Top Loaders versus Front Loader Washing Machines

C

Camper6

Well-known Member
Location
Northwestern Ontario Canada
Our apartments have had new washing machines installed.
They are the front loaders.
I'm not really familiar with them yet but: There is always a but.

They use less soap and they use less water and that's what I think is really wrong with them.

For some reason I just don't think they use enough water to rinse with.

This was only my first load, however. when I hung my clothes up in in bedroom I could smell the scent of soap.

Any comments are appreciated.
 

I have both and I prefer the top loaders all hands down, I can add things to the wash, they are incredibly quicker too and I can put large sized things in that would need a lot of water, like pillows. I never feel the stuff coming out of the front loader is rinsed enough. I have the top loader in the main house and the front loader in the carriage house so I use both
 
Top loaders are very unusual over here, and would be considered old fashioned in most kitchens.


Nearly all our washing machines are designed to fit under a standard kitchen work surface so top loading would be impractical.

Haven't had a top loader since the early 70s.
 

I have front loaders now, on pedestals. I love their large capacity, ease of access, and multi function capability, ie heavy soil settings, even a steam setting. My clothes are well rinsed, I have sensitive skin which would react very quickly to leftover laundry soap.
 
I've had a front loader for years and like it a lot better than the top loaders I don't think there's too little water for washing or rinsing there's always been a slight scent of soap or softener in my laundry no matter what machine I used
 
When I was back in the Uk from 2000 to 2008 I had a front loader that went under the surface and also the dryer which was so tiny compared to what I was used to. We mamaged to find a store that was just bringing in what they described as American style washers and dryers and we had a pair installed in a small room which we converted into a laundry room. They were full size US machines , very different to anything that had been in the UK before. I remember way back to many of the machines I had over there and they all tended to be very small, Well apart from one. My father found a Bendix at an auction and we had that plumbed in years ago before I went to Canada, it was from a launderette that had closed, that was in the time when most folks had a Hoover twin tub.My mother loved it.
 
We have HE front loaders in my apartment complex. IMO these machines are not really suited for use by multiple people. You never know how much or what type of soap the previous person used and the tenants close the doors on the machines when they finish using them so they tend to develop an unpleasant odor if they are not used for a few days. The main reason that I don't like them is because you can't lift the lid and toss in an odd sock or towel once the machine has started! I miss having my own laundry equipment in my apartment.
 
Aunt Bea said:
We have HE front loaders in my apartment complex. IMO these machines are not really suited for use by multiple people. You never know how much or what type of soap the previous person used and the tenants close the doors on the machines when they finish using them so they tend to develop an unpleasant odor if they are not used for a few days. The main reason that I don't like them is because you can't lift the lid and toss in an odd sock or towel once the machine has started! I miss having my own laundry equipment in my apartment.
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Not to long ago there were stories about mold/mildew problems with front loaders. Seems like one recommendation was to leave the door open after using it.
 
After each load on our front loader we wipe it out around the rubber gasket. The door has a setting that will leave it slightly open to help dry and prevent mold or mildew inside. Once a month we use the "clean washer" cycle to help keep the washer clean and rinse out the filter. You can pause and put a few more things in if you want, and there is a "extra water" setting to put more water in the wash/rinse cycle if you like. It has a very high spin rate, doesn't vibrate all over. and is fairly quiet.

I've grown up and used top loaders all my life. This is the first front loader I've ever used or owned and I have to say I do like it better.
 
Anything I've read or heard the front loader can be more finicky. From a maintenance stand point if they get out of level that can affect wear & tear quicker than a top loader which should also be level. Then yes there is that rubber gasket to be replaced compared to none on a top loader. I also like being able to add to top loaders after the cycle starts along with controlling the time, water level and agitation levels.

Also they say it's best HE detergent only is used in front loaders? After repairing both a front loading dryer and top load washing I found the top load washing machine easier to fix.
 
I like my front loader better than any top loading washer I've had, we do leave the door open to dry it between uses. It hasn't failed me yet and has made doing laundry almost a pleasure. :yes:
 
I have a front loader and occasionally notice a few bubbles around the door, which means I used too much detergent--always HE. I've watched closer how much detergent. A repairman told me no more than a tablespoon per load. It works.
 
And wipe down the rubber gasket with vinegar. Otherwise you get that moldy smell. What we sacrifice now for the environment is making me sick. What's the point. I live on the bank of Lake Superior. What am I saving water for? It's ridiculous. Low flush toilets as well. And then in the spring we get these huge rains and snow melts that cause floods. It just doesn't make any sense.
 
Now I am talking way back. We had one of the first front loaders available.

That's one of the reasons why I was skeptical about a front loader.

When that thing went into the spin cycle it was practically walking out the door.

The new ones are a lot better.
 
How long are people's front loaders lasting before the first repair. Got about 10 years off a top loader before the first repair. Made 3 repairs in 17 years.
 
We have brand new front loaders here at the apt. place. We use cards now to put money in. We have to refill the cards when they are out of money. I am getting used to the front loaders. Of course I used the top loaders for so many years and was reticent at first about the front loaders. They are okay though.
 
I have a top loader and I'm quite satisfied with it as my bathroom, where I keep it, is not big enough to accommodate it.
 
We have a Front Loader. I much prefer the top loaders. This new one is just plain not as effective as a top loader. I bought a new pair of jeans, I threw them in with a load folded just as I picked them up off the store shelf. The most used cycle runs 1 hour 28 minutes,(ridiculous length of time), upon completion those jeans were still mostly folded. How is that compatible with a thorough cleaning? Like camper6, I have no need to conserve water. I get my water from a well,and other than what we drink and cook with, every drop is returned to the environment directly.
 
EPA rules and regulations, regarding the excess use of water in recent years, seems to be driving the push towards Front Load Washers. While these units Do use less water, the consensus among most rating services still put Top Load washers as being the best...for actually getting laundry clean. The added complexity in these Front Loaders, with extra controls to limit water waste, also increases the likelihood of unit failure, and added repair costs.
 
I suspect the front loaders with their horizontal spin will have more problems. Unless there is a perfect balance, the spin cycle will cause a lot of vibration.

The top loaders don't have this problem spinning on a vertical basis.
 
I think the secret is not to overload them. They seem to do a better job on small loads.

But then if you have to have two loads instead of one, what are you saving?
 

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