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I hate today's washing machines

In the Popular Mechanics comparison article they test them head to head and the front loader does a better job of actually cleaning the clothes. It's because of the way the front loader tumbles and agitates the clothes. It also uses half the water and half the electricity because it doesn't require your water heater to heat as much water. They can also hold bigger loads.

The only drawback (and it's fairly minor) is that you have to clean the rubber gasket seal occasionally to make sure no mold or anything is building up. A quick 30 second wipe down every few months. You don't have to do that with a top loader obviously because there is no seal.

In the end they recommend front loaders over top loaders but there's nothing wrong with a top loader either. Top loaders are usually a little faster if you are in a hurry.

But if you want your clothes cleaner, go with the front loader and I can tell by my own experience with my new front loader, that is true. My laundry is cleaner than it used to be and they even smell better.

Sort of like when you go to a laundromat. They usually will have a few top loader washing machines along with all the front loaders, but the top loaders are usually not being used nearly as much. Sometimes you'll see a little old lady or someone with some delicate stuff or a really small load using them but other than that they are usually idle.
 
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One way I can tell is my clothes are cleaner. Stains that didn't come complely out with my old top loader now are completely removed.

I don't know if the reason why is because the machine is newer or because it's a front loader and my older machine was a top loader but my clothes are cleaner and smell better. It's probably a little bit of both.

Some of the advantages I like about newer machines are all the features like automatic soap dispensing and the cycle selection and also how quiet they are. I also opted for the larger unit so I can do bigger loads than I used to be able to. Along with the washer, the dryer is a lot better too.

I'm glad I pulled the trigger and got these new units. They were on sale too which was a plus.
 
If you read the Popular Mechanics article this is what it says...

Front-Load Washers​

Pros of a Front-Load Washer:
Front-load washers are generally more energy-efficient and water-efficient. They're also gentler on clothes and better for stain removal, thanks to the tumbling motion, which knocks laundry items against each other and allows water and detergent to penetrate fabrics better. Not to mention, while not all front-load washers are stackable, many models allow you to place a dryer on top, making them more space-efficient.

Cons of a Front-Load Washer:
Although front-load washers offer several benefits, they require more maintenance and could be more expensive. You may need to clean the rubber gasket around the door regularly, or mold and mildew can build up. Most models also don't allow you to add laundry mid-wash—so you'll have to wait for the next cycle if you forget your favorite shirt—and they can take longer to complete a cycle. Front-load washers also take a little more effort, because you need to bend over to access the drum.

Top-Load Washers​

Pros of a Top-Load Washer:
While top-load washers aren't as advanced as front-load alternatives, they require less maintenance and are easier to keep clean. Top-load washers are also generally more affordable, clean clothes faster, and allow you to add to a wash once a cycle has been started. You can also pre-soak your laundry—something that very few front-load washers support.

Cons of a Top-Load Washer:
As mentioned, top-load washers are less efficient and less effective at cleaning harsh stains. You also can't stack top-load washers (for obvious reasons), so if your laundry space is limited, you may have to choose a front-load washer.


Top-Load Washer vs. Front-Load Washer: Bottom Line​

You can't go wrong with a top-load washer or a front-load washer, but if a front-load washer fits your needs, we believe it's the better choice overall. These machines remove tough stains more easily and are more energy-efficient and water-efficient. Front-load washers are also stackable, which is great for small laundry rooms, and offer more advanced wash features, like automatic load sensing. Front-load washers aren't without faults—regular upkeep is essential—but the pros outweigh top-load alternatives.
 
I like the automatic load sensing feature of my new front loader. It automatically dispenses the exact amount of detergent required based on the load.

That's a cool feature. Open the door, throw the clothes in, and hit the start button. No more pouring the detergent into the cup and then pouring it into the machine tray (although mine still does have the tray as an option if you want to use it).
 
I find the high efficiency washers to clean just fine. Our current machine has a fill level you can set & save easily, so for those who want to use more water look for that feature.

