Well I have a Bosch Next front load washer it is 13 yrs old never had a repair and I do min. 2 laods aday every day large bedding and it even has a sanitizer cycle. I am a clean freak when it comes to house and laundry, I don’t use bleach but oxyclean always with light colored loads. My tea towels are always white as are all my sheets. Maybe try a different detergent I use only about a TBSP of detergent in my front loadsince too much ruins the machine. I have friend that has the one you have in her main floor but uses the one in the basement like mine for whites she has a B&B so very fussy with bedding and towels

I spent a long time searching for a new washing machine when our 4 1/2 year old Whirlpool washer died. I truly researched till the cows come home and the confusion with reviews made my head spin. What one person loves, another one hates. Unfortunately quality just isn't the same these days. That being said, you might take a look at Speed Queen since several people here seem pleased with theirs. I did look at SQ when I was searching but availability was at a minimum. What I did see just didn't fit my needs. Still, it might be a good idea to check into SQ.

I ended up getting a new LG washer (top load) and dryer which have been fine, but I've only had them a few years. No problem at all with getting things clean.

I'm happy with this GE I bought in June.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-4-5-cu-ft-High-Efficiency-Top-Load-Washer-White/1000757220

Thank you all. I will definitely search out all your recommendations!

After Irma destroyed our GE top loader I got a Hotpoint top loader (very few options available). We are on cistern water, so it's great that it uses very little water, and everything comes out clean.

However, things come out very wrinkled. There is no setting to fill the machine with more water to avoid the wrinkling and accommodate larger items. I end up standing there and adding buckets of water, which is annoying.

I think the wrinkling would be less of an issue if we had a dryer, but everything is line dried.

@pban730,

Curious what is your 10yo washer and what problems have occurred? Some parts on any machine are considered "normal wear" parts and need replacement after a period of time. That doesn't mean the machine is due for junking.

Are you sure it's 10yo? People often mis-estimate the age of appliances. The serial number is coded for the manufacture year/month (or year/week) you want to cite that information to confirm the age. The model number is also needed for accurate dating.

Numerous people have reported regret at replacing a serviceable older machine with a new unit that is restricted on user control, water level, and water temperature.

"However, it doesn’t compare to the old agitator in cleaning. I have to spot clean every item of clothing before a cycle and it still doesn’t guarantee a clean item."

Not trying to insult, but are you sure you're loading the clothes correctly? I have a GE HE washer (no agitator) and the instructions state that one must load the clothes around the perimeter of the tub, not on top of the "infusor", the disk that rotates back and forth at the bottom of the washer.

@dadoes- I’ve been in my home 15yrs and purchased the washer a few years after moving in. I can’t remember the particular brand but back then I was buying all appliances from Sears so it was a brand they carried. I wished I still had machine I would invest in the repair but I had it taken away when new machine was delivered. I had typical age problems with machine- I remember once it just kept agitating and never advanced to next cycle, broken belts, etc. I probably made a repair yearly for the past 4 years. The price to repair were always about 270 and it may be because of the area Im in (NY) so I thought it might be better to just purchase a new machine. Im not mechanical to make repairs myself so always had to hire someone and pay their fees.

@wdccruise- thank you- no insult taken. I was told when buying machine about how I would have to load machine. I carefully place each item around the perimeter after making sure garment is right side out and spot cleaned. I have even cut size of load in half thinking that might help.

pban, during my search I had 3 different places tell me the lifespan of a new machine is maybe 10 years, and cross your fingers if you get to 5 years. When our Whirlpool washer died at 4 1/2 years the technician told us the repairs would be $650 with future repairs likely coming. No way were we going to go that route. The lack of quality these days is a sorry fact.

An LG front loader would be my recommendation - LG has an excellent reputation with front load washers, and I believe front load washers are the way to go (less water and energy costs, good cleaning, gentler on your clothes). I started having some decrease effectiveness with my LG washer after about 10-11 years, but I know that I was to blame because I wasn't diluting liquid detergent and it gunked up the pipes -- If I'd been more diligent (or used powder), I know I would have gotten another 4 or 5 years out of it. I loved it and would have bought another except for size issues and my need to decrease to a 24" set.

