ISO advice: which vintage washer and dryer to buy for daily usage?

Here are my thoughts.

As combo52 already asked, what are your reasons for wanting to go vintage? Is it a novelty/looks thing, or is your desire based on function/performance? For myself, I prefer older machines because they are easier for me to use as a blind person. All of the electronic control panels present in most newer machines make accessibility extremely poor in many cases. Older machines, with their dials and pointer-style timers, allow them to be operated entirely by touch. On the other hand though, there are a few newer machines that I can use perfectly fine. The bottom of the line Whirlpool branded machines, for instance, think modern Maytag, Roper, Amana, etc, are usable in my situation, but the last one I had died after 6 years of use. I want more reliability out of my machines than that, but I will say that the models with the duel action agitators clean quite well for a modern top loader. I never had issues with mine in that regard. I, too, can't afford a Speed Queen, and they also look not only accessible but also reliable. The only other option I would consider on the modern market would be an LG front loader that I could control remotely via my smart phone, which has accessibility features built into it, and I could just basically ignore the touch screen on the machine. But there again, those machines are on the pricier end of things.

I don't like high efficiency top loaders, or to use a visual descriptor, the machines with the wash plate in the bottom instead of the agitator. That's not to say I don't like high efficiency machines at all. I think front loaders can do very well. I've just not had good luck personally with the hybrid that is a high efficiency top loader. I don't think I would buy one. I want a top loader that behaves as a top loader is attended, or a front loader that behaves as attended. I honestly don't think I would care which I ended up with. Your mileage may vary, that's just my opinion on the matter.

I currently have a 12 series Maytag. Those were in production from 1984-1989. I really enjoy using it, but it has a couple of problems and I'm constantly on edge that it's going to break down and I'll be up the creek since some parts for that machine are no longer available and I can't do the repairs myself anyway. If and when that happens, and if I still can't afford to get a new Speed Queen or LG, my plan is to get a newer version of what I have, my thought being that if I go even about 10 years newer, more people will be willing to do repairs and parts will be easier to find. Maytags from the 90's Dependable Care line have model numbers that start with LAT. With your laundry needs being what you say they are, I would look for a large capacity machine. Mine is only a standard capacity, but I find it meets my needs just fine--it's just me and my wife, and it's no big deal to just run a medium load every few days or so.

Another option, and one I'm also strongly considering, would be a Whirlpool/Kenmore direct drive machine. Those were produced from the mid 80's until 2010 and were also sold under brand names such as Estate, Roper, and a couple others I'm forgetting at the moment. You will find that folks on here have vastly differing opinions regarding these washers. Some love them for their durability and the fact that when something does go wrong, they can be serviced easily, and some hate them because they claim the short, rapid agitation stroke in the wash cycle wears out clothes. That would be where the "shreadmore" phrase comes from. I will say that I feel neutral about them. That was the style almost everyone in my family had when I was growing up, and I found them adequate performers and didn't suffer any clothing damage from them. I've seen them in many apartments, and the residential blind school I attended had several. My point being, they were super plentiful at one time, probably many still in service today, so parts are still widely available. But they weren't machines to have passionate feelings about. Just a washer, nothing special but nothing terrible either. There are much better and much worse washers out there, but they definitely get the job done and it is true that if one breaks, it can be easily serviced and usually back up and running within ours. That is why it's high on my list of options if my Maytag breaks, even though I like the Maytag better overall.

I hope this was helpful.


