Front Loading Washing Machines

If you are in the market for a new washing machine, you will see that the newest trend in washing machine technology are the front loading style. It is easy to think this is just a fad but in fact, this type of washing machine has been around for a while. It isn’t hard to find front loaders in Laundromats and they are quite common in Europe. But for the American marketplace, they are somewhat of a new thing to get used to.

One reason the front loading approach to washing machines has gotten so much attention is that they are a significant step forward toward going green in how you wash your clothes. A front loading washing machine works entirely differently from the standard top loader that we are all used to. Instead of having clothes soak in a large drum full of water, the front loader tumbles clothing through a small pool of water that tumbles with the clothing using the motion and air to more thoroughly clean your clothes.

It takes some getting used to when you look at a front loading style washing machine at the store. But it is a very efficient design. The front loaders use far less water than top loaders. Because they do not depend on suds to clean your clothing, front loaders use a lot less laundry detergent than the top loader, which is easier on the environment. And front loaders use significantly less power to run. So in every way these types of washing machines are far friendlier to the environment and to your laundry and utilities bills as well.

The savings and the fact that front loading style washing machines are clearly more earth friendly are big advantages that make considering making the switch a good idea when it is time for you to get a new washing machine. Now in some cases these machines are more expensive. But that is more of a function of the fact that they are not as common as top loaders so there are not as many washing machine manufacturers competing for the market. As more and more people make the switch to front loaders both for the savings that they bring and for their ability to help us live green, the prices will come down.

Another "negative" that will change as front loading style washing machines become more common is the cost of the laundry detergent. You really cannot use the standard off the shelf laundry detergent in a front loading machine. The philosophy of how clothes are getting cleaned is entirely different. Front loading machines need a laundry detergent that makes almost no suds. In fact, if you went ahead and used an old style laundry detergent in a front loader, you could damage the machine with all those suds and the outcome would be your clothes would not get as clean. The suds just get in the way.

The front loading style of washer is worth taking a look at. The small negatives are far outweighed by the positives. And just buying a washing machine that takes you one step closer to living green makes the front loading style washing machine worth some serious consideration.