Inside Consumer Reports Tests Labs: New front-loading washing machines from Whirlpool and Maytag

Reviews of the Whirlpool Duet Steam WFW9750W[W] and Duet Sport WFW9150W[W] and Maytag Performance Series MHWE950W[W]

What's the biggest laundry-related gripe Americans have? The musty smell that befouls clothes left to sit in the washing machine after washing is the top "unmet consumer concern in the laundry room," according to a Whirlpool Corporation survey.

To address the odor problem, Whirlpool has equipped some of its front-loaders with low-energy fans to circulate air and also programmed the machines to tumble periodically. As part of the testing for our continuously updated ratings of front-loading and top-loading washing machines (available to subscribers), we recently reviewed three washing machines* with these odor-fighting features.

Note that none of the loads we washed in any machine had an odor, either when the cycle ended or even after the load sat for hours. Further, there were no odors evident for these tested models regardless of whether the odor-fighting feature was turned on or off, so we cannot report on the claimed odor-preventing ability of these machines. Whirlpool is careful to indicate that these features do not remove an odor but can help prevent one from forming. Our experts suggest that some odors could be from residual soil and bacteria in the clothing or the machine that under the right temperature and moisture conditions are able to propagate.

The Whirlpool Duet Steam WFW9750W[W], $1,300 (shown), has what the manufacturer calls FanFresh, which is designed to prevent odors by circulating air with a fan and tumbling wet laundry every 15 minutes for up to 10 hours. This front-loader did an excellent job overall in our tests. It proved very good at our washing, gentleness, vibration, and water-extraction tests. The WFW9750W[W] also aced our energy- and water-efficiency tests, has a large, 21-pound capacity and was relatively quiet over its 65-minute normal cycle. Its NightQuiet option reduces noise by using a lower spin speed, though this mode also slightly reduces the amount of water extracted from loads.

The Whirlpool Duet Sport WFW9150W[W], $700, has an option, called TumbleFresh, that circulates clothes every 15 minutes for up to six hours. This front-loader, with a sizable, 18-pound capacity, performed very good overall. It aced our gentleness, energy- and water-efficiency tests and was very good at extracting water and in the vibration tests but was only mediocre in our washing tests. It also proved relatively noisy over its 55-minute normal cycle.

The Maytag Performance Series MHWE950W[W], $1,300, is made by Whirlpool and is basically the same machine as the Whirlpool Duet Steam WFW9750W[W], with a similar 21-pound capacity. Its Fresh Hold option tumbles wet laundry every 15 minutes for up to 10 hours and uses a fan to circulate air. The MHWE950W[W] was top-notch overall and excelled in our tests for energy and water efficiency and extracting water. It earned very good scores for washing, gentleness, and vibration. This model operates relatively quietly over its 65-minute normal cycle; its "quiet" option slows the spin speed to dampen noise, though this mode slightly reduces the water extracted from clothes.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential reading: If you need new laundry equipment, check out our free buyer's guide to washers and buying advice for dryers. If you're in the market for new appliances, stay up on the news related to the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, also known as cash for clunkers for appliances.

*We purchased these appliances from the manufacturer before they were available in stores; we will confirm the test results below on versions that we buy at retail.

Want to start a debate? Bring up the subject of drying laundry on clotheslines

Health-care reform is an important and hotly debated national issue these days. While certainly not as pressing as health care, the subject of hanging laundry out to dry is something many people seem just as passionate about.

Consider the comments to our June 2009 post "Are Clotheslines Making a Comeback? 'Right-to-Dry Movement' Promotes Their Use" and those in response to The New York Times' recent engaging online debate "Rethinking Laundry in the 21st Century."

Right-to-dry-ers tout clotheslines and the like as tried-and-true energy savers that leave laundry smelling great. Some folks are skeptical about the practice, wondering whether line drying will leave their clothes feeling crunchy and questioning the added time it might take to dry their laundry. Those opposed to clotheslines feel they muck up their neighborhoods.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average American household uses about 11,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, with the typical electric clothes dryer consuming about 900 kWh—around what the average washing machine uses and slightly less than a typical refrigerator does.