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Post# 1150189 6/3/2022 at 19:43 (692 days old) by girlnextdoor (Sarasota, Florida)
Checkrate/Likes Or, as the Smiths might say, "Please, please, please, let me get what I want..." Apologies for writing a novel instead of a post. TL;DR - please tell me what vintage models I should look at for daily users that still have parts available and that a handy person can do most of the maintenance on without too much difficulty. Currently have hard water until I buy a filter/softening system. I last posted back in 2018. I had acquired an early 90s GE dryer. Unfortunately, before I could find a matching Filter Flo washer, my husband "loaned" the dryer to someone in difficult financial straits (we still had a working set). That person chose to junk it when something went wrong, which p***ed me off beyond belief. (I never gave him permission to just get rid of it without checking if I wanted it back to repair.) Lesson learned - never "loaning" that guy anything again! After a long hiatus I'm starting over, but am thoroughly confused as to what model machines I should try to buy. It seems to me I should be looking at a time frame of mid 70s - early 90s at the latest. A matched set would be nice but is not required. Stackable is nice but not required. They must be easy to work on for DIY repairs because although hubby is magic at mechanical stuff, he's not an appliance tech, and I'm far less mechanically inclined than him. Parts should not be as rare as hen's teeth. I would love to find something that fits my needs and would be happy to purchase restored units from any of you helpful collector/techs -- combo52, yogitunes, RP2813, goatfarmer, Tomturbomatic, etc. I'm sorry I forget other people's names because I haven't lurked in ages due to insane hours worked at a job I now no longer have. I never seem to find good condition older models within 200 miles of me - or if I do, someone else gets them first. I'm willing to branch out and drive further, but I do have a limit due to current gas prices and, well, husband's availability. I need him to help load the things, LOL. At this point he is starting to pressure me to buy something before our current set gives up the ghost. The last research I did was ages ago and now I'm under the gun to find something before my husband upsets me by "making a command decision" and showing up with something on sale at Lowe's. I normally like to do my own research and not ask to have things spoon-fed to me, but I'm short on time now. If we have to drive far to pick something up, he's more amenable if it's already restored than if it still needs work. --- I'm looking for reliable daily users that get things clean without being terribly rough on fabrics. I believe I do more laundry than a normal 2-person household. Weekly: 2 loads of sheets 2 loads of body towels 2-3 loads clothing Bi-weekly, add: 2 loads thin bedding blankets 1-2 loads clothing 1 small load of kitchen linens 1 small load of work rags 2 loads cat blankets (!!!) (mixed with towels to help slough off hair) In the past I had my eye on GE Filter Flo models specifically because of our cat hair issues. I do take lint rollers to things before washing and even try to run them in the dryer in advance with rough towels to remove as much hair as possible before washing, but there still seems to be a fair amount deposited in my FL washer and plenty in the dryer. I had also considered vintage Kenmores. Lady Kenmores seem to be impossible to find. I know some later-but-still-vintage models have been nicknamed Shredmores and I know a few members here disagreed on their usefulness and desirability but I no longer remember the details. I can't recall any details as to what vintage Maytag would work for my needs. Note: I have hard water where I live, and am currently looking into whole house water filters, possibly with a water softener as well, for this issue. If I am asking too much I apologize. I just don't have the minimal model knowledge (of strengths, of known problems, etc.) let alone the technical knowledge (what is DD or orbital, long stroke or short, etc.) to be able to make an informed decision. If anyone could PLEASE tell me what specific models I should be looking for and what price range I can expect to pay, I would be very grateful. --- Also any education on the following would be greatly appreciated: I don't bleach very much, and I seem to recall that that using some regimen of bleach as well as warm/hot washes is necessary to keeping spiders from disintegrating. If I switch from a FL to a TL I don't have to worry about this, but what issues WOULD I need to keep in mind with a TL? For example I recently saw somewhere here that using enough detergent and hot water is necessary to keep older TL models working well but I don't know the how or the why of that. --- (This isn't the right forum for the following notes but adding them anyway: if I should be looking at anything NEW that works well, is reliable, and is less expensive than Speed Queen, please tell me to post a brief request in the Deluxe Forum. I can't afford a new SQ set. A mixed set came up for $ 600 an hour from me - a 2010 SQ TL washer and a 2017 SQ dryer, but based on a comment from combo52 about SQ TL builds pre-2017 I've decided to pass on it.) Thank you in advance for any and all recommendations! Also, besides the help I've been given on past threads, I've enjoyed lurking and just reading about all the amazing things you experienced people know about these machines. So I upgraded my membership as a "thank you" for the wealth of info you are all kind enough to post.

Post# 1150192 , Reply# 1 6/3/2022 at 19:59 (692 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)
Checkrate/Likes 6 The least problematic vintage washer and dryer you can use on a daily basis without worrying about anything would be a Maytag set.

Post# 1150203 , Reply# 2 6/3/2022 at 22:25 (691 days old) by girlnextdoor (Sarasota, Florida)
Checkrate/Likes Thanks for answering. My understanding is not all Maytags are equal. What production dates or model numbers?

Post# 1150213 , Reply# 3 6/3/2022 at 23:14 (691 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *Best Vintage Washer and Dryer* It depends on how vintage you want, are you going for looks or just traditional performance? John L.

Post# 1150218 , Reply# 4 6/4/2022 at 00:00 (691 days old) by Good-Shepherd (New Jersey)
Checkrate/Likes 3 *before I could find a matching Filter Flo* Here is a nice Filter-Flo set in your area. Looks too good to be true but if so I would grab it ASAP! fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/ppd...

