Customer Reviews

LG Electronics WM0642HW Front Load Washing Machine with 7 Washing Programs

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This washer is just phenomenal! It cleans VERY well, even in my hard well water. It's very quiet, only producing what some may deem objectionable amounts of noise during the spin cycle, which operates at an incredible 1200 RPM to extract every last bit of moisture possible out of the clothes before you get them out of the washer, which makes your drying of the clothes far more efficient, as the drying time is shortened so much. I've noticed a significant savings in gas usage (drying and hot water) since purchasing this machine.

The machine has to be EXTREMELY level, easy to take care of if you use eight (yes, EIGHT) little levels. Each corner has two sides, so it's easiest to level the machine with one on each side of each corner. You can find cheap ones at the dollar store or bargain bins that work just fine for this purpose.

This washer will wash an overstuffed King-sized down comforter easily. I can even fit the cover in with it.

It has many features, including on-board water heater (essential when dealing with as little water as these machines use, to keep the temperature up), "sanitary" (super-hot water) cycle, pre-wash, and many others. You can even set up custom programs.

The minor gripes: Pre-wash cycle has to have powder put in the compartments, as liquid just drains right into the washer. Cycle times are longer than a top-loader, but the capacity of this thing makes up for that...it's just another of the things to get used to vs. a top-loader. The "cute chime" signalling finished laundry is too quiet to hear on any floor but the one the washer's on. No biggie - the estimated time to finish is usually dead-on unless you get an unbalanced load, which doesn't happen often. Less often, in fact, than my old top-loader.

To ALL who experience problems with smell: LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN BETWEEN USES! This is stated very clearly in the owner's manual. I've NEVER had a problem with mildew odor, and I simply leave the door open every time. It's just one of those things to get used to with a front-loader vs. a top-loader.

Also, the torque this thing puts out may strain a floor that isn't specially reinforced to handle the power of this machine, so it's recommended only on cement (I have carpeted cement where mine is located) or specially reinforced flooring. Many people would do well to make note that this is NOT a conventional top-loader!

A reminder: front-loaders require H.e. detergent, or a VERY SMALL amount of regular. H.e. compatible detergents like that one "Signature" Powder work just fine.

All in all, I love this machine! (I can't believe I'm saying that about a laundry machine...)

I bought this and the matching dryer at Best Buy after extensive research. It works great but you do have to know a few things about this type of machine. After you do the wash, you have to leave the door open for air to circulate in there and completely dry anything. If you don't do this, you'll have a musty smell that you'll need to run a hot bleach cycle to get rid of it. Yes, I learned this the hard way. My wife, who grew up in Germany, later said, "oh, yeah...I forgot to tell you that".

The only problem I had with this machine is while removing clothes, I spun the drum to make sure I got everything and the unit powered on. The next load, I got an LE error code on the display panel. This means you need to call for service. Let me save you the trouble. Just unplug the unit for 15-20 minutes and it will reset itself and all in the world will be fine again.

Otherwise, this has run well and cleans like it's supposed to. My only suggestion would be to buy the drawer units to avoid having to bend down so far. It gets to be a pain.

We just received the LG WM0642H washer this morning and I've used it once. I did a lot of research before making the purchase because I wanted to get something good and energy efficient. Before buying I researched pros and cons and read the manual. The manual stated that for for optimum performance there is a small amount of maintenance that should be done regularly. Supposedly the maintenance will take care of any mold, mildew, smell, or stain issues that some people experience. I don't know if people who say they have those problems with this machine do the maintenance or not but I plan to do it.

I was impressed with how quiet the machine is! The total wash cycle is fairly long but the time is made up by how quickly the items dry due to the spin cycle of the washer. I used regular detergent that said it was HE compatible by simply using less of it, which seemed to work well. When the machine was done I wiped down the door, seal, and a little of the drum and left the washer door open to let it fully dry out. I believe this is supposed to help keep it from getting too humid and causing mold to grow inside. I've never had a front loader before but I always left the top up on my top loader for a while so it could air out so leaving the door open on this one seems reasonable.

The first load I did to test it out was a full load of towels since they are heavier and I wanted to make sure the spin cycle didn't make the machine vibrate unduly. When the machine was installed the installer used a level in two directions to make sure it was level, which it was (I watched). When I read the installation instructions after he left I noticed that it said to level it during the spin cycle (which he did not), so when I did my laundry I put my level on it and tested it myself. It was spot on level and during the spin cycle it vibrated, but did not move.

I realize that I've only used it once so far but the future looks bright for this machine!

Bought this LG front loader to replace a rickety old Kenmore that was still chugging, but on its way out. Also got the matching LG gas dryer.

I read the manual while the delivery guys set it all up and as soon as they left - I went to laundry town! I stayed up half the night doing laundry, it was such a riot. The machine is smooth, quiet, efficient, and ever so gentle - the way the drum hypnotically swishes left and right and then goes allllll the way around, carefully tossing my clothes to and fro. It hardly uses any water compared to my Kenmore top loader. I started with sturdier stuff, like towels, then jeans, and by 2 in the morning I was tossing in lacy camis and other unmentionables with abandon and marveling at how good they looked after I pulled 'em out. I had amassed quite a pile of hand-washables that I could never find the time to wash by hand.
I'm only using HE detergent and leaving the door open when finished. I plan on checking the filter and draining it a couple times per month to keep any mold from forming too.
So far so good, if this machine lasts as long as my Kenmore did, I will be an extremely happy camper.

