Front Loading Washers

 When Maytag introduced the United States to its Neptune series washer the front loading sales exploded.  We had been selling front loading washers for many years before but they were a well kept secret.  Only the people who owned them knew how good they were.  There was very little information about performance and no sales training on the one U.S. made product.  It was only when Asko and Miele entered the U.S. market were the true benefits exposed.  The companies now marketing a front loading washer are: Miele, Maytag, Asko, Frigidaire, Whirlpool, Bosch, and General Electric. Here are a few things to know about these machines.  

1) Size:  The front load washers are bigger inside than they look, do not be deceived by the door opening.  Most machines have a 4.5 cubic foot capacity or larger. The biggest top load washers are about 3 cubic feet without the agitator inserted (actually smaller payloads because of the agitator, about 2.6 cubic feet).  Most will hold 2 king size sheets, pillowcases and a few towels too. 

2) Power requirements: Some of the European front load washers use 220 volts and a 15-amp circuit.  This is different from what is used on the top load (110 volt 15 amp.)  When purchased with an electric matching (stackable or side by side) dryer these European machines can be tied together electrically with a splitter box and be used together on an existing 220 volt 30 amp circuit.  You may need to upgrade your electric requirements if only the washer is purchased.   Frigidaire, General Electric, Maytag, and Whirlpool offer matching gas dryers at this time.  

3) Cycle Time:  Since the European washers heat their own water to a specific temperature the cycle times will vary greatly.  They can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.  By reducing temperature and rinse cycles the times can be varied.  This authors thoughts are not to vary rinses since this is why these machines clean so well.  Most consumers will experience between 60 to 90 minutes per wash cycle.  Maytag and Whirlpool offer water heating on 110-volt power.  The other 110-volt washers, which do not heat the water, will give a 45 minute wash cycle.  

4) Energy Efficiency:  Since some of the machines heat their own water this means you can turn down your water heater and let the washer do its own heating.  It is actually more efficient than your water heater.  The front loading washer use about 18 to 30 gallons of water depending on which brand you buy.  A top loading machine can use up to 60 gallons of water. This is a savings on not only water but also heated water.  Also the front-loading washers spin at high RPM'S which will extract more water and thus spend less time in your dryer.  (It is common practice to line dry clothes indoors in Europe).  Most reports show the average customer can save $5000.00 in energy, water, and soap in 15 years of use.  Some top loading washers now have extended spin time or offer 1000rpm spin speeds, which will save time in the dryer.  

5) Cost:  Front loading washers can cost from $549 to $2500.  The average consumer at our store is spending about $550 on a top-loading machine.  Remember the cost savings by your clothes lasting longer and energy savings will more than pay for the machine in its' life.

6) Savings:  Cloths: Since the cloths are not being beaten by an agitator but tumbling inside a smooth stainless drum, they are not wearing out as fast.  You will notice a huge reduction of lint in the dryer because of this.  Soap:  We recommend using 2 tablespoons of low sudsing detergent per load and adjust amount as needed.  Most top loading machines recommend ½ cup or more to clean (see cleanability).  Water:  The cost of water and water heating is greatly reduced and because of this your water and energy utilities may offer rebates (in the past there have been up to $300.00 in combined rebates to the consumer for purchasing one of these machines).  Dryer:  Since most of the front loading washers have a high spin speed the dryer takes about 30% less time to dry which reduces the cost of operation.  Sewer:  If you are on a septic system, you will have fewer cleanings since the water use is reduced by about 70%.  

7) Cleanability: Tumble: Front loading washers will give a better wash than top loaders.  How they do this will vary from brand to brand.  True horizontal axis washers will clean better than ones that have a drum tilted at less than a 90 degree angle.  This is because the cloths are allowed to fall into the water when they get to the top of the drum.  When a machine is tilted less than 90 degrees the cloths in the back of the drum will sometimes not fall but just rotate in and out of the water.  This type of action will not clean as well.  Water heating: Most European washers will start out the wash using cold water and heat as it tumbles.  By using cold water at the start of a cycle you are allowing the organic stains (blood, wine, mustard, etc) to be removed without pre treating.  Then the machine will heat the water up to 200 degrees (you choose how hot the water is to be) and remove odors and dirt better.  Soap removal: It has been documented that the front loading washers remove up to 98% of the soap from the cloths.  Top loaders remove about 80%.  We have seen where one can take cloths previously washed in a top loading washer and put them in a front loader and the water sudses up.  Some soap manufacturers but highly reflective crystals in their soap to give one a sense of whiteness when all it is, is a reflection of light from the crystals.  Soap in the cloths actually makes them dingy.  Also, people with soap allergies will not have to use an extra rinse to remove this excess soap.

With all this going for it, how can one not select a front loading washer.  The secret is finally revealed.