Educate me on front-loading washing machines

[Fritz]

Top-loading machine is on its last leg, and I've been thinking about getting a front-loading one to save on water (I'm on a well with a septic). I don't really care too much about options, more about reliability. Any help? Outside of knowing that they can save water, I know just about nothing on the subject.

 

[jimmyjazz]

We have the Whirlpool Duet front-loading washer & dryer, and do at least one load a day. I'd say their biggest features are the load capacity and the ability to stack the units. I haven't really paid attention to the water bill, so I don't know if we're seeing much in the way of savings there. No problems yet after about 15 months.

They're not cheap.

 

[tropheus]

we have front loading and having the extra capacity is nice, so is having the "buttons" on the front, so all the crap we place on top of the washer/dryer doesn't block the controls.

I can't see how the front loader isn't better for clothes than a top loader.

I haven't paid attention to the differences in effeciency.

 

[ths71]

They are supposed to be better for clothes because they don't have an agitator, instead they gently spin the load in one direction and then the other.

We've had our Sears for a couple of months and love it so far. We have an older home with a small laundry room so being able to stack the dryer gave us a lot more room. Ours definately uses less water and is much, much quieter. The laundry is also a lot dryer after the final spin so it doesn't seem to take as long for the dryer to work.

There is a class action lawsuit against Maytag for their Neptune models manufactured between '97 and Aug '04 so do your homework.
Maytag Settlement

 

[EEE]

Need any help moving that, Fritz? Heh. j/k
try this I'll try to find my password so you can get reviews.

 

[Fritz]

EEE! That link was gold. Thanks to everyone else - all useful info.

 

[txzen]

We have a front loader. It is more gentle on clothes, uses less water, and (importantly) gets the clothes much drier, meaning your drier will run for a shorter amount of time using lower heat.

We get occaisional sudsing problems, but I use normal liquid detergent - again, about 1/2 to 1/3 as much as I would with a top loader.