Does any one have or know about top-loading washing machines?

Thistle-down

I have used one in Canada and it was great - it took a huge wash, and the hottest wash only took about 35 mins from start to finish, and cleaned brilliantly. It had an agitator in the middle that really moved the clothes around.

Are the ones sold over here the same? Are they really quick and do a good job?

Any advice appreciated.

~Lynn;)

Ticklemouse

Get hold of MATH - he has one and extols their virtues.

I believe they have a very slow spin speed so you may want to invest in a separate spinner

calleyw

I don't have one. But have used similar type ones like that in a laundrette before.

I assume these are what you are after.


http://www.ogormans.co.uk/admiral1.htm

As TM said MATH is the best person to ask as he owns one.


Yours


Calley

cattie

I used to have a top loader a few years ago, which I'd bought off somebody & only got rid of it because I had a compact kitchen & didn't really have the space for it. I was very pleased with the performance.

I've had a couple of long term stays in hospitals over the past few years & in the ward laundry rooms they have top loaders which are excellent. They really do wash the clothes well & quickly.

Thistle-down

This is the one we used before - wish they weren't so expensive here!!

http://www.ogormans.co.uk/maytag3.htm

if you scroll down it was the washer / dryer stacked combo....lovely!!!!!

Many thanks for the replys!

Penny-Pincher!!

I want to get a top loader once my current one dies:D Mum has one in Florida and they wash very well and can get twice as much in as the ones we get here. A wash cycle is normally about 35mins but the americans have huge TD's too and you hardly see any washing out on lines there. Shame as the weather is pretty good all year round.

PP
xx

Thistle-down

Lots of US neighbourhoods have rules about no washing lines (makes the place look untidy - hee hee) also if it is a really hot and sunny place, the sun can rot clothes quickly. Or so I am told by by tumble-dryer using relatives.

~Lynn :')

anguk

My mother had a Hotpoint top-loader when I was a kid, I used to have the job of loading it. I can remember it washed a huge amount of washing and was quick compared to front-loaders, it lasted years too with no problems but unfortunately she left it when she moved house.

Pink.

There's a little bit about top loading versus front loading washing machines here.

Pink

MATH

hehehe I thought my ears were burning! I have a top-loader very similar to the one in the link and I love it but they are not without their drawbacks.
It is a completely different way of washing and takes a few months to adjust. You need to pre-treat stains a lot more (I use general soap) you can wash in any detergent because suds are not a problem and adding bleach to white to help stain removal and keep bright is standard practice acros America and I use bleach with my white too. Turning the machine off for very stained loads is common to and as I type I have a load of gym and sports kit enjoying an hours soak before I turn the machine back on.

PROS:

A very quick wash time (35 mins is the norm)
Larger wash load than a standard machine although one of the new supersize front loaders will take more. Brill for washing duvets.sleeping bags.
Great if you have lots of bits to wash away like cat hair etc, they cope much bettre at removing this than tumbler type machine.
The machine is less automatic so you can 'interfere' with the programme and wash a lot more such as turning the machine off half way through a wash to soak overnight.
They are very well made and not very sophisticated so they last for ever, running one of these machines for 18-20 years is not that remarkable.

CONS:

They are large and you canot fit them under a counter top.
They use loads of water - do not get one if you are metered.
You may need a pump fitted to your hot water supply to boost they flow to get the right mix for a warm wash (they do not have a water heater so you must have hot water avaiable.
For general washing the do fine but stains need more work than with a tumble type machine.
Spin speeds are slow (600 is the norm):eek: although I don't notice now so much unless I use someone elses machine and wonder why the stuff is already dry. LOL

Thistle-down

Which one do you have, Math?

I love being able to soak the clothes and throw stuff in no matter where it is in the cycle!!

We are currently on a meter but are moving soon-ish so I'll keep a look out for unmetered houses!!

~Lynn