Speed Queen top loader, agitator style and matching dryer will be 10 years old in Dec. No problems or repairs. Neither have any electronics; just mechanical dials like in the old days. https://speedqueen.com/ They aren't sold in the big box stores; you will have to find an independent store. Oh, and made in the USA.

If you can find a gently used Speed Queen AWN432 you would likely be happy with it. I have one from 2016. This model does not have a computer board. It's dials. Rather rudimentary. These are no longer in production and as dadoes says the new Speed Queen top loaders are computer boards--even the models with knobs. I understand from what I've read that SQ computer boards are more reliable than other washing machines of modern times, for what that's worth.

This washer uses a lot of water. Could be a good or bad thing depending on your situation.

Yep, that is what I have: AWN 432. I had no idea they didnt make these anymore.

I have an HE Maytag top-loader that's 4 years old, and I totally love it. Cleans better, has more options, uses less water, doesn't beat up my clothes. Have gotten used to the strange sounds it makes during the "sensing" cycle at the beginning. Use the "handwash" cycle for actual handwash-only clothes and they turn out great. Didn't cost an arm and a leg, doesn't have to have the door left open all the time (which wouldn't work for us in the closet it lives in)...

New Kitchen 2016 -- new under-stair laundry · More Info

pban, I have a top load HE LG washer. I ain't happy with it either. I also don't think it cleans as well. I find I have to soak anything stained in the stationary tub. Thank goodness I don't have any little dirt makers anymore or I would kick the machine to the curb. Sure it saves some water, but there isn't that much difference in our water bill. Only about 10 buck. Up at my camp I have an old school agitator washer and I love it. If I had a truck I would switch them. When this one dies it is back to an agitator if they still sell them.

SPEED QUEEN classic - TC5 - it has the old fashioned agitator and it's like the old Maytags used to be. Built in the USA like a tank to lasts.

Thank you all so much. I will be looking into all your suggestions. Cheers to clean laundry!!

Speed Queen TC5 model has no water level control as such. All the cycles have choice of only two fill levels ... 1) default or 2) with Deep Wash option. These figures are per the original model specs in 2019, I don't know if they've made changes since then.
- *Normal Eco 9" 13 gals or 11" 16 gals
- Heavy Duty 10" 14.5 gals or 13" 19 gals
- Perm Press 10" 14.5 gals or 13" 19 gals
- Delicate 10" 14.5 gals or 13" 19 gals
- Bulky/Sheets 11" 16 gals or 13" 19 gals

*Normal Eco fills with warm or hot water for only a minute or so then cold water for the rest of the fill. It runs only a shower/spray rinse unless Extra Rinse is selected in which case (IIRC) it runs two agitated rinses.

It's a good choice for reliability if those factors aren't a concern. Also per my previous comment, it does have two computer boards.

Actually I just got one and that is not true - I agree that you only have the choice of 2 water levels - Medium or deep fill (the whole tub) - you get whatever water temp you select for the cycle.

The Normal Eco cycle now allows a full fill with warm or tap-hot water? It didn't previously ... which is part of the "Eco" designation of the cycle.

Not the Eco cycle - I do not use that. All the other cycles use whatever water temperature you select.

That's what I said above. Normal Eco restricts the temperature. I didn't say that the other cycles do so.

I am going to suggest something completely different- a semi automatic- I have had several automatic washing machines and indeed, have two in the laundry room which I have given to extended family members to use, but getting service for them and the hassle of having to remove and put them back was just so annoying, with a semi automatic, you can do everything yourself and it’s last for years without having to call in anyone for servicing. Yes, a little extra work in transferring clothes to spin dry next to it but it is so worth it!

I'm still thrilled with my GE 5.2 cu ft top loader WITH agitator. It's a HE machine but advertises "use all the water you want". If you choose to override the "HE" water amt, you have a choice of adding 3 gals, 6 gals or Max. And it has wifi :)

https://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-5-cu-ft-High-Efficiency-Top-Load-Washer-White-ENERGY-STAR/1001050938