Of all the great decisions we make as adults--who to vote for in the election, whether to send our kids to private or public school, whether to take that job offer or not--the one question that plagues more than any other is that age-old debate: front-loader or top-loader washing machine? OK, so there may be some more important decisions than which type of washing machine to buy plaguing humanity at the moment, but there's no denying that the decision is not clear-cut. Here is a presentation of the pros and cons of each model to hopefully help you choose if you're currently in washing machine limbo!
Top-Loaders
Top-loader washing machines are beneficial for a number of reasons. For one thing, they are very easy and convenient to use, especially for older people or people who suffer from poor joint mobility, as a front-loader requires crouching and bending to load and unload. Another reason that top-loaders are a popular choice is cost--they are often hundreds of dollars cheaper than their front-loading counterparts. Also, for all those people who find that whenever they put a load of washing on they'll discover one stray sock just after they've turned it on, a top-loader allows you the freedom to just lift the top and drop in that final piece, whereas a front-loader will seal up in order to keep the water from spilling all over your floor and you'll have to wait to put that sock through another wash, after which time it may never be reunited with its pair again (we all know how it is with socks).
Front-Loaders
Space is one reason why a lot of people prefer front-loaders, as (especially in apartments and smaller houses) the space above the washing machine is often utilised for a dryer, which means lifting a lid takes up valuable air-space. Also, things (such as washing powder and cleaning products) can be stacked on top of a front-loader which means that storage is made a lot easier. Although front-loaders are more expensive to purchase than top-loaders, they utilise far less energy and water, and therefore over time prove to be more economic, paying for themselves through savings they afford you. Because a front-loader will utilise gravity to do half of the work (the clothes are rotated halfway around the barrel and then dropped) they effectively utilise only half the amount of energy to complete a cycle, which is good news for your wallet and the environment.
Whether you choose a front-loader or a top-loader, there are always ways in which you can reduce your energy usage. Like refrigerators or dishwashers, the way they are used is as much a contribution to their value as the way that they are made.
By the way, do you want to learn more about Shopping and Product Reviews? If so, I suggest you check Washing Machines and refrigerators.
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