Browse Forums Laundry Appliances 1 Jun 06, 2011 5:22 pm Hi everyone, As we get closer to the final plans for our renovation, we are undecided about whether to get a front load or top load washing machine. We have two small kids so the washing will continue to grow, but the main considerations are whether the extra washing time of front loaders is worth it, particularly as this option will give us more bench space in the laundry. For those that have switched from top loader to front loader, or vice versa, can you let me know what you prefer and why. Thanks everyone for your help. Re: Top load or front load washing machine 2Jun 06, 2011 5:45 pm We went from a top to a front load when we built. Same reason as you, the extra bench space across the top of the machine. The whole laundry looks neater and more streamlined and I love how it looks. I also love that the taps are hidden under the trough rather than up on display. To the machine itself, we have a Bosch. Love it, wish we'd changed to a front loader years ago. Ours takes 46 minutes for the standard wash, which is what we mostly use. The time is for that cycle is 1hr and 12 minutes, but drops to 46mins on cold wash, and we only wash in cold. I very, very rarely do a load for stains which takes longer. The extra time for a hot wash is because our machine heats its own water. Ours also has an express 15min wash for really lightly soiled clothes. I don't find the extra time too bad, at 46mins, it's not that much longer than the old top loader. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Top load or front load washing machine 5Jun 06, 2011 5:56 pm i might be wrong - i never used front loader myself. but heard in news some time ago that in USA a kid put his little sister in washing maching and switched that on as he wanted his little sister to be as fair complextion / white as him. Re: Top load or front load washing machine 6Jun 06, 2011 5:59 pm And he could have done this in a top loader.... or a dishwasher. I'd suggest that's more about lack of supervision than a problem with having a front load washing machine. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Top load or front load washing machine 8Jun 06, 2011 6:08 pm I wasn't offended. I guess I hadn't thought of it, my son was 11 when we got ours, so was just answering. Might be something the OP needs to consider though. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Top load or front load washing machine 9Jun 06, 2011 6:15 pm I suppose it's a fair question but I think there are probably a lot if household appliances that could be used for dangerous stuff like that. We've had our front loader since before the kids came along and never had an issue with them wanting to put each other in it thankfully. But the door to the laundry is rarely open and if they so much as press a button on it I am onto it so they know not to try it now. (kids are now 5 and 3) "Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions." — Elizabeth Gilbert Living in our new house. Currently scaping the land. Top load or front load washing machine 10Jun 06, 2011 8:04 pm We have a front loader and all three kids are taught from a young age not to go near it or touch it (same with all appliances really). I don't think that the front loaders are as rough on clothes as a top loader however in the same vein I dont think that the front loader - well mine - is as efficient as getting rid of stains as well as a top loader. We previously had a F&P top loader then changed to a LG front loader. Some things are worth waiting for. Re: Top load or front load washing machine 11Jun 06, 2011 10:08 pm I can see that it would be a lot easier for one child to put another in a front loader than a top loader - but whether this happens much in real life I dont know. have never had a front loader myself anyway. Would it be possible to turn off at power point or keep laundry door locked or similar if this was likely to be an issue. Come to think of it, a tumble dryer at ground level would present same risk Re: Top load or front load washing machine 12Jun 06, 2011 10:08 pm Love my front loader. It's a Miele, and I found my clothes to be way cleaner than our old top loader, and it's much gentler on the clothes. We have an express cycle if we need it which is only 30 minutes, so perfect for lightly soiled stuff Re: Top load or front load washing machine 13Jun 06, 2011 10:10 pm Oh, and 3 little kids here too. The youngest 18 months loves watching it and playing with it, but I always have the child lock on when it's on. The other two are old enough to have no interest in it. Re: Top load or front load washing machine 14Jun 07, 2011 8:02 am We have a front loader and love it. I have three children and have had front loaders since the younger two were newborns. The only 'issue' I've had is my son loved to 'post' stuff in the washing machine (as well as dvd player, wii, dishwasher, microwave etc) when he was little, so I had to check the machine before starting a load as rusks and crayons (main culprits) didn't do too well in a hot wash. I used to turn the machine off at the wall when not in use (same with dishwasher, microwave, tv's, wii etc) as again my son loved to hear the beeps when he pushed the buttons - especially the loud error beeps when too many buttons were pushed. The dishwasher was much more of a safety issue for us as even as a 1 year old he could open it easily, slide the racks out and play on/in it. No child lock kept him out. We actually got a service tech out as I didn't think it was right a 1 year old could open a dishwasher - but apparently it's a safety feature, so when they put