I think the new front load washers do not have the issue with mould . I have never had the issue but I do laundry every day. Most people I know who always had a top loader do not understand the use of a front loader . Front loads can be crammed full and still get everything vlean with a very small amount of soap . I use 2 tblsp. I do all the bedding form my bed in one load and that includes the mattress cover. I am atotal clean freak and IMO the front loader does a great job of cleaning and is so much easier on clothes. Mine is a Bosch the W/D are 15 yrs old and not one repair . The new ones have so many options for laundry you do not really need a laundry sink at all.

I have the Maytag 3000 series (he) electric dryer & washer. I have not had a mold issue or a repair on these appliances. They are 10 years old.

I have had many front loaders over the last three decades and no mold issues. We left one set in a rental house that we lived in for a while and they did have mold issues with the tenants (LG). My inclination is to say it’s user error. You do need to clean around the gasket and leave the door open for a bit after a wash so it dries. I have Electrolux, now more than five years old and never a mold issue. I don’t use fabric softener, only vinegar and also put borax in most of my loads. I would only buy a front loader. Cleaning is better. Water usage is lower. Clothes aren’t as beaten up as with a top loader.

Get an LG set - they make some of the best and most highly-rated front load washers on the market. You do have to leave the front door open a little to allow for evaporation in the door gasket of the washer (mind actually has some kind of magnet that holds the door open just a little so it's not swinging open). LG did have some bad mold issues years ago, and faced a class action lawsuit, but they changed the design. I'm on my 3rd LG set in 3 different homes - I've replaced whatever the previous owner left with LG, and never had a problem.

We have a stacking Speed Queen in our guest cottage. Installed in 2017. Never had a problem. Used quite infrequently most of the time but we did live there for 19 months and used it several times a week. Never any problem with mold. I'm careful to use a very small amount of detergent, use the extra rinse cycle and never use fabric softener. I also leave the door of the washing machine slightly ajar.

Wow thanks everyone! That calms my stress about stackables quite a bit. I’m in a Facebook page for people with large families and I’ve only heard bad things about front loaders/stackables. Thanks!

My friend with a larger family says she doesn't like the length of the cycles, and they are longer cycles than a traditional top-loader. I believe the benefits of less water for cleaner, less damaged clothes - and less power needed for drying - is worth it.

Where are the hot & cold water valves; drain pipe; 240 volt outlet, or gas line plus 120 volt outlet for an electric or gas dryer respectively? Are you prepared to move any that are in the wrong place for a stacked pair? That closet isn't very wide; the LG stacked pair (for example) requires 27" + 1" on either side for a total width of 29". Allowing for the width of vertical shelving supports, the shelves on either side of the W/D may be only 12" wide. Will those be useful? Are you prepared to lift a bulky, 122 lb dryer on to the washer when you install it, or when it needs maintenance or repair?

" Are you prepared to lift a bulky, 122 lb dryer on to the washer when you install it, "

That's what delivery guys are for :) And as for repair........chances are that if you buy a reliable brand it won't need repair for 10-12 years, at least. Yes, there are lemons, but I wouldn't make an appliance decision based on the rare possibility of getting a lemon.

(122 lb is very doable for a pair of reasonably strong folk.)

But while lifting the dryer you have to plug it in, connect the vent, and, if it's gas, connect the gas line. But the real question is whether any benefits are worth the cost and effort.

Huh. When the delivery guys installed mine, they had no problem resting the dryer while they connected the hose and plugged it in. It's not like it's spinning in space. Or, if you really don't want to deal with having delivery people stack your dryer on your washer (and I can't imagine why), you could get the LG Washtower, which is a single unit with a full size dryer over a full size washer, and controls for both in the middle. It's very well rated for effectiveness and reliability.

They’d what we’re looking at, the LG Washtower. Vs Speed Queen

That’s *

Too much attention on the appliances. Not enough on whether the cost of the appliances (CR's top-rated pair is $1900; LG Washtowner is $2000) -- apparently replacing perfectly usable ones -- plus the cost of the required remodeling are worth the benefit of a few narrow shelves and room for a broom.

I have a Washtower and am very happy with it; I've only had it about 9 months (replaced a horrible Samsung pair), but I expect at least 11-12 years from it.

" apparently replacing perfectly usable ones "

"apparently" is carrying a lot of weight there. Also, usable doesn't mean effective or efficient.

You keep missing the other benefits, like the fact that they use less water and energy , and that they require less power to dry the clothes (and clothes dryers are power hogs). And the benefit of not having to replace clothes damaged in top load machines. Why are you working so hard to convince this poster that she shouldn't get a front load washer? They're better by every measure, unless maybe if you have a baby and need to dump dirty cloth diapers into the tub (then a top loader could be more convenient to use).

Having a spot for our brooms/vacuum is critical for us. Our brooms are in our only pantry cabinet (2x3, very small), which means we’re using a freestanding pantry cabinet in our living room. Every inch matters in our situation, and I feel like it will be a big improvement that’s worth the price. Plus, our Samsung w/d ARE newer, but I absolutely hate them. The washer doesn’t wash and the dryer doesn’t dry, it’s terrible and why I’m asking for outside advice so we don’t end up hating our new set. Originally we were going to build, but can’t get past the cost. So making our current home more functional, any way possible, is worth the cost to us right now.

"Having a spot for our brooms/vacuum is critical for us."

Thanks for the chuckle.

"The washer doesn’t wash..."

Do you use a high qualilty detergent such as Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release, Persil ProClean Stain Fighter, or Tide Ultra Oxi?

" Plus, our Samsung w/d ARE newer, but I absolutely hate them. The washer doesn’t wash and the dryer doesn’t dry, "

I hear ya! When I bought this house, it had a Samsung set, and they lasted less than a week before I knew had to replace them. They were horrible and were, I think, only 3 or 4 years old.

If space is a priority look at a stacked miele set. You will save more on space. We do laundey for 13 in a W1/T1 set. have worked for us. if you dont stack them the tops double as a folding table and are made of a material that makes folding a lot nicer than most american painted/enamled top. You can also stack if that is the desire.

They will be about the longest lived washer dryer you will find on the market.

Had stackable front loaders, no mold issue in 15+ years,, but I have a habit of leaving the washer door ajar between washes, just in case.

It's a misconception that only frontloaders catch mold. Toploaders also get infested with mold and smutz and residue. I've posted photos of several that I've cleaned up. There are videos on YouTube of folks dealing with dirty toploaders. ALL washers need proper usage habits and care.

(not my video)