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Joined: Oct 2002
Location: Ra-cha-cha, NY
(04-05-2018, 08:00 PM)JosephP Wrote: My biggest regret in the laundry department was replacing a 10 year old machine. Should have fixed it...which would have cost half as much as a new one (well, that was the theory when we started, but not by the time she picked a Speed Queen). Older washers (at least the top loaders) just do a much better job of washing clothes than new ones that seem to be more interested in getting energy star approval than they are in getting dirt out of clothes. I'd fix an old washer as long as you can. A dryer...more than about $200 in parts and I'd replace it. The new one will never last 23 years...but they just aren't all that expensive unless you need a fancy one to match a fancy washing machine.
Absolutely!!! When our front loader goes toes-up, we're getting a plain vanilla top-loader with no bells or whistles. Since even those are not being made like they used to, according to the repair guy at least, then I'm not spending extra coin on fancy electronics that add perceived value but don't actually contribute to cleaning. So I should be way ahead of the game with a plain Jane top loader vs the over-priced, under-cleaning front loaders out there.
Bope: As to the dryer, ditto the exploration of the bearings in the rollers, which are probably Oilite bronze bushings, and will get stiff sooner or later. But they're cheap to replace, as well as the belt tensioning roller. And a new belt, while you're at it. Did that to my matching overpriced dryer and it runs like new again.
Tom
“This place smells like that odd combination of flop sweat, hopelessness, aaaand feet"