themselves/sibling inside the dishwasher and shut the door the child inside can get out. As for my front loader - we are a family of 5, so I got the biggest one I could - 10kg Samsung washer/dryer (don't use the dryer on it though) and I love it - will never go back to a top loader. I'm not having a bench across the top of the machine in my new home, because I have the machine sitting on a drawer (option for the machine) to have it a little higher so I'm not bending as much. By doing this I have the option of sitting the separate dryer straight ontop of the washing machine (with one of the non slip/vibration mats) so still saving space. ~ trying to build our dream home by the sea ~ Re: Top load or front load washing machine 15Jun 07, 2011 8:50 am Short answer, live my front loader. Have a Samsung washer/dryer combo. Drying function is useless, don't waste the coin to have that feature. Follow our journey at http://www.notgoingtodreamworld.blogspot.com Our build thread https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=48999 Re: Top load or front load washing machine 16Jun 07, 2011 2:43 pm I've had two front loaders and wouldn't go back to top loader now because of the extra bench space and the water efficiency. Check out the cycle lengths of different machines - my old one took forever which used to drive me nuts! Now I've got a Bosch with a 15 minute cycle for small loads - brilliant! And it tells you how long the different cycles will take, then counts down and even beeps when it's finished. Doing the washing is still a thankless, relentless task but at least now I'm not cursing the machine! Choice updated their washing machine comparison on 6 June 2011 so their recommendations should be bang up to date. They've also got a washing machine buying guide to help decide what you need. Re: Top load or front load washing machine 17Jun 07, 2011 3:47 pm I LOVE my front-loader. I'd never go back to a top load. I grew up in the UK in places where it's rare to have a separate laundry so the washing machine is often under the bench the kitchen. When I moved to Oz my boyfriend had a top-loader and I never felt the clothes got washed well enough. We eventually moved to a rental in Melbourne where there was a full bench-top in the laundry so it was finally my chance to get a frontloader and I've never looked back again. The water usage is so much less, it looks neater with the extra bench space, the wash is so much better (so long as you don't over-fill too much, but then that's the same with any washing machine), and generally you don't have to plumb into the hot water pipe because it heats and controls its own temperature if you want more than a cold wash. I'd second those who've said the combined dryer feature isn't worth it though. Unless they've drastically improved recently I always found the dryer feature in a combo machine was never as good as a separate dryer and barely worth it.... but then again since living in Perth we've never felt the need for a dryer either. Build thread: /viewtopic.php?f=31&t=49109 Blog: http://thelofthouse.wordpress.com/ Re: Top load or front load washing machine 18Jun 08, 2011 9:53 am I would never go back to a top loader either - our clothes just look whiter and brighter, and I do find it less rough on the clothes too. I guess it depends on your history though - we only ever had base model top loaders... I like to have a delay start function on mine - that way I set it to start so it is ready to hang out at the time I'm ready to do it (first thing on weekends, and after dinner during the week). I also wash a load a day so the longer time to wash usually isn't an issue for me, although it really bugs my Mum when she visits because she prefers to devote a whole day to washing so she does several loads in a day. Re: Top load or front load washing machine 19Jun 08, 2011 12:04 pm We have a new 8kg Fisher & Paykel Aqua Smart top loader & it's brilliant! it is supposed to be as water efficient as a front loader so uses front loader detergent & it doesn't have an agitator. It is very quiet & turns itself completely off once the load is finished. I'm not a fan of front loaders but only because I always find a sock or something that got dropped on the way to the machine & I like to be able to open the lid mid-wash to throw it in Not a really a deal breaker for some I suppose though. Building our custom design "Dream Home" Follow my Build - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46820 Contract Signed - 28/04/11 Siteworks Commenced - 20/06/11 Re: Top load or front load washing machine 20Jun 09, 2011 9:00 am I've only ever had my Fisher & Paykel top loader and always dreamt of having the bench space you get with a front loader. After reading what everyone has been saying here, I think when my top loader goes to washing machine heaven, I might just get that front loader Check out our renovation in progress at http://www.ourdiydream.com Follow us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/ourdiydream Check out what we are 'pinning' http://pinterest.com/ourdiydream/ Hey all Currently renovating our laundry, bought a new washing machine but have found that the drainage hose is alot shorter than the old machine (which I used to get the… 0 17519 Any structural alteration to your home requires building permit. Before you get it you will have to supply plans with structural assessment, you will also be removing… 2 4111 Building Standards; Getting It Right! These can be easily filled and repaired and it doesn't cost them much to do. Id get the builder to do this first and if the repair is not suitable then a replacement is… 12 31266 |