Washer/Dryer recommendations? And questions...

[lolc]

We are buying a home and one thing we know for certain is that we will need to buy a new washer and dryer

I browsed through Sears the other day.....

There are so many options. TOO many options!!!! I noticed the agitator seems to be a thing of the past? I didn't see many with agitators, and the one or two I did see with agitators seemed more outdated than my 2004 models.

There's just.... so many options. Front load, top load..... lots and lots of settings.

Someone point me in a good direction? I would prefer to stay at less than 1,500 per unit, unless the unit can also cook dinner, do dishes, and clean up a messy play room.

Also, I am doing laundry for (my) family of 5. 3 messy kiddos. And DH wears a uniform... is there a unit that presses?? lol. I'm half-kidding.

Advantages/disadvantages to top or front loaders, brands to look into, brands to stay away from, particular units that are good, particular units that are notoriously bad.... looking for all this sort of info, would appreciate any and all responses!

TIA!

[kaylie]

We just bought GE profile front loaders. Swoon! I love them, they have tons of features that are easy to use, they're huge, and my clothes have never been cleaner. The also play a short ditty when you turn them on and off.

This is the washer (dryer comes in gas or electric):

www.homedepot.com/GE-Profile/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ30d/R-202554058/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051&superSkuId=202759898

[housegeek]

I'm looking too, and decided to stay away from front loaders (although I'm still looking into the Electrolux). Mold is a huge issue in front loaders and a lot of companies are being sued over it. I'm also not sure I'm comfortable with having to leave the fronts open and the chance a pet or child could get stuck in there. But I did find a child safety thing that can keep it closed/ keep it from closing.