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Thread Number: 70050
/ Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Top Load or Front Load....? |
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| Post# 929696 3/30/2017 at 12:19 (2,577 days old) by Johnny42 (Glasgow) | ||
What do people prefer ? Top loaders or Front loaders. Which machine gets your clothes cleaner ? Are revolving drum action machines better than centre post agitators ? I must admit, that I have never owned a front loader. The only time I ever used a front load, was at our local laundrette. I remember my granmother's Servis twin tub when I was a kid....35 years later and we still have it and it still works !!! Our first automatic, was a Hotpoint top load with the filter Flo. Another good machine. I presently have a Whirlpool top load super capacity washer and have recently acquired a Wilkins Servis wringer washer. So which machines do you guys prefer ?
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| Post# 929697 , Reply# 1 3/30/2017 at 12:26 (2,577 days old) by Pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada) | ||
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| Post# 929702 , Reply# 2 3/30/2017 at 12:35 (2,577 days old) by vacuumguy99 (North Western PA) | ||
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We have a front loader and when I took over doing laundry I thought an hour per load was way to long, we got an wringer washer and our clothes have never looked better. Wringer/Toploader gets my vote. | ||
| Post# 929704 , Reply# 3 3/30/2017 at 12:49 (2,577 days old) by Johnny42 (Glasgow) | ||
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Top load or Front load | ||
| Post# 929706 , Reply# 4 3/30/2017 at 13:11 (2,577 days old) by Paulinroyton (B) | ||
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Top Loader I love top loaders as they much quicker than a UK front loader and do a great job of the washing Paul | ||
| Post# 929708 , Reply# 5 3/30/2017 at 13:25 (2,577 days old) by Johnny42 (Glasgow) | ||
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Top Load or Front load
Hey Paul, I do agree with you on that one. I don't personally own a front load, but some of my friends say that they take ages to do one load of laundry,while my top load can do 2 or 3 loads to their 1 load of laundry. Is that your Speed Queen Paul ? If so, I am sooooo jealous !!! Always wanted one of those !! I saw a coin op commercial SQ washer on ebay, but was too late as it had been sold !!!
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| Post# 929715 , Reply# 7 3/30/2017 at 13:55 (2,577 days old) by Paulinroyton (B) | ||
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Top Loader Hi John Yes that's my top loader washer. Simply love it, do have a couple of front loaders, but prefer the top loader. Paul | ||
| Post# 929717 , Reply# 8 3/30/2017 at 14:10 (2,577 days old) by brucelucenta () | ||
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A couple??? Looks like an arsenal! | ||
Post# 929718 , Reply# 9 3/30/2017 at 14:13 (2,577 days old) by turquoisedude  (.) |
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 Top-load for me, please!!
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Post# 929723 , Reply# 10 3/30/2017 at 15:04 (2,577 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land) |
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I have been using a front load washer for my weekly laundry for about 20 years now and have been happy with the results. We've had this water shortage in California for a few years now, so I'm happy to do my part to conserve water by using front loader(s).
I have a number of both top load and front load washers in my collection and currently have 4 FL washers connected that I use for laundry each week. It's REALLY nice being able to do 4 loads at one time!
Occasionally I will move machines around and connect a top load washer (or 2) and use them for a while. However after 2 or 3 or maybe 4 weeks, I start getting uncomfortable with how much water they use and will move them out and reconnect a FL. I do between 4 loads and 7 loads per week, usually 4 or 5 loads. That equates to water usage of 170 gallons up to 350 gallons per week if I use top load washers, depending on what machines I use.
Yes front loaders have longer cycle times (tho not as long as EU front loaders), but being able to use 4 machines at once, this is a non-issue for me. Top load washer do have much shorter cycle times and they are more fun to watch, but the amount of water they use becomes an issue for me, so I don't use them regularly.
Kevin
P.S... Paul, nice group of machines you have there! Question, what is that metal bar / bracket on the Speed Queens lid? Thanks!
P.S.S... I posted this 6 years ago, but still fun to watch. Skip to 2:18 and start watching from there!
This post was last edited 03/30/2017 at 16:43 | ||
| Post# 929727 , Reply# 11 3/30/2017 at 15:56 (2,577 days old) by Paulinroyton (B) | ||
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@Kevin Kevin, The metal bar of the Speed Queen is the locking device for the machine, I know it spoils the appearance of the machine. Paul | ||
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Post# 929729 , Reply# 12 3/30/2017 at 16:35 (2,577 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land) |
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locking device? | ||
| Post# 929732 , Reply# 13 3/30/2017 at 17:21 (2,577 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room) | ||
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| Post# 929735 , Reply# 14 3/30/2017 at 17:45 (2,577 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room) | ||
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As for me... I'm not sure I really can answer this question because I've never used a home front load washer. Everything has been top load, from 1960s Kenmore to 1990s WCI Frigidaire to the current BOL WP. So I can't make fair comparisons.
Not that real experience will stop people from making loud announcements of what is better on the Internet...