If you're not ready to dry your laundry on a clothesline or on racks, follow these steps to cut back on dryer-related energy use:
• Use an automatic cycle for drying. This cycle will call on the dryer's moisture sensor, which automatically turns off the machine when the laundry is done. The sensor will work even if you select the less or more dry option.
• Remove the lint from the filter after every load. Built-up lint can reduce air circulation and make your dryer run longer. What's more, lint can clog the dryer vent, where it poses a significant fire hazard.
• Dry lightweight laundry in one load and heavier items, like towels and jeans, in another.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Give us your thoughts on clotheslines and line drying by posting a comment below. And if you're in the market for new laundry or other appliances, read about the U.S. Department of Energy's $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, otherwise known as cash for clunkers for appliances.

Cash for clunkers could help appliance industry . . . but companies might have to wait to see benefits

Year-over-year shipments of major appliances dipped 6.7 percent in September, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. This decline keeps the recession-ravaged industry in the red for the year compared with 2008, but following steeper drops in shipments the two previous months—9.4 percent in August; 19.1 percent in July—the outlook for appliance makers might be improving.

The Consumer Reports Index for September showed a similar uptick in "majaps," industry lingo for major appliances like refrigerators, dishwasher, ranges, washers, and dryers.

Amid the industry's cautious optimism over the upswing is concern that the nascent recovery could be squashed by the U.S. Department of Energy's $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, otherwise known as cash for clunkers for appliances. That's because many states won't roll out the rebate program until early 2010, keeping prospective buyers on the sidelines.

The appliance industry yesterday held what it labeled the "Federal Appliance Rebate Media Briefing." During the teleconference, one reporter asked representatives from Bosch and Sears whether they're concerned that sales will be hurt by the delay in launching cash for clunkers for appliances. "Half of appliance purchases are based on upgrades or people moving into new homes. Those sales might be delayed. But you really can't delay a broken washer or a refrigerator that's not working," responded Doug Moore, president of home appliances for Sears.

John Farley, senior brand and environmental-marketing manager for Bosch Home Appliances, conceded that promotion of cash for clunkers for appliances might be a bit premature. But he added that it "has driven a lot of conversation in the press to raising awareness of the benefits of high-efficiency appliances. As awareness is raised, consumers go online and find out that there are [other] rebates available right now." Farley plugged the Bosch Rebate Resource Center, which includes special offers from Bosch alongside details about individual state incentives. One example: Bosch is offering a $100 to $200 rebate (in the form of a prepaid Visa card) on the purchase of any eligible Vision series washer. (We're expecting  manufacturers and retailers to introduce pages on their sites where you can find information on rebates related to cash for clunkers.)

Whether you're going to buy new appliances now or wait for the cash for clunkers kickoff, we recommend you consider not only how efficient a product is but also its performance, reliability, and cost.

For example, the Bosch Vision 500 Series WFVC5440UC front-loader, earned an excellent score for energy and water efficiency. But the $1,100 front-loader's washing performance was just middling—most front-loaders deliver much better washing performance. What's more, based on its vibration and noise test results, you might not want to install this model near main living spaces or on a second story with standard wood-suspended floors.

As always, we'll keep you up to date on the new models we've tested in our Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs posts and the latest news surrounding cash for clunkers for appliances.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Lean about the best places to buy appliances and visit our appliance-reviews page to find links to free buying guides for appliances large and small.

Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: Latest washing-machine reviews

Tests of the Frigidaire Affinity FAFW3511K[W] and LG SteamWasher WM2801H[W]A front-loaders and GE Profile WPRE8150K[WT] and Speed Queen AWN542 top-loaders

Four washers, four price tags, and a mountain of laundry. Our experts washed 265 pounds of laundry to find out just how well the Frigidaire Affinity FAFW3511K[W], LG SteamWasher WM2801H[W]A, GE Profile WPRE8150K[WT] HE, Speed Queen AWN542 perform. Once again, they found that spending more doesn't guarantee you'll get a better washer. Here are the details:

At $700, the Frigidaire Affinity FAFW3511K[W] is one of the lower-priced front-loaders in our continuously updated ratings of front-loading and top-loading washing machines (available to subscribers). But unlike most front-loaders we test, which are very good or excellent at washing, this Frigidaire was mediocre. It does have a short cycle time, 50 minutes compared with 65 to 105 minutes for other front-loaders.

