Front Loading or Top Loading Washer?

[BadgerGirl84]

I'm buying my first house next months and the owners are taking their Washer and Dryer with them.

If you were purchasing a new washer--would you get a front loading one? I was sold on the front loading washers, due to their energy effiency and water savings--but then I started reading stuff on forums about "smelly washers." Apparently, some front loaders can have issues with mildew and mold.

Does anyone have a mold or mildew problem with their front loaders?

 

[stitchlovestink]

where will you be putting the washer? What type of floor would it be on? Concrete or wood joist floor?

 

[ashrae9216]

I just got a brand new washer myself.. i got a top loader that is considered a front loader.. its complicated to explain but i LOVE it!!! Since it loads from the top there will be no issues with the smelly stuff around the front and leaks that a lot of people have.... And also its energy efficient like the front loaders... Maytag Bravos® 4.7 Cu. Ft. Super Capacity Washer

And its HUGE!!!! I would go this way.. I have a few of my friends who actually sold their front loader and got the one I got!

 

[Sir.Walks-a-Lot]

If you leave the door open on the washer after use to air/dry out, I haven't noticed that smell too often. And I know the old-sock smell you're talking about...I actually smell it in top loaders as well.

They have a mixture you are supposed to put in the washer every so often to clean it out...seems to work fine. Top and front loaders both need to be cleaned.

I like the front loaders for two big reasons:

1. Gives me workspace (folding/stacking/etc.) on top without blocking access.
2. Much gentler on the clothes while cleaning better. A tumbler is vastly superior to an agitator given all other considerations being equal.

Things I don't like about the front loaders:

1. Bending over. You can alleviate this with the very nice pedastals most have (or build your own)...unfortunately, they didn't work in our laundry space.
2. Only the more expensive models seem to have a soak function, which all top loaders have by design. They do have a setting for gently rocking the drum part-way around though, so it wasn't too bad.
3. No access while running. I like to be able to add a forgotten sock or check on things...no can do anymore.

Search around for a good deal. Brands I'd recommend are Samsung, LG, and Electrolux...increasing in price respectively. Very good, consistent reviews on those brands across all models. Other brands are more hit and miss, even Bosch has had drum cracks reported a little too often.

If your hookups allow for gas or electric on the dryer, pay the extra for the gas model.

If you buy from Lowe's, you can get an extra four year warranty added (five total typically) for only $160 for the set (washer and dryer).

The top loader/front loader still uses the drum on its side, but instead of the front being open for loading, like a gerbil wheel, the can is sealed except for a door that has to be aligned at the top for access (machine aligns it automatically).

 

[CyndiLooWho]

If I were buying, I'd buy a front-loader. Yes, there can be mold issues, but those are easily alleviated by leaving the door open a little bit. They are much better for your clothes and for the environment.

My last two washers were front loaders (one in Europe and one in our last house) and I was really happy with them. The only reason I don't have one now is that we sold ours when we moved overseas and when we moved back, the new house came with a good, newer Kenmore top loader and dryer. There was no reason to replace them when I needed to upgrade the fridge and the dishwasher immediately. In another 2 yrs, I expect to get a new front loader.

 

[dhardawa]

I would get a high efficiency top loader. I don't want to have to squat down to try to get clothes in and out of the washer and don't want the door hanging open and getting banged around.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

We bought a front-loader when we moved into this house 3 years ago and I haven't had ANY problems with it at all. I do leave the door cracked open and the little sliding detergent drawer open between loads. Not a big deal, especially considering my "laundry room" is just a large closet w/ folding doors off the kitchen with about 4" of clearance between the w/d and the doors.

I love how the clothes are barely wet once the cycle is finished. Drying time (either in the machine or on the clothesline) is much shorter than it used to be. Detergent usage has decreased dramatically-----one 100oz bottle of Tide HE lasts 6 months! And I do 6-8 loads of laundry each week.

 

[rosanafamily]

I absolutely HATE mine. It has needed repairs so many times I lost count. That said, front loaders do use less water and are more gentle on your clothes as they tumble not agitate. You can wash large items like comforters or sleeping bags in a front loader.You do need to buy HE detergent which is more expensive then regular detergent. One thing I like about a top loader is the ability to control how much water is in it and being able to soak your clothes if needed.In the front loader the water sits n the bottom until it is tumbling.

 

[puffkin]

If you have a laundry closet or tight space, make sure you check the dimensions. We had a lovely Duet pair from our old house that did not fit in our new second floor laundry closet. We had to replace them with the Neptunes which at that time were the only front loaders small enough to fit. I love the drier but hate the washer. So, just double check the dimensions of your space!

 

[3mickeymom]

After my top loading HE washer from Sears broke. I did alot of research and was still not completely sold on buying a front loader. there seems to be many complaints about the Sears HE5t, 3t etc so read about those before purchasing.