I have to admit that I was very biased against the idea of front load machines for a long time simply because of the horror stories I heard about them not working terribly well here in the US. And some of these experiences were reported by people who seemed reasonably likely to have attempted to use the machines properly (e.g., members of AW.org).
But...I've reconsidered my bias in recent years. I've been hearing more positive things in recent years. While these don't necessarily "sell me", I'd be curious to try living with a front load washer. And I certainly have come to realize that they are very practical for certain situations (e.g., where water is seriously limited, energy use is a concern, etc). I also have thought, often, that if buying new a front load machine makes more sense than a low water use top load machine.
However, a front load machine won't be on my "try" list any time soon. I hear stories of people who find passable machines for free or very cheap, which is my current budget. But my current laundry room pretty much dictates an older top load washer.
Indeed, at this point, I'd be more inclined to go definitely "older" with the "older top load washer." Reliability of a vintage machine is a real concern. But I cannot forget how good a job the last belt drive Kenmore did for me vs. either of the top machine designs (WCI Frigidaire and WP DD) I've had the misfortune of using since that time. | ||
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Post# 929827 , Reply# 15 3/30/2017 at 23:36 (2,576 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN) |
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front load all the way Been using a FL since 1997 (it's still going) and have never looked back. Who cares about longer cycle times? What do people do, sit there nervously biting their fingernails anxiously waiting for the washer to finish so they can put things in the dryer? I load it, set it, start it, and walk away to do other chores. It took me one day to adjust to that type schedule all those years ago. I have clothes that would not come clean in my previous GE filterflo that did come out of the FL spotless! I'll NEVER go back to a top loader. | ||
| Post# 929838 , Reply# 16 3/31/2017 at 02:32 (2,576 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room) | ||
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Cycle time lengths As for me, what I don't like about lonnnnnggggg cycles isn't that I do feel a need to be more or less present during the entire cycle. Not that I'm hovering over the appliance the whole time, but I want to be on the premises and awake so if something seems like it might be going horribly wrong (e.g., loud bangs, sound of running water when water shouldn't be running, a big plume of smoke, etc), I have a better chance of dealing with it before it becomes a major disaster. Major disasters have, happily, been rare...but small things with washers can and do come up.
Although I have to wonder as I type this if a lot of my bias here isn't just the sorts of appliances I'm used to. Top load washers, for example, can go out of balance. A front load machine, however, is apparently "smarter" about balancing--unless something goes seriously wrong...
Another issue, too, is that there are times when one wants/needs a load done fast. Say, one wants to go out to dinner, and wear a favorite shirt. | ||
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Post# 929842 , Reply# 19 3/31/2017 at 04:30 (2,576 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands) |
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East is east and west is west and never the twain shall meet.
We had numerous discussions about toploaders vs frontloaders and there is never an agreement on it. It's a matter of opinion and noone will give an inch away of his opinion in this matter, so the disscussion is rather useless. Me? I love H-axis toploaders. | ||
| Post# 929844 , Reply# 20 3/31/2017 at 04:48 (2,576 days old) by Johnny42 (Glasgow) | ||
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top load or front load
Wow!! What an interesting response from you guys. It's interesting to read the different opinions. Well, after reading the different answers, I will probably just stick with a TL washer. I haven't had any problems with it. Either that, or I will go back to the good ole' days and beat my laundry on a rock down by the river or use a washboard !!
I am currently in the process of restoring a 60 year old wringer washer. It actually still works.....wish me luck !!! | ||
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Post# 929850 , Reply# 21 3/31/2017 at 06:19 (2,576 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK) |
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Wow..
Well you aint afraid of pulling out the big guns Johnny ha ha...having collected twinnys, wringers possers and lime barrells one can firmly say that a horizontal access turning drum far outweighs anything else in the efficiency stakes, in water consumption, energy efficiency, detergent consumption per kg washed you will always get the best efficient results - hence why its the machine of choice for commercial launderies etc...
Nowthen before everybody swipes right from brown, most of us here will get the best results from any wesher made whether it be top load or a cement mixer, because we would (hopefully) understand how the machine worked and adapt our resources accordingly...!! What model is the twinny you have Johnny ? | ||
| Post# 929860 , Reply# 22 3/31/2017 at 06:45 (2,576 days old) by Pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada) | ||
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brucelucenta
you might have to rethink that not everyone are into frontload washers i might be using 1 now but to me a 1 hour wash cycle is just to long and for me the more water the better the cleaning power grewup with topload washers set from my youth mny teen year still had the original inglis dry till 1992 washer was replace aroud my teen years 1988 by a whirlpool washers and also asl long as some consumers buy topload washsers companys like whirlpool inglis speed queen general electric will keep making topload washers the set my mom and i have now might be 13 years old and will eventualy require replacement so while doing research i have look at the speedqueen model awn432 and it would fit or need perfectly since i do not see the use in my case of lots of cycles the only cycles i use are normal perm press delicate hand wash if needed and soak and not everyone wash the same.
