US v UK Laundry Appliances

Factual Questions
41

Maybe there are regional differences in the US - last time the husband and I were looking at household appliances I’d say about 1/3 of the washers available were front loaders, and the prices were in between the rock-bottom and high-end top-loaders

Still doing my wash at the laundromat, though, lo these 20+ years, where I have become a fan of front loaders. Specifically, double-sized frontloaders as I only do the laundry once every two weeks. The multiple machines at a laundromat allow me to do multiple loads in the time it would take to do one load (so there’s time efficiency). Most laundromats still have top-loaders, although at my prior-to-current one they were replacing the top-loaders with small, single-load frontloaders as the old ones broke down.

I’ve come to prefer frontloaders because of the lack of agitators - not only are my clothes less likely to be mangled, I can even wash pantyhose and other delicates in a frontloader without physical damage.

Until I read this thread I had no clue that there is “top load detergent” and “front load detergent”. You’re kidding, right? I’ve been using the same soap in both for… oh… a quarter century now. And before me, my mother did the same thing in her laundromat days. Use less in the frontloader. In fact, it even says that on the label. I think the idea of separate detergents for separate machines is marketing crap, personally.

42

Yeah, we have been using the top loader detergent in the front loader for several years now with no fires, floods, or plagues of locusts. As I indicated earlier we pretty much have no choice. We prefer detergent without dyes or perfumes and if they sell it for front loaders around here I haven’t found it. As you say we just use less. I hear most people use way too much detergent in their laundry anyway.

43

Stackables are definitely the way to go. Did my washing and drying at the corner laundromat for 25 years, when I was in my previous home. Moved 3 years ago, and sacrificed a small, second floor bedroom to make a large walk-in closet, linen closet and room for a front-loader washer, and a dryer[with controls on the front] stacked on top. A very efficient set-up, since the hamper and dresser/bureau are also in the same room. No running up and down stairs to the basement, or out to a garge or distant laundry room. Never knew there was specific detergent for front loaders, good ol’ whatever’s-on-sale has worked well for 3 years. The washer and dryer are both full capacity models, no handfuls of clothes at a time. A good tip is to build a platform, about 10" high, for the washer. This way you don’t have to bend over so low to the floor to use it[it consequently puts the dryer opening at eye level, at least for me] I likes me my stackables!

44

I add the odd forgotten sock to my front loader all the time mid cycle. The water level never goes above the bottom of the door, I guess because it uses less water. There may be the odd drip from the wet clothes above the bottom of the door, but I just wipe that up with the sock before I stick it in.

The detergents for front loaders are supposed to contain less sudsing agents; they’re not needed really, and that’s why you can use less of it.

One other advantage people seem to be forgetting- front loaders are gentler on clothes.

45

Oh, and BTW, front loader detergent is sold most everywhere in the States I see, WalMart, Sears. Look for the oval blue “he” (high efficiency) logo.

46

The advantage of having a front-loader is that you can buy one of these.

47

I agree. I don’t even consider hanging clothes out to dry in this city. As soon as the wind kicks up and starts blowing dust around, you’ve shot yourself in the foot. Much easier just to get a dryer.

And what is all this people keep talking about basements? Sometimes I wonder if there’s more than a dozen houses in Albuquerque that have basements. Our washer and dryer are in the garage right next to the water heater and the furnace. Heck, my family has had that particular washer and dryer for as long as I can remember, so I guess we’d be talking at least 15 years here.

48

A close friend worked on washing machine design for Frigidaire, specifically, modifying the front loader from their Italian sister company for the US market.

Many of the reasons given above for the difference between Europe and US are correct.

Historically, European houses were smaller, and so space at more of premium. So the washers were smaller and stackable/able to fit under counters. Then when you replace your washer, you get the same kind.

The Americans who could afford automatic washing machines when they were first introduced had plenty of space and wanted bigger machines. And the person replacing it was typically a housewife who had no need for the all in one washer/drier. Then when you replace your washer, you get the same kind. Since that was what was available, that was what people bought. Since that was what people bought, that was what was made.

Front load washers use less water, less energy, clean better, and are gentler on your clothes. For years, those selling points meant nothing to Americans. Why? Water was cheap, hot water was cheap, their clothes seemed clean enough as far as they could tell, and damage to clothes from a washer takes so long to notice, that few people attribute it to their washer.

So then the only advantage of a front loader was that it washed a smaller load of clothes, was hard to get parts for since few people had them, and took longer to wash. In addition Americans did not like the small dark holes that you had to stuff the clothes into, they were used to just emptying a basket into the top of the washer. Not too suprising that they didn’t sell many.

Horizontal axis ashers have recently taken off thanks to Maytag developing a classy cool looking top loading large size horizontal washer, and then marketting the bejeebus out of it.

49

American with a front-loading washing machine here. Actually, it’s a hybrid between US and European style machines; it’s front-loading, but it doesn’t heat water, instead using hot water from the (usually 40-50 gallon/160-200 liter) water heater. I bought it because it was much quieter than a top-loader, and it was on sale - $250 for what would have been a $600 washer at Sears Appliance Outlet.

Since then, front-loaders have made more inroads into the US, and prices have dropped.

The relatively new house (built in 1984) I owned in Florida had a 6’ x 20’ (2 m x 6 m) laundry room, between the kitchen and garage. The 1950s-era house I’m in now here in Cleveland has washer-dryer hookups in the basement. I’ve seen a few new houses that aren’t huge by American standards that have TWO laundry rooms; one on the main floor near the master bedroom for Mom and Dad, and one on the second floor for the kids.

