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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?
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.
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.
space wise - a front loader.
but after 3 years with a FL i miss my top loader. x
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.
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.
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 :wall: and i for us the water use was going to be just as good on the top loader.
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!
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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 ;)
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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.
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.
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.
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 :)
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.
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
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).:
We've had two Bosch front loaders and love it!
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.
I just got a Simpson 9kg top loader I love it I have gone from three loads a day with 5 of us to one a day, very happy with it.
I'm loving the sound of these big machines!!
Soo, might need to shell out the extra $$ and get a FL. Sounds like it is worthwhile. Lulu - like you, I always have another load to wash anyway so I don't think not being able to add stuff would be too big an issue for me.
Olive - we are looking at Bosch, you think they are good?
Choice currently recommends a Bosch 8kg FL... is 8kg big enough??
Working in Interior Selections for a Builder, our suppliers say that Miele, Bosch and Asko are the best "wet" goods makers.
My mum has a Bosch = Loves it
I have a Miele = LOVE it
DH's Aunty has an Asko = Loves it!
Only thing to watch for is that the larger the drum for a FL, the less efficient wash it has. Ideally you shouldnt go over 7.5kg for a FL
But thats what they tell me :)
HI OP!!
Front Loader all the way!! Bosch 8kg is perfect for your family. As far as not been able to throw extras in, this was an issue for me only the first few months, after a while of washing a certain way, it doesn't happen, I hardly ever need to add anything in now. That small downfall compared to how thorough they are at washing, and how efficient they are with water and electricity is minor. As far as how long a load takes, again you adjust, I often put a load on at night so it's ready in the morning if I want clothes out first thing, it just takes a bit more forward thinking, which again, over time you just adjust and it becomes second nature. x
Why little O?? Out of curiosity...:
I am only going by what our suppliers recommend, but apparently the smaller the drum the more efficient and better the clean. As soon as the kg's get over a certain point you start to lose how well the machine cleans, the efficiency and other things which make it worthwhile having the FL
Like i said though, i am only going by what they advise us and our clients. I guess at the end of the day if you are happy with the clean thats the important thing. They also warn clients though about over stacking it too as it wont clean properly and wastes energy.
Makes sense, thanks!
I have an 8.5kg, seems to wash well. Depnds on what you want, a machine that can do most of your washing in one laod, or one that you need to do 2 loads.
My mum recently bought the bosch 8kg front loader and she loves it. She has only ever had top loaders and said she wished she had switched to FL sooner.
Is it wrong to wish my current machine would 'die' so I can get one lol? In the meantime its on my wish list along with the dyson ball vac, new couches and a thermomix haha!
Definitely front loader for me. Way gentler on clothing and better for environment (less water usage) as well.
I was 'forced' to use a FL (renting in the UK where a FL in the kitchen is the norm) and won't go back. There are pros and cons for both but I stopped doing hand washing once I started using a FL because the delicate cycle is gentle enough and that is one pro I couldn't get past :lol:
I'm not sure if you are meant to do it, but if I find something is meant to be in the wash after the cycle has started I just pause it, turn the cycle knob thingo to OFF and 3 or 4 minutes later the door releases then I put my stray item in and start it again. Obviously I don't do this if it is already full of water! but with mine there is a reasonable period of time where it is all good.
love i have a top loader that has the efficiency etc of a front loader - its an electrolux/simpson 9.5kg washer
seriously with 3 kids you wanna be able to wash as much as you can, as quick as you can and a front loader is just too slow and doesnt hold enough
i can get our king bed, a single bed and a king single bed and a queen bed doona covers, pillow cases and fitted sheets in one load!
1 load in the machine is a whole line + full or 2-3 dryer loads
we have to use front loader powder in ours as it uses less water
get as big as you can!!! trust me!!!!!!!!
mine powers away at least 2-3 a day or 5-6 loads in a smaller machine- big difference hey!
think big!!
I think you're copying my wishlist L, except swap a stokke for the dyson!:
I have a front loader - simpson and have had lots of issues with the door locking - apparently it's a common problem - according to the repairman.
Frontloaders, you can't put in the sock you just discovered on the floor, whereas with top loaders you can add things.
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..
I used a front loader last time I was on holidays - I've always had a top loader. While it was pretty convenient while on holidays - no really dirty clothes, etc I am quite doubtful as to how well really dirty clothes would come out in such a tiny amount of water.
I also disliked the not able to add anything feature of a front loader.
Ahhhh now I am confused again!!!!!
I went from top loader (all I have ever known) to front loader this year, and love it, and so do my clothes!
They no longer get ruined from the agitator, the wash is better, and it is soo much quieter!
Some days I don't even realise it's on!
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!!
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
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. :wall: 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.
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.: