I wish laundry machines took debit cards

[Holdfast]

Both my washer and dryer died about three years ago. Rather than replacing them, which I can't afford, I use the local laundromat.

Wouldn't it be cheaper in the long-run to just replace them? Not to mention the cost of your labour-time lugging laundry somewhere else and waiting for it to be finished.

I had to use a communal laundry back in university. OK at the time, I guess, but would hate to need one these days.

 

[RoJoHen]

Before I got a washer and dryer, I found that cheap little card very useful.

Yeah, this is what we had in the dorms when I was in college. So much more convenient!

 

[John Picard]

Both my washer and dryer died about three years ago. Rather than replacing them, which I can't afford, I use the local laundromat.

Wouldn't it be cheaper in the long-run to just replace them? Not to mention the cost of your labour-time lugging laundry somewhere else and waiting for it to be finished.

Not really. I prefer the front loading washing machines as they are more gentle on fabrics, use less water, and have quicker wash cycles. Buying *QUALITY* equipment would run close to $2,500 for a washer and dryer. When I ran the numbers based on my average weekly expenses it's about 4 -5 years of using a laundromat where I would "break even". I also hit the laundromat on Friday night, on the way home, so there's no extra trip involved. The added bonus is that I can wash and dry all of my laundry in under two hours, whereas with my own equipment it would take well into four hours.

If I wanted to go the extra mile, I could simply drop off my laundry and the owner/operator will wash, fold, and hang everything.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I prefer the front loading washing machines as they are more gentle on fabrics, use less water, and have quicker wash cycles.

Aren't you worried about mold? That's a common problem with front loaders. I had to get rid of my last front loader because of it - no matter how much I tried to keep it clean, mold pretty much killed it. Linky

 

[Marc]

I prefer the front loading washing machines as they are more gentle on fabrics, use less water, and have quicker wash cycles.

Aren't you worried about mold? That's a common problem with front loaders. I had to get rid of my last front loader because of it - no matter how much I tried to keep it clean, mold pretty much killed it. Linky

My mum has a front loader which we used every weekend (even when it was just two of us it was still 4 or 5 loads a weekend) and never had any problems with mould building. Though it didn't have that quick a wash cycle (about 50minutes depending on settings).

 

[Guartho]

That's a deal breaker for me. If the place doesn't have a washer/dryer in unit I won't consider it.

Parenthood will make this even more imperative for you.

 

[Galactus]

I can't even imagine going to a laundry to wash clothes today. I barely did it way back in college. It is not even an option for me. I would dry clean them first.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Aren't you worried about mold? That's a common problem with front loaders. I had to get rid of my last front loader because of it - no matter how much I tried to keep it clean, mold pretty much killed it. Linky

My mum has a front loader which we used every weekend (even when it was just two of us it was still 4 or 5 loads a weekend) and never had any problems with mould building. Though it didn't have that quick a wash cycle (about 50minutes depending on settings).

Maybe your manufacturers are better at it than ours. I know there was at one point a class action lawsuit against several of them because of just this issue. My last front loader was ruined by mold. And the one I got to replace it (edit: it's a top loader ), was relatively cheap (I got the most basic, no frills model I could find) and works great.

 

[Marc]

Aren't you worried about mold? That's a common problem with front loaders. I had to get rid of my last front loader because of it - no matter how much I tried to keep it clean, mold pretty much killed it. Linky

My mum has a front loader which we used every weekend (even when it was just two of us it was still 4 or 5 loads a weekend) and never had any problems with mould building. Though it didn't have that quick a wash cycle (about 50minutes depending on settings).

Maybe your manufacturers are better at it than ours. I know there was at one point a class action lawsuit against several of them because of just this issue. My last front loader was ruined by mold. And the one I got to replace it, was relatively cheap (I got the most basic, no frills model I could find) and works great.

Mum bought an Alasko who are Swedish iirc and have a good reputation and it was around $AU700 about 4 years ago (call it about $US550 but was also a fairly small one.

 

[Timby]

After several apartments without in-unit laundry (although one was half a block down from a laundromat, and a four-plex had on-site laundry that was fucking terrible and a rip-off at $2.50 per wash and $3 per dry cycle), my wife and I moved into our current location with a washer and dryer integrated into a closet in the dining room.

Holy God. We're never moving to another place without them.

 

[Captain Ice]

Before I got a washer and dryer, I found that cheap little card very useful.

Yeah, this is what we had in the dorms when I was in college. So much more convenient!

Of my last four apartments, two have had these cards. The dorms in my university now use them as well (converted after I graduated). Wonderful invention. I used to hate having to search for change to do a last minute load.

Of the other two apartments, one had a small laundry unit (2 washers, w dryers) right outside my door and the other had a coin-op washer and dryer in my unit.

 

[Holdfast]

Re: the top-loader/front-loader issue - top-loaders are really hard on your clothes. I wouldn't want to put anything remotely decent in them. I've never had a problem with mould growing in a front-loader and have used them all my life with the exception of communal top-loader I used back in college.

 

[Captain Shaw]

I don't even know if you can get top-loader Machines in the UK i never been to anyones house thats got one.
A top loader would not be much use to most people in the UK as the washer goes under the kitchen work top.
I also have never heard of anyone having mold in there front loader.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ Hmmm. It would seem that it's US manufacturers who make crappy front loading machines, then. That would explain the lawsuits.

 

[Kirk's_Tights]

My apartment has laundry cards, no coins.

 

[John Picard]

^ Hmmm. It would seem that it's US manufacturers who make crappy front loading machines, then. That would explain the lawsuits.

If you re-read my statement, I said "QUALITY" front loader. Residential grade laundry equipment is pretty much substandard crap with plastic latches (as a Best Buy rep pointed out) along with other issues. Yes, some had a mold problem, but that issue was also due to people not following the Mfgr instructions to leave the door open so it can dry. The seals were also an issue on some brands.

There is a "top loader, front washer" made in the US by a company called Stabler(sp?). Very good quality and pricey; however, stingy Americans need to learn how to buy quality for the long run and not be so centered on price in the short run.

 

[Holdfast]

I don't even know if you can get top-loader Machines in the UK i never been to anyones house thats got one.

Yeah, I'd doubt you'd find them in a house. As you say, we're all used to proper front loaders.

Like I said upthread, the only time I've had to use a top-loader was a communal one back in university. First time I used it was also the first time I'd ever seen a top-loader in real life, I was like "WTF is this? Is it from the stone age?"

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

There is a "top loader, front washer" made in the US by a company called Stabler(sp?).

Are they partners with a company called Benson?

 

[Marc]

^ Hmmm. It would seem that it's US manufacturers who make crappy front loading machines, then. That would explain the lawsuits.

If you re-read my statement, I said "QUALITY" front loader. Residential grade laundry equipment is pretty much substandard crap with plastic latches (as a Best Buy rep pointed out) along with other issues. Yes, some had a mold problem, but that issue was also due to people not following the Mfgr instructions to leave the door open so it can dry. The seals were also an issue on some brands.

There is a "top loader, front washer" made in the US by a company called Stabler(sp?). Very good quality and pricey; however, stingy Americans need to learn how to buy quality for the long run and not be so centered on price in the short run.

Where as in Australia, the top loaders for many years have been the rule rather than the exception but that's gradually changing. Until mum bought the front load 3 or 4 years ago we'd alwasy had a top loader (needed a big one for a family of six). It was only after the last one died (it was about 15 years old) that mum went to front loader becasue it was just the two of us in the house (now it's just her) and they front loaders were more efficient water wise and spun the clothes much drier than what what you go with the top loader.