Washing machine, Front loader Vs Top loader

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Madaya

I was told by a washing machine repair specialist that staining on clothes can be caused by a build up of Fabric Softener gunk residue. Use less FS and try the vinegar option for the occasional clean.

Front Loader for me, a Fisher Paykel 8kg, quiet.

Yeah, the thicker softeners can leave crud in the tray. Either water it down a little or take the tray out every few months and throw it in the dish washer or just wipe it down.

[poppa smurf]

sox and YF is spot on with everything they have said.......staining can be unused fabric softener....hence I wont use it

unclean clothes can be the type of detergent.....I experimented until I found one that worked well in cold water

we had a top loader and a twin tub before this one.....some clothes were not clean coming out of either top loaders either, we had to soak some to get them back to clean......nothing has changed through changing to front loader

staining can also come from the machine itself through not draining regularly (door at bottom of the machine with the little hose) and clean with a cup of vinegar and full wash cycle at least once a month and leave the door open to dry out the innards this will help to keep the scunge at bay

any of these "problems" are not the machines fault....... it is operator error

[cs123]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

any of these "problems" are not the machines fault....... it is operator error

Perhaps, but I have the choice of using a machine ( top loader) that washes well, washes quickly and is not prone to operator error or I can buy a machine that the Europeans use, probably due to space limitations, that is more expensive, requires me to use special detergent, clean with vinegar, clean the pumps, use a watering can to top up and set it on a timer the night before to compensate for longer wash times.

I'm not going to spend a lot of money on a top of the line front loader to get my clothes as clean as my cheap top loader.

It's an easy decision for me.

[Sox]

Originally Posted by cs123

Perhaps, but I have the choice of using a machine ( top loader) that washes well,

As do front loaders, in fact better.

washes quickly

As do front loaders if adjusted to do so.

and is not prone to operator error

Everything is prone to operator error.

or I can buy a machine that the Europeans use, probably due to space limitations,

No, it's because they are better.

that is more expensive,

You get what you pay for.

requires me to use special detergent,

No, we use the cheapest no name liquid detergent.

clean with vinegar,

Never done this.

clean the pumps,

Nor this.

use a watering can to top up

Nor this.

and set it on a timer the night before to compensate for longer wash times.

Long wash times is a myth.
Ours can be adjusted for over 2 hours, or as little 30 minutes and everything in between.

I'm not going to spend a lot of money on a top of the line front loader to get my clothes as clean as my cheap top loader.

Fine, no one's forcing you to.
I didn't either, my front loader was very inexpensive.

It's an easy decision for me.

Me too.

[Dusty1]

Never used top up from a watering can. Neither have I drained the waster from the little door. Only time I've drained mine is when an elastic band got caught around the spinning thing in there.

A timer is used to set the most convenient time to end the cycle. Having a timer negates any complaints about how long a cycle is. My front loader has a 15 minute wash, as well as a 30 minute cycles. Many front loaders also offer the convenience of a timer as well.

One thing I'm noticing on this forum, is that someone will always counter a statement by insisting they are right.

I have a front loader, and I really don't care if you don't. Mine does everything I need, as did the one before that, and going back further, so did the one I used in the unit at university which were given a real beating and, unlike the top loaders some units had, didn't breakdown.

Buy a top loader if you think that would better suit your needs, or a front loader if you believe that will.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Ok... I was the one that mentioned 'topping up with a watering can'. I do this when I want to do a full load of 'wardrobe smelling' clothes on the fast setting. It would probably make no difference to how it washes, I just do it so I can see the water ;)

I also do it when I throw in a basket full of bath towels or a pillow. Much for the same reason. Either way, it probably makes nill difference and I just do it caus I want to think it helps. When my wife washes she can't be bothered and the clothes come out the same. Perhaps call it a personal quirk rather than a requirement?

[TheSneakiness]

Have a front loader (Samsung 7.5kg).

- Turns clothes inside out
- Spits out socks
- Doesn't clean soiled kids clothes properly
- Only every use quick cycle (28 minutes normally which is actually more like 40 and an extra rinse and temp increase for bigger load which is 44 minutes but more like an hour and 10)
- Sounds like a plane on takeoff when at full spin
- Leaks like a sieve out of the overflow (even when lint collector is clean)

If it dies I'll find myself with a top loader.

