Front or top loader?

[MummyNaomi]

We have a top loader however its a Fisher and Paykel Aquasmart - it doesn't have the spindle bit in the middle, so it kinda washes similar to a front loader IYKWIM - we use FL powder for it based on the manufacturers recommendation. I think we have the best of both worlds - we can easily add stuff in once started, and as its 8.5 kg its massive (can fit our king size quilt etc) and its nice and quiet. I'm also a bit paranoid with the accessability of opening a front loader to kids, whereas its so much harder and higher with a top loader

My Mum recently went from a top loader to a front loader and hates the damn thing with a passion, I think she plans to break it 'accidently' and go back to a top loader. She is really disappointed with the wash results - and she manages a laundry in a nursing home so she knows her washing!!

[Hansie]

I had never heard of a TL before I moved to Australia lol. We have always had FL. European models are better for FL whereas the others are better at TL. I had to use a TL when I first moved here my clothes were never the same again. I still don't understand how it washes. I gave whinging pomme a whole new meaning when it came to the TL & my clothes.
Mine is a Ariston (Italian model) and I can stop & open the door at any point in the cycle. With FL it is about getting to know your machine & very often you can find that at certain points you can open the door. For example on some you can turn it to spin & open. The size doesn't impact the wash from experience we have had 7kg to 9 kg machines reason being the actual washing comes from the clothes hitting one another. Just don't fill them too full as you will damage the drum & the clothes won't be able to move in order to wash. Mine is also only attached to the cold & heats to whatever temp you have selected.
I am so envious I love washer machine shopping

[Rowellen]

the reason we went with samsung rather than bosch was cos there was only one bosch (top of the line one) that had child lock so kidlets couldnt change the wash settings once it was running. the samsungs it came as standard..

Our LG apparently has a child lock too. It doesn't work. The settings can't be changed regardless of whether it's locked or not but the kids can still turn it off halfway through a cycle. I have to shut up the laundry when it's on. Maybe it's fixed on newer models though.

Ours definately can't be opened once it's started. The door locks immediately and won't open again until about 30 seconds after it's finished.

[LuluHB]

The settings can't be changed regardless of whether it's locked or not but the kids can still turn it off halfway through a cycle. I have to shut up the laundry when it's on.

Arggggh. I hear you on this one. Our laundry is next to the toilet and DD1 hates noise (unless she's making it of course!) so she will go into the laundry, pause the washing machine and then go to the toilet. I can go in there thinking the washing is finished and find its still got 50 minutes to go and is still paused!! Drives me nuts.