Front loaders and capacity question!

[Mak]

So looks like our TL 5.5kg washer has given up. I would love a FL but am a bit torn about the cost of them. I have seen a great price on 6.5kg Bosch but am pretty sure that is way too small for my family of 4 frequent changers. Uniforms for all, then gym clothes for 2, trackies etc.
Looking for peoples experiences with FL's and recommendations for capacity and brands. I am a bit wary of LG/Samsung/Electrolux but would be happy to hear otherwise!
TIA!

[roses]

I have the 6.5 Bosch and 2 small but very dirty boys - it's awesome for us but I'm a bit OCD with washing. I do 2 or 3 loads each day

[LizLemon]

Yes I would say 6.5kg is too small for a family of four. I have a FL 6kg and am eagerly waiting for it to give up so that I can buy a bigger one. I seem to do a lot more loads in a simply because I can't fit in everything i want to.

We looked about a year ago at bigger frontloaders but they all seem to really go up in price once you get over the say 7kg mark. For my family (of four) I want at least 8kg. And every machine we looked at seemed to have lots of negative reviews on product review. When this one dies I will be looking seriously at a toploader, as much as I hate the idea.

Will be interested to see if anyone has any recommendations.

[Tinks]

I was watching A Current Affair the other night and the Samsung washing machines came out on top of the Choice reviews. I have a Samsung, it's 5 years old now and has never missed a beat. I got my washing machine on sale because it was a model being phased out, it was around $600.

I wouldn't go under a 7kg myself, mine is 9kg and I find it's still too small at times lol.

[~me~]

I was watching A Current Affair the other night and the Samsung washing machines came out on top of the Choice reviews. I have a Samsung, it's 5 years old now and has never missed a beat. I got my washing machine on sale because it was a model being phased out, it was around $600.

I wouldn't go under a 7kg myself, mine is 9kg and I find it's still too small at times lol.

Is the 9kg Samsung a Front Loader? I haven't seen a 9kg Front Loader before.

[Tinks]

Is the 9kg Samsung a Front Loader? I haven't seen a 9kg Front Loader before.

Sorry, Ijust looked and it's 8kg.

[Three Graces]

I'll just be the cat amongst the pigeons and say that I hate my FL. We changed from a tiny 4.5kg top loader to an 8.5 LG F/L. It definately spins the load much better, but that's about all i like about it. After we'd had it for awhile, we realised that it doesn't drain all of the water out of it, like a T/L does. So if you don't do a load everyday, the water gets stinky and then makes the next load of washing turn out stinky. If you're sitting there reading this, thinking but I do a load everyday, just think about the times where you may go away on holidays or for the weekend. We then turn to the manual which tells us that it needs regular cleaning and put it on a clean cycle which takes over 1.5 hrs. Actually, most cycles on this F/L take forever and you cannot add to it, once you've pressed start.
We're on tank water, so we thought we'd save some water by getting a F/L but I think our electricity costs are going through the roof with this machine. Sometimes DH will put it on the Normal Cotton cycle and that takes 2.5 hrs!!! By then, we've usually gone out and forgotten to hang it out and have to put it on again. And did I mention the high needy machine needs regular cleaning. pfff stuff the silly machine. I'm sure other brands may be better or drain better, but I really miss my T/L.

[luna moth]

Sorry, Ijust looked and it's 8kg.

My mum has this one and it is awwwwwwwesome. I'm kinda jealous, I have a 7kg Electrolux, which is good, but not as fast, not as many options as the Samsung.

[briggsy's girl]

we have just picked up the same washing machine you're looking at - admittedly it's smaller than our top loader was, but it's far more efficient.

i guess your needs in terms of load size will be determined by how often you wash. i don't mind doing a load a day (which is all we really need for clothes) and then a few loads on the weekend/RDO to catch up on linen etc. it works for us.

i found having the bigger top loader made DH more likely to "wait" for a full load - and missing the nice drying days - then having to wait for a nice day to dry everything that had accumulated. the smaller washer is actually making sure the washing gets done more frequently so it's better for us!

[k4t]

I don't even remember how big my front loader is (blush) and I was similarly reluctant changing from a top loader about 4 years ago. I found the biggest adjustment was actually the washing cycle time (much longer) rather than size. But doing more loads means I sort our laundry more carefully which is good for the longevity of the clothes. I also put loads on delayed starts overnight often so I can hang them in the morning. The front loader also spins sooooo much more effectively so my clothes dry much much faster. Overall I would never go back to a TL but buy the biggest good quality FL you can afford. (Mine's a Miele)

[OceanPrincess]

Definitely get bigger if you can. I'm going to get a 10kg Samsung - Samsung was recently rated best by Choice!

[Hansie]

I recently got a new one as I out did my motor on a 7kg FL. We purchased it when there was just 3 of us & we previously had the same make 7 years. I have 5 wash baskets. I bought an AEG - German. It's an 8kg, quiet, can open anytime to add (although I only add whilst it's filling). It's a personal choice on make, but personally I will only stick to European makes.

[Frangipani Lou]

I bought a Samsung 7 years ago. It's a 7kg front loader and I bought it from choice's recommendation. It's going strong and I can't fault it. Check choice's website and when you decide on one, they can shop around for you for the best price.

[OceanPrincess]

Heather the one we are looking at is a 10kg Samsung FL. Very excited. Just need my mat leave payment and we're picking it up

[RhiChiChi]

So looks like our TL 5.5kg washer has given up. I would love a FL but am a bit torn about the cost of them. I have seen a great price on 6.5kg Bosch but am pretty sure that is way too small for my family of 4 frequent changers. Uniforms for all, then gym clothes for 2, trackies etc.
Looking for peoples experiences with FL's and recommendations for capacity and brands. I am a bit wary of LG/Samsung/Electrolux but would be happy to hear otherwise!
TIA!

We have a 6.5 kg bosch - I love it, although I find I have to split my loads sometimes, usually towels & linen. I'd go bigger if you can afford it. We are currently a family of two adults & 1 child (soon to have a baby in the mix)

[FabFiona]

On Sat we just got delivered a 10kg Panasonic. It was rated very highly in the latest choice survey. We paid 1050 including delivery, installation and removing our old machine.

I think I'm going to marry it.


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[Taurean]

We've got an 8kg Electrolux and it's great, love it. Only got it in Nov 2011 and we upgraded from a Bosch 6.5kg which was too small.

[Mak]

Hmm thanks ladies! So much to think about - will have to buy the choice report to help out. I usually do a load or two a day to try to keep up and not run out of clothes so am wondering how that impacts the load requirements.....