Home Appliances: Washing Machines

Home Appliances: Washing Machines

If you’re in the market for home appliances, you’re probably interested in what’s new out there to make your life easier and save you money. If you’re looking for a washing machine, that means giving front loading washers a look.

Common overseas for many years, front loading washers are starting to find their way into American homes, albeit slowly. 75% of people still say they prefer the traditional top loading model. Front loaders have several things going for them, more manufacturers are making them, and economically sound choices are available. While front loading washers may be more expensive to purchase, once you consider savings the washer will help you get in other areas, they may prove to be less expensive to own over time. Price will be a big factor for most people though, front loading washers are easily twice the cost of comparable quality top loading washers, if not more.

For one thing, front loading washers treat your clothes more gently, which means they will last longer, which means you will not have to buy as many clothes as often. Top loading washing machines (aside from a couple of newer models) use an agitator to move your clothes through the water in the washer. In this process, some clothes may get stretched out, hooks or snaps may catch and come off, and drawstrings and belt loops may get torn. Front loading washers move clothes much the same way your dryer does. They have a horizontal drum that moves around and uses gravity to move the clothes through the wash. Some have additional technology to move clothes even more.

Second, front loaders use less water and tend to have higher capacities than top loading washers. So, you can run fewer loads and use less water per load, saving you money on your utility bills. In addition, front loading washers have a more powerful spin cycle and get more water out of your clothes after washing, so they will dry faster in the dryer.

If your washing machine is in your kitchen or another place near where you spend a lot of your day, appliance noise might be an issue for you. Front loading washers usually run more quietly than top loading washers because much of the noise generated by your washer is from the agitator moving around. Front loading washers are also much less likely to be thrown off balance, another source of noise for top loaders.