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Post# 929865 , Reply# 23 3/31/2017 at 06:53 (2,576 days old) by turquoisedude (.) |
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H-Axis | ||
| Post# 929877 , Reply# 24 3/31/2017 at 07:15 (2,576 days old) by Johnny42 (Glasgow) | ||
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top load or front load
Hey Mike. I have a Servis MK2 supertwin. We have had it in the family about 35 years without any problems. It was my grandmothers before me and as far as I can gather, I think she bought it some time in the 1960's. I think by that time the brand name had changed from "Wilkins Servis" to just "Servis". Always has been one of my favourite brands. I also have another Servis make. It's a Servis 1108 twinny.
Quite a debate going on here Mike !! Top load or Front load ? | ||
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Post# 929883 , Reply# 25 3/31/2017 at 08:04 (2,576 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands) |
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Paul | ||
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Post# 929886 , Reply# 26 3/31/2017 at 08:12 (2,576 days old) by turquoisedude (.) |
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| Post# 929898 , Reply# 28 3/31/2017 at 08:51 (2,576 days old) by alr2903 (TN) | ||
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FL plus the detergent designed for them= better results. Half way measuring huge heaping scoops of detergent is a thing of the past. | ||
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Post# 929989 , Reply# 29 3/31/2017 at 20:36 (2,575 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK)) |
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I have both front and top load washers in my laundry. I have to say the front loader does a much better job than the TL machines and it is my main driver. In Australia we are very water conscious and FLs use a fraction of the water the TLs do
I have 3 Fisher & Paykel TLs and they are not bad and do a pretty good job. They spin really fast too. I also have a Maytag Atlantis and it is rubbish and I rarely use it though the dryer is fab and they look pretty cool side by side. I also have two GE Filer-flo which I love to use but they are not as good as the F&P washers. | ||
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Post# 930005 , Reply# 30 3/31/2017 at 22:04 (2,575 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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I'm a Top Loader!
Front load machines (especially these dreadful new "energy savers" that take eons to complete a cycle) are awful. A folded handerchief remains folded after an entire cycle. How clean is that? Top loaders take less time and actually clean the clothes. And besides, front loaders are not that exciting to watch...give me a Penta-Swirl, Roto-Swirl, Pulsator, Burp-a-Lator, Activator, Surgilator any time!
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Post# 930025 , Reply# 32 4/1/2017 at 01:33 (2,575 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc) |
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So this comes back--TL for me!Don't want to wait for long cycle times on FL.If the Hotpoint TL dies on me-will just get another older machine from the swap shop. | ||
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Post# 930027 , Reply# 33 4/1/2017 at 02:09 (2,575 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN) |
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The way I figure it, if I can wait 45-60 minutes for my Kitchenaid or Maytag dishwashers to do a load then why can't I wait for the washer to do a load..The Asko takes 45 minutes for a normal load and the Miele 59 minutes at 120F and 66 minutes for 140F both with extra rinses. I'm just used to it after all these years. Try getting embedded paraffin wax out of cotton in a toploader. Both my Euro FL machines with powerful heaters can/have.
A folded handerchief remains folded after an entire cycle. How clean is that? True...but you don't throw socks wadded up in a little ball into the washer do you? I unfold my handkerchiefs when I stick them into the whites basket...but to each his own. I'm just being snarky...it's all in good fun! | ||
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Post# 930055 , Reply# 34 4/1/2017 at 10:20 (2,575 days old) by rapunzel (Sydney) |
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How to get paraffin was out of cotton in a top loader - you first use a hot iron and kitchen paper to get the excess wax off, then you spray laundry stain remover on the remaining oily stain and wash it on hot. | ||
| Post# 930067 , Reply# 36 4/1/2017 at 12:36 (2,575 days old) by Laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii) | ||
Hands down on the front loaders. They do more per sq.ft.,they use less water,less bleach,less detergen,less fabric softener,less electricity and do a more thorough job getting clothes clean using a less vigorous method. They also spin much more water out to save time,energy and are more gentle on fabrics. No sharp agitator blades like the "cruel action" agitator post types.
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| Post# 930166 , Reply# 39 4/2/2017 at 07:30 (2,574 days old) by chrisbsuk (Bristol, uk) | ||
Hey Johnny...
I've recently bought a top loader as I do a shed load of laundry because of some air b and b places I have. I also run a front loader alongside it, so a few months in, I have a better understanding of them both! I'd say I much prefer the top loader for washing towels, sheets and other "robust" items of clothing. The top loader washes these really well, and even when I use the 6 minute "light" programme the results are great! However, I would say it is let down my its poor spinning performance, so I do run them through the front loader before drying. The front loader is 100% better for washing more delicate items of clothing, or dark clothes that would need rinsed very well - despite the huge amount of water the machine uses, it doesn't rinse as well as a front loader - end of! I've used the hand wash programme in the top loader too and it is useless - again, the front loader does this programme much better. Here are some pictures now of my set up - I have all three machines on the go at the moment! 
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| Post# 930168 , Reply# 40 4/2/2017 at 07:31 (2,574 days old) by chrisbsuk (Bristol, uk) | ||
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| Post# 930170 , Reply# 41 4/2/2017 at 07:32 (2,574 days old) by chrisbsuk (Bristol, uk) | ||
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| Post# 930171 , Reply# 42 4/2/2017 at 07:34 (2,574 days old) by chrisbsuk (Bristol, uk) | ||
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Post# 930248 , Reply# 46 4/2/2017 at 22:05 (2,573 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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Thank you Norgeway! I totally agree and think these newfangled front-loading "energy savers" do nothing but. How could a 2-3 hour cycle be efficient? And as I pointed out earlier, folded handkerchiefs thrown into the front-loader are still folded after the entire cycle. Nice for some who don't like to fold, but is that really clean? Top loaders are the best in cleaning! Just call me Norma Desmond, loving to live in the efficient past..!
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Post# 930257 , Reply# 47 4/2/2017 at 23:02 (2,573 days old) by abcomatic (Bradford, Illinois) |
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Top loader and here and wringer machines for sure. happy washing, Gary | ||
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Post# 930294 , Reply# 48 4/3/2017 at 06:45 (2,573 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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Again
Only reason modern domestic H-Axis washing machines take hours to do wash is due to government/energy mandates.
Commercial/industrial machines complete an entire "Normal/Cottons/Linens" cycle in < 45 minutes. Those machines however use more water and aren't bothered by having "profile" washes and or time for various stain treatments and or enzymes to work. Though the programmable units can be made to do so I suppose. Same with automatic dishwashers. Forced by government interference to use less water it now takes two, three or more hours to wash a load of dishes. | ||
| Post# 930331 , Reply# 50 4/3/2017 at 11:27 (2,573 days old) by Johnny42 (Glasgow) | ||
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Top load or front load | ||
| Post# 930338 , Reply# 51 4/3/2017 at 12:16 (2,573 days old) by firedome (Binghamton NY & Lake Champlain VT) | ||
old
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| Post# 930341 , Reply# 52 4/3/2017 at 12:27 (2,573 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c ) | ||
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I would rather Use a good Maytag or Lady Kenmore wringer than a new HE machine ....then I would know my clothes were clean! | ||
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Post# 930358 , Reply# 53 4/3/2017 at 14:39 (2,573 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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Rinsing: Top Loading vs. Side
Sadly when the switch was made from semi-automatic top loaders (wringers, twin tubs, etc...) washing machines to fully the ability to rinse often as required went as well. Some top loaders late as the 1970's or so did offer two rinses, but one assumes much of that went by the boards in way of energy/water savings. This is sad because often it takes more than one or even two rinses to get all detergent/soil residue out of textiles.
Thus it comes as no surprise that those who switched from top loading to H-Axis washers found there often was enough "soap" left in their clothing for one or more loads. *LOL* | ||
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Post# 930365 , Reply# 55 4/3/2017 at 15:09 (2,573 days old) by kb0nes (Burnsville, MN) |
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| Post# 930391 , Reply# 56 4/3/2017 at 16:48 (2,573 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA) | ||
I Like Both | ||
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Post# 930803 , Reply# 62 4/6/2017 at 00:34 (2,570 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN) |
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I would like to see an unbiased scientific analysis between clothing that has been washed in a TL and dried and clothing washed in a FL and dried. Then take the same clothing and analyze how much or little residue is actually left after normal cycles were used. I know Asko recommended the first time clothes are washed in their machine to NOT use any detergent due to the residue left in the clothes from previous inefficient rinsing. After 4 rinses in the Asko I dare say there wouldn't be much residue left. New Askos rinse up to 7 times. | ||
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Post# 930972 , Reply# 65 4/6/2017 at 22:07 (2,569 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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There is plenty of research out there on bacterial counts
In regards to laundry if you but care to look:
journal.frontiersin.org/article/1... www.uschemical.com/wp-content/upl... | ||
| Post# 930974 , Reply# 66 4/6/2017 at 23:18 (2,569 days old) by toploadloyalist (San Luis Obispo, CA) | ||
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My user name shows which I prefer! I was going to use "toploaderloyalist", but ran out of room for those characters. | ||
| Post# 931059 , Reply# 68 4/7/2017 at 14:02 (2,569 days old) by johnny42 (Glasgow) | ||
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Tl or Fl washer | ||
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Post# 931067 , Reply# 69 4/7/2017 at 14:28 (2,569 days old) by akronman (Akron/Cleveland Ohio) |
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Hmmmm
I own and use toploaders, twin tubs, and the occasional wringer. I don't own a FL but's it's because I like the 60's 70's era US machines, and the Hoover twinnie built a stone's throw away in Canton OH, and I like restoring/finding/working the antiques. I don't have anything against FL's, I just haven't yet needed to buy one when I have a basement FULL of washers already.
But one thing I bet they outperform TL on: kids nylon winter coats. they fill with air and just stay on the top of the TL's, never pulled under. For the offbeat "floating" clothing, I'll someday pick up a used FL if local Craigslist has a cheapie. But from what I've seen at friends homes, I trust my TL's to rinse better. | ||
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Post# 931074 , Reply# 70 4/7/2017 at 15:01 (2,569 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis) |
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The title of this thread is a bit too generic because grouping an LG or Samsung Front Loading washer and a vintage Westinghouse FL in the same category doesn’t really work. The same goes with comparing a modern base impeller top-loading washer with a Frigidaire Unimatic or a vintage Whirlpool belt-drive TL, it just doesn’t work.
