the door remains locked with the fan running to circulate air. Machine tumbles periodically to fluff the laundry. So if you can't unload the machine right away; this keeps you laundry and washer fresh. The washer will remember this so you don't have to select it each time.

I have the same machine and monthly I run the Clean washer cycle with Affresh or Bleach. It flushes the machine nicely and it is fresh and clean. We have a dog and it seems to effectively clear the machine of dog hair. After that cycle, I take a moment to wipe the rubber seal, door glass and remove and rinse out the dispenser drawer. The detergent cartridge, does not seem to require anything other than a occasional refill as indicated by the low detergent indicator.

I always leave the door open when the machine isn't running. Also, I tend to open the dispenser drawer a bit too. We tend to use more warm and hot cycles which keeps the machine clean. Bleach is used weekly. Make sure to use other cycles when you want HOT water such as Towels or Whites. I use fabric softener with only build up in my dispenser occurring. Again, just wash it out with hot water as Larsi described. Your Downy Unstopables are gonna be fine!

As a side note: If you are concerned with odors and softening of clothes, STPP might be something to consider as well. 1T goes a long way!

Downy fragrance beads...I'm sure it can cause a build up of yuck that is a breeding ground for mold..just like Liquid FS, detergents ect ect...but good laundry practices such as doing regular weekly hot washes will help keep it from becomming problematic. The regular use of Phosphates as Dorey says although isn't going to clean the muck off will prevent it from building up to begin with.

Becky, I have nothing to add as everyone has great advice here. Where did you see this washer was discontinued? I know I mentioned it in a post or two a while back as this model was briefly marked as discontinued on Whirlpool's website but it's no longer marked that way.

Becky, I took a pic as you wanted to have a look at a stacked set. My machines live in a closet in the mudroom. They share the closet with the water heater and power panel. It is an awkward space so centering the machine allows some storage on the left.

Congrats on your new machines! I know those Whirlpools are beloved. I think you will be happy.

In my stacked Speed Queen I use those fragrance beads with no issues and no gunk. In our master bath, my husband has struggled to adjust to his new undermount sink and keeps slopping water behind it. So I attached a bright microfiber cloth on a decorative hook to his cabinet door. For some reason, it has helped him remember to wipe the sink down. Maybe attach one of those on a magnetic hook to the washer will help make wipe-down easier to do and to remember.

When they talk about gunk building up in washers over on AW they are generally talking about washer parts we can not see. I mention AW because they tear washers apart all the time over there. Besides IMO its not what we see but what we don't see.

I have concerns about LFS and washer parts I can't see or get to without a tear down. Tell ya why...I use a cap from an empty Downy bottle to measure my Downy instead of the one on the jug...I rinse it a bunch of times in hot water after each use yet all that hot water rinsing of the cap doesn't prevent build up in the cap. This has caused me to wonder if the same thing happens behind the scenes on my washer.