thread: Washing Machine dilema...another FL vs TL thread...

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Victoria
    7,260

    Washing Machine dilema...another FL vs TL thread...

    I am at a loss...struggling to make some basic decisions at the moment so need some help!

    I can afford (thank you tax man) to leave my washer/dryer here and buy scond hand (thank you Gumtree) for Melbourne. Saves me the money of moving them and the cost to D to replace them, plus I get some new toys lol

    My options are, after reading some of the other front loader/top loader threads, a F&P Aquasmart 8kg or a Bosch 6.5kg FL.

    I am torn. Space wise, the FL would be marginally better, as it means I don't have to try and get the dryer up on the bloody wall, it can sit on top (can't it?) BUT load wise, I *like* the large machine. The one (TL) I have at the moment is 7.5kg and really not sure I could go smaller than that...
    If I got the 8kg TL I could do ALL the girls and my washing for almost a whole week in one load.

    Are the FL reeeeally that good? Or will I get the same water savings with the Aquasmart? Both will cost $300, I am a TL girl and afraid of change

  2. #2
    Senior Moderator

    Nov 2004
    Chickens.
    4,989

    Honestly - my parents have always had an 8kg top loader. At one stage they had a 10kg one.

    It's me and my two boys - so the same as you. I bought a Bosch 5.5 kg FL and I LOOVE LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOVE it. I'd NEVER go back to a TL. The loads are awesome - I can't believe how much it takes. It also has a 2000 rpm spin cycle so the clothes are almost dry when they come out of the machine, which reduces dryer time. And it only takes 56L per wash, whereas the TL takes almost three times that much. And water is SO expensive these days.

    And yes, the Bosch are REALLY that good. I've had mine for 3 years and it's been awesome. Fabulous. Fantastic.

    (oh and don't be afraid of change - change is GREAT!)

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Feb 2008
    Melbourne
    1,021

    I have a front loader that is also a condensor dryer so that saves heaps of space! It also means that you don't get that annoying steam from the dryer.

    I love my front loader and I have always previously been a top loader girl. The clothes seem cleaner and as Divvy said they come out dryer which reduces drying time.

    I don't use the dryer a lot - just for towels and if needed in winter, but it does the job well.

    Janie xxx

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Add No.5 on Facebook

    Jan 2007
    Brisbane
    2,391

    Oh decisions, decisions...

    We have a TL but bought a FL last August. It's still sitting in the packaging! whole other thread for that..

    Can't wait to use my FL I've heard great things Our top loader is 12 odd years old though!

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jan 2005
    Down by the ocean
    6,110

    I'm a FL convert. There are some thing that bug me about it sometimes (such as the sealed door bizzo), but after having to use a TL for a couple of months recently when we stayed with my parents I was overjoyed to get my FL back. Lame aren't I

    I have the Bosch FL and condensor dryer stacked. Much better than trying to get one up on the wall!

  6. #6
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jan 2006
    11,633

    I just went back to TL after horrendous experience with electrolux. i considered the bosch, but it's exxy. went acqua smart. happy so far. it is much quicker, which is nice.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Victoria
    7,260


    Thanks everyone!

    What is the normal length cycle on your Bosch Divvy?
    The only FL experience I have is with dryer/washer combo thing and I really loathe them...it took forEVER and wasn't dry! So I have been turned off.
    But if it is a decent length cycle, I could be convinced...

  8. #8
    Moderator

    Dec 2006
    Smidgen-ville
    3,736

    My Bosch FL has so many different cycle lengths but an average fullish "quick wash" takes 45 mins. An average cold water cotton wash (without pressing the 'quick' button) is about 90 mins.

  9. #9
    Senior Moderator

    Nov 2004
    Chickens.
    4,989

    My standard "Mixed Load" is 57 mins. I have a "quick wash" cycle at 15 mins, which I use occasionally with an "extra spin" cycle at 8 mins.

    Cottons is 1 hr 12 mins. Delicates is 43 mins.

  10. #10
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jan 2006
    11,633

    that's not too bad. And it cleans well, I presume?
    Myparetns have an LG that has quick cycles, but i don't reckon it cleans well. the electrolux worked well (when not broken down) but it took 2-3 hours!! 30 minutes cycles are lovely.

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Victoria
    7,260

    Oooh I like the sound of that!
    Well while I was not making a decision, one of them sold lol But none the less, there are others, and I think I shall step outside the comfort zone and brave the World of the Front Loader.

  12. #12

    May 2008
    Melbourne, Vic
    8,631

    Lime I'm hoping to do some research this weekend... I'll let you know what I decide

  13. #13
    BellyBelly Member
    Add xXHopeXx on Facebook

    Jan 2010
    Penrith, NSW
    1,075

    We have an LG one which we've had for around 1.5 years now, and it's awesome!!

    My parents always had a TL, and I thought they were great, but space wise FL are awesome, and same with the water savings!!

    We've never had a single problem with it, and our machine cost $500~ brand new and it's a 7.5kg one.

    Mixed load for us is around 1:16, quick wash is around 28mins, heavy load 1:30. Can't remember many of the others. But it does a great job! I can fit our queen and double doonas in there easily, which I was worried about!


    Sent from the land of "iSomethings" so forgive me for any spelking misstaks

  14. #14
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jun 2008
    In snuggle land
    4,499

    We recently bought a Samsung 7.5kg. We wanted a Miele but couldnt afford it. We decided against Bosch as the reviews say their customer service is appalling. We have our condenser dryer stacked on top. The Samsung has an extra wide door which is great for getting things like blankets in and out.

    A normal cotton load is 2hrs, a daily wash is just over 1hr and a quick wash is 29min. It also has a delay setting so I sometimes throw the clothes in and set it to wash early morning.

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    Perth
    3,686

    We've got an Electrolux 8kg Time Manager front loader and I love it. You can adjust the time and water temp manually on the Cottons, Synthetics and Delicate cycles plus it has a 14 minute quick cycle (plus several other non-adjustable cycles). We've only had it since Nov 2011 but it's been fantastic so far and fit all our bedding when gastro went through the family

    We had a Bosch FL which was a great machine but I found it a bit small for our expanding family. It was around 5.5kg for memory.

  16. #16
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    439

    I've got a Bosch 6/6.5kg FL and I love it. It cleans so well and is gentle on my clothes. I use cold wash on cottons setting and it takes around 45 minutes. Mine has a max of 1200rpm spin which I reduce for towels and also wash them in warm water because they're softer (I don't own a dryer and we are very sunny here so they go a little crunchy if I don't do that).

    Since moving to the farm about 6 weeks ago I've been using my FILs ginormous Electrolux TL (10kg i think) which I love for towels (softer finish) and linen (larger capacity) and animal bedding (we have puppies and dogs and cats - lots of animal bedding washing ick!) but it uses so much water and is harsh on my clothes with the central agitator. And it doesn't get the same "finish" on my clothes if that makes sense. They're more creased etc.

    In saying that because of my circumstances being on the farm and the fact that I have a huge laundry room I love having the 2 machines. But if I had to choose, my Bosch would stay with me. I love my Bosch!

    Hope my ramblings help somewhat


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