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| My Front Load Washing Machine (cum dryer) with high water efficiency (three ticks) |
After decades of using top load washing machine, I have finally switched to a front load washing machine.
Despite all the cons I've read on the web about front load machines, I'd decided that I will truly know whether a top load or a front load is better for me, only if I have tried using both of them.
So here I am, after using the front load machine for the first time, for almost two years, and armed with decades of experience in using top load washing machines, let me present to you the pros and cons of using the front and top load washing machines. At the end of the article, I'll also reveal which one I will choose to use permanently and why it is so.
Pros of using top load washing machine
~ You can add in extra clothings to wash, anytime you want, while the machine is in operation. Great if you forgot or missed a clothing.
~ Easy to use as the normal ones have no fancy cycles (eco cleaning, quick wash, etc.) that you have to bother with. Just put in the detergent and press the Start button. Great for beginners, young children, elderly.
~ There is usually no need to maintain the machine. Just clear out any dirt from the dirt collector.
~ Top load washing machine are much cheaper.
Cons of using top load washing machine
~ Clothings are often twisted and entangled together, making them out of shape and wrinkled. Not suitable for delicate clothings.
~ Clothings are still rather wet, even after drying for longer periods of time.
~ Due to the above reason, it is a must to dry your clothings in the sun or air them for at least a few hours, preferably outdoors. If clothes dry too slowly, they tend to emit unpleasant smell. This also means you, or rather, your clothes are at the mercy of the weather. On every laundry day, you'll pray for no rain and lots of sunlight.
~ Top load machines tend to use a lot of water since water level have to cover all the clothings.
Pros of using front load washing machine
~ Very efficient use of water (see pic below), which means you have to use less detergent too. Great for helping to save the environment. I don't buy special "front load detergents", I just use half of the normal "top load detergents". Note: Clothings does not have to be completely submerged in water like the top load machines, thus saving water and detergent.
~ Clothings do not get tangled up
~ The heating function (60 degrees C) makes clothes drier which cuts down drying time. Indoor drying is usually sufficient and leaves no funny smell. Due to heat, clothes came out with less wrinkles which means less ironing to do.
~ The heat (60 degrees C) also kills dust mites and germs.
~ For my 2-in-1 washing machine and dryer, there is a function of drying the clothings to many levels (it's something like 50% - 100% dryness).
~ You can stack/place/build something on top of machine e.g. a wall-hung cabinet thus making full use of space. For me, I keep it clear so as to collect/place/fold my clothes on it - it's like my laundry workspace.
Cons of using front load washing machine
~ Unable to add on additional clothing once you start the washing cycle.
~ There is a need to maintain the machine about once every 2 months. You'll need to remove debris and dirt and drain off excess trapped water. The machine will prompt you to do that.
~ The washing cycles lasts longer (1hr 40 mins for my machine), although there is a 15 mins quick wash function for a small load of laundry. This will depend on the features of individual machines.
~ Front load washing machine are more expensive. But they are more intelligent and efficient.
~ Need to bend or squat down to access the front door which may be unsuitable for the pregnant and elderly.
~ Small children may have dangerous access to the opening of the machine. I have heard children suffocating while hiding inside during a game of hide and seek. Door cannot be opened from within. But I have also seen accidents while child got stuck inside a top load machine. So, whichever machine you use, accidents can happen, you'll just have to keep your eyes peeled to young children.
~ This is from the internet: Machine giving off unpleasant, mouldy smell after a few months of usage. I didn't encounter this at all. But I probably deterred this by keeping the machine doors and detergent tray opened for at least an hour after the end of every single wash to air the insides dry.
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| See the red box? Water consumption was greatly reduced from 10.9 units in April to 7.6 units in May 2015, the lowest amount of water usage for the past six months. Notice also the electricity usage did not increase. |
My Final Choice: Front Load Washing Machine
I would probably not going to return to using a top load washing machine as the front load machine reduced my water and detergent consumption (thus, less burden to the environment), uses similar amount of electricity, and it churns out drier and straighter clothes (even some doesn't require ironing). But if I have a toddler or very young kid at home (about 0-5 years) I may consider switching back to top load for safety reasons.