Washing machine, Front loader Vs Top loader

[pundit]

I am in the market at the moment for a new washing machine... At the moment I have a top loader, some cheap cheap Beaumatic (I think) 5kg job.. It isn't very good but was the right price to get the job done when I needed it...

So I've been trying to figure out the pros and cons of top front loader vs top loader...

From what I've noticed in the past a front loader does a better quality wash.. Or is it just mine is too nasty to be able to do a decent wash for a top loader..

Any advice guys?

Got a budget of around $800.. Could push it a little more if needed..

[poppa smurf]

definitely front loader......a lot less water and so much simpler

we've had a samsung 7 kilo now for years

[LG17]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

definitely front loader......a lot less water and so much simpler

we've had a samsung 7 kilo now for years

... and a hell of a lot noisier

Some days I think the house is caving in!

[Benny D]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

definitely front loader......a lot less water and so much simpler

we've had a samsung 7 kilo now for years

i also have a 7kg sansung front loader ive had for years.

nice n quiet and got the job done. only just a few days ago the door sensor has crapped itself so now hunting for parts :/.....

[poppa smurf]

Originally Posted by Benny D

i also have a 7kg sansung front loader ive had for years.

nice n quiet and got the job done. only just a few days ago the door sensor has crapped itself so now hunting for parts :/.....

ebay mate.......heaps of parts on there......I broke the door handle off ours not long after we had it, my fault, didn't wait for it to unlock and i was pulling on it

dead simple fix as well, undo the screws around the glass and the whole door comes off and the glass and handle separates and reassembles very simply

I think the new handle cost me about $6 or something similar

[BENT_8]

How many people live in your house.
We tried a 7.5k front loader a few yers ago, it lasted 3 months before the wife gave me the ultimatum.
Problem was that to get a decent wash, you couldnt put too much in it, which meant she was always doing med sized loads as there are 6 of us.
Anything more than a half load and it didnt wash properly.
The other issue was the constant need to do maintenance cycles to stop mould forming in the rubber seals.
We sold it to the elderly couple next door, suits them fine.

We went back to a non agitator type top loader which specifies front loader low suds detergent, never looked back.
I cant think of anyone with a family who owns a front loader and is happy with it.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

How many people live in your house.
We tried a 7.5k front loader a few yers ago, it lasted 3 months before the wife gave me the ultimatum.
Problem was that to get a decent wash, you couldnt put too much in it, which meant she was always doing med sized loads as there are 6 of us.
Anything more than a half load and it didnt wash properly.
The other issue was the constant need to do maintenance cycles to stop mould forming in the rubber seals.
We sold it to the elderly couple next door, suits them fine.

We went back to a non agitator type top loader which specifies front loader low suds detergent, never looked back.
I cant think of anyone with a family who owns a front loader and is happy with it.

We bought ours after reading a Choice magazine washing machine review.
To get 7kgs they really had to stuff the sheets in HARD, and it still washed them fine it seems.........well the top of the range did.
The "K-Mart" specials were a dismal failure, I've never heard of mould on the seals either.

For the OP........ this might help to start with, the members section is much more detailed.
http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and...ing-guide.aspx

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

How many people live in your house.
We tried a 7.5k front loader a few yers ago, it lasted 3 months before the wife gave me the ultimatum.
Problem was that to get a decent wash, you couldnt put too much in it, which meant she was always doing med sized loads as there are 6 of us.
Anything more than a half load and it didnt wash properly.
The other issue was the constant need to do maintenance cycles to stop mould forming in the rubber seals.
We sold it to the elderly couple next door, suits them fine.

We went back to a non agitator type top loader which specifies front loader low suds detergent, never looked back.
I cant think of anyone with a family who owns a front loader and is happy with it.

This is what I did:

Full rated load with heavy dirt (towels etc), choose the wash cycle that goes for at least 1.5 hrs. My shortest cycle is 30min, longest is around 2.5hrs. I found no difference between the 1.5 and 2.5hr wash options.

Full load, clothing. 1 hr was more than enough.

Half load clothes - 30 minutes.

When I 'freshen up' clothes that have been sitting in the wardrobe for a few seasons I just filled the machine to capacity, chose the 30min option and let it go. 1 problem - 30 min is usually half load and less water right? So I just fill a 9l watering can and pour it into the machine through the slide out soap drawer ;)

With 6 people, I would have not got a 7.5kg machine anyway, unless you wanted to do a load ever 2nd day. I find with machines you should always go the biggest you can fit / afford. They always have a setting to wash 'less' but you can never go over the rated limit for good results!

There is also a stigma associated with front loaders that they take hours to wash. Not so, I think all these days have a quick wash option. What I did was write the duration of each wash cycle next to the marker on the dial to help remind me how long each went for.

[Benny D]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

ebay mate.......heaps of parts on there......I broke the door handle off ours not long after we had it, my fault, didn't wait for it to unlock and i was pulling on it

dead simple fix as well, undo the screws around the glass and the whole door comes off and the glass and handle separates and reassembles very simply

I think the new handle cost me about $6 or something similar

drove past one this morning. stopped real quik, jumped out and pulled the door lock sensor off.

back home whacked it in and all sweet

[poppa smurf]

Originally Posted by Benny D

drove past one this morning. stopped real quik, jumped out and pulled the door lock sensor off.

back home whacked it in and all sweet

Hah! well done......cant get them cheaper than that!

[Motorbreath310]

I just bought a Samsung 7.5kg top loader that has no agitator in the centre. So much easier not having things getting wrapped around it. Came in under 500 from the good guys and thats with a 5 year warranty.


Hate front loaders.....

[frd906]

We have a front loader, and every time we go to was clothes it always leaves dirt stains on them, dont no what the hell is going on lol

[Madaya]

Originally Posted by frd906

We have a front loader, and every time we go to was clothes it always leaves dirt stains on them, dont no what the hell is going on lol

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.

[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.

[Peuty]

Front loaders are the devil. Top loaders are where it's at. Doing the washing is a pain enough without having to crouch down to put clothes in and out. Plus you can't open them once they have been turned on. Those missed socks have to go unwashed then.

[GasoLane]

We've got an Asko 7k front loader. Less water used as it only uses enough to wash the load be it small or large. Quiet and reliable.

Would never go back to the old top loader.

[supershifty]

Originally Posted by Peuty

Front loaders are the devil. Top loaders are where it's at. Doing the washing is a pain enough without having to crouch down to put clothes in and out. Plus you can't open them once they have been turned on. Those missed socks have to go unwashed then.

Peuty, if you find any odd socks - please return them.

[Yellow_Festiva]

My family are staunch top loaders but since I moved out I got a front loader and will never look back. Clothes last longer, get cleaned better and cost less to run. Only problems I see is the extra cost at purchase kg for kg and the soap is slightly more expensive.

Oh, I have seen a 'top load front loader' being advertised... No joke!

Whatever you go with, read the user reviews.

[davenl5l]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

My family are staunch top loaders but since I moved out I got a front loader and will never look back. Clothes last longer, get cleaned better and cost less to run. Only problems I see is the extra cost at purchase kg for kg and the soap is slightly more expensive.

Oh, I have seen a 'top load front loader' being advertised... No joke!

Whatever you go with, read the user reviews.

go to big w & buy large boxes cheaper that way or look for special's & buy up

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by davenl5l

go to big w & buy large boxes cheaper that way or look for special's & buy up

Haaa... Exactly what I do. About 4 years ago I bought 4x10kg boxes of Spree from Big W at something silly like $18-20 a box and I have finally opened my last box last week.... Don't think the stuff goes off, haven't seen a drop in quality...

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by davenl5l

go to big w & buy large boxes cheaper that way or look for special's & buy up

So long as you don't do what I did when we first got ours.

Bought a huge box of detergent (on special of course,) after the first wash I found I'd bought top loader stuff instead of the front loader type

[poppa smurf]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

So long as you don't do what I did when we first got ours.

Bought a huge box of detergent (on special of course,) after the first wash I found I'd bought top loader stuff instead of the front loader type

Hah! Hah! Hah!....I thought it was only me that did that sort of thing.......never send me shopping ......3 of them, 5 of those and I gotta have a dozen of them, ....LOL!

Davenl5l... fast wash for ours is 25 minutes.......thats all I use,

I have used the inbuilt heater once.....so power is a lot less than a top loader

if I wanted to do all my washing in hot water then it is a simple matter of undoing the cold water inlet and changing it to the hot water inlet

I can choose whether to use cold water or the actual water temp on all the settings

[2011G6E]

Depends on the washing you're doing.
Clothes get pretty grimy out here with the coal dust you brush up against.

The important bit is, if you have dirty clothes a lot, a top loader with a central agitator is the best. That's the tall tower thing that sticks up in the center of the bowl. It ensures that the clothes get a damn good, well, agitating, instead of just swirling around gently as with the ones that had a bowl that just has a ridged flat thing down in the bottom.

Talk to the staff at a big store and they'll usually be able to advise you on what to get, depending on how dirty the clothes you usually deal with are and how many people there are.
Given that there isn't a huge difference in price between, say, a 5.5kg and a 7.5kg, go for the bigger one...it's a "just in case" thing for if you have a big load, and also lets you wash things like blankets and even doonas if you want to.

Brands? We had a 7.5kg Simpson top loader for nearly ten years, and it copped a hammering with 3 kids at home and my dirty work clothes before finally giving up the ghost. Not sure what's wrong, but it has got corrosion under the center agitator which is pretty bad, so the old girl had to go.
Our current one is a 5.5kg Fischer & Paykal "Quicksmart" top loader with the big center agitator, and it takes everything in it's stride.

