I wanted to do some catch up laundry yesterday and noticed an ominous puddle seeping out from under the washing machine. My husband has just come up from the basement with a grim expression. He thinks maybe he can patch it together for a while but he said I'd better start budgeting for another one.

I'd really like a new one (I've never bought a new washing machine)-a basic, barebones model-any suggestions as to type or prices? Thanks.

-- Kelly (ksaderholm@yahoo.com), December 28, 2001

Answers

I love my wringer!!!!! I know that isn't what you mean though! I was seriously thinking of a front-loader whenever I get a new one. They use less water, last longer, are easier on your clothes, and get them wrung out very well. Also use less detergents. I think I read they can use 1/4 of the water a top-loader uses. I also notice the prices are getting lower on them... I saw a big one at Lowes but I don't recall the exact price. Most of the ones I had seen had a small "tub" but this one was huge. Mybe someone else has some ideas on types. I know one of my husbands cousins has a Maytag that has lasted for 20 years, with no trouble.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 28, 2001.

Years back, I made money by collecting and hauling scrap metal, three of the scheduled stops were at appliance rebuilders and repair shops. I picked up a lot of washers but did notice that the shop owners would not let me have the washers that have black control panels. I asked why and was told thats the way you can tell the good well made ones, the ones that were worth rebuilding. Brand does not matter, quality does.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), December 28, 2001.

Hi, Kelly. I'm still using a 1978 Maytag top loader (that my son replaced the motor in, once). A couple of times, I noticed water under it, and was able to take the top off and find that there was a little plastic thing on the left-hand side that was broken or limned up. Got a new one from an appliance-parts place, put it in myself, and kept on going. Also, some places sell, for about $10.00, a large plastic "pan" made specially to fit under washing machines. That gives me peace of mind so that if it does start to leak again, at least it will be contained and won't ruin the floor.

My daughter and I are addicted to auctions - we've seen almost new and very good washing machines go for as little as $5.00, although most go in the $25-50 range. Same with most other appliances and large furniture. Seems that in this area, no one wants to haul anything large home, so things go cheap. My son just got a huge, chest-type freezer for $40.00 at auction. It was still running when they auctioned it off, and they had to take the meat out so he could take it home!

I'm going to be in the market soon for a stove and refrigerator, and I'll be going to auctions first of all.

-- Bonnie (chilton@stateline-isp.com), December 28, 2001.

I had rental property for years and always bought used Maytags to put into them. I found them to be virtually bullet-proof. An occasional belt here or there covered the bulk of the repairs. Those Iowa farmers build a good machine. ;o)

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), December 28, 2001.

My husband's friend from childhood is a repairman for BestBuy, and he recommends Maytag. It's the one he has to repair the least, and when he does have to repair it, it's minor and inexpensive. He also recommends buying the barebones models, fewer bells and whistles to break. He owns the Maytag Neptune (saves on his city water bill). That's awful expensive, so in the house we have a barebones, and for outside in the summer there is an old plunger-type.

-- Dawn (olsoncln@ecenet.com), December 29, 2001.

Kelly-our washer died on us a month ago, so before we went out and bought one, we got on the internet and compared various brands and models. We found the the Kenmore front loader was favored over the Maytag Neptune by quite a lot! So we bought the Kenmore, and love it! A lot less expensive than the Maytag, and it is a quiet, well built machine that, due to its fast final spin speed, has allowed us to take 20 minutes off our drying time-even for jeans! Hope this helpes you a little! Joe

-- Joe (threearrs@hotmail.com), December 29, 2001.

Hi Kelly, You didn't say what size of loads yu would be doing....it's just my husband and me at home now and I love our stackable "Maytag" washer and dryer. It really makes washing easy. I've had mine for almost 4 years now. It has small,med and large loads. I wouldn't recommend it if you do a large wash for a family. I love that it took up less space and I was able to get a small freezer for indoors. My mother had a Maytag,so I new they were good. I also got the kitchen range "Maytag". Love the oven temperture, it heats on top and bottom. You can get these at Sear's now.

-- Jo (farmerjo@kvalley.com), December 29, 2001.

Thanks everyone, for your advice. I have a family of four, no one in diapers so I have an average amount of laundry-we do try to keep loads small by hanging towels to dry inbetween uses and wearing clothes as much as possable before laundering.

The good news was that we are able to keep old Bessie together for a while longer. We did have a problem with that little plastic tub thingy under the lid, and somehow a fossil worked its way up into the cold water hose. (we don't have a clue how this happened) and we were able to patch her with a little epoxy. The bad news is of course this is an ancient machine whose tub is starting to rust-so she will have to be replaced, probably sooner than later.

Because we are able to keep it going a awhile longer, and have a lttle more time to budget for a new one, we would like to get one of those water effiecent frount loaders-It sounds like what you might have, Joe. Last time we looked they were expensive and kind of hard to find-this has been a couple of years ago though. Has anyone gotten one recently and, if so, how do you like it? What brand did you get? Did you have trouble finding one? Any help would be appreciated-Thanks.

-- Kelly (Ksaderholm@yahoo.com), December 29, 2001.

Love my wringer washer. But...in the early days of our marriage wedDid purschase a Sears Kenmore and had that machine for over 18 years. Not expensive style..just basic. Or maybe you could purschase a used one with a warranty. I would go for the wringer myself. Saves water and I enjoy it because it gives me time to "think" about things and I believe it gets the clothes cleaner too. We have a homestead, grandchildren and I have a sometimes job outside the home and a home based business so we are busy people. I'd give a wringer a try...you might be surprised !!!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), January 20, 2002.