This washer scored a very good overall, as it aced our energy- and water-efficiency tests, excelled in extracting water, and notched a very good score for gentleness. The stainless-steel tub holds 17 pounds of laundry, earning it an excellent in capacity. While the FAFW3511K[W] earned a very good in our vibration tests, you might not want this machine adjacent to main living areas, as it's relatively noisy.

LG touts that its $1,200 LG SteamWasher WM2801H[W]A front-loader (shown) offers "ultra capacity." Indeed, the stainless-steel tub on this front-loader holds 21 pounds, giving it an excellent score for capacity. Overall, it's a very good washer, performing very good in our washing and vibration tests and excelling in our extraction and energy- and water-efficiency tests. Cycle time is 100 minutes, and while that longer cycle time could lead to frayed fabrics, this LG scored very good in gentleness. It is a relatively noisy appliance, however. Features include a steam function designed to refresh garments and reduce wrinkles.

You won't find an agitator in the $650 GE Profile WPRE8150K[WT] high-efficiency top-loader, which allows this washer to hold 16 pounds of laundry, more than most conventional top-loaders. The WPRE8150K[WT] was very good overall and provides very good washing. Typical of HE washers, it uses less water over its 50-minute cycle because it fills only partly. It aced our water-efficiency tests but was mediocre in our tests for gentleness, noise, energy efficiency, and extraction. Features include a stainless-steel tub, a sensor that determines how much water is needed, and second-rinse and extended-spin cycles.

Conventional top-loaders, in which a tall center post like an agitator swirls the laundry, are the least expensive type of washing machine but tend to perform less impressively as a group. The Speed Queen AWN542 costs $800, more than twice the price of some conventional top-loaders, and was just good overall, ranking near the bottom of our ratings. The AWN542 was mediocre in washing, energy and water efficiency, extraction, and noise, though it did excel in our vibration test. Its stainless-steel tub holds 12 pounds of laundry, earning it only a fair in capacity.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential reading: Check out or free buyer’s guides to washers and dryers and find the best laundry detergent to use. If you're in the market for new, more-efficient appliances, read our FAQ on the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, aka cash for clunkers for appliances.

Tip of the Day: Take advantage of rebates for low-flow toilets, faucet accessories, and irrigation gear

As part of its WaterSense program, which aims to get consumers and businesses to use less water, the  U.S. Environmental Program has assembled a list of municipalities offering rebates on toilets, faucet accessories, and irrigation equipment. The list below, current as of September 21, 2009, includes links to the municipal sites where you can get details on the deals, such as the rebate for half the cost of an eligible high-efficiency toilet up to $200 being offered by the city of Sharon, Massachusetts, or the Irvine Ranch (California) Water District's $9 rebate for qualifying sprinkler-system pop-up spray heads.

If you're remodeling your bathroom or need new fixtures, read our reports on low-flow toilets and water-saving showerheads and check out the ratings of toilets and showerheads (available to subscribers). Also learn about tankless water heaters and the latest efficient dishwashers and washing machines. e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