So about two months I was given this 2007 LG washer. The door hinge was frozen in the open position due to corrosion from a leak in the boot. If fixed the leak and took the door hinge apart and greased it and now it works perfectly. So after using the Unimatic almost exclusively for a few months, I have now used the LG nearly exclusively as it was designed without making any mechanical adjustments for over a month and here is my personal opinion… For washing ability I’d say it is excellent. It seems to clean well and remove stains from things. You only need about 1/8 to 1/4 of the detergent that I use in my vintage machines although for me personally I couldn’t care less about the amount of detergent I use, whatever works best for each machine I’m fine with. Rinsing is another story. I see a lot of people calming that these new front loaders are rinsing better but in my opinion this has not my experience. I always use the extra rinse option (so three rinses total in the LG) along with the “water plus” feature. While it seems to rinse okay, what I’ve noticed is sheets still have quite a bit of detergent smell for two to three days after putting them back on the bed. With most of my vintage machines this is not the case using the same Tide detergent, but more of it in the vintage machines. When I put sheets back on the bed there is little to no smell of detergent what so ever out of the vintage machines, especially the solid tubs. I have huge newish Turkish bath sheet white towels. I always use bleach on these and I can clearly smell bleach on the towels when I remove them from the LG. I never smell bleach when I remove those towels from the Unimatic where I normally wash them. I use 1/4 cup of bleach in the LG and 3/4 of a cup in the Unimatic bleach dispenser. Another big difference I noticed is the towels are slightly less soft when washed in the LG than they are out of the Unimatic. I’m not sure if that is attributed to rinsing ability or not, but I suspect it is. I don’t use fabric softener in towels that are less than a year old. Water extraction seems really good, I use extra high speed spin for nearly everything. I’ve been drying most loads in the Wards gas dryer which has a very accurate auto-dry cycle. Loads of 4 large bath sheets towels are drying in nearly the same time (about 25 to 27 minutes) as the Unimatic or GE AW6, both with 1140rpm spin. Those same towels take 35 to 40 minutes to dry in the Wards dryer from my vintage machines that spin below 700 rpm. As for overall gentleness I’m not quite sure and need more time to experiment. I did notice after a month of using the LG the back pockets of my Diesel jeans were starting to fray slightly. I don’t know if that would have happened anyway using any of my other machines, but the Diesel jeans that I wear generally last a long time. I’m not convinced that the smack action of tumbling those clothes in a small pool of water with a large vertical fall for 40 to 45 minutes overall between wash and rinses is all that gentle, then tumbling again in the dryer. Dryer lint seems slightly less out of the LG about on par with my non-back and forth style agitator washers. Back and forth agitation seems to produce the most linting. However the difference overall is not all that much. So Phil is right, I’m not convinced that this method is superior for overall results. However the savings in water is significant which is good that the general population is heading in that direction. Overall I’d say it is an excellent washer for the masses. Most people unless they are allergic will never notice the difference between properly rinsed and just okay rinsed clothes. I did have a GE Harmony washer a while back and was not at all impressed with that machine, I thought it was way rough on the clothes unless you forced it to fill all the way up. If I had to choose between a modern front loader and a modern top loader for sure I would pick the modern front loader. Thankfully however I don’t have to make that choice. 
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Post# 931088 , Reply# 71 4/7/2017 at 17:20 (2,569 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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"That's right laundress - however in the cases of nursing home laundry staff spreading gastroenteritis among residents and care staff, this occurred, not because of the washing machines that were being used, but the way that laundry staff were handling contaminated laundry. One paragraph referred to a faulty tunnel washer that was suspected of cross-contaminating linen.
No offence meant, and with all do respect, this debate between commercial/industrial laundries and domestic is moot. Especially as it relates to healthcare laundry.
By their nature of their business laundry from hospitals or other healthcare related are going to contain linens mildly to grossly soiled with blood, feces, and other bodily fluids. This along with various pathogens. It is also known that depending upon end user of linens (elderly, very young/infants, those with compromised immunity systems, etc...) certain said pathogens that survive the laundering processing could prove dangerous or even fatal.
Best practices have long been established to deal with the risk of transmission of disease via soiled healthcare linen. These standards received a boost after HIV/AIDS came upon the scene causing renewed focus not just upon patients but workers coming into contact with soiled linen.
Unless someone at home is routinely laundering textiles heavily soiled with blood, feces or whatever there is little to worry about from whatever is "growing" in a washing machine, top or side loading.
Have said this before and it is worth repeating, if washing machines and or dryers in domestic use were capable of transmitting serious diseases you'd have seen vast outbreaks by now; but you haven't have you?
Yes, when someone is ill in the home, elderly, an infant or other special situation that laundry can pose an issue. Advice now is the same as it has been for ages; consult one's physician, a professional nurse, or other healthcare professional for advice.
