HE2Plus Eats clothes, expect to do alot of your own maintenance February 28, 2011

We've owned this Kenmore front loader for 4 years, and were initially attracted to the product because of its Energy Star qualities. Unfortunately, any money we have saved in reduced energy bills has been far outweighed by the cost of damaged clothing. Anywhere between 1-3 times a month a shirt, undergarment, sock, etc. will get stuck between the door seal and drum and get shredded by the spinning drum. Sometimes, these garments will get lodged where water is introduced into the drum, and we'll end up with gallons of water across the basement floor. If the machine does not identify the lodged garment quick enough, water will also enter the door of the machine between the inner and outer window. Sometimes if it's a sock, it makes its way to the pump, where the debris trap will catch it. This eventually becomes blocked with lint, change, fabric, etc. and water will leak into the underside of the machine, and subsequently all over the floor.

So, on average, I have to remove a lodged garment from the drum 1-3 times a month, generally have to clean the pump filter every 4-6 weeks (which involves removing the washer's bottom panel), and disassemble the door/hinge assembly every 6 months or so to drain the water. We have a maintenance agreement on the washer, but with 2 children 4 and 8 years old, we can't go without our washer for two weeks every month or two, waiting for the technicians to fit us into their schedule. Hence, I had to either learn my way around doing this maintenance on the machine, or go without our washer while waiting for maintenance. I don't know if they've addressed any of our issues, but if they have, no one with Sears has reached out to us to let us know of updates, recalls, or otherwise.

Excellent washer & dryer March 22, 2010

I have had this washer & dryer for almost 3 years.  I do about 12 loads or more of laundry per week. My clothes have always come clean, dry fast, wrinkle guard is wonderful.  I wash shoes, huge loads of towels and I have never had one problem. Not one leak, smell, or malfunction. I think those who complain about smell are letting their clothes sit wet in the machines for long periods of time. Or they don't know how to do laundry properly. If clothes aren't coming clean, maybe they are overloading. I LOVE these machines and would buy again in the future.

Great Washer - Great Price! At least 4 Stars!! February 24, 2010

While searching for a new washing machine, the pricing on this unit caught my eye. Everything in the description looked like just what I wanted, but I was concerned when I noticed that this unit was sporting a 2 star rating.... until I read the reviews - If you are considering this machine, BUY IT! Make sure that you READ the Owners Manual and FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS!!

1st of all: You cannot use any other detergent than HE rated detergent - PERIOD. These machines use less water than top load machines, and the tumble action cleans the clothes more efficiently - so less detergent is needed, and anything other than HE detergents will create too many suds and clog up the machine, and the clothes won't be clean.

2nd: Learn how to load the machine with an assortment of clothing, it's in the Owners Manual! It makes a big difference in how machine cleans.

3rd: Expect it to make different noise than your top load machine - this suggestion may sound boring, but watch the machine at work the first couple of loads that you put thru it to become familiar with what is normal, and whatever you have concerns about - call Customer Service! They are there to make sure you are getting the best out of your machine, and if they think that maybe there IS something not quite right, they will get it solved quickly (way quicker than complaining in a review).

4th: Ask questions when the machine is installed - MAKE SURE IT'S LEVEL - AND - THAT THE FEET ARE ENGAGED WITH YOUR FLOOR/PLATFORM. This is the ONLY problem I had with my installation - I asked to make sure that it was level when the Delivery/Installation Reps were here - it WAS level.... it wasn't until I was watching the machine walk across the floor that I discovered that the feet had never been dropped, and weren't even touching the floor! I had to have my son lift the machine while I screwed the feet down and tightened the nuts like it shows in the book -  the machine feet HAVE to be dropped for the machine to  be secure.

I'm having GREAT results from this machine, and great service from my Sear's Sales Person and Customer Service (washer was delivered complete with it's first scratch - Sear's IMMEDIATELY offered satisfactory resolution).

Good Luck shopping - buy this machine before they're all gone!!

very disappointed!!!!!!!!!! February 23, 2010

Bought the HE2 as a set about 2 1/2 years ago.   Had to replace dryer drum(not balanced) right away, then recently had to replace the door as the outer cheap plastic shell broke from normal opening and closing.    Well, today the Sears Tech just informed me that the washer bearings have gone which is going to cost $1035.00!!! just for the parts.   Of course I had to pay the $135.00 service fee for him to tell me this, as I didn't purchase an extended service plan (must have had too much faith in the product, shame on me).    The washer did clean clothes very well while it worked though.  Hmmm, must be clothes are heavier these days--too much stress on parts!!!!     Don't buy this model!!