[zilo]

Originally Posted by Sox

I should have also mentioned, virtually all industrial machines and laundromats have front loading machines. This speaks volumes of the superiority of that style of machine..

Sorry matey...I am in Victoria and have never seen a front loading washing machine in a laundromat.
maybe you are confusing it with the "superior" front loading dryers they have in laundromats? ....

Originally Posted by Sox

The important facts are -
Front loaders use less water.....
-an extra 9 litres of water costs 0.081 cents here in Geelong so who cares?
Front loaders use less power.
-our Miele uses more power, all the electronics is always on gobbling power, the top loader had a rotary mechanical switch that simply turned off when done.
Front loaders are gentler on the clothing.
-no they are not, a modern top loader washes exactly the same
Front loaders wash better.
-no front loaders don't wash better, they wash no different it's all in the eyes of the beholder
Front loaders use less detergent-they use much more expensive detergent, which negates the "benefit".

[Sox]

Originally Posted by Ugg

Sorry matey...I am in Victoria

No need for the apology, someone has to live there.

Just kidding bud.

and have never seen a front loading washing machine in a laundromat.

How many have you been to?
1, 3, 10? That doesn't represent the majority.

maybe you are confusing it with the "superior" front loading dryers they have in laundromats?

Not at all. As I've already stated, it is indeed a fact that front loader machines are superior to top loaders.
Google it, proper tests, not peoples biased opinions.

-an extra 9 litres of water costs 0.081 cents here in Geelong so who cares?

I'm pretty confidant that many people would care. Greenies for one, and people on tank water another.
Using a resource when not necessary is just wasteful, and costly to some.

-our Miele uses more power, all the electronics is always on gobbling power, the top loader had a rotary mechanical switch that simply turned off when done.

Are you sure of that? I wouldn't be. What's the measured power consumption of your machine? have you calculated how much difference there is in a year between your machine and a top loader?
The electronics of a machine account for a fraction of a percentage of the power usage. Perhaps 10w-30w at the most.
The motor and pump however use several hundred watts, and the heater maybe 2 or 3 times that.

-no they are not, a modern top loader washes exactly the same

No they do not.
Front loaders tumble the clothing.
Top loaders have an agitator.

That is the fundamental difference between the designs, and the very reason why front loaders are superior.

-no front loaders don't wash better, they wash no different it's all in the eyes of the beholder

How can they wash no different? They are two entirely different systems. One relies on a tumbling action of the drum, and the other relies on an agitator.
This is not an opinion, it's a fact. Do the research.

-they use much more expensive detergent, which negates the "benefit".

Wrong.
We use the cheapest no name liquid.

Anyway, this is silly, we can go on all day about this, you're arguing opinion, I'm stating fact.

Do a google search, look for tests rather than peoples opinions.

[MercurySilver]

sox posting on a washing machine thread

sorry
i found it funny
seeing as the damn things eat them!!

[Dusty1]

Three laundryman tea near me, all three offer front loaders as well as top loaders.

Top loaders are for bigger loads in hese places, generally. I've used them, can do it all in one load, then straight into the dryer.

I was in one of the three once. A taxi driver walks in with a basket full of taxi driver shirts. He takes his off (has a singlet on), and puts them all into the dryer. 20 or so minutes later, takes one out, puts it on, does up buttons, tucks in and clears the dryer of all shirts. Puts laundry basket in boot of cab and drives off. Lovely. Probably never seen water, except sweat.

I also love indignation.

[Sox]

Originally Posted by MercurySilver

sox posting on a washing machine thread

sorry
i found it funny
seeing as the damn things eat them!!

....

[Trevor 57]

I have been told by the Minister for War and Finance, aka Leader of the Opposition, aka The Wife that front loaders are the best and that she has a Meile and she said it is the ducks guts

P.S. this is her first front loader, for 30+ years we have had nothing but top loaders, from the old twin tub top loader through to the fully automatic top loaders.

[poppa smurf]

trevor I reckon you are leaving one out there.......I'd bet a dollar to dog biscuit that you had a Simpson wringer before the twin tub

we did!!!......