Post# 1150242 , Reply# 5 6/4/2022 at 13:31 (691 days old) by ryner1988 (Indianapolis)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *From one novice to another...* Here are my thoughts. As combo52 already asked, what are your reasons for wanting to go vintage? Is it a novelty/looks thing, or is your desire based on function/performance? For myself, I prefer older machines because they are easier for me to use as a blind person. All of the electronic control panels present in most newer machines make accessibility extremely poor in many cases. Older machines, with their dials and pointer-style timers, allow them to be operated entirely by touch. On the other hand though, there are a few newer machines that I can use perfectly fine. The bottom of the line Whirlpool branded machines, for instance, think modern Maytag, Roper, Amana, etc, are usable in my situation, but the last one I had died after 6 years of use. I want more reliability out of my machines than that, but I will say that the models with the duel action agitators clean quite well for a modern top loader. I never had issues with mine in that regard. I, too, can't afford a Speed Queen, and they also look not only accessible but also reliable. The only other option I would consider on the modern market would be an LG front loader that I could control remotely via my smart phone, which has accessibility features built into it, and I could just basically ignore the touch screen on the machine. But there again, those machines are on the pricier end of things. I don't like high efficiency top loaders, or to use a visual descriptor, the machines with the wash plate in the bottom instead of the agitator. That's not to say I don't like high efficiency machines at all. I think front loaders can do very well. I've just not had good luck personally with the hybrid that is a high efficiency top loader. I don't think I would buy one. I want a top loader that behaves as a top loader is attended, or a front loader that behaves as attended. I honestly don't think I would care which I ended up with. Your mileage may vary, that's just my opinion on the matter. I currently have a 12 series Maytag. Those were in production from 1984-1989. I really enjoy using it, but it has a couple of problems and I'm constantly on edge that it's going to break down and I'll be up the creek since some parts for that machine are no longer available and I can't do the repairs myself anyway. If and when that happens, and if I still can't afford to get a new Speed Queen or LG, my plan is to get a newer version of what I have, my thought being that if I go even about 10 years newer, more people will be willing to do repairs and parts will be easier to find. Maytags from the 90's Dependable Care line have model numbers that start with LAT. With your laundry needs being what you say they are, I would look for a large capacity machine. Mine is only a standard capacity, but I find it meets my needs just fine--it's just me and my wife, and it's no big deal to just run a medium load every few days or so. Another option, and one I'm also strongly considering, would be a Whirlpool/Kenmore direct drive machine. Those were produced from the mid 80's until 2010 and were also sold under brand names such as Estate, Roper, and a couple others I'm forgetting at the moment. You will find that folks on here have vastly differing opinions regarding these washers. Some love them for their durability and the fact that when something does go wrong, they can be serviced easily, and some hate them because they claim the short, rapid agitation stroke in the wash cycle wears out clothes. That would be where the "shreadmore" phrase comes from. I will say that I feel neutral about them. That was the style almost everyone in my family had when I was growing up, and I found them adequate performers and didn't suffer any clothing damage from them. I've seen them in many apartments, and the residential blind school I attended had several. My point being, they were super plentiful at one time, probably many still in service today, so parts are still widely available. But they weren't machines to have passionate feelings about. Just a washer, nothing special but nothing terrible either. There are much better and much worse washers out there, but they definitely get the job done and it is true that if one breaks, it can be easily serviced and usually back up and running within ours. That is why it's high on my list of options if my Maytag breaks, even though I like the Maytag better overall. I hope this was helpful.

Post# 1150255 , Reply# 6 6/4/2022 at 17:46 (691 days old) by Hippiedoll ( arizona )
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Free MAYTAG set in Orlando, Florida* Laundryboy in Orlando, Florida is offering a vintage maytag set free. 207 washer; Standard capacity, 2-speed washer It has the long, slow stroke type washing And a halo-of-heat dryer. Can't beat the price, they're free

Post# 1150278 , Reply# 7 6/4/2022 at 19:16 (691 days old) by girlnextdoor (Sarasota, Florida)
Checkrate/Likes combo52 - I'm going to have to rank this as performance first, looks second. Sure I'd love a gorgeous old classic light up push button Maytag or Lady Kenmore set, but the odds of me finding that in working condition within both a reasonable driving distance and within 60 - 90 days are probably nil. (They seem to pop up a lot in NE USA where you are, and my husband won't drive that far.) I don't have space in the house for two sets, but I do have room in the garage, so frankly I'm not averse to jumping on something "good enough" for now... while keeping an eye out for a more aesthetically pleasing replacement that might pop up down the road and then jockeying machines accordingly. My biggest issue with the older, prettier, eye-candy units are parts availability and ability of a novice person to repair them (or the availability/cost of a pro tech well-versed in vintage/antique). This is one of those case where "satisfice" is likely to be the name of the game - I'm going have to balance priorities. Good-shepherd - I had given up checking Ft. Myers, thank you for your diligence! It's not a set, it's a washer, but goodness knows the price is right and I can continue my search for a dryer. Thanks!!! (I'm embarrassed that I didn't check there before posting this though.) I already texted them and they will check the warehouse on Monday for me to make sure it's still there. ryner1988 - Thank you so very much for your comprehensive reply, it was very very kind of you to take the time to provide all that information. It is indeed very helpful and I've made notes! Also I just wanted to say "hello" from a fellow Midwesterner - I grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago just a hairbreadth from the Illinois/Indiana border. (Hammond/Munster being directly east of the town I grew up in.) Hippiedoll - THANK YOU! I just got online now and so hadn't seen that yet. Thank you so much for pointing that out!!! I've posted on the thread. Fingers crossed!

