I think you get what I’m asking - some spin clockwise, others spin counter-clockwise. (Maytag vs. SpeedQueen, in the example I was given - they spin in opposite directions) Does it vary by manufacturer always, or is it just whatever’s most convenient to fit in that particular box, regardless of who made it?
Perhaps it depends whether the washing machine is in the southern or northern hemisphere? 
As it happens, both are in the southern hemisphere, sitting next to each other. 
I don’t think it matters in any kind of way. There may be a tendency for a certain manufacturer to build them all one way, but that would probably have more to do with reusing parts and designs rather than anything having to do with the actual cleaning.
My wife and I have a Whirlpool front loader, and it spins at varying speeds and alternates the direction as well - which I think most front loaders do. I may be wrong about that, though.
Ours also does this cool little pre-spin “dance.” It swishes the stuff around counterclockwise then clockwise then does a pause and repeats. The it starts in on the spin - slowly at first and then speeding up. As it speeds up, it watches for imbalance. If the load isn’t balanced, then it does its dance again and tries another spin cycle. after the second or third try it gives up and skips the spin cycle rather than going ahead and jumping around the utility room. Pretty well though out design, I’d say.
My wife wants a new one, though. The drive belt for the drum has teeth, so it whines really loud when it gets up to full speed - 1000 RPM. She also wants one with a 1200 or 1400 RPM top speed to wring more water out.
Your location says Ocala, FL. I’ve heard of folks calling Florida the Deep South, but that’s taking it a bit far …