Washers & Dryers Discussions

Is the washer completely level? Being level is crucial for quiet operation. Also, running unbalanced loads (for instance, a single towel set to high spin speed) can increase noise, though there are balancing systems to take care of it.

Can you describe the kind of noise being produced?

Yes, sears installed and leveled it.  The noise is mainly when the water is filling and when it is spinning.  I was expected less noise especially being that it is on the first level near the living space.  I'm now reading reviews that say there is some vibration on the Whirlpool Duet Steam.  Is it a good model?  Should I have gone with the Samsung? 

Can you describe the noise you're hearing when it's filling?

Also, have you checked yourself to see if the washer is level? The delivery folks do a great job, but confirmation of level should always be done anyway to be on the safe side.

The noise you're hearing during spin, is it the sound of escalating RPMs? You know, the frequency of the sound increasing, with the tone getting higher (though not necessarily louder)? Does the sound decrease when maximum speed is achieved?

Yes it is level.  I just checked myself. 

the filling of the water just makes lots of noise.

Yes when it is increasing in speed it sort of whistles.  I will need to wash another load and see if the sound decreases when max speed is achieved. 

Also the the dryer door is harder to close than the washer.  Seems the locking mechanism is different than on the washer.  you have to push harder and then it clicks loudly.  if the door isn't fully closed the dryer will stop working after a while and the light turns on. 

what are your thoughts?

The washer filling noises are caused by the pipes in your home, not the machine itself. There is no washer that won't cause the pipes to make those sounds. The spin cycle sounds are normal, and are common to pretty much all washing machines with high spin speeds.

The dryer door has two metal latches, at the top and bottom. Check to make sure each one is aligned properly. Close the door gently and feel which one latches properly and which one doesn't. The one that remains loose is not latching properly. It can be gently bent up or down to meet the door's openings, depending on which direction yields better results.

However, it sounds like the machines are working properly (even the dryer turning off is correct if the latch is slightly misaligned). The sounds are different than you're probably used to, but with time you won't notice them, just as you didn't notice the sounds the old style machine made.

I'll check the door latches and see what is going on.  Is this something I should be able to fix myself or will it need to be fixed by Sears?

It's easily done by anybody with a simple pair of pliers. I've done it myself on occasion with display models.

Thanks.  To get back to you about the noise I hear when in spin cycle.  I am using the whitest whites setting as we speak and the machine says it is washing but it is actually spinning very rapidly.  IN any case it is a sound like a plane is landing when the spin is ending/slowing down.  Is this normal?

That is normal. Every front-load washer will make that same sound. It's just different noises, but, I think you'll agree that the noises aren't really any louder, just different.

different yes, but i was hoping that the new washer would be far quieter than this.  we will see how things go.  thanks for your input on all my questions. 

my samsung is pretty quiet. much quieter than my previous front load maytag.

mom4321- thanks.  that is what i have heard about the samsungs.  do you like the dryer too?

I love the dryer. It drys quickly . THe only issue i have had is the sensor sometimes thinks blankets are dry when they are not so I switch to time dry for those issues.  I think you tube has some videos of the machines in actionso you can see and hear how quiet/ loud they are .

the noise is really getting to us.  we really wanted a quieter machine. 

Welcome to the world of front loaders, not known for being quiet, especially on flexable wood floors, can you say trampoline, they sound better on concrete.

High spin speed 1100 rpm+ will sound like, well, high spin speed, top loads are much slower and therefore quieter and don't have the spin forces going up and down.

The machine's environment and loads can and does significantly affect the perceived noise, nice and quiet at ones house, but not so much at another, they are all different.

And be sure to read up on front load care and feeding, (bleach, mesh bags, empty pockets), these are not top loaders, don't treat them like top loaders. Hate to have you back complaining about clogged pumps, and smell. Do your homework before it is a problem.

Actually some front loaders are quieter than others from what I'm reading now...like Samsung.  Dont' get me wrong I love the cleaning and ease of use of my whirlpool duets, but am not sure what to do regarding teh noise.  Should I exchange for the samsung 448 pair?  Sears is very good and will do the exchange of course since I have only had the pair one month at the most.  I'm just nervous switching.  What if the Samsung is quieter but doesn't clean as well.  What do you all think I should do????  I'm so torn.  As I said Whirlpool duet is cleaning really well and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the dryer.  It is quiet and drys things really well.  IT's the washer that is noisy during spin plus you hear the motor whenever it is switching between the different cycles of wash, rinse spin. working.

Okay, so a month has gone by.  What did you finally do?  With no more Guiding Light, I need a new story to follow...

We exchanged for the samsung 448 washer and dryer.  I am not as impressed as I thought i would be to tell you the truth.  There are a lot of options that I haven't used yet because it has been only 2 weeks, but the wash and dry cyles seem longer on the samsung.  The clothes come out very clean though.  As for noise, it is a bit quieter but in a different way.  this samsung seems to drain intermittentaly throughout the spin/rinse cycle which creates a  noise that goes on and off from the drain pump.  I guess that is normal.  The whilrpool just drained all at once I guess.  As for vibration, it starts to vibrate a little than levels off.  My whirlpool never got out of balance or vibrated.   

The dryer is louder than my whirlpool and seems to take longer.