Think about it; for years hundreds of housewives and mothers laundered cloth diapers in top loading washing machines (both automatic and semi), and yet you didn't see any correlation between increased illness and or mortality within said households.
Commercial and or industrial laundries by nature of their business (mingling of various linens/textiles from many sources into one wash load), have long been required by local statues and or best practice standards to take steps to ensure proper sanitation. Hence the often aggressive laundering process that involves very high temperatures over several cycles, heavy use of bleach (chlorine), and even many changes of water.
Tunnel washing machines by nature of design "can" cause infection of laundry. This is likely more true of bottom flow washers that use counter-flow water direction. However many new designs use "top transfer" and or even systems that basically treat the washing as if it moved through a succession of pony washers.
There are also tunnel washers certified to meet various EU standards for disinfection. That is one, two or more compartments will heat water to temps at or > 170F, and hold for required time to satisfy the standard.
Yes, there probably are all sorts of nasty things growing in a domestic washing machine. But then again so is it likely to be the same on toilet seats, shower curtains, various surfaces in the W.C., inside dishwashers, on the bed linen slept on last night and so forth.
Each time a human being makes wind it expels air laden with at least e coli and other "gut" bacteria. Yet you don't see persons rushing to change their undergarments and clothing each time they break wind do you? Studies have shown most shower curtains are grossly contaminated with all sorts of pathogens (mainly e coli but others as well), yet you come into contact with said shower curtain each time you bathe, and worse are naked with wet skin at the time. Again you don't hear of people keeling over in the hundreds do you? www.laundryandcleaningnews.com/fe...
www.nytimes.com/2002/09/24/scienc...
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Post# 931136 , Reply# 74 4/7/2017 at 22:03 (2,568 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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That is what am saying.
First of all you won't find top loading washing machines with central beaters in commercial/industrial laundries. Laundromats are another story but even there they have been vanishing for decades in favor of H-axis washing machines.
What have been attempting to say the number of disease outbreaks directly traced to domestic washing machines is nearly nil. Commercial or industrial laundries are another matter, and even then that would depend upon what sort of washing is routinely processed. What happens to laundry after it is washed/processed is another matter. The two recent outbreaks of fungal infections in USA hospitals came from linen not properly stored and or transported after cleaning, not from the laundering process. As for H-axis washing machines vs. top loading with a central beater; well, yes the former are rather superior to the latter in terms of commercial laundries and or even for healthcare/care home linens. Again you don't see top loading washing machines being used in such settings much if at all, and there are good reasons. First and foremost top loading washing machines cannot or do not have heaters. This makes temperature of wash and or rinse waters totally dependent upon what comes out of the taps. Since the minimum recommended water temp for dealing with germs (E Coli) is around 165F, you just aren't going to get that in a top loader. Well suppose it is possible by having the boilers cranked up and using circulators, but then you are talking about temp of water will still decrease upon contact with washing. Then there are front loaders designed to deal with hospital/healthcare laundry called "sluice" washers. www.laundryserv.co.uk/blog/posts/... Even h-axis washing machines not strictly marketed as sluice washing machines, can be set to do multiple high level pre-rinses. | ||
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Post# 931238 , Reply# 76 4/8/2017 at 10:36 (2,568 days old) by polkanut (Wausau, WI ) |
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 We have a 1998 Maytag Dependable Care toploader w/ the suds saver option that we still use on a weekly basis. It is very economical to use because we save on hot water and detergent. I'm including a link to an article about that I posted about it in the Deluxe forum in 2015.
www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/T... | ||
| Post# 931325 , Reply# 77 4/8/2017 at 20:45 (2,567 days old) by Twinniefan (Sydney Australia) | ||
Front load convert here
Well since buying the F&P front loader4-5 months ago, I'm sold on front loaders.
Since using this one , I have noticed very little linting, very little wear and tear on my new work shirts and the stain removal does seem superior to the old LG TL. I believe some front loaders have an issue with insufficient rinsing, but my F&P uses a reasonable amount of water during rinses and has an extra rinse which can be used if needed. As for long cycles, I really only use the 59 minute everyday cycle anyway and it is sufficient to get the job done. On balance I couldn't see myself changing back to top loaders. | ||
| Post# 931373 , Reply# 78 4/9/2017 at 06:55 (2,567 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida) | ||
John | ||
| Post# 931379 , Reply# 80 4/9/2017 at 08:25 (2,567 days old) by johnny42 (Glasgow) | ||
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Mayken4now
I have read in full post #70. I have conducted similar experiments and have found TL's to produce the most lint. However, I did not notice a difference in cleaning power. I got 2 pair of Levi's , stained them with Tomato ketchup, beetroot and Irn Bru. I put 1 Levi's in Tl machine and the other in a Fl machine. The TL machine finished first. Once the FL machine had finished, I dried the jeans. There was no difference in the cleaning performance. Just more lint with the TL machine. I will still use my TL as it's what I am used to. Especially my wringer washer, which I love using. | ||
| Post# 931404 , Reply# 83 4/9/2017 at 11:11 (2,567 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida) | ||
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Agree With all about the rinsing. Wonder if the government mandates by the DOE can watch to see what I am turning my Maytag A608 dial to? Often, we repeat the spray rinse (as Launderess said many years ago) on "gentle action" to slow the spin speed, hence more water saturation with less extraction. Then let the machine do a second rinse on it's own, back to "regular action" WHOA, that means it is filling three times instead of twice + spray rinses. Betta Hide Quick.