[Trevor 57]

No, the first one we had was a twin tub, mum had the old electric agitatator with a wringer and I can actually also remember her using the 'copper' with the hand operated wringer.

[poppa smurf]

ah!.....I'm very surprised, you skipped one of the best washing machines ever made......

our first was the copper, two concrete sinks with the mangle in the middle then the Simpson, then twin tubs, auto top loaders then front loaders

[GasoLane]

Comments seem so divided perhaps we should start a new forum to include....

Top vs Front Loader.

Apple vs Android.

Ford vs Holden.

Canon vs Nikon

[poppa smurf]

Roger....I'll yak about anything anywhere to anyone.......what pleases me most is the lack of bloody arguments...

this forum is a very pleasant place to be lately!!....

anyway its been decided, trevors missus reckons front loaders so thats that!!!!

dont know about you blokes but I aint arguing with her!!!!!

[zilo]

Nah...sorry Soxy, and fan club.

Front loaders suck....I'll simplify it for you with this very accurate analogy

Front loader = Front wheel drive falcon for soft membered greenies and girls
Top loader= supercharged rear wheel drive falcon for real men who get real dirty

It's just the way it is boys, sorry.

Originally Posted by Sox

The electronics of a machine account for a fraction of a percentage of the power usage. Perhaps 10w-30w at the most.
The motor and pump however use several hundred watts, and the heater maybe 2 or 3 times that.

.

Giving you some slack, before you bury yourself even further...even at 10 watts that's about 87 kw a year or 30 bucks a year just to have the lights looking pretty at night with the aux power supply running.

[Sox]

Originally Posted by Ugg

Nah...sorry Soxy, and fan club.

Front loaders suck....I'll simplify it for you with this very accurate analogy

Front loader = Front wheel drive falcon for soft membered greenies and girls
Top loader= supercharged rear wheel drive falcon for real men who get real dirty

It's just the way it is boys, sorry.

Take a look at my sig, and you'll see that certainly isn't the case.
In fact, rabid greenies annoy me, however if it will help my pocket, and it isn't difficult, then I'm all for it.
It leaves more money for fun stuff.

Giving you some slack, before you bury yourself even further...even at 10 watts that's about 87 kw a year or 30 bucks a year just to have the lights looking pretty at night with the aux power supply running.

Nah, I haven't even started.

Firstly, I was talking about the power consumption of your electrics when the machine is actually washing, being 10w-50w.
In standby it may be much less, perhaps less than 1w.

Secondly, if it is ~10w, it wouldn't matter to me as I switch most of my appliances off at the GPO when not in use.
As you just worked out, a few appliances can work out to quite a few $$ over a year.

Thirdly, most items manufactured in the last few years will have an extremely low standby current, as that's all part of modern day power requirements. Hence why I said yours may be less than 1w.

Lastly, plenty top loaders also have electronics at the heart of the unit too, so your point is completely redundant.

Make no mistake, 10 or so years ago, when we needed a new wash machine, I did my homework...

Now, would you like a shovel?

[poppa smurf]

uh! oh!......spoke too soon.....oh! well......where's me popcorn!!

[zilo]

Originally Posted by Sox

Firstly, I was talking about the power consumption of your electrics when the machine is actually washing, being 10w-50w.
In standby it may be much less, perhaps less than 1w.

The microprocessor and displays use just as much power when running or when in standby.
You might want to check your facts before inviting me to implement my shovel on your claims..

Originally Posted by Sox

Secondly, if it is ~10w, it wouldn't matter to me as I switch most of my appliances off at the GPO when not in use.

Cool...I need to modify my relationship with all my appliances to fit a front load washer electron conservation model....

Originally Posted by Sox

As you just worked out, a few appliances can work out to quite a few $$ over a year.

I haven't really "just" worked it out, I've been acutely aware of ghost loads in my solar inverter load for quite a few years now...(30+)

Originally Posted by Sox

Thirdly, most items manufactured in the last few years will have an extremely low standby current, as that's all part of modern day power requirements. Hence why I said yours may be less than 1w.

