That's pretty good price. Which shop?

I'm also using Panasonic NA-128VA2, but I haven't tried washing something as large as a comforter

It's performing up to my expectations so far. It's certainly much quieter than the 8kg Electrolux front-loader that I've used before. It also vibrates less because the inverter motor allows it to reach its maximum spin speed on a more gradual basis.

Like all front-loaders, it tends to smell musty if you close the door immediately after a wash. I leave it half open to air it. Once in a while ( maybe every 2-3 months ) I will run it empty at highest temperature (90C) with some bleach to clean it. Front loaders have a tendency to grow mold if you rarely use hot water mode. If you are hardworking, it's also good to wipe dry the rubber seal after every wash.

Why not consider Panasonic 8kg? Quite competitive pricing, I think around RM 2300-2500 now.

I've been using TOP for front load. It's not bad.

TOP low sud is available in both powder and liquid form. Other low sud detergent I've seen here are Persil and Daia. Usually the box will show/state suitable for front-load machines, or will have the words "Low Sud".

That's an LG and it's definitely not just RM 1k+. More like 7k for that size.

What's wrong with having a filter anyway? Although, I have yet to see a front-load washing machine with a filter. I find filters ( for top load ) good for trapping lint.

Wow, pricier than Electrolux. I'm using the same model, almost 3 years now... I have to admit, the quality isn't very good. Now during washing mode, it makes creaking sounds.

Probably some dampener or suspension system. Yes, 7kg... or was it 8kg, can't recall. It's the same generation.
At that time, Panasonic had the cheapest 7/8kg front loader among major brands. These days, you get more choices. I wouldn't buy the Panasonic if I were to make a purchase today.

This post has been edited by wdarke: Jul 19 2013, 10:51 AM

But the thing is, motor rarely spoils. That is why most of the manufacturers can afford to give 10+ years warranty. These days PCB seems to be the first one that goes. Or the dampener system.

Good question, anything other than Panasonic?
I have heard good reviews about LG. Hitachi inverter units look good too at a competitive price.
If I have the money, I would go for Bosch.

What to do, these days appliances are built to fail. It's called planned obsolescence. My mother's front load washing machine is more than 30 years old, and it is still running...

How do you then know which brand would be the most reliable? Everybody seems to have something to say about every single brand through their own experience. When I bought Panasonic, it was still new in the market, hence I didn't know about their reliability record. My decision was based on features with attractive price point.

Speaking of Melaleuca, do they now have HE laundry detergent for front loaders? A couple of years back they have not brought it in yet.

I use Persil liquid, does not foam much. Dynamo does not have front load specific liquid detergent, hence it foams quite a bit. Try to avoid it. Cosway works well too.

Dynamo does not have a specific one for low suds front loader. They claim that their detergent works for both top load and front load, which is not always true.

Front loaders are also more gentle on clothes, since it's just tumbling them around.

Every brand and model is different.
For Panasonic, medium load, cold water takes about 1.5 hours.
Full load, with warm water takes 2+ hours.
There is a quick wash option, 15 mins but I doubt that would be very clean.

Well, if you mainly wash cold water, I guess the electricity consumption of both FL and TL should be more or less the same. FL has different motor usage compared to TL, so you cannot simply equate washing time with electricity consumption. I think most comparison you read on the Internet also takes into account the amount of electricity needed to heat up the water, would be much more for TL since it uses considerably more water.

For me, the real advantage of FL is it's much gentler on clothes. Clothes are not cheap

Most FL ( and even TL ) has some degree of customisation. You can choose extra rinse, longer wash, spin speed etc.

Panasonic 8kg. 3+ years. I wipe excess water off the rubber gasket after every wash. Every 2 months or so I put the machine through hottest cycle 90C with a cup of bleach.

Motor is probably the most reliable part of the washing machine. Other parts will break down first, and those are usually not covered by more than 3 years warranty. Hence, I wouldn't be too impressed with very long warranty for the motor.

First to go is usually the circuit board..., then the suspension system. After that probably the belt. Next would be the water pump