I went with a front loader BUT it has a DRAIN hose on the bottom to let out the water that accumulates in the bottom of the washer that causes the musty odor. I do it every few days(a pain) and I leave the door open(no small children at my house) and dry the seal when I am finished using it. I do not want another moldy machine. I also run a bleach or vinegar cycle once a week(without clothes) and I use very little detergent.

The plus so far -My clothes do spend much less time in the dryer. I use very little detergent and my clothes have been coming out clean-even dirty baseball pants. I got an energystar rebate of $75.00 and a rebate from Sears for free delivery. Hope this helps.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I prefer top loaders. There seems to be so many complaints about front loaders with all the fancy circutry in them. To me it's one more thing to go wrong and need to be replaced. I'm a very basic, the less bells and whistles the longer it lasts kind of person though.

My water bill is very cheap and we have a family of 5 and I always run the washer. I'm going to assume it's still pretty efficient.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

I had a Maytag Neptune front loader and I HATED HATED HATED it. My then-husband talked me into it because one of his clients had one and he loved to imitate his clients. There was the mold/smell issue, but the biggest two drawbacks for me was that it took forever to go through a cycle, and there was no way to soak anything. I'm a big believer in soaking.

When you realize that your son needs clean baseball pants (or soccer jersey, etc.) an hour before the game, that's when a slow wash cycle matters!!!

I don't think I will ever have a front loader again if I can avoid it.

 

[crjack]

I have a Whirlpool Cabrio which is a top loader that is actually the same size or bigger than many front loading machines.

It does NOT have the agitator in the center so it holds a lot and is very good with cleaning our clothes. You can easily wash a king comforter.

I did not have the right set up for the front loader and without the pedestals it was a lot of bending over.

Mine is energy efficient and definitely uses less water.

We've had it for just over a year now and I am very pleased with the set.

 

[cjnix29]

I just got a brand new washer myself.. i got a top loader that is considered a front loader.. its complicated to explain but i LOVE it!!! Since it loads from the top there will be no issues with the smelly stuff around the front and leaks that a lot of people have.... And also its energy efficient like the front loaders... Maytag Bravos® 4.7 Cu. Ft. Super Capacity Washer

And its HUGE!!!! I would go this way.. I have a few of my friends who actually sold their front loader and got the one I got!

I bought the same one. LOVE IT!! I have had a front loader before, and it always smelled musty, even after leaving the door open. But I love my Maytag Bravo. I can't believe the amount of stuff I can get in it. Would highly recommend it!

 

[artesian]

Have a front loader for 5 plus years no and although I have had no issues I will not buy another one. Soaking not an option and yes mine does stink at times

 

[Chicago526]

I snagged a gently used top loader for $75 on ebay, my DH just had to go pick it up in his truck (it was local, of course). See what you can find on ebay and craigs list, if you can get a reliable used one, it will give you time to really research the front loaders and pick just the right one.

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

Front Loader all the way....

1st let me start by saying - my husband doesn't allow me to do laundry (fine by me ), he says I ruin to many clothes - oops. We got a front load washer after our top loader died on us. I work for the water dept in my town & was hearing how much money you save on your water bill with front load washers. I did not believe it could be that much. Well it has cut our bill in 1/2. We normally used around 14,000 gallons every 2 months for a household of 3. We now use around 8,000.

For the water bill alone - Front Loader.

And for the mold - always keep the door open & we have had no problems thus far & have had it for 18 months now.

 

[R we on the ship yet]

I love my front-loaders!! We bought LG steam washer and reg dryer when we moved (cherry red, so it looks awesome, too) to a new house. Like other posters had mentioned, it gives you that nice space on top of them to do your folding. My DH installed a pre-cut manufactured shelf thingy (had it cut to our size at Lowe's), so all my laundry supplies go on it as well.
The other thing I LOVE about the dryer, too is that it has a sensor in it and only runs until the load is dry (about 40 minutes on the average).
HE detergent lasts forever, and the smell - as long as you leave the door open for a few minutes after doing a load you are fine.
Good luck with you purchase!

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Thanks for all of the suggestions--just like I thought, some people LOVE their front loaders and some do not. I'm still torn! My washer and dryer will be going in the basement on a concrete floor--I don't have any kids and it will be out of the way so that I can leave the door open if I need to. I'm fine leaving the door of a front loader open and wiping it out now and then, but the idea of doing much more than that (like running vinegar-only cycles) sounds like a pain in the you-know-what.

 

[dyna]

I wanted the Cabrio but it didn't fit in my space neither would a front loader that I didn't want. NO room for pedastal an I wasn't bending over that far for laundry.

About the smelly washer I run vinegar thru with ever load I was I use it for fabric softner in the softner cup just fill the cup up sometimes if it's something in the load that makes lots of static I'll add about a 1/4th of a dryer sheet to the dryer.

I also add a splash of vinegar to the washer it's self with the laundry detergent an clothes natural disenfectant it helps with stains an odors safely etc cut's down on the hard water build up in machine pipes an on clothing etc its a good thing to use natural an safe.