So If you figure six loads a week for fifty two weeks over twenty years, you end up with extra costs of almost $400

That being said, we have been very happy with our new Whirlpool washer and dryer.

search any appliance repair forum for stories (e.g. Neptune)

I agree with Ace – dad should switch brands – the Whirlpool direct-drive top-loaders are extremely reliable – those models can last 15+ years with only a $15 water pump replacement

If you want to save energy doing the laundry:

1. wash only in cold water

2. buy a house where you can hang laundry to dry

water use is only a consideration if your area is under mandatory water restrictions or you have a well with inadequate recharge

use a “plant-friendly” detergent in the washer and send the discharge to a water barrel for later use in your garden/on your lawn.

another consideration is since washers and dryers are so bulky many people will sell them cheap instead of paying to move them.

that new $400 top-loader often won’t cost you any more than $100 used, even less if you are willing to take one in “avocado green” or “harvest gold” :)

I bought my washer after perusing this site for awhile. I visit it for fun every now and then, along with The Simple Dollar! Every now and then I check it for new information about detergents, or a different appliance, or I go over to the garden site that it is part of, etc.

There’s a useful tool buried under this discussion about washers: Calculating cost-per-use is an excellent technique for getting value out of everything you buy. Apply it to your clothing, for example. If you buy a dress at $50 because you like it, but it hangs in your closet because you don’t wear it anywhere, you have gotten $50 per wearing. If you find it is something you wear three times per season, that’s a little better. If you find you wear it around the house nearly every day, and suddenly realize it’s 12 years old, think of what a bargain that dress was–and would have been had you paid double for it.

Now front loading washers save a lot on water 14 gallons versus 42 per load. Calculate that savings, plus the savings for heating the water. Also calculate that front loading washing machines use very little detergent, about a tablespoon a load, and are gentler on the clothes. I’ve had the same bottle of detergent for 2 years, I don’t buy it the way I used to. So nice savings there. Also front loaders get the clothes dryer so they are in the dryer longer. I unfortunately have an electric washer and dryer because the person who renovated my house was not smart. Plus where I live water and electric is ridiculous, so using less of both is awesome. I know I’ve saved money from my loaders.

2. It may be cheaper to buy a used washer and dryer. I bought an expensive ASKO front loading washer and dryer at the local Habitat for Humanity resale shop for about half retail. It was only two years old but the new owners did not like it so they donated it. It’s been great.

3. It’s not necessary to buy a matched set, especially if they will be shut away. A repair person told me that dryers typically last much longer than washers. You could consider buying your dream washer and using an older dryer. By the way, I think the best way to extend the life of your washer is to NEVER overload it, better to slightly underload it, and not to use excess soap.

4. Don’t forget noise and space issues. One reason we love our ASKOs is that the washer is very quiet through most of it’s cycle. It’s located in our kitchen. Also we love it because it is a front loader and we were able to build it in under the counter and get more counter space in our kitchen.

5. I have had various front loaders. I prefer them. They do treat your clothes better and I think they wash better.

I’ve found two additional problems with buying things that last a long time (besides the moving issue above). First, technology can advance so much that it’s cheaper to replace your perfectly good still-working item than it is to keep using it.

Second, your needs or wishes may change such that you wish you had something different. For example, I’ll have to wait several additional years to switch to a metal roof because I got the 30-year shingles instead of the 20-year shingles; overall all I’ll pay for one metal roof and one shingle roof and it would have been cheaper to have gone with the 20-year shingles.

Another comment: repairing things can be a bit cheaper these days now that you can often find instructions online (often from the manufacturer) and you can often buy the parts online from the manufacturer. I’ve fixed a washer very cheaply this way. And I’ve gotten a free door shelf for my refrigerator from the manufacturer when it broke right away.

I’d also like you hear the choice you made. I’ve been looking at washers lately, and I haven’t found it obvious at all which one is best even though it sounds like we have similar priorities.

If you have a large washing machine, that seems like a *lot*.

You can leave the four year old washer behind, and buy a new one at your destination. With the expensive one, you take a big loss by either paying for the move or by selling it before you move.

Since a lot of people move often, and sometimes without much warning, this could be a factor more often than you would think. Sadly, because otherwise I agree with your analysis completely.

staying single/childless really pays off! :)