Whirlpool Front Loader Washing Machine Review

Six-year-old Duet has had handle break off in my hand.  Luckily, I have figured out how to buy part locally and husband could fix this one.  (PS - The replacement handle, $25, has a lifetime guarantee.  Don't know why they didn't put the lifetime handle on the first time.)  Often the Duet seems to not fully spin the water out.  Friday night it broke completely.  I had to pull sheets out and wring out by hand - took an hour to dry.  Had to bail the entire washer out Saturday as I cannot get the cycle to reboot and drain.  Will have to wait three to four days for repair, I imagine.  Also, design faulty in that the nature of this front-loader is a giant grey rubber gasket around the door.  It never leaks, so don't worry about that.  But water/moisture does get under the gasket.  I wondered about the odor and some of my aerobics clothes seemed to get a mildewed smell.  One time when I was gone on business, my husband sniffed out the odor, peeled back the gasket and found 1/4 inch of black mildew growing in this slightly sealed off reservoir!!  Unbelievably gross.  We now wedge a ceramic lid to hold this seal open after every washing to ensure it dries out and doesn't re-mildew.  Bad design, and now apparently my entire machine is dying after 6 years.