Front Loader Vs. Top Loader

Jen72682 · April 2011

So DH and I are going out tonight to look for a washer/dryer. Ours is one DH got from his former roommates great Aunt for $25... And basically we have to have 3 cycles to dry and lint is all over our clothes and I am sick and tired of it! So we are going out to look tonight.

Anyone have a front loader? Do you like it better than a traditional top loader or prefer the top loader? Thoughts, Opinions...?

Thanks for advice ladies!

becca474 · April 2011

FWIW, I actually prefer top loader washers. My old apartment switch from top loading to front loading part of the way through my lease and I could only fit about 1/2 the amount of clothes in it, and if I was doing towels it would take 3 loads to do what would normally take one. I've also heard of problems with front loaders and the seal they create around the door leaking and being expensive to fix, though I've never actually owned one. But when H and I get a house I plan on getting a top loading washer and front loading dryer.

Patineuse1124 · April 2011

My mom just got a new washer and she got one of the efficiency top loader ones with out the spinner in the middle similar to front loader ones. She told me that the salesperson said that if anything gets messed up with the seal on the door with a front loader it will leak making a big mess. I was in love with front loaders but I think when it's time to upgrade ours I will stick with a top loader, plus with a top loader you always add something you forgot to the load after it has started (I'm super forgetful so this is a plus for me).

ead1975 · April 2011

Patineuse1124:
My mom just got a new washer and she got one of the efficiency top loader ones with out the spinner in the middle similar to front loader ones.

This is what we have as well, and I like it. Though, for what it's worth, I haven't actually used a front loader. But when I was researching them, I saw a lot of reviews saying that they can leave a musty smell due to the water not draining fully. So that was a real turn-off for me.

Boynton1286 · April 2011

Patineuse1124:
My mom just got a new washer and she got one of the efficiency top loader ones with out the spinner in the middle similar to front loader ones. She told me that the salesperson said that if anything gets messed up with the seal on the door with a front loader it will leak making a big mess. I was in love with front loaders but I think when it's time to upgrade ours I will stick with a top loader, plus with a top loader you always add something you forgot to the load after it has started (I'm super forgetful so this is a plus for me).

THIS THIS THIS!!! I used to have a frontload washer and the seal will leak and they start to stink after awhile because of how the water sits in the washer, I am not sure where it sits but it will stink. I know have a top load (not HE) that came with our house but once it dies we will definitely be getting a new top load with out the spinner in the middle.

Dyork · April 2011

ead1975:
Patineuse1124:
My mom just got a new washer and she got one of the efficiency top loader ones with out the spinner in the middle similar to front loader ones.
This is what we have as well, and I like it. Though, for what it's worth, I haven't actually used a front loader. But when I was researching them, I saw a lot of reviews saying that they can leave a musty smell due to the water not draining fully. So that was a real turn-off for me.

That's what I have too, and it's great. The thing with front loaders is they don't drain completely and if you don't air it out the water will just sit there...getting all gross and what-not.

I believe they do sell a cleaner that you can run through the washer to clean it once in a while to prevent it from smelling. One thing my mom did point out was: with a top load, if you start it and then need to add something to it you can just open the top and toss it in. You (for obvious reasons) can't do that with a front load.

pondering_gal · April 2011

Dyork:
ead1975:

Patineuse1124:
My mom just got a new washer and she got one of the efficiency top loader ones with out the spinner in the middle similar to front loader ones.

This is what we have as well, and I like it. Though, for what it's worth, I haven't actually used a front loader. But when I was researching them, I saw a lot of reviews saying that they can leave a musty smell due to the water not draining fully. So that was a real turn-off for me.

That's what I have too, and it's great. The thing with front loaders is they don't drain completely and if you don't air it out the water will just sit there...getting all gross and what-not.

I believe they do sell a cleaner that you can run through the washer to clean it once in a while to prevent it from smelling. One thing my mom did point out was: with a top load, if you start it and then need to add something to it you can just open the top and toss it in. You (for obvious reasons) can't do that with a front load.

You can also use bleach to clean it as well. I just leave the door open and use the clean with bleach setting and I've never had a smell problem.

