Front Load Washing Machines

Benefits of Front Load Washing Machines

A new washing machine can cost a bundle, but a front load washing machine is a water saving device that will soon pay for itself. Many states also offer energy savings rebates, making the machines even more cost-effective.

So what’s so great about a front-loading washer? When it comes to savings and saving energy, there are four fantastic benefits. First, the machines use as much as half the water of a top-loading washer. Even if you don’t live in a drought-prone area, it’s important to conserve water at home, and great for your utility bill as well.

Using less water also means using less energy to heat that water, so you’ll notice a nice savings in your gas bill as well. Of course, it’s best to wash everything in cold water, because the clothes will get just as clean, but if you want to use warmer water, you can be assured you’re still saving on energy.

The design of front loaders allows them to spin faster than top loaders, not only cutting down on time spent, which is great for someone who has a lot of laundry to do, but it means that the clothes are that much drier when they come out. Therefore, unless you’re hanging everything on the clothesline, you’ll save on the energy used by the dryer as well.

A front load washing machine will also use less detergent than a top loader. Even the most environmentally friendly detergent is not cheap, and most detergents will contain some problematic chemicals, so using less is all the better.

Unexpected Savings for You and Earth

Although people in previous centuries weren't as fresh smelling as today, their clothes tended to last longer, because washing clothes in a washing machine wears them out. When your favorite things last longer, you’re happier and you save time and money. Clothing manufacture is often environmentally stressful, so the fewer clothes people have to buy, the better for the planet. A front loader is gentler on your clothes because instead of an agitator, which beats the clothes through the water and thus stresses and twists the fabric, the machines boast a horizontal axis, which tumbles them in and out of the water.

Putting your clothes in the dryer is one of the worst things you can do for them, because the heat is very wearing. With dark clothing in particular, a dryer will break down the dye more quickly than hang-drying. Since the clothes washed in a front loader need less time in the dryer, they will last that much longer.

A Few More Benefits

Many front load washing machines come with a dryer that can stack on top, which is a considerable space-saver.

The machines tend to be quieter than top loaders.

The lack of a bulky agitator in the middle of the machine means that, even though the machine might be smaller than your old top-loader, it will actually have a larger capacity. And the more items you can fit in one load, the more savings you will accumulate.

Limitations to Bear in Mind

While the advantages of the front-loading washers far outweigh the drawbacks, there are a few things to consider. First, the machines tend to be more expensive than conventional machines, although as discussed, this expense will quickly be recouped.

You may find you have to bend down to insert or extract clothes, although some models have doors that are easier to work with. However, it’s good for your knees to squat, and since you often have to bend over to pull out clothes from a top loader, you may be going easier on your back overall with a front loader.

With some machines, washing single items can be a problem, because the machine will sense an imbalanced load. However, many models have the option of a half-load, which should alleviate that problem.

Ultimately, the savings in water and energy will make front-loading machines more popular, and it may not be long before the top loaders go the way of the washboard.