First let me begin by saying these new washers are as different from your last model as the washtub was from the ringer washer and the ringer washer was from your last units.

Besides using as little water and electricity as possible under the newly federal mandated conservation requirements they wash in a completely new manner. While the wash cycle times are longer then the previous generation of machines you will not find wash cycle times in the manuals. That is because each load is unique depending primarily on the weight of the load which determines the water required plus the other cycle element you select such as level of dirt, spin speed and so on. While the timer on the machine shows a time in progress this is not how long but how much time remains. Sometimes ours pauses on 36 minutes for 5-8 minutes during the rise phase then moves on.

You will also be amazed as the drum reverses direction every few minutes throughout its cycle. Even during the rinse it will go slow then fast then stop and reverse many times. The spin is crazy as it slowly accelerates to balance the load then takes off at 1000-12000 rpm to blow the water out of the clothes. A full set of queen flannel sheets spun out dry enough to dry in the companion dryer in 20 minutes.

Here is one negative. While our units are mounted on a concrete tiled slab floor they tend to vibrate a little on the highest spin speeds. This is because they are also on the 7" pedestals that raise the machine to a nice height for unloading in the front door. But because the pedestal is slightly flexible and the machine's center of gravity is now higher, you get a little more shake action, which can result in more noise. Some folks have indicated high noise levels when the machines are upstairs on a wood supported floor. I can see that the high spin would transmit the vibration throughout a structure in that case. All this is not a showstopper, just that you need to be aware. While the pedestals are nice for the added height, maybe putting the machines directly on the floor would be better. Also if you leave your bottle of liquid TideHE on top, you may find it on the floor at the end. Yes you have to use the new HE detergents or you get over-sudsing.

Now that said, these are extremely quite machines. The direct drive motors are quite and eliminate the old transmission system that was one of the two typical failure points on the old machines, the other being the pumps. Of course the bottom line for the money is do they clean the clothes? Yes! They do as good if not better then our previous GE and Frigidaire washers while saving on water and energy. Hopefully they last many years to offset the higher purchase price.

I just bought a new house and needed a washer in a hurry. I ran to Home Depot where the salesman assured me this was the latest and greatest. I went against my better judgement and went for it. Well, I've had it 28 days and have called for service 2 times. When washing anything heavier than a few t-shirts, it makes the most horrible racket that vibrates through the whole house. In the past I have had European front loader washers and they also vibrate but I have never heard anything this horrible before. Hopefully I can prevent someone else from having the same nightmare.

I have owned my front load LG washer for 3-1/2 years. It cleans my clothes very well but I can no longer tolerate the musty & moldy smell coming from the rubber door gasket. Bleach and other disinfectant cleaning agents do not solve the odor problem. Do not purchase a front load washer unless you want your laundry room to smell like a swamp. I am going back to a top loading machine. Buyer beware!!!
P.S. This machine is also VERY loud when in the spin cycle. It sounds like a jet plane taking off from the runway.

We have had this washer for 4 years and it has never been a purchase we have been pleased with. Although LG and service people will state that leaving the door to the unit open will keep it clean, that simply is not true. Mold and mildew will definitely build up in the rubber gasket area. There is no way to reach all of the area to wipe it down. If you purchase this machine, you need to be prepared to completely wipe down the entire door and rubber unit to at least reduce the mildew. Even with the cleaning treatment packets and your best efforts, you will eventually see buildup. Also, be prepared to clear out the unit's water hose line every other month to combat the smell the builds up there. That is not difficult to do, but obviously this is a machine that requires a great deal of cleaning.

As far as cleaning the clothes - it really does a mediocre job at best. The clothes need to be removed immediately to prevent any odors from building on them. It is not pleasant to place your laundry in a unit with mildew and try to clean it.

Another website has pages of dissatisfied buyers with similar issues. I contacted LG and they told me to again, "leave the door open" and this is not something we will try to fix.

This is an expensive machine and it does not clean laundry well and requires a great deal of work to keep it operating at a substandard level.

i have owned this washer (and matching dryer) for only 1 week, but i can loudly proclaim it cleans (and the dryer dries) great and run very quiet. i reviewed Consumer Reports before buying a new washer/dryer combo and I am thrilled with the results of my review and subsequent purchase! to top it all off, i stumbled into a clearance sale at home depot so I paid only $673 for the washer and the same for the dryer...up here in Alaska, that is an awesome deal for a large appliance because shipping is really expensive.

i would recommed the washer (and matching dryer) to anyone :)

We have had this machine for two years. It stopped spinning in the wash cycle. Makes a noise like it is taking off. Problem;not just anyone can work on them, the certified repair people aren't even trained on the repair of these machines. I have been without a washer for 5 weeks the repair man has come 4 times (can't wait to get that bill). I had my last washer for 30 years finally the drum rusted out. I know things are made more cheaply today but I paid a ton of money and hoped to get more than 2 years out of it before I have to spend time and money on this device. Salesman said it was the most dependable brand on the market. I have spoken to many people (at the laundromat) who have similar horror stories about their LG machines.