Washer and drier - front or top load?

I personally prefer top loaders. I have had multiples of each. While the front-loading one was better on the clothes and used less water they broke down a lot. It seemed like something would always make it past the seal and end up clogging the pump. It happened so much we would just clean the pump ourself. I have never really had any problems with even the cheapest of top loaders. Your local laundromat will agree with me.

I have a regular top loading washer. My parents have the front loading washer. I can tell you what I don’t like about the front loading one – once you shut that door, you can’t throw anything else in it. So if you want to throw in a sock that you forgot, forget it. Wait till the next load.

I have a top loader. It’s quite new. I went through lots of reviews and ended up deciding to stay with a top loader. @jca‘s point about not being able to add things was a key reason why I went with a top loader. I forget things all the time! I’m happy enough with my new washing machine but the cycles take for ever. Gone is the idea of a quick wash. The quick wash takes forever.

I’ve had top loaders last for years. Our front loader lasted less than 3. It took only 6 months before it broke down for the first time.

I’ve always had front loaders I think they get the clothes cleaner.

Our washer is called Daisy, the drier is Beth, they tell me we have front loaders…whatever that means :)

Front for me.

Three different people that I know had the front load washing machines had issues with mold around the seal. Apparently the water is never completely spun out on the front loader. I have a top load and have never had a problem with it.

I have front loaders. While they are somewhat faster than my previous top loaders, and the claim is that the washer uses less water, but the washer stinks. Literally. I think it never completely empties of water, so it always smells sour. I actually have to add scent granules along with soap so my clothes don’t stink. If I had it to do over again, I’d stick with top loaders.

Front loader, we use a tablet once a year in an empty washer to remove any smells or mold.

Top loaders. Many consumer reports state that front loaders get smelly. The front loaders may look nicer but I’ll stick to my top loader. I think I read someplace that the rubber surrounding the door in the front loader has to be changed periodically to get rid of the smell. YUCK!

Old school top loader (not HE).

I use (and wash) cloth diapers, as well as family laundry. I know of many, many people who have trouble getting their cloth diapers clean with a front loader.

I know you didn’t ask… but I use Foca detergent, which is very inexpensive and effective.

A couple of years ago I needed to buy a new washer and dryer and wondered the same thing. I did some research (both online and talking to friends) and read/heard enough complaints about front loader leaking to convince me to buy top-loaders.

thanks!

I use a top loader washing machine and really like it. I wouldn’t consider a front loader. The dryer is front loading and also is fine.

I generally take the word of Consumer Reports on issues like this. They are diligent to keep their integrity intact and are unswayed by corporate pressure.

They are giving you the consensus opinions of real people just like us. So, if they find a lot of people with specific major functional complaints regarding front loaders, that’s good enough for me.

I find no compelling reason to ever opt for a front loader. Just buying trouble.

I live in an apartment so I don’t actually have my own washer & dryer. Instead, I rely on laundromats where I only use top lading washers. They get the clothes clean far better than the front loaders, which frequently do impart a noticeable scent to the clothes.

As to dryers, do they even make top loading dryers? If so, I have never seen one.

We’ve had a Bosch front loader for 10 years; no leaks or problems with the machine.

But, it does have that terrible front loader smell. Our next machine will be a top loader, but definitely not an agitator-less machine. My SIL is very unhappy with how poorly hers cleans clothes.

My top loader does have an agitator. Essential.

Many of them don’t now @gailcalled. I didn’t see one with an agitator when I was buying about a year ago. The one we bought does a good job though (apart from taking forever to do it).

The woman at the appliance parts store told me to never buy a front load washer. She said that since they became popular they have been selling gaskets out the wazoo.

This thread is very interesting to me. Top loaders are almost non-existent where I am.

@longgone Where are you? Why are they non existent?

Thanks again everyone!

^ Germany, and I have no idea – but have rarely even seen a top-loader here! Never in a household, just at the laundromat.