Our most helpful positive review

2 people thought this was helpful.

Good washer - has a few issues - but worth it to me. November 28, 2009

I really like this washer - have had it for probably nearly 2 years. When we first had it, it was very quiet, but after a month, apparently everything gets shaken up enough to where the whole unit goes to town when it spins. It is LOUD. I even had Sears come out and look at it because I was worried something had broken loose. He told me the washer was just settled in. So don't let yourself spend too much trying to get it quiet, it will probably be loud no matter what you do... But we have a laundry room and can just close the door. It spins GREAT. The large capacity is AWESOME. I think it gets our clothes perfectly clean, although I have noticed that it works better with the more expensive Tide detergent as opposed to the less expensive alternative like All that I used with my previous top-loading washer. So I buy Tide. And, because if I ever use more than the "level 1" amount of detergent, I have re-rinse at least once, the soap lasts forever. 

Items of note:

**these front loaders retain water under their rubber flaps, and I think even deep in the body under the basket. So they can and will mildew, and then STINK. I have smelled them at others' homes by friends who were annoyed by them. So I am careful to blot up all the leftover water from within the ribber rims, wipe off the glass door, and rub down the rubber, especially in creases (dirt and gunk tends to build up there) after each load. Takes a few seconds. Just keep an old white towel or something by the washer. Then, after you run a cleaning cycle, you can throw that in with some other whites and run a load (just in case there's any bleach still hanging out in the washer after the clean). Mine has no odor, and looks new (well, it better, as much as the thing costs and only after 2 years). I've run the clean cycle 3 times so far, and all three times it was after I let a load sit in there for 24 hours after washing and thought I could smell the beginning of mildew.

**if you run a load immediately after one finishes, sometimes that error message flashes up that claims temperature issues - but that's usually only because it has not been enough time for the body of the machine to return to room temperature and reflect normal everything else. Or because you've used a lot of hot water elsewhere in the house. Just wash on cold setting if you can. 4 or 5 times I've had it error me out claiming low water pressure, which at the time was ridiculous, but all it meant was the wash took about 2 hours to do because I had to stop and restart, etc. But it's never been a real problem.

**if you have "stuff" stuck on clothes - a lot of dirt or your baby ground his dinner into his sleeves and bib, wash it out in the sink first,, because the washer does NOT use enough water to get it loose. You'll wind up with dried-on food. The same philosophy kind of applies to washing blankets and sheets, be really sure you load it lightly and evenly and not all wound up, because the hard spinning will wrap big items up on themselves and the inside folds may actually be nearly dry. This may cause big red flags of "how does anything get clean?" but, I'm a crazy person and spent large amounts of time inspecting entire loads to see if they were really clean, or just damp. The washer does a good job. And does a good job on the water usage. You just have to baby it a little. The same Idea applies to clothes following your kids' bed-wetting or diaper leaks - just rinse out well first. I know there's a soak cycle and all, but in general, I don't really want food and other yucky substances sitting in the washer anyways. 

**Basically, you have to baby the thing a little. But it's been worth it to me. Buy the warranty, the whole thing's electric, so impossible for normal folks to fix. Or enjoy taking the risk and save some money. Do not waste a penny buying the matching dryer. You can get a LARGER capacity dryer of the old-fashioned look that will work just as well, or possibly better, for far less. And if you have a laundry room, who REALLY goes in there to see if your units match? Literally, save yourself hundreds, the whole matching issue is a big old scam. And if you don't throw your money away on a pedestal, the traditional dryer will be at the same height as the washer. Anyways, my opinion. You may really want them to match.

**If you've never had a front loader and you have little kids! There is no light inside that dark washer (unlike the brightly lit white dryer of the old fashioned variety), and that round door is fun. My toddlers never fail to stash potatoes, toys, silverware, bottles, sippy cups, diaper bag contents, etc., in there - so check before you wash :) It really does make a huge difference in keeping your washer odor-free by leaving the door open so the washer can dry out between loads. So don't just shut the door! Cats seems to be drawn to the dark, cavernous interior as well...

Our most helpful negative review

1 people thought this was helpful.

Sorry I bought this, worst washer I have ever had! April 19, 2011

I bought this washer and dryer 3 years ago this month. I thought I was just used to a nicer machine and that this would be ok once I got used to it. I was wrong, sadly.

I had bought a Maytage Neptune 10 years ago and sold it with the house I sold 8 years ago. I have missed this machine ever since. From what I understand Kenmore makes maytag now, but I do not think this was true when I bought the maytag years ago. I bought this Kenmore thinking it would be as nice, but it is not.

It is unable to actually wash my King size comforter. The maytag could, and I now take my blankets to my friends house who has the same washer I used to have and hers is able to do it fine. The Kenmore never is able to spin large loads or small rugs and the stuff comes out soaked like it has never been spun. It is impossable to actually balance the washer so it does not jump and shake all over the room, I have tried and had people out who swear it is fixed for the last three years. I suspect this is because this washer is unable to balance whatever load it is washing during the spin cycle. The seal on the door started leaking 8 months after owning it. It took sears 3 months to actually fix it. Twice the repair man came out, and I had told them on the phone what was wrong, but the service man came without the part. This was the worst! The newest thing is now as of today the washer is starting to leak! It is exactly 3 years old! HATE THIS MACHINE!!!

Just to add I am a single person who lives alone. Not a large family. I would guess that a family of four would be harder on this machine and would have a lot more problem then I.

I am sorry I ever bought this thing!

Don't waste your money! Don't buy from sears! And don't count on their repair men!!