City of Avondale	Arizona	Toilets
City of Avondale	Arizona	Faucet Accessories
City of Peoria Utilities Department	Arizona	Toilets
City of Phoenix	Arizona	Toilets
City of Scottsdale Water Resources Department	Arizona	Toilets
City of Tempe	Arizona	Faucet Accessories
City of Tempe	Arizona	Toilets
City of Tucson - Tucson Water	Arizona	Toilets
Town of Payson Water Department	Arizona	Toilets
Borrego Water District	California	Toilets
City of Fresno- Water Conservation Program	California	Toilets
City of Oxnard Water Resources Division	California	Toilets
City of Santa Barbara	California	Toilets
City of Santa Rosa - Utilities	California	Toilets
City of Santa Rosa - Utilities	California	Faucet Accessories
Irvine Ranch Water District	California	Faucet Accessories
Irvine Ranch Water District	California	Toilets
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California	California	Toilets
Otay Water District	California	Toilets
San Diego County Water Authority	California	Toilets
Sonoma County Water Agency	California	Toilets
Town of Windsor	California	Faucet Accessories
Town of Windsor	California	Toilets
City of Greeley Water Department	Colorado	Toilets
City of Thornton	Colorado	Toilets
Denver Water	Colorado	Faucet Accessories
City of Melbourne	Florida	Toilets
City of Titusville	Florida	Toilets
Eastern Volusia Regional Water Authority	Florida	Toilets
Manatee County Utility Operations	Florida	Toilets
Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department	Florida	Toilets
Toho Water Authority	Florida	Faucet Accessories
City of Atlanta, Department of Watershed Management	Georgia	Toilets
City of Austell	Georgia	Toilets
City of Austell	Georgia	Faucet Accessories
City of Gainesville, Environmental Services	Georgia	Toilets
City of Roswell	Georgia	Toilets
Clayton County Water Authority	Georgia	Toilets
Cobb County Water System	Georgia	Toilets
Coweta County Water & Sewage Authority	Georgia	Toilets
Fayette County Water System	Georgia	Toilets
Fulton County Department of Public Works	Georgia	Toilets
Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources	Georgia	Toilets
Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources	Georgia	Toilets
Henry County Water & Sewerage Authority	Georgia	Toilets
Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District	Georgia	Toilets
Acton Water District	Mass.	Toilets
Concord Public Works	Mass.	Faucet Accessories
Concord Public Works	Mass.	Toilets
Dedham-Westwood Water District	Mass.	Toilets
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority	Mass.	Faucet Accessories
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority	Mass.	Toilets
Neponset River Watershed Association	Mass.	Faucet Accessories
Town of Danvers	Mass.	Toilets
Town of Sharon Water Department	Mass.	Faucet Accessories
Town of Sharon Water Department	Mass.	Toilets
Town of Walpole Water Department	Mass.	Toilets
City Utilities of Springfield	Missouri	Toilets
Southern Nevada Water Authority	Nevada	Toilets
American Water	New Jersey	Faucet Accessories
American Water	New Jersey	Toilets
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority	New Mexico	Toilets
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority	New Mexico	Faucet Accessories
City of Gallup - Gallup Joint Utilities	New Mexico	Toilets
City of Santa Fe	New Mexico	Toilets
Homewise, Inc.	New Mexico	Faucet Accessories
Homewise, Inc.	New Mexico	Toilets
City of Durham Water Management	North Carolina	Toilets
Town of Cary	North Carolina	Toilets
Eugene Water & Electric Board	Oregon	Toilets
Tualatin Valley Water District	Oregon	Toilets
City of Sioux Falls	South Dakota	Toilets
Arlington Water Utilities	Texas	Toilets
Austin Water Utility	Texas	Toilets
Austin Water Utility	Texas	Toilets
City of Allen	Texas	Toilets
City of Irving	Texas	Toilets
San Antonio Water System	Texas	Toilets
City of Charlottesville	Virginia	Toilets
City of Virginia Beach Department of Public Utilities	Virginia	Toilets
James City Service Authority	Virginia	Toilets
James City Service Authority	Virginia	Irrigation Professional Service
Cascade Water Alliance	Washington	Toilets
Cascade Water Alliance	Washington	Faucet Accessories
City of Everett Public Works	Washington	Toilets
City of Monroe - Utilities Department	Washington	Toilets
City of Redmond	Washington	Toilets
Spokane County Utilities Division	Washington	Toilets
Water District 19	Washington	Toilets
Kaukauna Utilities	Wisconsin	Toilets
Madison Water Utility	Wisconsin	Toilets

Buzzword: Clunkernomics

What it means? This mashup of clunker and economics is inspired by the 2005 book Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything, by Steven Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. The most notable example of clunkernomics is the Car Allowance Rebate Program, or cash for clunkers, which spurred car sales over its run last summer.

