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

Softstuff

jlj wrote: »

Hello,
does anyone know if top loaders are lighter or the same as front loaders?
I have my washing machine down in the cellar and its broken so need a new one but remember when we got it having a terrible time getting it there as it was so heavy. (I now have 2 dead front loaders down there!).I've always had front loaders before but would get a top one if it was easier to move around.
Thanks

My top loader is lighter and narrower than my last front loader. Not sure how they vary though.

traciekan

i have a hoover one and it is superb. the prob with non drum top loaders is they are very rough on the clothes. my one has a normal drum which you open at the top but is slim so it fit snugly in the corner of the work surface and i have hinged the worksurface s its hidden away.
i got it from sainsburys appliances with nectar points too!
http://uk.shopping.com/xPO-Hoover-HNT5146-White
it is completely brilliant., used every day with 4 revolting boys and a dog.

jlj_2

Thanks everyone, they do sound good, I am going to have a look around and see what'd be best.

dandy-candy

I always see the "mom" in America sitcoms emptying a top loading washing machine but I don't know anyone over here who actually has one. Are they any good? They look like they might hold more. Are there any differences between them and front loaders? (other that how you load them ofc )

The_Thrilla

dandy-candy wrote: »

I always see the "mom" in America sitcoms emptying a top loading washing machine but I don't know anyone over here who actually has one. Are they any good? They look like they might hold more. Are there any differences between them and front loaders? (other that how you load them ofc )

I've got a top loader Hotpoint. We've had it over 20 years.
To find out the difference between a top loader and a front loader, do the following: Fill a glass of water at the tap. Hold the the glass with the water in it upright. That is a top loader. Twisting your wrist, rotate the glass ninety degrees. That is a front loader.

During the two decades we have had the top loader, the repair man has been out twice maybe three times.

Before we got the top loader, we had a front loader. The thing was always doing a Quatermass, spilling foam and water all over the kitchen floor. The repair man was a frequent guest, and the door boot perished so often, that my wife and I learned to replace it ourselves.

My mother had an older model of Hotpoint top loader, one with a mangle, which was later removed I think because of health and safety regulation. She had this since 1965. She still had it when she died in 2008. It still functioned, and the repair man seldom darkened her door.

I think that the argument for having a front loader is that the spinner goes faster and dries the clothes better. But, for me, I'll go with Mr Scott, Chief Engineer of the Starship Enterprise, who says: "Ye canna break the Laws of Physics."

Gravity always wins.

B00

I used to have a top loader, when I first set up house about 20odd years ago, and it was fabulous. I still miss it. Being able to throw in that stray sock you'd dropped on the stairs whilst it was still going was a big hit for me!

I can't remember what make it was, but it was at least 10 years old when i got it, and old faithful lasted another 10.

caris

A friend of mine has a top loader washing machine and she loves it. We looked into having one but due to the size of our kitchen it was not practical, we simply do not have the room, however, given the choice I would opt for a top loader.

caris

kunekune

We lived in New Zealand from 1987 until 2006. For all that time we used a top loader. It was practical because NZ houses always have a separate laundry so you don't have to put the washer under the bench in the kitchen (and it wouldn't be acceptable to maori at least to have dirty clothes in the kitchen). They are much better. Last a long time, more economical and easier on the clothes. If you have room for one, go for it - and if you can find a Fisher & Paykel (NZ brand) that's even better.

rachbc

we looked into getting a US toploader - they are huge and take a big load but on looking into it used loads more energy and water to run - about 3x the amount and the clothes come out wetter too! Have no idea o this is the case for the older uk ones like my mum used to have...

luxor4t

In the late 70s I had a Hoover twin-tub: top-loading washer & spinner. It was wonderfully to use & very energy & water efficient if you sorted the clothes properly:
- whites
-fast colours
- darks (Anything really grubby was soaked overnight)

I know they were big, but when it was not in use it acted as an extra work-top.

Before anybody thinks I'm mad, I saved up to buy it, & washed everything by hand (including bedding & blankets) for two years, so it was a huge event to me. Happy days (not mine, but very like):