Our experts pick 4 washers that make spring cleaning easy

When we think of spring cleaning, we think of the classic children’s book “The Wind In The Willows,” beginning with Mole repainting his cottage’s walls for spring.

Neither I nor most folks I know make repainting a central part of their spring cleaning checklist, but after a muddy and moldy winter, it’s safe to say that all of us can appreciate a good refresh. There are few devices in our toolkit more efficient at getting out winter stains and must than a good washing machine.

As it happens, our product review experts know all about washing machines. We asked them for some of their top picks on the best washing machines for spring cleaning—with a few appliance-focused spring cleaning tips thrown in to boot.

1. Electrolux ELFW7637AT front-load washing machine

As we go into allergy season, the clear spring-cleaning favorite in our lab is the Electrolux ELFW7637AT front-load washing machine, with its allergen cycle. Unsurprisingly, it’s also good for washing during other seasons, too—so much so that it’s the front runner on our list of the best front-load washing machines.

Our product tester, Jon Chan says, "When it comes to spring cleaning, the Electrolux ELFW7637AT has the answer. It has an Allergen cycle that removes pollen and kills common bacteria. There's also a special mode designed for grass stains. Finally, there's even a spot in the detergent drawer for pods."

This dander-dredging, deep cleaner is good at getting all sorts of gunk deposits out of fabric that hasn’t been cleaned in ages. Use it to pull old protein stains and sweat out of garments, to clear winter mold and mildew from the cushion liners on your porch swing, and to get the pet fuzz out of the cat bed after one too many winter naps.

The Electrolux doesn’t stop at allergen mode. Its sanitize cycle goes even further, taking advantage of the machine’s internal heater to lift color stains out of linens. Use this for pure whites like sheets, curtains, and undershirts, or for purging stains from pants after a spring game of soccer.

Whatever the stain, the Electrolux ELFW7637AT is our pick for the best front-load washer for most families.

$1,149 from Electrolux

2. Maytag MVW6500MBK Pet Pro washing machine

When the family dog gets spring fever and its winter coat winds up blanketing the bedspread, this to- load Maytag may be the solution.

"The Maytag MVW6500MBK is designed with pet owners in mind.” Chan says, “It has a built-in hair filter in the agitator that will prevent your dog's soon-to-be-shed winter coat from clogging your drain pipe."

Homes with animals know how hard it is to get ahead of the spring dander fest. Cats and dogs both lose winter coats in the spring, and while they shed all year round, they peak in spring and fall periods. Without the right washing machine, this could clog your system entirely.

Just like you might when buying a good vacuum for pet hair, if you’ve got lots of pets, we recommend taking their shedding schedule into account when you select a washing machine.

The Maytag MVW6500MBK might have scored average across most of our tests, but it excels at dealing with pet-friendly household, and for folks with animals, that will matter a lot.

$1,000 from BestBuy

3. GE GFW850SPNRS front-load washing machine

They say that sunlight is a natural disinfectant. But sometimes spring sun doesn’t come soon enough, and you might need a little help with the winter gloom and mold.

Thankfully the sapphire blue GE GFW850SPNRS front-loading washer has just the toolkit to help.

"The GE GFW850SPNRS is built with MicroBan in the drum,” says Chan. “This helps prevent mildew and odor, so it's a washer that can clean your clothes without requiring you to clean it all the time."

Yes, this is an expensive machine, but there are a few categories and tasks at which it truly excels.

This machine’s mildew-busting properties make it stand out among its peers, and if you’ve had trouble with mildew inside past washing machines then it will feel like a breath of fresh spring air.

$1,100 from Best Buy

4. Samsung WF53BB8700AT front-load washing machine

A good laundry machine doesn’t only need to be for washing t-shirts and undies. Many of us want a large capacity washer for other sorts of household items, especially when seasonal items come out of storage.

Dave Ellerby, our chief scientist at the Reviewed lab says, "When I think of spring cleaning, bulky items that might get put away after the winter (blankets, quilts, throws, etc.) spring to mind.” He adds, “Plus, you might be the sort of maniac who washes their curtains," and the Samsung WF53BB8700AT has space for all that, too.

The Samsung WF53BB8700AT is a large-capacity washer that has space for all the ‘bulkies’ you need to deal with come season’s change.

The machine isn’t just large however, it also features a steam sanitize mode that will scour stains out of whites and deep-clean garments you wouldn’t run through a regular warm-water wash. That same steam feature allows it to unwrinkle clothing as well, bringing features you won’t find in an average washer.

Beyond special features, the WF53BB8700AT’s short wash times will translate to better energy efficiency, quicker loads, and less of a drain on your electrical bill. It’s also known for being a quiet operator, that won’t make a racket as it cleans out that winter dust and grime.

$1,000 from Best Buy

More on washing machines

• The Best Top-Loading Agitator Washing Machines We've Tested
• The Best Washing Machines We've Tested
• The Best Top-Load Washers We've Tested
• 5 Best Front-Load Washers Under $1000
• The Best Maytag Washing Machines We've Tested
• 6 compact washers that you'll love
• The Best Washers We've Tested for Large Families
• 15 things you should never put in the washing machine
• The Best Compact Washers We've Tested
• Front load vs. top load washer: What's best for you?