Why the buzz? Cash for clunkers has plenty of imitators in programs whose model consists of consumers trading in an old product for a new, presumably more-efficient, one. One next-gen example of clunkernomics is the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program. The federal government’s cash for clunkers for appliances initiative, details of which are still being worked out by the U.S. Department of Energy, will give you a rebate of up to $250 per appliance on the purchase Energy Star-qualified models. Note: You likely won’t have to trade in your old dishwasher, refrigerator, or washing machine when you buy a new one.

Private enterprise is dipping its toes into clunkernomics, too, including a program centered around lighting. Philadelphia-based LED Saving Solutions announced last week that it will offer a $10 rebate per lightbulb for high-efficiency LED bulbs. “We see this initiative as a way to take the momentum created by the federal government to a new level and make a dramatic impact in our collective goal to make America more energy independent,” said Charlie Szoradi, president of LED Saving Solutions.

As clunkernomics expands, perhaps “clunker hangover” will set in, and maybe the cash-for-clunkers model has jumped the shark. After all even a New York City FM-radio station has its own clunkers deal. The WPLJ Web site says, “The government thinks a clunker is an old beat up gas guzzler. But here at ‘PLJ a clunker is a terrible song that somehow became a hit!” After a clunker airs, the 25th caller wins $5,000. Recent musical clunkers include “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” by Bobby McFerrin and “We Built This City,” by Jefferson Starship.

But Jack Hidary, the chairman of SmartTransportation.org who is credited as being the driver behind the automotive version of cash for clunkers, isn’t concerned. “I’m happy about all the copycats,” he says. “Let’s move our country away from rampant consumerism to a focus on the utility and the efficiency of products.”—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential reading: When you're ready to replace you're appliances, be sure to check out the free buying guides on our appliances hub and learn about the best places to buy appliances. Save up to $1,500 on your annual utility bills, read our reports on pellet stoves and solar water heaters, and find out which compact fluorescent lightbulbs top our ratings (available to subscribers).

Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: Frigidaire FTW3014K[W] top-loader doesn't top our charts

Conventional top-loading washing machines are less expensive than high-efficiency top-loaders and front-loaders, but they typically use more water and tend to be relatively noisy. These same drawbacks beset the Frigidaire FTW3014K[W] top-loading washing machine, $550, which we recently tested for our continuously updated ratings of top-loaders and front-loaders (available to subscribers).

The FTW3014K[W] was only good overall, delivering mediocre cleaning, water extraction, and energy and water efficiency. This machine, which has a center-post agitator, scored a good in gentleness tests and, despite the addition of what the manufacturer calls "Sound Silencer Plus" technology, was noisy. While claimed capacity is 3 cubic feet, the plastic wash basket on the FTW3014K[W] held only a 12-pound load, on the low end for top-loaders. Cycle time was 50 minutes.

The FTW3014K[W] did excel in our vibration tests and offers PowerPlus Clean, a convenient feature that automatically advances a load from the soak or prewash cycle to the wash and extra rinse cycles. This option means you can start a load and not have to manually advance the machine from soak or prewash, which you might use when you're tackling heavily stained loads.

Conventional top-loaders perform the least impressively of all washer types, but as the ratings show, you can find a model that delivers very good or excellent washing performance for the same price as the Frigidaire. Or spend $100 more for the Frigidaire Gallery GLTF2940F(S), an impressive CR Best Buy front-loader.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out our free buyer's guides to washers and dryers and review of the best laundry detergents. And read our recent looks at the LG WM2010C[W] and the Estate ETW4400W, Whirlpool Cabrio WTW6500W, and Whirlpool Duet Sport WFW8400T washing machines.

Real energy—and financial—savings start at home

Given the American infatuation with the automobile, you might think that cars and trucks use the most energy in this country. But it turns out that driving is not the biggest energy hog.

