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Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/11/2012 8:55:39 PM

MistressDarkArt

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It's time for a new washing machine. I think I'd prefer a front loader since I need to occasionally wash blankets and larger items. Some folks have mentioned they've had odor/mold problems with their front loaders and recommended getting a large capacity top load instead. Some absolutely love their front loaders.

What say y'all?

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/11/2012 9:06:09 PM

mummyman321

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I have the Front load model. We leave the door open (as instructed in the manual) after washing to prevent mold. But I have never had and bad smells or mold problems. Mine is a Sears Kenmore model.

I like it because it can wash comforters and sleeping bags. I do a lot of camping so it works very well. The only thing I wish I would have gotten is the stands to raise up higher.

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/11/2012 9:07:24 PM

LadyConstanze

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Top loaders, unfortunately hard to come by in Europe. The simple reason is they are much more stable, think about how they are made and the spinning, with a front loader there is not an axis where the drum is, hence the usually go a lot quicker.

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/11/2012 9:08:34 PM

LadyHibiscus

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Our washer is ready to go also...for mr my issue is water level. I gather that the washers dont fill all the way anymore. Do the front loaders fill?

And any machine that needs to be left open is really poorly designed.

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/11/2012 9:12:29 PM

Anaxagoras

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I would say front loader especially if space is an issue because it can be placed more freely. I never noticed any bad smell with them. There is a filter that needs cleaning quite regularly - that might contribute to the problem, either that or some dirty bastard is doing a nasty in it!

Leaving the door open a lot might be risky in a smallish kitchen.

< Message edited by Anaxagoras -- 5/11/2012 9:17:51 PM >

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/11/2012 9:13:00 PM

mummyman321

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The front loaders use about 1/5 the water of a top loader.

The front door is closed when in use. It just needs to be open after use to let it dry out to prevent mold. My model is about 5 years old. The newer models come with venting to prevent mold. So a good question to ask does the door need to remain open when not in use? The better designs can remain closed

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/11/2012 9:13:26 PM

LPslittleclip

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i have a large capacity front loader and with kids it is wonderfull. uses less water and soap mine is in the garage so leaving the door open is not a problem. as it does not have a agitator your delicates wont get tied up in knots

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/11/2012 9:32:47 PM

tj444

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Personally for me, top loader... I dont find the front loaders do the best job washing clothes.. i like top loaders cuz i can do a small load all the way to a full load, and there is a delicate cycle for delicate stuff.. i put my bras and stuff in a mesh bag so they dont get twisted up and stuff.. sometimes i like clothes to soak a bit first so I dont know if you can even do that with a front loader.. I know they say front loaders are more green cuz you use less water but I just dont like them..

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/11/2012 9:42:24 PM

LadyConstanze

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I'm with you, my mom had a top loader and it lasted 20 years, front loaders seem to go after 5 maximum....

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/11/2012 10:03:53 PM

LadyHibiscus

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The current run of appliances has built in obsolescence...ie they are made like crap.

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/11/2012 10:16:47 PM

peppermint

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I have a European style front loader. They are common in motor homes like mine. I did have an odor problem once when I missed something inside it right before we headed south. After 2 weeks in there the damp clothing wasn't smelling very nice. A cup of bleach run through the wash cycle took away the bad odor.

Even though it is small it washes clothes better than my top loaders ever did. Conserving on water is also a big plus. Mine is 13 years old. The only repair it has needed was for a loose wire on the circuit board.

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/11/2012 10:18:57 PM

lovmuffin

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My Mistress has had hers for about 8 years I think. It's a Whirlpool Duet, a washer dryer set. We recently moved and they had to go into a tight spot so the cool thing was they can be stacked (dryer on top of washer with a special order kit for $15). The washer gets clothes amazingly clean though I know that other makes don't do such a great job. It also can be filled (literally overstuffed) to capacity and as others have mentioned they use less soap and water (you have to use liquid soap and HE is best). You can run a small load too, they will just use less water. I never liked front loaders before as the ones I had tried didn't get heavy stains or common stains like makeup or ring around the collar out so well. I like them now. If they start to smell moldy then there are these tablets you can buy to run an empty cycle with. I always keep the door open after use as to get everything dried out as I can see before I came along the hinges had some corrosion which hasn't gotten any worse in the last 3 years since I've been around. It's also a good idea to wipe down the large rubber seal inside and out now and then.

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/11/2012 11:25:34 PM

KMsAngel

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front loader here. have had it about 10 yrs. huge savings on water, i use either powder, liquid or eco balls to wash, never had problems with any of them. since we have only rain water at this place, the water savings is ideal. no smells unless i forget laundry inside, but considering the humidity up here and the way everything else molds, i've never had mold problems with it. it's in the garage, and i tend to leave it open a crack anyways. mine is fuzzy logic, so it adjusts to the level of clothes as to how much water it uses. after a lifetime of top loaders, i prefer this one.

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/12/2012 3:14:40 AM

calamitysandra

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Front loader for me. I have a rather recent top shelf model which does an amazing job. It has special programs for almost everything and can take up to 6kg of laundry. Plus, the dryer can be stacked on top.

I recommend wiping the door seal down from time to time, that should take care of any odor/mold problems that might occur.

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/12/2012 5:34:02 AM

Buzzzz

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Very old top loader over (ken more model 110). Parts are very cheap, there are nice instructions on YouTube on how to fix them. May use more water then front loaders but I canbet I can make it last way longer (thus cheaper) then a newer front loader one.

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/12/2012 5:39:01 AM

Buzzzz

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For example , the water pump is $12, coupling is $5, agitator kit is $6 , I could go on and on.

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/12/2012 10:57:53 AM

DesFIP

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My washer was bought in 1987, it's still going strong.
I would love to replace it with one that takes blankets, but not if I have to replace it every five years.

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/12/2012 11:36:07 AM

kalikshama

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FR,

When we moved into our current place I looked into washer/dryer stacked combos but couldn't find a model with good reviews. We got a washer from craigslist for $100 and a dryer from a friend.

My sister, who goes high end, has a front load.

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Post #: 18

RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/12/2012 12:02:20 PM

ashjor911

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I have one like this one here... only the jambo size
& it dose take up to 12 kg of things.. blankets & other stuff.. but its very very hard to wash 7 kg blanket... when its soked up with water it becomes 10-11 kg.. & i am skinny ass

Attachment (1)

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RE: Washers: Front Load vs Top Load - 5/12/2012 12:28:28 PM

ChatteParfaitt

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I have a top loader that is about 8 years old. It's a Kenmore and has needed 2 minor repairs so far. The mechanic told me it was a great model.

I like it. It's a double loader -- it and the dryer take up space, but I have a separate laundry / storage room, so that's not an issue.

It cleans very well, and has enough cycles and choices for me, including an automatic double rinse. Since I have skin that is sensitive to detergents and such, I like that feature.

I've used a front loader placed on the floor, and found it very difficult with my bad back to retrieve all the wash.

If I had to get a new washer, I would look at all the models, but I can't say I like the front loaders, given the (limited) experience I have had.

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