My final thoughts on my Bravos XL – #MaytagMoms

You know when you get a new toy or appliance and you are all excited about it and love using it for the first month or so and then it wears off?  That has not happened with my Maytag Bravos XL washer and dryer.  Really. I’m still as excited to use it now as I was when I first got it.  Maybe that’s because it is so different from my old one AND has so many features, that I am still discovering and trying some for the first time.

I’ve had several people ask me about the fact that it is a top loading machine since most high efficiency washers are front loading. I actually prefer the top loading for a few reasons:

1) I have to walk past my washer to get to my dryer. The front loading models recommend you leave the door open so that the drum can dry out. I would be crashing into that door each time I walked past it.  This would also be something to consider if you have your washer and dryer in a back hall-type set up like many people do.

2) Because the door is not on the front of the machine, there is no chance of anything letting go and allowing water to leak out of the door.  I’m a worrier about stuff like that, so this gives me peace of mind.  It also does not require that gasket that seems to need constant cleaning to avoid a funky smell – or so I’ve read.

But, if a front loading machine is what you are looking for (hey, everybody has different preferences) don’t worry – the Bravos comes in both designs!

People have also asked me if I find that my clothes are less clean with a HE washer.  If anything, I actually think my clothes are coming out cleaner.  I haven’t had a single piece need to go in for a second wash.  I still don’t understand how it all works so well while using less water, but I am thankful that it does.  I should add that I have been washing everything in cold water wash except for the sheets which I put through the allergen cycle.  It’s great to have choices!!

I recently tried out the handwash option for the first time. I had some placemats that needed to be cleaned but not mangled.  The handwash cycle got all of the food stains out, but left them smooth and still in one piece.  It really was like they were hand washed, but without me having to get my hands wet. Score!!

I also (finally) had Jay move the dryer door so that it opens the opposite way. It make it easier to load and empty and was NOT an option on my last dryer. It’s a small thing and was really only an annoyance, but it is nice to be able to fix it so easily!

So, to sum it up, I am still as crazy about my Maytag Bravos washer and dryer as I was the week I got them. While the official reviews are over (*sniff*) you will probably still hear me rave about them now and then.  And you can ask the several people who made the mistake of mentioning to me that they were going washer and dryer shopping lately, I’m pretty vocal about my opinion that these are the pair to get!

You can learn more at:

•    The Maytag Page

    •    Maytag’s Twitter Page

    •    Maytag’s Facebook Page

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I am participating in this campaign thanks to Maytag and Mom Central Consulting and  received the products discussed above in order to facilitate my review.  As always, all opinions are 100% my own.