When our old machine was acting up I asked the repair guy what brands require less service from his perspective (he's an independent tech). He said GE. That's what we bought and so far so good. Knock on wood.
 
ours run forever. maybe were just lucky. we left them behind when we moved and bought new ones
 
Our front load LG's have been pretty good. A few things you have to do:

1. Keep the washer door open after each wash to let it dry
2. Drain the hose and clean the filter in the bottom front left of the washer every couple months
3. Clean the gasket rubber on the washer at the bottom every couple months
4. (optional) Run a laundry cleaner like Affresh with the washer the "tub clean" mode every one or two months

Lint from Washer: We used to have problems with lint from the washer clogging our main drain. We tried those stainless steel screen socks over the water exit hose, but you have to change them pretty frequently or it overflows, and that meant pulling the washing machine out all the way past the dryer to replace it :(. The final solution was a Filtrol system -- this seems to be the only industrial-strength lint filter for washing machines on the market. The filter is quite big -- if it was even a 1/2" taller, I wouldn't have been able to mount it. I've had it in for a couple years and it's fixed the lint clogging issue entirely. The large filter only needs to be cleaned once every 6 months or so (it's clear, so you can see how dirty it is at any time).

415O6QqkP8L._AC_.jpg
 
Not all front loaders have a rubber gasket that needs wiping, The Askos don't. I bought a set of Asko's in 1993, all the washer ever needed was two belts along the way. The dryer has needed one.( all easily replaced myself). I replaced them last year with a new Asko set because the washer needed a relay that was no longer available.
The new set is even better than the old, much quieter, almost silent, and like the old set cleans beautifully, any and all stains are gone, which was not the case with old GE water hog top loader the first set replaced. The Askos heat their own water all the way up to boiling if needed. They are a bit pricey but
were well worth it to me along with the almost 35 year longevity.
 
Well after posting in this thread I finally decided to take a look at my rubber seal after using the machine for 6 months without a cleaning.

It's as clean as a whistle and I didn't even need to wipe it so I guess it's not that big of an issue with mine.

I'll check it again in a few months.
 
I usually let the door (porthole) open, so the interior of the washing machine will get dry.
Another issue might be that the detergent dispenser (drawer) not to get detergent stucked into it. You should let it open for getting dry too! I don't like automated dispensers, since I want to choose the quantyty.
Anyway, for me a washing machines that dosen't uses enough water when rinsing it is not a good washing machine. Since the one that I use dosen't uses enough water when rinsing, I don't put too many laundrary...
 
Each design has its pros and cons. I had plenty of both top and front loaders and will never go back to a top loader.

If you have a big family full of sport playing boys and guys who get filthy dirty, a big Speed Queen-like top loader will be excellent. But all top loaders (except those with no decent agitator), wear out your clothes, stretch sleeves and pull apart business shirts. The so-called mechanical operation is not really a feature- it's a primitive, failure prone design based well back into the early 1900s. An AC motor, geared down and a whole lot of contacts, (And and Or in reality) on a rotary contact plate. Much better to do it electronically with a few relays and a whole bunch of MOSFET switches.

And then you've got a completely unnecessary gearbox when a brushless DD would be a better solution and has been done very successfully.

Front loaders are quiet, reach much higher spin speeds, have excellent 2kW heaters so you can do up to 95 degree C washes, are better balanced, more compact and overall extremely reliable if you do the basics. Any drain errors- pull the drain pump filter and clean it. Our latest Samsung is fantastic, the app tells us when it's finished, even reminds me to do a drum clean now and then. The customization of each cycle according to your desires is better than most. The delayed finish time, pre-was, soak options etc are great.
Brushless DD (LG) is not as good IME as brushless (or even brushed), belt drive.

Obviously, the spiders (cracking) are an ongoing problem and the welding of drums is sending way more machines to landfill than is ideal, but overall, front loaders are in a league of their own. Top loaders are an ancient relic. The earliest 1950s dishwashers that were also vertical, nobody would think that's a good idea in 2026.

dishwasher.jpg
 
Front loaders are more relaible. Depends on the make. There are top loaders, but with a horizontal tub and those are having 2 support points, so in theory they are more relaible. But I don't like them because I can't see inside while they are working.
Top loading dish washer... he, there in a '30's "General Electric" promo film with Bette Davis.
Anyway, I have on technical curiosity: how does a mechanical timer know when to move at an old household appliance? There is a rellay that commands it or just some cogwheels (made by misters Spacely rival) moving very slowly and then turning some cam wheel?
 
MuchoReverbo said:
I think some of these people who are making these claims that 30 year-old top loaders clean better than the new front loaders need to actually try one of the new ones out because they obviously haven't.

