New washing Machine - Front Load vs Top

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bigal_nz

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#116225 22-Apr-2013 17:10

In the near future I may be buying a few whiteware applicance for myself.

Was wondering about the merits of front load vs top load washers.

The issues so far seem to be:

1. Front load - some say use less water
2. Front load - some say longer wash cycle
3. Front load - some say needs special (and more expensive) washing powder
4. Power consumption?

So does anyone out there know any more about this?

-Al

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#803815 22-Apr-2013 17:32

FL definitely uses less water. How much depends on the model/brand. There is a site somewhere which displays each model and water use, but most manufacturers provide that data anyway. Also my impression is FL gives a much better wash due to slight pressure developing in the sealed vessel.

Some FL's have a built in water heater so only cold input is required for those. Probably handy if the HW supply is limited and/or inefficient.

FL powder seems no more expensive these days maybe because there are more FL's around.

gzt

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#803817 22-Apr-2013 17:37

http://www.energywise.govt.nz/products/listing/90/washing-machine

In that list there is little difference in water use between the top and front, but bear in the mind there will be a lot of the worst performers not listed.

jeffnz

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#803818 22-Apr-2013 17:40

they use less water therefore less hot water = less energy = less to run.

Gentler on clothes as they turn the clothes over.

Can't stop to add clothes like top loader and slower.

Top loaders do better job, generally, in getting rid of dirt.

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#803819 22-Apr-2013 17:42

We have had 2 top loaders and 1 front loader, and wouldn't go back. They are slower but generally more efficient and are more gentle on clothes in our experience. They are generally more expensive and a little harder to get clothes in and out of, but like I said, we wouldn't go back. Our one (Bosch top of the line) has a 15 minute cycle which is handy.

Disrespective

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#803820 22-Apr-2013 17:44

We love our front loader. Although some of the wash cycles can be longer than a top loader, we primarily use a 'quick 60' mode which is actually more like 70min, but is plenty fast enough.

The biggest thing we like is that they washing comes out very very well spun. The amount of moisture is minimal which makes drying faster than anything we've had in a top loader.

There are a few tricks with any washing machine. One which stands out for us is because our front loader has a built in heater unit it only uses cold water. This is great as there are no more shocks in the shower when the washing is on however it means that the water is very very cold for the wash and can cause scum build up. As such we always set the machine to about 40 degrees water temp. This IS considered 'cold' by most manufacturers but without knowing this, and reducing the temps down to whatever the tap gave it, we inadvertently caused some of our early wash cycles to not be as good as we had expected. Increasing the temp slightly to 40 was enough to fix this. We also run a full bottle of white vinegar through the machine (empty) every 6 months or so to keep it clean inside where we can't see.

DjShadow

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#803824 22-Apr-2013 17:53

We upgraded to a Front loader, won't look back.
Found it makes the clothes feel cleaner, spun better also

Downside is a typical cycle takes about 2 hours but isn't bad if you are not in a hurry
Also we found no difference in powder costs

mattwnz

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#803825 22-Apr-2013 17:58

From my experience, front loaders wash a lot better than top loaders. We have both as inherited a new F&P top loader. Our front loader is 20 years old, so very reliable too. BUt front loaders do tend to be more expensive to buy, at least the good brand like asko are.The only costs are coins which go caught in the pump.
I do find however that the front loader does seem to wear cloths out more, than the top loader, but that could be because it is washing better. The only downside of the front loader is that it is slower, and you can't open the door mid cycle.

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noc

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#803826 22-Apr-2013 17:59

I have just gone through the process of buying a new washing machine. We had a top loader, and 2weeks ago we bought our front loader and we are loving it! I will never go back to a top loader again.

- They use less water
- they use less detergent
- much gentler on clothes (our top loader wrecked our clothes!)
- Its much quieter
- The clothes come out dryer
- It cleans better than a front loader in my opinion.

Just remember you have to buy front loader washing powder (it's not more expensive)

Hope that helps

sbiddle

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#803841 22-Apr-2013 18:07

I'm another front loader fan. I don't really know why NZers are so so keen on top loading machines.

mattwnz

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#803844 22-Apr-2013 18:18

sbiddle: I'm another front loader fan. I don't really know why NZers are so so keen on top loading machines.

I think it was because NZers had a big loyalty towards f&P being nz owned and made etc. But now they are owned by the chinese and much is now made offshore, that will possibly change.

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#803846 22-Apr-2013 18:43

just one thing - there are five in our family.

top loader 6.5 kg fits all our clothes. we bought a 7.5kg front loader - it only takes half our load.

apart from that no complains

MikeB4

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#803847 22-Apr-2013 18:45

We have a Bosch front loader it's awesome. Cleans extremely well and for light loads there is a 15 minute wash cycle.

bigal_nz

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#803848 22-Apr-2013 18:46

Thanks for all the replies.

Sounds like FL is the way to go. Still a bit bummed out about the long wash cycles.

Ta

-Al

testha

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#803851 22-Apr-2013 18:55

bigal_nz: Thanks for all the replies.

Sounds like FL is the way to go. Still a bit bummed out about the long wash cycles.

Ta

-Al

Don't be. All modern front loaders have a quick cycle (45min, some even 15 min) that is perfect for normal clothes. We usually only use the quick cycle except for really dirty stuff and our clothes are still much cleaner than from a top loader.

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#803863 22-Apr-2013 19:08

long wash cycles are very very long when you've used a top loader. but the clothes are much cleaner and dryer.

if you fill up clothes to the top it will not wash properly especially if some are soiled as it uses so little water and the water is not proportional to how much clothes you put, rather preset by your knob selection. I have to add more water usually as I wash lots of clothes - can't wait 2.5 hours per load I will spend all my life staring at the washing machine. to add water with bosch I hit 15min cycle it pumps heaps of water in. then I repeat activating the 15 min cycle until the water is full as ... then it washes all my kid's wees and poos away :D no sweat :D

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