Hence, you can rewash or rinse as you please without anyone knowing!
Okay, John, on your experiment with the two machines. I'd bet they are just as clean, only one with more lint in the dryer. Have experienced all that myself with having the luxury of multiple washers in use at once.
Bruce, I'd have overflow rinse in a heartbeat if it were re-created.
`Jim - have done the same thing before. Actually, when purchased the MAH4000's tried the same thing with "clean" clothes, as per the owners manual. Results, still suds in the clothing.
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| Post# 931429 , Reply# 84 4/9/2017 at 14:01 (2,567 days old) by johnny42 (Glasgow) | ||
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Post# 931500 , Reply# 86 4/9/2017 at 22:19 (2,566 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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Lint, Schimnt!
Thank you Johnny42, for conducting such a scientific experiment! So from an "energy saver" standpoint, which is truly more efficient? Top loaders do not take more than two hours to wash a normal load like front loaders do, however front loaders use much less water. Yet top loaders can finish a normal load in approx 30 mins, vs top loaders at two plus hours. And here in the United States in some/most cases, it takes water to generate electricity, so are we really saving energy? And using a clothes dryer will handle any lint issues unless one prefers to use a clothes line. Just my thoughts on the matter...
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| Post# 931543 , Reply# 89 4/10/2017 at 05:53 (2,566 days old) by Twinniefan (Sydney Australia) | ||
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Hi Olav | ||
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Post# 931557 , Reply# 90 4/10/2017 at 08:21 (2,566 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI) |
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| Post# 932113 , Reply# 92 4/12/2017 at 23:03 (2,563 days old) by Helicaldrive (St. Louis) | ||
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I meant After 3 extra rinses in the FL, the results are superior or at least equal to the TL. Even if you do 1 or 2 extra rinses in the TL. | ||
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Post# 932166 , Reply# 94 4/13/2017 at 09:29 (2,563 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI) |
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I wonder what the capacity of this one Frigidaire front loader would have been like...
It seemed to be real short, the controls were over the door, and if I'd bought it for my late-mom, she would have found it hard to was anything in--and it probably wouldn't give a very long life either...! Fortunately she left the world w/ her dream Maytag top-loader set... -- Dave | ||
| Post# 935419 , Reply# 95 4/30/2017 at 03:40 (2,546 days old) by Johnny42 (Glasgow) | ||
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TL or FL | ||
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Post# 935709 , Reply# 96 5/1/2017 at 17:00 (2,545 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land) |
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I have always selected the "extra rinse" option any FL washer I use, especially the "newer" machines with even lower water levels. I also always use the "express wash" cycle on my Kenmore He5t washer, being all water levels are slightly higher.
This little Miele washer I recently acquired does 4 rinses by default and no option to add more. If I press the "rapid wash" button, it eliminates 2 rinses BUT, it does fill 1/3 of the way up the door glass during each of the 2 rinses. I still feel the 45 minute wash time is more than excessive. I'm also learning this little 6 kg (13.2 lb) washer holds larger loads than I thought it would. | ||
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Post# 935772 , Reply# 98 5/2/2017 at 00:45 (2,544 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O ) |
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I haven't completely made up my mind.  But it's only been a couple of weeks since I got that free Duet front loader, my first front loader. But I'm liking it so far. I haven't used all the cycles , just the normal cycle. I like how it really extracts the water and cuts down on the drying time. I like how easy it is to load/unload, it does have the pedestal. If it didn't have the pedestal and the tilted drum and I had to stoop over, well that would be a HUGE drawback for me. And it's quiet compared to the trusty old GE.
Now just yesterday I did a load with some Persil pearls. I bought some just for the heck of it. When they dispensed into the washer a few of the pearls lodged on the bottom of the door boot and just slightly dissolved, no water was hitting them. At the end of the cycle when I opened the door they were still there, mushy and I had to wipe them away with a rag before I pulled the clothes out. | ||
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Post# 935906 , Reply# 99 5/2/2017 at 20:22 (2,543 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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Post# 935959 , Reply# 101 5/3/2017 at 05:07 (2,543 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN) |
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Post# 935972 , Reply# 102 5/3/2017 at 07:28 (2,543 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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I used pods/pacs for a couple of years and really liked them. I had a 2010 Frigidaire front-loading washer at the time. It didn't tumble before the fill began, so the pod didn't migrate to the boot. It also filled in one shot so the pod dissolved efficiently. Someone here mentioned that LG, which tumbles before the fill and then fills in short bursts, recommends that pods not be used in their washers.