Also, you can add something later, but it has to be early on. Then you just hit a button and it will unlock the door.

That being said, front load is nothing special, but I prefer it to top load.
I do wish I had the drawers underneath - I'm tall, so I have to bend over quite a bit. They are expensive, though.

I'm not much help...these are just random thoughts lol.

hz80408 · April 2011

I agree on the front loader leaking and having a smaller load.

I love the top load for washers!

christieep · April 2011

My vote is for top loader for many of the reasons mentioned above. We have a top loader and that is what I had mostly growing up, but I've had experience w/a front loader as I have used my sister's quite a bit. My sister's front loader holds less than any top loader I have used (but that could just be her model) and it does have an odor (not terribly bad, but noticable). I think this is partly because it is not as easy to leave the door open to let it dry out after use. I guess you could have this problem with a top loader if you had cabinets above it or it was in an otherwise confined space. Front loaders are much prettier though!

MC22 · April 2011

So I will give you the other side of the coin...

We bought a front load washer & dryer and love them. It's the LG Steam series, and they're really great. Here are some thoughts (some in response to others' posts):

* Apparently they can start to stink, however, if you leave the door cracked and the detergent drawer ajar to let them dry out, this is not an issue. As others mentioned, too, Tide makes a washer cleaner, and you just put that in in place of detergent, and run a hot cycle. I have no "stink issues" at all.

* The capacity on ours is HUGE! I can wash a comforter, and it only shows 2 of the 4 bars on the size indicator. I have yet to even see 3 bars.

* I feel like our clothes are SO much cleaner than they were with our top loader. They smell better, stains come out easier, and the look brighter. I really didn't think I'd notice a difference, but I definitely do.

* I'm sure the newer top loaders (especially without the agitators) have more cycle options, but I love that ours has steam, sanitary, allergene (which I use with sheets), delicate, hand wash, etc.

All in all, I would say don't count out the front loaders quite yet. Ours got a really great rating on Consumer Reports, and we also got a great deal on them at Home Depot when we bought them.

jena.n.ross · April 2011

*Disclaimer, I didn't read everyone else's responses, so sorry if this is repeat stuff!

I LOVE our Frigidaire washer and dryer. Gigi and Giuseppe, respectively.

washer.dryer by thesorceresshermione, on Flickr

Got the washer a little over a year ago (Christmas gift), and have had no problems with leaking or smelling. We leave the door slightly ajar, so no risk of that mildewy stink. It uses less water and less energy, and has a ton of settings. The book says if you can close the door easily, then you don't have too much laundry in, so I fill it up. Mine takes as big (or bigger) of a load than my old top loader did. Also, without the agitator that's in most top loaders, I can do big things like blankets.

Got the dryer this last Christmas, and love it as well. There's a dampness sensing bar in it, so it turns off when the laundry is done (rather than a timed setting, though it can do that as well).

And they're just so freaking pretty!

MC22 · April 2011

jena.n.ross:

It uses less water and less energy,

And they're just so freaking pretty!

Yeah...these two things, too!

chantico23 · April 2011

I love my front loaded washing machine! I agree with almost everything Megan said. It has a bigger capacity than any front loaded machines I have had. My clothes get cleaner. It uses less water. I haven't ever had a leaking problem. It's recommended that you clean it monthly, but that's super simple and I only do it every few months. I find that Affresh works better than Tide machine cleaner.

Jen72682 · April 2011

Thanks for the input ladies! I will definitely have to show the hubs your comments! We are going to go look shortly so I will let you know what we get!

joljus · April 2011

We got a HE Front Loader set as a house warming gift from my grandparents.

We had an apartment sized top-loading set in our last house so these are huge compared to what we had before. I have a queen sized duvet I have had to wash a couple of times and there was still room in the machine for more and every thing comes out clean.

If you wear stockings or nylons I would recommend buying a lingerie bag... on two occasions I have had clogs cause by those sockette things I wear with my flats... easy fix by easily avoided as well.

I love them but will be investing in the stands soon. I have patella femoral syndrome and constant back issues.... so the crouching kinda sucks. I bought an exercise ball and use it when I switch loads and it helps.

Front Loader Vs. Top Loader

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