With countless things to do and countless places to be, it gets hard to keep up with your laundry. To make matters worse, if your washer isn’t cleaning your clothes properly or if it’s not efficient enough to clean them in a timely manner, you’re forced to push your other errands back. If it’s time to look for a new washer, then allow us to tell you what you need to know before you purchase one.
When you’re searching for a new washer, it’s important to know and understand the different types of washers that are available. Your choices are typically between these main three:
- Top Load washers
- High-Efficiency Top Load washers
- High-Efficiency Front Load Washers
Top Load Washers
Top Load washers are the most affordable and are the most common type. Most people have either grown up with one in their household or know someone who has. Other than being the most budget-friendly washers, there are other pros to owning a Top-Loader.
With a Top-Load washer, it’s easier on your back when it comes to loading it. Since the lid is on top of the washer, you won’t have to worry about the aches and pains from bending your back for extended amounts of time. These types of washers don’t require any special type of detergent, so you don’t have to worry about spending extra time searching for the proper one to buy. On top of that, you can even buy these washers as a stacked unit.
With all of that said, Top Load washers do have their cons. While they’re useful for your standard load size, the capacity of Top Loaders is smaller than the other 2 types. They also contain a large agitator that is rougher on garments, causing wear and tear. This type of washer uses between 45-55 gallons of water per wash load, which is much more water than the other types use. On top of that, they have lower spin speeds of around 600-650 RPM, causing less water to be extracted from your clothes. Because of this, clothes will come out damper and will take longer to dry.
HE Top-Load Washers
Though they may look like standard Top Loaders from the outside, they’re nothing alike on the inside. Some of these HE Top-Loaders have a much shorter agitator, while other HE Top Loaders may not have one at all. This opens up more room for much larger load sizes. For a washer to be considered a High-Efficiency washer, it must be more efficient in its performance.
They reduce the amount of energy and water needed to clean a load of laundry. These HE washers typically come with more cycles than standard Top loaders and require less detergent. On top of that, these washers extract more water from clothing with spin speeds between 1,000 - 1,500 RPM or more. This allows your clothes to dry in less time.
The downside to HE Top-Load washers is that if room is limited, they cannot be stacked. If you purchase a HE washer with a deeper tub, it may be harder for some people to get all of the clothes out of it. If the tub is loaded improperly, the clothes will not wash too well. Furthermore, these washers require a specific type of low sudsing detergents that are labeled with HE.
HE Front-Load Washers
Like HE Top-Loaders, Front Loaders save water and energy, deliver higher spin speeds, contain much larger capacities, and require a specific type of low sudsing detergents that are labeled with HE.
Many newer models of Front-Load washers offer cycles that increase water temperature anywhere from 150 - 200 degrees, allowing the detergent to penetrate through garments and eliminating the need to use bleach. Front Loaders continue to set itself apart from HE Top-Loaders with how you load them. With a Front Load washer, as long as you can close the door with no hassles, you can fill the drum up as much as you like and your clothes will get cleaned. These units will continue to distribute the correct amount of water, no matter how big or small the loads are.
Front Load washing machines have the options to be positioned side-by-side, stacked with the help of a stacking kit, and even under-the-counter. You can purchase laundry pedestals that help raise the washer to a more convenient height, taking away the strains, aches, and pains of bending over for long periods of time, if the washer sits too low. These convenient pedestals are more than just substructures for the washer; they also act as storage drawers that room for detergents and other laundry room accessories.
Just like the other types of washers, the Front-Loader also has its drawbacks. This type of washer typically costs more than the other types. You only have a small window of time to add a garment in the wash once the cycle has started. You must leave the washer door and soap dispenser open after using it, to allow the inside to dry out. On top of that, you must clean the unit periodically by running the washer on the hottest setting with bleach or any over counter washer cleaner.
Once you figure out what type of washer you’re going to buy, it’s wise to figure out height, width, depth, and clearance of the space where the washer will be stationed. It’s important to know the measurements of any stairs, walkways, or doorways that lead to the washer’s final destination. It’s also vital to know how long of a fill hose you’ll need between the wall and the washer.
If you decide to install your washer side-by-side from the dryer, make sure there is 1 inch of a gap between the machines. However, if you decide to stack the washer and dryer on top of each other instead, then make sure you purchase a stacking kit.
Though the manufacturer supplies the drain hose with your washer purchase, washers are not supplied with the fill hose. Luckily, here at Electronic Express, you can purchase a stacking kit and a fill hose.
It’s important to know where the hot and cold valves are located, so assembling can be done properly. If you’re not wanting to set it up on your own, we have people here at Electronic Express that can install it for you. However, Electronic Express does not install washers with already existing parts for new appliance installs.
Things that should be considered
When it comes to picking the right washer in terms of performance, it’s good to make sure they can cater to the type of clothing you wear and your lifestyle. The more variety you’re given, the less limited and less complicated you’ll have to be on how you wash your clothes. Newer model washers offer an array of different cycles such as permanent press, sanitize, delicate, extra rinses, and more. Different wash/spin speed combinations allow you to wash more types of garments in ways that are best on your fabric. Newer models also provide steam cycles that help remove wrinkles and odors without using detergent.
Make sure you pick a washer with several wash and rinse temperature options. Bleaches, detergents, and fabric softeners need a specific water temperature to optimize their performance. This way your clothes will look better and last longer. There are higher-end washers that feature automatic temperature regulators that make sure the water entering the machine is the proper temperature for your garments.
Another thing to consider when buying a washer is the type of tub material you’ll be working with. Your most budget-friendly washers will typically use a porcelain-coated tub that deteriorates if it begins to chip. Mid-grade to higher-end washers use a plastic tub, which usually lasts the entire life of the machine. However, the best and high-grade models use a stainless steel tub, which is extremely durable even in rough cycle conditions. The stainless steel is ideal for big families that have tons of cleaning to do on regular occasions.
Speaking of big families, it’s ideal to find an Energy Efficient washer for those that have a big family. It’s no secret that big families equal big laundry loads. Not only that, but it also makes washing clothes a very frequent occurrence. HE washers not only provide large amounts of capacity but also save energy and time when running cycles. This makes doing laundry cheaper and a faster chore to finish, giving you more free time throughout the day.
One more thing to consider is the noise level. Unless you have a basement or garage to put the washer in, you want to make sure you have a unit that contains great insulation and reinforced frames to reduce operation noise. Higher-end washers contain technologies that have them perform quietly enough for you to sleep through.
When it comes down to it, it’s important to figure out what washer works best for you and your lifestyle. Though each type seems to have its upside and downside, if you use it to your advantage, the right one will won’t show you any.
