Top loading vs side loading washers

[Wakey]

Top loading vs front loading washers

Great.. A washer dryer thread in a tractor forum

Our old and large washer died yesterday, right before it's time to wash about 65 horse blankets and sheets.

I did some research online but it's tough to wade through reviews not knowing who is capable of following directions in a user guide or who is a professional shill writing reviews so I'll ask here.

Everyone I know with side load washers loves them. I guess my audience can follow directions because done properly it appears you wont have trouble with the mold problems associated with side loaders.

I guess my question revolves around top vs side loaders the most. Water use is not that important until you consider heating said water. We wash a ton of blankets a minimum of once a year and saddle pads all year. I was thinking more water is a plus with top loaders but they don't use a center agitator any longer.

Anyone have comments with either HE unit WITHOUT a center agitator cleaning these items?

Obviously if you are happy with your top loader with agitator it has no bearing on this thread. We were happy with ours too.

Another concern with the new top loaders is cleaning waterproof items. That covers horse blankets and all of our winter jackets and windbreakers. Best HE Top-loaders | Top-loader Reviews

 

[Wakey]

I should point out that we are looking at LG models (front load) WM8000 with 5.2 cubic foot $1,259 and (top load) WT5680HVA also at 5.2 Cubic foot
$1,074

 

[Gary Fowler]

I cant help you with the horse blanket issue, but we have owned a couple of side loaders, Maytag Neptune was bought 1988 and replaced in 2010 after years of washing for a family of 9 and only problem we had with it was a computer board went out while in extended warranty and was replaced. We gave it to our daughter when we built our new house in 2010 because wife wanted all new stuff and it was still working fine. We replaced it with new Kenmore side loader washer and dryer. We have had good luck with Kenmore appliances. Sister in law bought new Maytag washer/dryer in 2009 and has had multiply break downs with it with just washing for 2. They sure don't seem to be as good as they once were.

 

[Scooby074]

We have a Euro model Bosch compact front load. Great machine for our family, its been very durable and cleans amazing... But I dont Id recommend it for continuous washing of horse blankets and pads.

I think your heading into commercial washer territory.. Either that, or look for a 80's model Maytag. I would avoid any of the modern Korean models, like LG. They're fancy, but not built to the same standards as older washers, plus parts are a nightmare. I still use our old maytag from the 80's, that I grew up with, in my barn to wash coveralls etc. Works like a top.

 

[McCaskey]

We take our blankets to a local coin-op Laundromat. The commercial machines are much bigger than our home front loader and can take the heavy loads.

If you have frequent need, consider a used commercial washer;
EBay: coin operated washer in Dry Cleaning & Laundromat | eBay

 

[cqaigy2]

We have a front loader washer, Kenmore Affinity, good washer, but i wouldn't put many horse blankets thru it. Im sure it would clean them ok, but you'd be very busy cleaning the filter on the input of the extraction pump. We have dogs and wash the blanket/pads and i've pulled my washer apart a couple times cleaning the dog hair out of the filter it seem to have an Affinity to dog hair. Im tempted to modify it so it has a bigger filter load capacity and or easier to get to and clean out.

McCaskey's post seem like something to look into though. I've seen commercial washers show up from time to time, used.

 

[Wakey]

but you'd be very busy cleaning the filter on the input of the extraction pump.

Now that's a problem for us..

McCaskey that is a solid lead, thanks!

 

[jlgurr]

Our family has had all three. A classic top loading with agitator (both rotating and up-down agitator styles), a top loading with no agitator (rotating discs in side of tub actually turn the clothes), and a front loading similar to what you see in a laundromat. Our favorite is the front loader, hands down. The oldest top loader was OK but when it died we were looking for less water usage since we are on a well. The top load with rotating discs didn't last long and frankly we don't miss it. The discs designed to move the clothing around were virtually useless, especially on bulky loads like overalls, bed spreads, and washable rugs. Our front loader "seems" to get clothes cleaner and our well hasn't gone dry from overuse since we purchased it.

 

[jinman]

I can't get the door open on my side-loading washer. :laughing:

 

[dmccarty]

We bought a front loader around 2002 give or take a few years. We were in the city then and our water bill could go over $100 a month because of washing clothes. The front loader dropped the water bill to around $50. We had to buy a new clothes washer last year to replace the first one. To put the washers into service you have to remove four bolts. If you want to move the washer, you have to replace the bolts. When we moved to the country house I knew I needed to put the bolts back in but what I forgot is that *** I *** can't do the job, you have to get a repair guy to do the work. We were moving that day so we loaded up the washer and hopped for the best.

Well the washer eventually had some many problems that the repair guy had a long list that would cost far more to fix than buy a new machine. Some of the problems may have been from moving the systems without replacing the bolts but who knows. We ran that machine until it fell apart. It lasted at least two years before the door lock failed and we could no longer open the door. Figured at that point it was time for a new washer.