[poppa smurf]

when we bought the front loader the wife started a new job and i had to take over the household "doings".....well I have my business not far from here and can work my own hours so it made sense

anyhow.....the first time I did the washing it was "what the bloody hell"........bend down to load the thing, bend down to unload then lift the washing into the basket......stuff this

well I went straight out and bought two sheets of MDF, some paint, a couple of hinges and some backing ply and made up a cabinet to stand the machine on, it is the full length of the washhouse (over 2.4 mtrs) and also supports the dryer

I made the height so that the clothes trolley slips just below the door of the washing machine,.......dead easy now, pull the clothes straight out of the machine and into the trolley

I put a little edge around the front and two sides to stop the machine from "walking".....a problem that is common with these machines

I built a clothes hopper in between the two machines to make it easier

when the boss seen it......she was not happy, she said....." I had to put up with it on the floor all this time and you could have made me one of these"

I've since had to make 5 of them for various neighbours and friends

I use only cold water and use nothing but cold power front loader.......excellent results and the clothes last longer

no way would I go back to the old toppy!......

[Franco Cozzo]

Living at home with the parents, our 93' Whirlpool top loader gave up the ghost and I offered to buy the new washing machine, was eying off front loaders, read up about how much more efficient they are, easier on clothes, blah blah blah.

I asked them which one they wanted, they said top loader, because:

1) You can add clothes to it after the cycle has started
2) Old people don't bend over too well

So I looked into top loaders, the new ones seem to be very wide these days, so we could only get like a 7KG capacity one, and unfortunately Mummy dearest has ignored technology since the 80s so she wanted something with knobs and dials like our broken one.

Well that just doesn't happen these days unfortunately, they have more features than my "smart phone" (which does everything except make phone calls).

So I went to youtube and earned my youtube degree in washing machine repairs, me and the old man ended up pulling apart the old washing machine and we identified that the drive coupler that connects the motor to the gearbox snapped its teeth.

Managed to order a new one from the USA, and now it works again!

Me and the old man have a habit of breaking everything we touch, but so far we've fixed the toilet leaking, the washing machine and done a fair bit of work on my project car together.

So next time something breaks, pull it apart and have a go (unless its on the 240V side of things, then keep away).

[Dusty1]

On my second Bosch front loader in 15 years. Got 11 years out of the first. Would never use a top loader again.

If I was in the market, I know Whirlpool have a 8 kg (I think) with a 1400 rpm spin cycle ( http://www.whirlpool.com.au/app.cnt/...1/prodid/35704).

When mine goes to washing machine heaven, I'll be in for a Whirlpool. My Bosch 8 kgs spins at 1400, doesn't move - never has, and it takes less time to dry the washing.

I have a four year old daughter, The Boss, and twin boys who about 15 months. I am a stay at home dad, and have always done the washing here for the past 15 years, and my own since I was 8. I am very fussy about washing and would only use a front loader. I wash ever second day or else.

I put a load in the machine at night, set the timer to finish about 745 in the morning so I can hang them out.

If you can get to a Costco, they sell Omo front loader poweder that I put into a kilo container, and it works out to be about $5 a kilo. You only need a teaspoon per wash, that's what the repair man said to me, most of these wear out because of too much powder.

I've never used a prewash cycle, prewash to me is when the clothes are on the floor or in the basket.

[poppa smurf]

mould on the seals is caused by moisture left in the barrel, leave your door open at all times when not in use......wipe all exterior surfaces and pay particular attention to the rubber door seal

about once a month place a cupfull of vinegar in the suds draw and let her do a complete cycle without any clothes......this will clean all the scum out of your machine and your hoses

we have 3 adults in our family, I wash every other day, two loads, then once a week all the bedding

so its gets an average workout I guess

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

mould on the seals is caused by moisture left in the barrel, leave your door open at all times when not in use......wipe all exterior surfaces and pay particular attention to the rubber door seal

about once a month place a cupfull of vinegar in the suds draw and let her do a complete cycle without any clothes......this will clean all the scum out of your machine and your hoses

we have 3 adults in our family, I wash every other day, two loads, then once a week all the bedding

so its gets an average workout I guess

Agreed, but as our laundry was also the back door and little fingers were always passing through, leaving the door open wasnt an option.
The Vinegar trick was the go, but as i said, 3 months and it was all over.

[Burnout]

Front loaders were flogged up here by everyone including the Govt when things were a bit dry a few years ago.
They do use only a 1/3 the water of a top loader, problem is they use 3 time the electricity to do it.
So Power bill or water bill - take your pick.

[poppa smurf]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Agreed, but as our laundry was also the back door and little fingers were always passing through, leaving the door open wasnt an option.
The Vinegar trick was the go, but as i said, 3 months and it was all over.

mate I know about little fingers....I think I counted around 20 sets here over xmas and there is nearly always 3 sets here (their second home) into everything

not easy!