Older houses in the northeastern United States will often have a chute leading from the bedroom hallway or bathroom, either on the first or second floor, to the basement laundry area.

Does the UK have side-by-side door refrigerators yet?

50

They’re available, but very expensive. I think they’re imported from the US and are aimed at the higher end market.

51

Hold on a mo, I’ve just noticed that the ‘top loader’ most people here are talking about is the kind you still find in some English launderettes, which has a kind of oscillating vertical spindle instead a drum. (My granny used one like this, left behind by a GI at the end of WW2, right up to the end of the '80s. It had a cool electric mangle attachment for drying.)

There’s another kind (the one I’m referring to in my previous post), which has a drum similarly to a front loader, but opens at the top. The drum itself also has a hinged or removable trapdoor. In the case of this type of washing machine there can’t be any difference between the soap powder used, since they work on the same principle.

52

Top loaders are more energy efficient.

Of course, that does not explain why they are popular in the US :wink:

53

Well, folks are free to move into neighborhoods where folks feel free to tell each other how to live and what to do - not just laundry, but the color of your curtains and what sort of landscaping you can and can’t have around your house.

You are also free to move into a neighborhood where such restrictions do not apply.

54

My mother is one of the non-dryer nazis, she doesn’t own one.
She has a whirli-gig in the back garden for hanging out when it’s sunny, and we have a linen room in the house. It’s an upstairs room (about 6mx2m) where the hot water tank is, it is lined by shelves for linen and towels, with a hot press/airing cupboard for small damp clothes and washing lines for larger items.

I think the room was once a bathroom, and what is now the bathroom was a bedroom, but it’s a large (5 bed) house built prior to WW1, and I’ve never seen anyone else with the same set-up.

Irishfella and I have a washer/dryer in our apartment, but it’s too expensive and time-consuming to dry with, so I use a clothes horse in the bathroom or hall way, and use the dryer just to freshen the clothes at the end, before I fold them.

I have to say that clothes that are dried outside are much nicer than ones from the dryer, but I can’t put my finger on why, probably just a feeling of freshness rather than that hot, wet machine dryer smell

55

Urban Ranger, do you have a cite for that? But surely the amount of energy they consume depends on the individual machine, the wattage of its motor, length of cycle, etc. The only extra energy requirement I can think of would come from the spin cycle, but presumably people with top-loaders use a separate machine for this purpose, putting them right back where they started…

In Europe there’s a system of classifying the energy consumption of household appliances on a scale from A (most efficient) to, I think, G (least efficient). This and the water consumption (litres/cycle) are key criteria when choosing a washing machine or dishwasher. Some of the more expensive machines are sold precisely on the strength of being more efficient.

56

I find the American dislike of hanging washing outside fascinating…it’s the complete opposite here, where a line of gleaming white fabric blowing in the breeze is an advertising cliche.

As for water efficiency in British washers - I guess that water metering might be more widespread than in other countries.

57

Having used both top and side loaders, home and commercial, I prefer the side loaders. Once we move, I’ll be getting side (front) loaders and putting them up on a low riser so I don’t have to bend so much getting laundry in and out (backache … I do the same for my kitchen ware, none of it is stored below counter top level).

Growing up we had a linen/laundry/sewing room. About five by ten, for a family of six. All laundry was dumped and processed there, and we had half the space for sewing (made most of our own clothes). The house was one level, no basement.

Moved to various temporary living spaces, used a lot of laundrettes, mostly on campus.

Now living in homes again with no basement. My parents have their machines in the garage/storage room, I have the washer and dryer off of the kitchen behind closeting doors. The washer and dryer came with the house … typical cheap toploader and dryer.

Our next house is going to be a two story … there is a small laundry room but I’m going to have them put the washer dryer connections in the garage (as well as a laundry tub) so I can use that small space (it is off of the kitchen) for pantry and storage. We want to someday put a laundry chute in from the second floor (or a dumbwaiter) but more likely might either make the children haul the laundry around or refit for washer and dryer on the second floor (where all of the secondary bedrooms are).

I’ve also not heard or seen (or looked for) front-load soap … I think in the commercial front loaders I used it had instrucitons to use less than normal (we’re also a dye-free perfume-free soap family).

I did the hang the wash out thing at various times over the years, with mixed results. My homeowner’s association (how I hate them but you try finding a home in Suburban Florida without one) prohibits visible laundry lines, but I can hide one behind a fence. I intend to have one, not to dry laundry, necessarily, but to air things out and let Mr Sunshine and his buddy Jim UV kill dust mites, etc.

I think that hanging out the wash is just impractical anymore … too time consuming, and while it evokes memories of “the good old days”, a number of us are secretly happy that it’s available and easier to dry gas or electrically.

In looking at various front loaders, I’ve not found one with a temperature heater on it, sadly. Perhaps by the time we get ready to buy (I’ve been lurking in the Outlet Stores, what’s one scratch to me? Several hundred dollars off!) they’ll be some out here. I have noticed that it’s becoming more popular on dishwashers now. A sterlization setting … would have been more useful when my child was under six months old and I sterilized the pancake out of everything he ate from … now that I’m more lax I’m less interested in the option other than as a curiousity or occasional use item.