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thread: Front or top loader?

  1. #1

    May 2008
    Melbourne, Vic
    8,631

    Front or top loader?

    Looking at getting a new washing machine. After thinking about it back in Jan, definitely going to buy a new, bigger, washing machine. So now I'm in the dilemma of front or top loader?

    I've always been a top loader gal. That's what mum had. But now I'm thinking maybe front loader.

    So what do you have? Why do you like it? I'm talking bigger than 7.5kg machines.

    Is it noisy? Are you happy with it?

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Dec 2005
    In Bankworld with Barbara
    14,222

    If you are like me and find something that should have been in with the load of washing you are currently doing, like a sock you've missed etc, then get a top loader. I would hate not being able to pop something in the wash if I've forgotten it, or even to take something out that needs to drip dry instead of running a separate drip dry cycle for 1 shirt etc.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Epping, VIC
    2,546

    I have a top loader 'matic' washing machine.
    Uses the same amount of water as a front loader, with all the benefits of a top loader.
    Mines an 8kg electrolux.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    May 2007
    3,341

    space wise - a front loader.
    but after 3 years with a FL i miss my top loader. x

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Add sepata on Facebook

    Sep 2011
    Sydney
    615

    My FL has an 'add a garment' feature, which was the selling point for me as that was the only reason I was looking at TLs over FLs.

    Mine's a Whirlpool Sports something or other, 8kg. It's lovely and quiet, has cold wash function, quick wash (15 min) function and anti-bac wash function. It's the first FL I've owned, and I know there's a lot of Whirlpool hate on BB, but I looooooooove it.

  6. #6
    Moderator

    Oct 2004
    In my Zombie proof fortress.
    6,449

    I have gone from a top loader to a front loader. Yep, downside not being able to add. Also whilst it claims to be bigger, 8.5kg compared to my old 7.5kg top loader, it does not hold as much. I was torn between top and front loader, at the time it was really pricing and reviews, as we got a fantastic deal on a front loader and the top loader we were interested in was getting poor reviews.

  7. #7

    Jul 2009
    Out North, Vic
    8,538

    We went for another top loader when we got a new machine because we always want to add things, my stepmum has had a couple of front loaders now and has had quite a few issues with them but still swears by them and i for us the water use was going to be just as good on the top loader.

  8. #8
    2012 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.
    Add AngelPants on Facebook

    Feb 2010
    Under the rock
    1,320

    I recently replaced our ancient top loader with a Samsung front loader. There are pros and cons to each. Fl doesn't fit as much which is really annoying and you can't add anything once its started but other than that I love how quiet it is, u barely know its in full spin! My old one apart from having a door stop under one corner to spin cos the laundry floor wasn't flat, it sounded like a plane was taking off!

    Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk 2

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    Melbourne
    2,890

    I've always had a fl until I move to Melbourne, and now have fl again. No way would I go Back to a tl

    Fl wash so much better IMO mainly because ppl over stuff top loaders



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    In my own little fantasy world
    2,946

    We have a front loader as that is what my DH insisted on. Even though I do all the washing lol! I think top loaders wash better. Or maybe I'm just no good at washing. One point to note is that you can't add anything to the wash once it's started in a front loader. I can't count the number of times I've hit start, then spotted something else that should go in almost immediately. We have an LG 7.5kg front loader. I have no issues with it, except that it takes too long to wash. It has a quick cycle, but I find it doesn't wash very well so I rarely use it.

  11. #11
    Registered User
    Add Little Chicken on Facebook

    Mar 2010
    Melbourne
    1,855

    I have a samsung 8.5kg front loader. Love it! I think it washes cleaner, and so much quieter as well (except in the fastest spin). I can stop mine at the beginning of the cycle to add stuff as well. Mine also doesn't require connection to the hot water as it heats it's own, so you can wash at specific temps.

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Apr 2006
    Perth
    4,203

    Definitely front loaders all the way for me. They wash so much better (in my humble opinion) and are much gentler on your clothes. I have a friend who had her LO in greenkids nappies when my girls were and the difference in how her nappies looked to mine was huge. I've had FLs for 20 odd years now so I'm used to the fact that you can't add anything along the way - plus there always seems to be so much washing in our house that you blink and there's another load ready to be done.

    I'm a whirlpool hater, which is what my current FL is but from investigations I've been doing lately there are now two sorts of whirlpools - cheap crap ones made in China, Taiwan or wherever and then more expensive but oh so much better German made ones. I had a FL whirlpool before this one that I had for a million years and it was brilliant so I think it might have been a patch of 3 or so years of manufacture that they were pretty bad.

    When my whirlpool dies (and yes, I may be giving it the occasional help along the way!) I would love to get a Miele one, or if not then an Asko. Have friends/family with each and they're brilliant. I think they also have models around the 9 to 10 kg mark , which I'd love so I could wash doonas, bed blankets etc.

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Jan 2011
    2,075

    TL generally have a larger capacity and like others have said you can add garments later.

    However, a FL is known to be a better wash, comparing my FL to my SIL TL the stains and marks, smells etc come out way better in my FL. She actually just changed hers over to a FL and said she wouldnt look back. The way i figure, i would rather something cleaned right the first time and be more efficient than the extra space. Mine is also super quiet so i can do night loads no worries

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne.
    5,673

    right, here is my opinion on it- we had a FL that basically blew up a few months ago. i wanted another FL but dh had always hated the FL so made me get a TL- even though he never does washing. i honestly like the FL much better. it washes better. the clothes come out cleaner. my next washing machine will be a bosch FL, for sure.

  15. #15
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jul 2008
    Eastern Surburbs, Melbourne
    1,841

    Get a twin tub, can have the washing done in no time That was my first washing machine

    I have a tl and love it. One thing we were told when looking was get one with the agitator on the bottom and not one that goes up the centre.

    I love that I can put something in during the wash or if I have hand washed something add it to the spin.

    DD1 has a combined washer/dryer and loves it. What I don't like about the fl is the water that doesn't drain at the front or small items get stuck in there

  16. #16
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    Melbourne
    2,008

    If you are like me and find something that should have been in with the load of washing you are currently doing, like a sock you've missed etc, then get a top loader. I would hate not being able to pop something in the wash if I've forgotten it, or even to take something out that needs to drip dry instead of running a separate drip dry cycle for 1 shirt etc.
    This is exactly what drives me nuts about my front loader. But, given that I do a lot of washing I do like the fact that I'm saving a substantial amount of water by having a front loader (this was more meaningful a couple of years ago).

  17. #17
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Feb 2006
    melbourne
    11,462

    We've had two Bosch front loaders and love it!

  18. #18
    Registered User

    Jan 2010
    1,975

    I have a 9kg Simpson top loader. You can fit all sorts of things in there, including a king sized doona. I am another who constantly finds items to add to the load and so I won't consider a front loader.

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