The new front loader I just purchased blows any top loader I've ever had away no-contest. It cleans better, uses less water and energy, it's more quiet, and has a bunch of additional options that put it in an entire different league altogether.

The washer didn't cost 1500-2500 USD either. It was more than $350 though. lol
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You have not been using a quality top loader. Extra features are not a selling point, when all you want are clean clothes.
 
restorer-john said:
Each design has its pros and cons. I had plenty of both top and front loaders and will never go back to a top loader.

If you have a big family full of sport playing boys and guys who get filthy dirty, a big Speed Queen-like top loader will be excellent. But all top loaders (except those with no decent agitator), wear out your clothes, stretch sleeves and pull apart business shirts. The so-called mechanical operation is not really a feature- it's a primitive, failure prone design based well back into the early 1900s. An AC motor, geared down and a whole lot of contacts, (And and Or in reality) on a rotary contact plate. Much better to do it electronically with a few relays and a whole bunch of MOSFET switches.

And then you've got a completely unnecessary gearbox when a brushless DD would be a better solution and has been done very successfully.

Front loaders are quiet, reach much higher spin speeds, have excellent 2kW heaters so you can do up to 95 degree C washes, are better balanced, more compact and overall extremely reliable if you do the basics. Any drain errors- pull the drain pump filter and clean it. Our latest Samsung is fantastic, the app tells us when it's finished, even reminds me to do a drum clean now and then. The customization of each cycle according to your desires is better than most. The delayed finish time, pre-was, soak options etc are great.
Brushless DD (LG) is not as good IME as brushless (or even brushed), belt drive.
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We don’t wash in hot or even warm water. Cold water wash only. So, that is another feature that is not needed.

I don’t need kids in sports to get dirty clothes. I can get red clay stained clothes, from just working on our property.

I wear out my clothes before the washer does. I have had any dress shirts damaged by any washer we have owned.
 
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I use warm/hot water when washing. Does the job better.
Brushless motors are good.
One another thing that I hate: load balance. I don't need it. Just star that spin!!!
 
Telecolor 3007 said:
I use warm/hot water when washing. Does the job better.
Brushless motors are good.
One another thing that I hate: load balance. I don't need it. Just star that spin!!!
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We have not found warm/hot water needed to get clothes clean.

Yes brushless motors are good, but a motor that uses brushes can be rebuilt. I don’t have a problem with new tech, but I don’t believe in throwing out something old, just because something new and shiny comes along.
 
Brushless motors offer a much longer life. No carbon brushes to wear out, no arcing on commutators and complete rotational control with a precision you cannot imagine with an ancient brushed motor. Would you buy a brushed 18V cordless drill in 2026? No chance.

High temperature cotton washes are most useful for bed linen and thoroughly sanitizing towels, sheets and anything where bacteria can live. Nothing beats a 95 degree wash on white towels, bathmats and sheets. I use 60 degrees C regularly for most general non-coloured cottons.

Load balance is a sophisticated system designed to reduce power consumption, minimalize bearing damage and prevent vibration and cabinet oscillation. When you see 12kg of various wash items perfectly distributed and spinning at 1400rpm on the spin cycle with no noise or vibration you'll be convinced. I can put a cup of coffee on the top of the machine and it doesn't move. Put that machine on the concrete slab downstairs and we cannot even hear it even if I set it to start at 4am and finish at 6am. Try that with a top loader- you'll wake up the neighbours too!

Top loaders are the equivalent of push-rod carburetor V8s. They work, but they are primitive, inefficient and lack sophistication. Go to any laundromat with modern gear- are they top loaders? Nope. Large front loaders.
 
0b11011001 said:
You have not been using a quality top loader. Extra features are not a selling point, when all you want are clean clothes.
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How do you know what type of top loaders I've used? Up til now, I have had a lot of top loaders in my life. Maytag, Whirlpool, GE, Kenmore to name some.

My clothes are a little cleaner now with the front loader. Grass stains come out better, grease, whites look better too. That's what Popular Mechanics determined too so it's not just me that is seeing this stuff.

It sounds to me like you possibly might have never owned a front-loader? I've had both.

I almost bought another top-loader after my 15 year-old Whirlpool broke but decided to spend a little more to get a new front-loader and it turned out to be a pretty-good decision. I am pleasantly surprised at how good it is.
 
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