Front-loaders always outperform top-loaders in stain-removal tests. A top-loader's twisting wash motion (with or without an agitator) isn't as effective as a front-loader's tumbling wash motion. But if you don't mind pretreating stains, or most of your loads are just moderately dirty, top-loaders clean just fine.
Front-load washers generally clean clothes better than top-load washers—and with less wear and tear. Front-load washers also use less water than standard top-load washers.
Front-loading impeller washers do a better job of cleaning clothing than top-loading agitator-style washers. More energy- and water-efficient. Most are stackable, which conserves space.
Cons of Front Load Washers
Front load washers can require more maintenance than top load washers. You can't always put clothes in mid-cycle, as the door locks to prevent leakage. Because it's harder for water to evaporate, front load washers may have more mold or mildew problems.
Top load washers clean faster and are slightly more ergonomic, so it may come down to the monetary value. Front load machines cost more to purchase and maintain, but they provide better cleaning performance than top load washers.
Fifteen percent of all front-load washer owners reported mold or mildew build-up in their machines—compared with only 3 percent of HE top-load washers and 1 percent of top-load agitators.
We recommend using Self Clean as the primary method of cleaning the interior of your washer once per month. However, some models may not have a Self Clean or Pure Cycle. In this case, using any washing machine cleaner will do.
You may not realize you should clean your front load washer. But it's important to do so once a month to keep it smelling fresh. Regular cleaning also helps prevent mold and odors from forming.
Due to the nature of a front loading washing machine's design, there is a rubber gasket that lines the door. This prevents leakage but is also a breeding ground for bacteria and mold to build. Any residual water left in the machine has nowhere to go which is how mold and mildew forms causing the machine to smell.
A washing machine stand is an essential accessory for anyone who wants to protect their washing machine from damage caused by water, vibration, or uneven floors. This type of stand is designed to elevate your washing machine to a comfortable height, making it easier to load and unload your laundry.
"The average lifespan (of a front loader) is just five years, regardless of make. The average lifespan of most top loaders, on the other hand, is about ten years."
Since front loaders use less water than top loaders, detergent, and dirt that doesn't rinse away collect in the washer drum more easily. Without regular cleaning, this dirt can harbor smelly mold and mildew.
Top loaders have more of the washing submerged in water than a front loader which will have the clothing being tumbled in and out of the water. Therefore to achieve the same amount of contact with water and detergent (and hence the same amount of dirt removal) in a front loader, it needs a longer cycle time.
When your washing machine isn't cleaning clothes, the most common reason is that it isn't draining properly, leaving dirt from the first wash in the drum so it's still there after the last rinse. This means you need to clear your washing machine's filter.
How to clean a front-load washer: For a super quick washing machine refresh that will take you less than 30 minutes, add white vinegar to a spray bottle and spritz the inside of the drum. Wipe all around the washer drum with a microfiber cloth, leaving no surface untouched.
Washing Machine
“With continual use, vinegar can literally melt hoses, causing leaks and thereby possibly all kinds of additional damage to the house,” says Grayson. In his experience, front-load washers are especially susceptible to vinegar-related damage. Plus, it may not even be doing much.
When you don't clean your front loader washer, bacteria will build up in your washer drum and in the door gasket/seal, which eventually turns into mold. When this happens, the mold will come into contact with your laundry and can make it come out of a wash cycle unclean and covered in mold stains.
The results will be exactly the same, however white vinegar is most definitely the more environmentally option (and it's more affordable too). Just remember to never mix the both bleach and vinegar together or even use them at the same time, as this can cause a dangerous reaction and release chlorine gas.
Front Load Washers are energy-efficient, water-efficient, and detergent-efficient... but they're not always perfect. The most common problem for front-load washing machines is a moldy smell, which isn't something you want in a machine that's supposed to clean the clothes you wear.
Front-loaders can have mold/mildew problems.
Top-loaders, on the other hand, rarely end up reeking like mildew, because moisture can easily evaporate out of the unsealed top door.