Post# 1150283 , Reply# 8 6/4/2022 at 20:13 (691 days old) by Laundryboy (Orlando Florida & Moravia NY. )
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Love the GE set* Those GE�s are beautiful. I�ve always wanted a set of filter flows but with the blue straight vane agitator

Post# 1150552 , Reply# 14 6/8/2022 at 07:43 (687 days old) by DADoES (TX,�U.S. of A.)
Checkrate/Likes � Just to say, it looks as if the machines are positioned to be touching each other?� That's not a good idea.� Bits of vibration during operation can cause abrasion of the finish.� It happened to our 1976 Whirlpool pair over a period of years.

Post# 1150568 , Reply# 15 6/8/2022 at 11:49 (687 days old) by tennblondie78 (Bowling Green, KY)
Checkrate/Likes 1 They aren't touching, they are just very close. My husband is super particular about gaps like that.

Post# 1150575 , Reply# 16 6/8/2022 at 13:44 (687 days old) by whitetub (Montreal, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Stephanie, that is an amazing looking pair of Maytags..

Post# 1150634 , Reply# 18 6/9/2022 at 07:13 (686 days old) by tennblondie78 (Bowling Green, KY)
Checkrate/Likes 3 Thank you, Steve! Sean, I converted my console lights over to LED. Looks the same, but they are instant on and no flickering.

Post# 1150380 , Reply# 9 6/5/2022 at 23:17 (689 days old) by Good-Shepherd (New Jersey)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *It's not a set, it's a washer,* Photos show the matching GE dryer next to the washer, they have over 500 ads, maybe they didn't include the dryer in the listing. In any case grab it immediately if still for sale.

Post# 1150408 , Reply# 10 6/6/2022 at 09:02 (689 days old) by girlnextdoor (Sarasota, Florida)
Checkrate/Likes *Alas, they're both gone.* Good-sheperd, after I posted that, I went back and looked at the photo and saw what you saw. So I searched CL for the dryer but nothing popped up. Then I sent an updated text to the seller that I wanted the dryer too if available. 6:30 am this morning - both were already gone. They are apparently pretty prompt about removing the CL listings despite their volume, so that's why the dryer ad was already gone. The lady handling things felt that the washer must have sold mid-Saturday and they are closed Sunday. She double checked their ware house for me and nope, no washer. Bummed to have missed it - that washer looked in excellent condition! And I imagine the dryer would have been similar. Hopefully though I'll get those Maytags in Orlando. But you are a real sweetheart for finding that ad in the first place and posting it!

Post# 1150417 , Reply# 11 6/6/2022 at 10:51 (689 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)
Checkrate/Likes Since this is a In Search Of/Wanted thread, does anyone on here have a Maytag 808 control panel or not? Looking for one since I am putting together a customized HOH dryer to go with an 806 washer if one does pop up for sale in my area.

Post# 1150550 , Reply# 12 6/8/2022 at 07:27 (687 days old) by tennblondie78 (Bowling Green, KY)
Checkrate/Likes 2 I have a 1976 Maytag A806 and DE808 set that are daily drivers. I bought them about 8 years ago or so from an old lady in Anderson, Indiana. She felt bad that I drove that far to get them and couldn't understand why I wanted such an old set. She discounted the price from $150 to $100. LOL! I grew up with a center dial Maytag set and wanted one as an adult. I tore them apart in my garage and rebuilt everything. They run at least 2 loads a day, sometimes many more. Best investment I've ever made. PS: There isn't a spot on the dryer door, that's just something in the picture. View Full Size

Post# 1150551 , Reply# 13 6/8/2022 at 07:40 (687 days old) by appnut (TX)
Checkrate/Likes 2 Stephanie, I still remember when you got these.

Post# 1150576 , Reply# 17 6/8/2022 at 13:53 (687 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)
Checkrate/Likes I�ll have a pair of Maytags like that eventually one day but will have to obtain all the parts to convert my 306 into and 806 dryer. Most difficult thing will be to find an 808 control panel along with the fluorescent ballasts for the back lit panel.