My Spin on Choosing a Top or Front Load Washer
Oct 24 '00
I love telling my friends that I haven't done laundry in three years. They look at me in disbelief, then wrinkle their noses in disgust as the words sink in. "You're kidding, right?"
Actually, I'm not kidding. Ok, I might do a small load of wash now and then if there's a certain pair of jeans I need clean, but otherwise, I leave it all up to my husband. Before any all-American males begin commenting on Michiel's sexuality, let me assure you that everything's just fine in that department. We're just one of those couples that split the work along the lines of what we do best. I cook the meals, and Michiel does the laundry.
And that's why Michiel got to pick the washer when the old one broke down. There was no need to discuss whether we needed a new washer. Nor did we need to discuss where to buy - where else but the local discount appliance store? But when we got to the washer displays, we came to a parting of the ways. "Top loaders are over here," I said, gently pulling on his arm. "C'mon." No dice. Michiel was already heading in the opposite direction.
"Look at these," he said, grinning happily. I looked: Ohhh no. The Euro side of his character was coming out again. He was looking at front load machines. And those price tags! "Forget it," I told him. "There's no way we can afford those things."
Just as the discussion began to heat up, the salesman strolled over to make his pitch. He demonstrated some of the features of front load machines, gave us a few brochures, and told us to think about it. (Did I really look that upset? ack) Michiel was entranced. He had no idea you could buy front load washers in America!
I don't know about you, but the only washing machines I have ever known were top loaders. They worked well enough, so why even consider getting anything else? Not only are front load washers expensive -- you have to bend down to put the clothes in!
But once I started reading about front loading washing machines, I began to see their benefits:
Front load washers
- use 40% less water than other washers (this is particularly important if you have a septic tank or high water bills)
- need less soap because they use less water
- use considerably less energy
- don't go off-balance (*WHUMP!*WHUMP*!) if you overload the machine
- are easier on your clothes because they clean by tumbling rather than pulling clothes through the water in side-to-side agitation
- are great if you're short on space because you can stack your dryer on top of it or install it under a counter
- has a cute window in the front to watch the suds
I have to admit the front loader's features were beginning to appeal to me. I've always tried to do what I can to help the environment, plus we had a septic tank to think about. Detergents and floods of water shorten the life of that septic eco-system. Hmmmm….so spending all that money up front would actually end up saving money and would help the environment???
Enough said. We plunked down $800+ dollars for a White-Westinghouse front load machine, and we've never regretted it. Our front load washer offers the same range of water temperature and fabric-care levels as a top loader, and has automatic dispensers for the fabric softener and bleach. It's quiet, economical, and hasn't needed a single repair.
Michiel is a happy guy. And me? Aside from the economy, I don't really care. I don't do laundry, remember? ;)
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Epinions.com ID:
Chriss1977
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Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 16
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