Front Load washer VS Regular washer - opinions please! :)

**markshelpmeet** · 11-04-2010, 08:36 AM

Hi all!

I thought my washing machine broke last week (terrible burned smell coming from it) - turns out that it was the cord, not the washer itself. Unfortunately I panicked and went out and bought myself a new front-load washer...on credit. I'm so ashamed.

Now that I know my topload is NOT broken, I have unhooked the front load and am going to take it back (30 day return policy).

I did not like how long the cycle was, nor the direction the door opened (I did not think about that when I bought it).

I am not concerned about water use from a financial standpoint as we have our own well/septic. From an environmental standpoint, well, that's different.

I guess I'm not overly impressed with the washer - and absolutely not impressed with DH and myself for putting a $500 washer on credit (well...$400 on credit at 0% for a year and the other $125 was on our debit card).

Just curious what you'd do in my case and what your opinion of the front-load vs topload is?

Thanks!

**Josephhgoins** · 11-04-2010, 10:12 AM

i alwasy had top loads until thsi year when mine died. I purchased a scratch and dent front load and LOVE it. I have to pay for water, and the savings has already paid for the machine. I feel that it gets my clothes cleaner and gets more stains out which saves me money as well. Also, mine has a super fast spin cycle, so the old used dryer I bought can still actually dry a load before the next load is ready to go in.

I think you made the right decision in taking yours back, at least until your old one finally bites the dust. But for me, I am hooked on the Front Load HE washers.

**Libby** · 11-04-2010, 10:35 AM

We have top load as well (traditional style) and thats all I've ever known growing up. DF has a front load (HE style) and I LOVE IT. Its super quiet, uses way less water and spins the clothes SO dry that the clothes barely spend much time in the dryer. The HE washer not only helps reduce the amount of water you use but the hydro as well IMO.

In my house - in a 3 week span, we usually wash 2-3 loads/dry 1-2 loads. I usually hang my clothes to air dry 90% of the time.

If I had a choice - I'd go for a front loading washer and the dryer to me wouldn't matter which style it was. In your situation, I'd opt to return the washer as well and just pay to repair the cord on the current one until the washer truly dies. As for the cycle being too long, I believe on most models you can choose the cycle and adjust as desired and the door thing - can be reversed by yourself if you're somewhat handy with a screwdriver.

**MaryCarney** · 11-04-2010, 11:28 AM

Like the above posters, I LOVE my front loader!!! We used to live where water was super expensive, and it saved us $15/month from the get-go. We have four kids, and have owned front loaders for 20+ years (i.e. before they became popular in the US) Would NEVER go back to a top loader.

**DeliaDawn** · 11-04-2010, 05:10 PM

I have a front loader and I love it, too! I don't have to pay for water, just the electricity to run the well so that's not a huge issue. When I got the set, I did notice a drop in my electric bill and that was drying everything since I couldn't have an outdoor line and had no room to dry indoors. I find that I use less detergent and fabric softener than I did before and our clothes still seem a lot cleaner. I don't get things wrapped around the agitator so feel there has to be less wear and tear on the clothes. Because it can wash larger loads, my laundry time has been cut in half and no longer do I have to wait on a clothes dryer to run 90 minutes or more. Most things are dry in 40 minutes and towels usually take 55. The dryer also has a sensor in it so the time that comes on when I turn it on may not actually be how long it takes to dry that load. Now that I live in the country, I do give the dryer a break and use the clothes line since I actually have one.

**heartofmine** · 11-04-2010, 05:35 PM

Well I don't know about the op but you've convinced me for sure. We are building a new home in the spring and I have been debating getting front loaders when we move. My bil can build the stand that goes under them for me. He's done several for a company that sales the front loader washers. Maybe this will help my back.

**AmyBoz** · 11-04-2010, 05:54 PM

I've always wanted a front loader, but my best friend has one and hates it. I'd have to do my own research, and am not in the market for a new one right now anyway. This is definitely a thread I'll be paying attention to!

**Libby** · 11-04-2010, 05:59 PM

Forgot to add this to my post earlier: you always have to wash but not always dry...tis true the machine will pay for itself in the long run and fairly quickly if you do a lot of laundry

**craftypam** · 11-04-2010, 06:11 PM

I bought a front loader probably 6 years ago and love it. Saves a lot of money on water. (it uses 1/3 of the water.) It also washes twice the amount of items. The spin cycle is so fast the clothes are practically dry so the dryer time is really shortened. I use regular laundry detergent (had alot of it stocked up when I bought the washer) and use 1/2 a capful, so saving on that. It is also not so hard on your clothes with no agitator.

Some washers you can change the door direction; mine cannot be changed (to me not a big deal with all the other pluses)
The other thing is you need to leave the washer door open when not using to dry out so it doesn't smell. Again too many good things IMHO.

I did not buy the matching dryer because IMHO it didn't do anything special and they cost alot more money when I bought mine. My dryer was still working. I do have to dry 2 loads for every load washed, but my longest drying time is 30-35 minutes even for jeans and towels.

**MaryCarney** · 11-04-2010, 06:12 PM

Yeah, I forgot to mention the HUGE benefit of how much more water is removed during the spin cycle- cuts WAAAAAY back on drying time!

**HappyMama** · 11-04-2010, 06:22 PM

I love my top loader , it has paid for itself many times over these past few years. It is energy efficient but 12 years old...so I had an opportunity to get a Swedish energy efficient set ( it is an HE toploader as well) this past summer for a phenomenal price and did , and have saved so much I can't believe it.

I did keep my old one and have two laundry rooms now.

**Ali Lee** · 11-04-2010, 07:10 PM

My step dau had a front load & hated it. She said the inside would smell musty & mold would grow around the seal. It broke after about 3yrs & she went happily back to a top loader....

**lisaflex** · 11-04-2010, 07:14 PM

i have a top loader. it is new.

i have not heard anything positive about front loaders. lots of mildew complaints and problems w/ the computer thingy beeping alot and other issues...never done research on my own though.

**Ilovesewing** · 11-04-2010, 08:21 PM

I'm sorry, but I have to laugh that you ran out and bought a new washer before finding out your old one was an easy fix.

How many of us have done that before in any situation!

As for front/top loaders: I have had a front loader (Whirlpool) for 7 years and I love it. But, yes, it does take longer to wash a load. I did not replace my dryer as I didn't need to, so my only complaint is I can wash a much bigger load than I can dry.....so I use the clothes line a lot. Actually, I only use the dryer in the winter so it's not an issue.

And as far as putting it on credit at 0% for a year? As long as you will get it paid off I would never have a problem with that....I'd do that before I gave up my hard-earned savings!

How many of you are at home now? Here it's just me, dh and 22yo ds. When ds moves out one day and I need a new machine I will look around and see what's out there. The front loaders are so expensive, and I do maybe 5 loads a week now. If I can find a top loader that is water efficient like the front loader, and it's cheaper, I would go that route. If not, I'd definitely get another front loader.

**HappyMama** · 11-04-2010, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by lisaflex

i have a top loader. it is new.

i have not heard anything positive about front loaders. lots of mildew complaints and problems w/ the computer thingy beeping alot and other issues...never done research on my own though.

I have never had an issue with mine with mildew, mold or otherwise. I do keep it real clean though, and have run it once in awhile with no clothes in it , just to keep it clean.