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Battle
of the
Washing Machines
How front loaders stack up against
top loaders
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Customers
often ask about the benefits of front-loading
washing machines over top-loading machines.
Here
is some useful information to consider when
you go shopping for a new washer:
Cost to operate: Front loaders are
cheaper than top loaders to operate.
They use less hot and cold water,
less detergent, less electricity and
spin clothes faster, which cuts drying
time and cost.
Environmental impact: Because they
use fewer resources, front loaders
are easier on the environment and
are particularly beneficial in communities
where water is scarce and/or expensive.
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Effect on clothing: There is no
agitator rubbing on clothes in a
front loader, which reduces wear
and tear.
Drying time: Front loaders have
faster spin speeds, 800 rpm to 1600
rpm versus 500 rpm to 600 rpm for
top loaders. Therefore, more water
is removed from clothes before they
ever hit the dryer, which means
shorter drying times.
Wash aid dispensing: Most front
loaders have built-in dispensers
for detergent, bleach and fabric
softeners, giving you more flexibility
in how you wash your clothes.
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Stability: Because they spin on a horizontal
axis rather than a vertical one, front loaders
are more stable and more forgiving if your
floors are not perfectly flat or level.
Drainage: Front loaders use less water and
therefore discharge less water, which is
better for septic systems and homes with
slow drains.
Noise: Front loaders are quieter than top
loaders, making first- and second-floor
laundry rooms less intrusive when they are
placed near bedrooms.
Cleaning ability: Front loaders tend to
get clothes cleaner due to their tumbling
action. Clothes are passed through soapy
water more vigorously than in most top loaders.
Many front loaders also have heating elements
that boost water temperature for whiter
whites.
Child friendly: Younger children can help
with laundry because front loaders are easier
to load and unload.
People with disabilities: Because the controls
on front loaders are usually on the front
of the machine, it is easier for people
with certain disabilities to use them. People
with bad backs might want to invest in a
model with an optional raised base.
Hot water saver: If you often run out of
hot water in your home, a front loader might
help since it would use significantly less
hot water than a typical top loader.
Installation options: Front loaders can
be installed under countertops, giving you
more flexibility in where you can put them.
Unbalanced loads: Front loaders are much
more forgiving of unbalanced loads, making
it possible to wash pillows, comforters
and sleeping bags without worrying about
your washer walking across the floor.
Note: These benefits may not apply to every
brand and model of front loader. And, there
are some new top loaders that have some
of the same benefits as front loaders. We
recommend you do some research on your own
to see which machine is right for you. Consumer
Reports magazine is an excellent resource
to consult. They do extensive, unbiased
testing on many different brands and models
of washing machines.
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 Use
the Kill-a-Watt meter to measure energy consumption
The Kill-a-Watt
meter continues to be one of our
best-selling products. Get yours today and
track total power consumption by the hour,
day, week, month or year for any standard
household appliance that plugs into a 110
volt outlet. You can also use it to check
computers, table lamps and most other devices
that plug into standard wall receptacles.
The Kill-a-Watt
meter also displays voltage (V),
line frequency (Hz), and power factor (PF).
There are no batteries required. Get yours
now. |
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money as a RepairClinic.com affiliate
If
you have a website with visitors who might
be interested in buying appliance parts
to repair their own appliances, apply to
be a RepairClinic.com affiliate. We'll pay
you a commission on all sales from customers
referred from your site. Please understand
we can only accept sites with significant
levels of traffic. Also, we do not accept
personal homepages hosted by free providers,
such as Tripod or GeoCities.
Contact
us to learn more about becoming
a RepairClinic.com affiliate. |
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Check
out what's ON SALE NOW
With back-to-school laundry piling up, it's
time for some washer preventive maintenance.
| Are
your rubber washer hoses dry and stiff
or do they have blisters?
If so, consider replacing
them with stainless steel washer hoses
for long-term durability. We also offer
Floodstop, a unique device that automatically
shuts off the water supply to your washer
if there is a leak. All washer
hoses and Floodstop
are On Sale Now. |
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Appliance
fun fact
Many common electronic items continue to use
power when they are turned off, including
VCRs, televisions, computers, answering machines,
satellite dishes, coffee makers and microwaves.
A television, for example, may draw up to
33 kilowatts per year while turned off. Try
our Kill-a-Watt
meter and see for yourself. |
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 Appliance
maintenance calendar
We've
put together a maintenance calendar to help
you figure out what needs to be done and when.
Add the page to your favorites, or print it
out and keep it for reference throughout the
year. You can find the appliance maintenance
calendar here. |
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