The old washer was a Whirlpool and we bought Whirlpool again. To be fair the machine is in constant use, I think we do at least a load a day if not two so the washer got used hard. We bought one that was large enough to wash king sized comforters and that is really nice. Plus, we can really load up the washer to wash a lot of clothes at one time. We are on a well now so we do not get a direct water bill but that water costs to pump and it is OUR water so we try to use it wisely. I think the washer uses 10 gallons or so worst case, the thing is smart enough to adjust the amount of water it needs, versus 30+ gallons in a top load we used to have.

Our old washer also had the mildew and smell problem but this has not happened on our current washer. The wifey bought a more expensive model because of the gasket design that she thought would minimize the smell/mildew issues.

Top and front load washers have their pluses and minuses but for us, we will not go back to a top loader.

Later,
Dan

 

[Wakey]

I had LG email me a copy of the user manual and it shows how to clean the filter that is located behind a small door on the front bottom left of the unit,

 

[forgeblast]

We have a front loader ( I will get the model when I get home). I bought the most water efficient model they had since we are on a well.
I have found that the best way to keep it from smelling is to think about how you do your loads of laundry. We do all the colors first and then whites with bleach. That way its clean, and when the whites are done we keep the door open to let it dry out. Have not had an smell problem since we bought the machine 4 years ago.
We also do a lot of washing on the fast cycle which gets a full load done in 30 mins.

 

[dmccarty]

We have a front loader ( I will get the model when I get home). I bought the most water efficient model they had since we are on a well.
I have found that the best way to keep it from smelling is to think about how you do your loads of laundry. We do all the colors first and then whites with bleach. That way its clean, and when the whites are done we keep the door open to let it dry out. Have not had an smell problem since we bought the machine 4 years ago.
We also do a lot of washing on the fast cycle which gets a full load done in 30 mins.

On both washers, we kept the door open as much as possible. The first washer stank no matter what we did. Bleaching did not help either and we don't like to use bleech because of the septic system.

My guess is that some front loading washers have different designs and are going to stink no matter what you do. Our new washer is at least 6 months old and we do not have a stink problem. The wifey was really insistent on buying a different model to do the gasket design. What ever the difference between the two washers, the new one is not stinking.

It is a good idea to read reviews on the washers to see if people are having the stink issue.

Later,
Dan

 

[jinman]

Why do you think that front-load washers often stink, but you don't hear much about dishwashers doing the same thing? My wife uses both so often that maybe that is why neither of our appliances have much odor.:confused3:

 

[woodchuckc]

If you are not too concerned about conserving water, Speed Queen top loaders still have an agitator and are tough as nails (and are still made in the USA, if that matters). Their residential washers are basically the same mechanically as their commercial ones you see in laundromats (without the coin box). They are the last of the old style Maytag and Kenmore washers like your parents had for 25 years without needing replacement or repairs.

 

[Egbert]

Front loaders S T I N K. This is a big problem. You'll see they even sell tablets, etc, to run in plain water to kill the stench. Save yourself a lot of irritation and get a good top loader.

 

[MossRoad]

I can't get the door open on my side-loading washer. :laughing:

I was just thinking that I've never seen a side loader. Wouldn't the wall or dryer get in the way? :laughing: Ok OK sorry to poke someone in the eye but hard to resist.

 

[Scooby074]

Front loaders S T I N K. This is a big problem. You'll see they even sell tablets, etc, to run in plain water to kill the stench. Save yourself a lot of irritation and get a good top loader.

Not necessarily so.

A lot of smell or no smell comes down to the design of the gasket and spider, but more likely the operator. Some gaskets and spiders, particularly on North American models can cause smell, no doubt, but running Tide (or other such detergent), particularly liquid, in a HE front load is a recipe for disaster (smell).


We're a strong believer in Persil. Great detergent. One box lasts us 6 months with 2 kids and 2 adults, and there is absolutely NO smell in our washer. Dad and a couple friends have also been converted with the same results. We actually got onto it through dad, his Miele washer specs Persil. After using it for 3 years now, I understand why. We ran out and had to go back to Tide for a short period, you could actually feel the difference in the clothes. The clothes felt almost coated or had some residue. Its that same residue that causes the bacteria and smell I believe. Going back to regular detergent actually breaks me out.

Amazon.com: UNIVERSAL POWDER - 80 Loads Also known as PERSIL JUMBO PACK: Health & Personal Care

 

[Wakey]

I was just thinking that I've never seen a side loader. Wouldn't the wall or dryer get in the way? :laughing: Ok OK sorry to poke someone in the eye but hard to resist.

OOPS! Well, I get the joke now :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

One question about top loaders VS front loaders .... how many times have you started a load of laundry, have the water in and its running and you find another piece of laundry that you'd like to throw in the load? Guess what? You can't do that on a front loader. On our top loader, we usually run it at the next to the fullest water setting. If we decide to add more laundry all we have to do is turn up the water setting to the fullest setting, toss in the extra laundry and close the lid and off you go. Just something to consider.