The American home consumes the most energy, according to the Energy Information Administration, which says that of the nearly 100 quadrillion Btu the U.S. burned through in 2008, roughly 22 percent of that was consumed by residential buildings, compared with 17 percent by automobiles. While the American car industry has been taken to task for not having prioritized fuel efficiency, U.S. home builders have been just as negligent.

"It's embarrassing," says Chandler von Schrader, head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Improve Your Home's Energy Efficiency with Energy Star. "We have this enormous housing stock and it's in generally poor condition because most of the homes were built before energy was a real concern."

The good news is that most homes—including yours—can be made more efficient, lowering your utility bills and national energy consumption alike. In fact, residential energy use would decline 22.5 percent if the roughly 120 million homes built before 2000 were made as efficient as those built since then, according to "The State of the Nation's Housing 2009," from Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. For individual homeowners, that translates into annual savings of up to $1,500. Use our four strategies to cut your household-energy use.

While nothing on the order of the $3 billion cash-for-clunkers program for cars exists for homes, Uncle Sam has created financial incentives aimed at residential energy efficiency. For example, we've been reporting on the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program. Our newly launched Energy Saving & Green Living guide contains other helpful information, including tips for buttoning up the exterior of your home, an update of the latest energy tax credits, and advice for choosing energy-efficient refrigerators, washing machines, and other appliances.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: The LG WM2010C[W] front-loading washer is a real mover and shaker

Because front-loading washing machines spin so rapidly—up to 1,200 revolutions per minute—and their drums rotate on a horizontal axis, the vibration and noise these machines produce can be a nuisance for users, especially when a front-loader is used near main living areas or on a second floor in a home.

Our testers have seen plenty of front-loaders that produce a lot of vibration and noise, though no front-loader has ever actually moved from its spot during our vibration testing. Until now. In a recent vibration test on a wood floor, the $550 LG WM2010C[W] front-loader turned on an angle and moved forward about three inches when it had an 8-pound evenly distributed load. And when we repeated the test with a 1-pound unbalanced load, the LG again slid forward several inches.

LG offers a solution with the “SpinSense” function, which the manufacturer says “can be used to help reduce or eliminate vibrations, especially on wood floor installations.” When our testers turned on the SpinSense mode, the WM2010C[W] didn’t vibrate and stayed put. The trade-off is that the machine extracted about 20 percent less water from the load. In practical terms, that means more time and energy are required to dry a load.

On the performance front, this LG front-loader delivered only good cleaning, unusual for front-loading machines, which typically get a very good or excellent score in our tests. The WM2010C[W] does offers excellent capacity, with a claimed capacity of 3.5-cubic-foot in its stainless-steel wash basket. It was gentle on laundry and excelled in energy- and water efficiency, though, again, if you use the SpinSense function you’ll use more energy drying. Cycle time is 90 minutes, and the model is stackable and includes a child lock.

While this LG is inexpensive for a front-loader—many cost $1,000 and up—other models, including the Frigidaire Gallery GLTF2940F, $650, deliver better washing performance without the vibration concerns. See our continuously updated ratings (available to subscribers) for more details on this and dozens of other washers.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out our free buyer’s guides to washing machines and dryers, our latest report on laundry detergents, and our advice for placing laundry rooms near living spaces.

By the Numbers: Washing machine capacities grow, but efficiency rises

9 percent

Amount the capacity of the average washing machine sold today has grown since 2000, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Despite that larger capacity, today’s average washer consumes 64 percent less energy than those sold nine years ago. Consider the Energy Star-qualified GE WBVH5300K[WW], covered recently in this Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs post. This $700 front-loader aced our energy- and water-efficiency tests and cleaned capably and quickly (cycle time was a brisk 69 minutes). e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Use our free buyer's guide to washing machines and buyer's guide to dryers for expert advice on buying these laundry appliances. Get your clothes cleaner with the best performers from our latest report on laundry detergents. And read these tips for setting up a laundry room near living space.