I did say we had a NEW Miele front loader, it uses about 30 watts in standby.
Perhaps you should send a scathing letter to Miele offering your industrial design credentials in your CV?

Originally Posted by Sox

Lastly, plenty top loaders also have electronics at the heart of the unit too, so your point is completely redundant.

You can still buy a top loader with no electronics and no standby.
You cannot buy a front loader without electronics.

prove me wrong...I'll bet a slab of beer on it?

Originally Posted by Sox

Make no mistake, 10 or so years ago, when we needed a new wash machine, I did my homework...

So did I mate, so did I, but I chose regular sax over a washing machine decision.

[Sox]

Originally Posted by Ugg

The microprocessor and displays use just as much power when running or when in standby.

Not generally speaking they don't.

Cool...I need to modify my relationship with all my appliances to fit a front load washer electron conservation model....

It's not hard.

I haven't really "just" worked it out, I've been acutely aware of ghost loads in my solar inverter load for quite a few years now...(30+)

That's good, most people have no clue.

I did say we had a NEW Miele front loader, it uses about 30 watts in standby.
Perhaps you should send a scathing letter to Miele offering your industrial design credentials in your CV?

It's a requirement by OZ standards, I can't help it if Miele are slow on the uptake.
Most manufactures have had appliances with <1w standby currents for some time.

What's it matter though, switch it off at the wall.

You can still buy a top loader with no electronics and no standby.
You cannot buy a front loader without electronics.

prove me wrong...I'll bet a slab of beer on it?

I'll take your word for it, but as I said, it doesn't matter either way if you flick the switch.

In any case, I don't drink, I'm more than plenty silly without grog.

[pottery beige]

blokes arguing over washing machines... lolololol...

my washing machine blew up.. bought one off a bloke at work for $150..

it works like a champ

$0.02

[Yellow_Festiva]

PB, you still haven't answered the million dollar question! Front or top loader

[pottery beige]

$150 second hand LG toploader and cheap powder ftw..

[Yellow_Festiva]

Ok.... how about this? Top loading front loader?????





I have seen these for sale once or twice here. Used one at my uncles place in the Czech Rep as well as friends place in Germany.

Staber: Top Loader That Thinks its a Front Loader

Normally I don't pay much attention to television adverts. But recently I had to go through the process of buying a new washing machine, so it was with interest that I noticed Fisher&Paykel; promoting their Aquasmart machine. The first top loader sold in Australia to qualify for a 4 Star water rating. Impressive, but the energy rating still needs work. Jogged the memory though. "Haven't I seen a hybrid top loader before?" Of course I had. It was the Staber, launched onto the US market a full dozen or so years ago. Inside this normal looking top loader is a hexagonal-like stainless steel drum that opens to the top. Staber reckon their 'Made in America' machines will provide a return of around $300 each year for the rest of their life. Although about twice the price of a standard top loader, they calculate that considering water, energy and detergent saved over just three years of use, you are pretty much making money with their designs. They figure this based on saving a third of the water, a quarter of the energy to heat water, at least a quarter of the washing detergent and a third of the drying time (due to their efficient spins cycle). The company even have some sound reasons why their design outperforms a front loader. Interestingly, for folk on wind and solar power, Staber also claim to have 'the most energy efficient washer available and the best choice for consumers living "off-grid,"' as a result of only needing 110—150 watt-hours of electricity per wash load. Not being in the US, I ultimately made a different choice, but would welcome comments below from anyone with experience (good or bad) on the effectiveness of the Staber design. ::Staber Washing Machines.

[vanman_75]

LG toploader for me ...no agitator ..you stinky half washed front loader people please stay away ..obviously you hand wash your doonas cause they don't fit in front loaders, no comparison for a real clean, go toploader go ...

( my opinion is right cause the missus said so ! )

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

blokes arguing over washing machines... lolololol

It is the sign of the metro-sexual society we are now living in PB, women's libbers have done this to the once famous Aussie bloke, I just hang my head in shame and despair

[Peter B - CV8]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

It is the sign of the metro-sexual society we are now living in PB, women's libbers have done this to the once famous Aussie bloke, I just hang my head in shame and despair

Gotta agree with you there. Sort of leaves you feeling a bit washed up & wrung out...