Front load washing machines: worth the extra cost?

Forums: Home Improvement, Home, Washing Machines, Appliances
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I am doing some preliminary research on washers and dryers because mine stink. No, they don't smell bad, they just stink.

I'm thinking those front load washers look pretty dandy in that you don't have to worry about the load getting lopsided and I'm thinking they might hold more and I'm thinking that it is that stupid agitator belt or whatever you call it that stinks most of all since it is always stinking to high heaven.

The front loader ones are quite a bit more expensive though and I'm just wondering if it's worth it.

Anybody know?

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I don't know, but they sure look cool. They've got a snazzy red matched set at Home Depot that I'm coveting, not the least because they advertise that they hold three loads at a time. Of course, it's a couple thou for the washer and dryer, so my coveting will have to remain from afar for now.

I've also got my eye on that Maytag "french door" refrigerator with the ice/water thru the door, but that's another $2500 or so!

I hate it when my material lusts outstrip my earning capacity...

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I just , I mean JUST went through this very same issue, and am currently waiting on my washer to arrive.

I ultimately ended up buying a top loader because I can not afford a front loader.

but what I learned was that they use only a slightly LOWER amount of water then top loaders .
And that 'savings' is rather small on a normal water bill.

The electricity they use is significantly less, but above all else ( MIL has a front loader) we save EVERY SINGLE MONTH on laundry detergent.

Period.

Because the clothes fall into the water instead of sitting in the water rolling over in it, for some reason the soap seems to be dispersed better if that makes sense.

The front loader, I can use less then 1/2 the recommended amount of Tide on a full load and still have perfectly clean clothes.

If I stayed on top of my laundry like a respectful housewife, I would do one 3/4 full load a day.

With tide being 12.00$ + , that is a significant savings that I can see add up quicker then the water bill.

Same for fabric softener. less then 1/2 the cup for a full load and it still works perfectly.

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My daughter-in-law saved pennies for three years to buy herself a front loading washer. Front loading washers are much better for the environment.

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I get clean clothes with half as much soap, too, but then I'm not a smelly dog....

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AND they are much less harsh on clothes.

Mine uses very little water (has next to top possible rating).

I wouldn't go back.

The only drawback I have found is that you cannot interrupt it to put something you forgot in.

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boom...like the others, I've heard they really are better...

this is what I've done when I want to look up an appliance.

you can either go on Consumer Reports and figure out which of their issues covered that subject. Then, instead of having to subscribe, go to the library and look in the past issues, they always have several years worth.

That's where I learned that all that talk about mattress (unless it's a REALLY) cheap one, is just a bunch of hype....saved me hundreds on $'s and we got a great bed.