Want to go green? Get a front loading washing maching. You will never regret it

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.laundromatfinder.com/front-vs-top.shtml

Front Loaders vs. Top Loaders
Recently, front-loading washing machines have increasingly been coming onto the American market. Many people don't realize that front-loaders were in fact the original kind of washing machine, and it's top-loaders that came later. People in other countries will wonder what I'm talking about, because front-loaders have always been the most popular washers all over the world... except in the United States. snip

Water usage
Front loading washers use substantially less water than top-loading washers with an equivalent load size. For the same size load, a top-loading washer uses about three times as much water as a front-loading washer. If you pay a water bill, the savings in cost of water can be substantial.

Detergent usage
Front loading washers require less detergent than top loading washers. A front-loader generally uses half as much detergent for the same size load, or perhaps even less. Indeed, too much detergent is more of a concern with front-loaders, because if the detergent causes too much suds, the suds will inhibit proper cleaning. So, a front-loading washer creates an immediate cost savings in detergent.

Energy usage
Front loading washers use substantially less energy. Because they use less water to wash a load, that means that they use less *hot* water to wash a load, which means they use less energy to heat water.

Cost of ownership
Between lower energy usage, lower water usage, and lower detergent usage, a front-loading washing machine is substantially cheaper to own than a top-loading washing machine. Indeed, a front-loader is so much cheaper to own, the savings (versus cost of ownership of a top-loader) will pay for the average front-loader within a few years.

[Kittycat]

1. My only gripe about frontloaders - is washing CDs

Cloth Diapers, that is. It takes a bit of figuring to get the soap and treatment right, especially if you have hard water. But once you have it down - smooth sailing.

Also... Always remember, put baby socks in those netted bags. The machine finds ways to eat them, and they will eventually clog the drain pipe.

[slackmaster]

2. Don't they require a special type of detergent that's expensive?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Lex]

5. No. No more expensive than regular.

It's super-concentrated and you need a very small amount to do a big batch of clothes.

I buy far less detergent now than I did with a top-loader.

My clothes get cleaner too, imho.

[NNN0LHI]

9. They require HE Detergent

I get it when it goes on sale after the holidays every year at Sears. I get a $20.00 pale for $15.00 and one pale is good for 120 washes. I usually get ten of them and I always have some left over full pales the following year.

You only use a little bit of the stuff per load. Just one little scoop.

Don

[Wapsie B]

3. There used to be a suds-saver option on Maytags

where you could drain the wash water into a large container. For the next load it would be siphoned back into the washer. If your clothes are not heavily soiled it's a very doable thing. Mom's used one for years.

[RB TexLa]

4. I should do that. A friend got one, the expected energy use listed was $9 a year.

[DemoTex]

6. There is a top-loading alternative ..

The Fisher-Paykel top-loading washer is very energy efficient. The 1000-rpm spin cycle means much less time in the dryer. Every time I hear my F-P washer start that spin cycle I am reminded of a Boeing 737's CFM-56 engine starting up.

[AndyA]

7. I completely agree. I bought new front loaders last year, and I love them!

Energy usage is way down over my old (circa 1997) washer and dryer, and they're quieter as well.

Another consideration is the washer spins clothes at 1,300 rpm, so they come out pretty dry compared to top loaders. Which means the dryer has them dry in no time at all, saving you money on gas or electricity since the dryer doesn't run as much per load.

I've cut my laundry time in half since I got them.

They hold more, so you do fewer loads, and get done faster.

Expensive, but one of the best purchases I've made recently.

[Winterblues]

10. We just got a new set and I have to agree with everything you said

We are delighted so far. Clothes are cleaner and we do laundry way less often. Huge savings on dryer usage as well.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

8. I've got a front loader machine in our house in Ireland and

I love it. It gets clothes much cleaner and brighter than any top loader. I think the reason is that it filters out the dirty water at least three times before the end of the cycle.

[daleo]

11. Another advantage

They are amazingly quiet.