The only time a pod didn't dissolve properly was when I wrapped it tightly in a towel, then stuck the towel in the center of a BobLoad of bath towels. The resulting purple stain was removed by rewashing the towel. I'd still be using them but my Maytag has an auto-dosing system for liquid detergent. The only thing easier than tossing a pod in the tub is filling a dispenser once every couple of weeks and letting the washer decide the dosage according to load size, soil level, cycle, water temp and water softness/hardness. And yes; toss the pod to the back of the empty drum before adding the clothes. That's Pod 101. | ||
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Post# 936003 , Reply# 103 5/3/2017 at 09:32 (2,543 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey) |
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well, from one test I did with a mason jar and a Tide pod, using ice cold water, it took just over two hours for it to pop open.....
so my advice, never use a pod of any sort unless your using true warm or hot water...or else dissolve it first in a jar with hot water, then add to the machine what ever happened to Tide Cold Water anyway?.....I would love to see 'Cold Power' return to the shelves...
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Post# 936058 , Reply# 104 5/3/2017 at 17:11 (2,543 days old) by earthling177 (Boston, MA) |
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Pods can be prevented from falling in the boot area by putting them into a nylon bag meant for delicate garments, then even if they land in the boot area, the bag will be dragged back into the wash. | ||
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Post# 936858 , Reply# 105 5/6/2017 at 21:29 (2,539 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN) |
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Post# 936874 , Reply# 106 5/6/2017 at 22:27 (2,539 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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"what ever happened to Tide Cold Water anyway?.....
Had a box of the original powder that foolishly gave to a family member as it was too sudsy for the Miele washer. She never used the stuff and indeed on one visit over a year later spied the stuff sat sitting a closet. About a year or so after that family member mentions she "found a home" for the stuff (gave her a box of old school TWB as well), so that was that. Should have taken both boxes back at the time. Needless to say no longer bother giving surplus laundry products to family if that is how they are going to behave.
P&G discontinued all powdered versions of Tide Coldwater not long after introduction IIRC. The liquids remain but vary by market. You cannot find the "free and gentle" version in North America apparently as P&G seems to believe only Canadians are worthy. Have asked P&G customer service several times about plans to reintroduce that product south of the border, and each time the response is "no, not at this time". Pity really as love the results from bottle of TCW "free" in my stash. P&G states Tide "Free and Gentle" works in warm or "cold" water so that is them for you. Tide Coldwater liquid is just too fragrant for one's tastes. Since mostly use the "20C" or "30C" settings on my European washers when doing delicate table or bed linens, just want really good cleaning power, but not anything too strongly scented. That is where Tide Coldwater "free" came in. Never the less you can find persons selling the old powdered version of TCW on Ebay and elsewhere, same for the Canadian "free" liqud version. Just am not willing to pay the sums requested and very high shipping rates piled on. | ||
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Post# 936880 , Reply# 107 5/6/2017 at 22:41 (2,539 days old) by ryner1988 (Indianapolis) |
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Another problem with front loaders that no one has mentioned
Is that in some situations, they are just too big. I know people like the fact that they can save space by being stacked, but what about the space they take up from front to back? For instance, in my apartment laundry closet, I'm afraid that front loaders would stick out too far and I wouldn't be able to get the closet doors closed. The closet is large so I kinda doubt it, but the apprehension is there so I did not buy a front loader. I think most are a good 5 or 6 inches deeper than top loaders.
Also, with my blindness, I generally prefer machines with simpler controls, and this is not usually the case with the electronic front loaders. Visual displays and buttons that modify the parameters of cycles, with no auditory feedback, no clicks, nothing except maybe an unhelpful beep to let one know the selection was made, are extremely frustrating for me. With the new top loader I purchased, whirlpool model number WTW4816FW, the controls are just knobs that click into place with each turn, and the start button is very distinctive. I don't want to be that person who doesn't seem to care about water usage, but it means a lot for me to be able to set my own wash cycles without help from a sighted person every single time. Ryne | ||
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Post# 936901 , Reply# 108 5/7/2017 at 02:02 (2,539 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN) |
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That's why I am limited to having compact front load machines. The European ones fit fine, others I have to take a tape measure to see if they are too deep. I can fit a standard full-size dryer in there, but it doesn't have pipes behind it like the washer does. Plus...the bigger they are, the harder they are to balance. Every time I visit the laundromat to wash a very large rug I am so aggravated at all the front load washers being used and they are less than half full! And these are the smallest SQ units like the home units. One would think people would want to save money and run them at capacity instead of loading 3 machines with the same types of clothes. I've often considered giving an inservice on how to properly load one but I'm only there once or twice a year. | ||
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Post# 936908 , Reply# 109 5/7/2017 at 04:05 (2,539 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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Cannot speak for your laundromat
But the larger SQ at ours have one more rinse cycle and seem to do a better job than smaller units.
Also don't forget even if a washer appears only half full during cycle, it very well may have been loaded so drum was quite packed at the start. Often as load is saturated things compact down. Balancing: The uber sized SQ front loaders at our local have *NO* problem balancing a load. Then again they are bolted into several feet of concrete. They do a slow distribution spin, then gradually ramp up to speed. Mind you if a load is unbalanced you can not only see the machine vibrate, but feel the movement coming up through floor from one's feet. | ||
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