Topload or Frontload?

Are frontload washing machines better than topload machines?

Not necessarily, although that perception exists. "Many factors impact consumer satisfaction with washers and dryers," says Chris Hoppe, (See Simplifying Laundry) "Some frontload machines can not offer all the features that consumers want. Consumers need to look at all of today's performance features before making a choice."

Most Americans have a topload washing machine that looks a lot like this. An agitator uses mechanical action to loosen dirt and move clothes back and forth in the detergent solutions. This action creates wear and tear on garments over time. Traditional topload machines require enough water to completely immerse the clothes. This allows them easily float and move in the detergent solution. Topload machines present some challenges to users with physical limitations, but most users actually feel more comfortable standing to load their washer.

Most Europeans have frontload washers, such as this. Frontload washers use a tumbling action similar to a dryer, lifting the clothes and dropping them into the water. Therefore, frontload washers require less water than topload washers, but they typically require a longer wash cycle to achieve the cleaning performance of mechanical agitators. They are readily accessible for wheelchair-bound users, but other users find the increased bending and twisting to be uncomfortable. This discomfort can be minimized by using a pedestal to raise the access height.

Newer topload machines provide gentler cleaning action without an agitator, and use significantly less water in the process. GE's high-efficiency Profile Harmony™ uses centrifugal forces to gently and thoroughly clean clothes without mechanical action. A stainless steel basket and patented infusor function together and apart to provide five wash actions. The sequence of these wash actions is optimized for the color, fabric, and soil type of each load, ultimately offering 1,700 different wash cycles that deliver precise care — and ultimately longer life — to clothing.

View Harmony™ Spin Video

Images courtesy of:
http://www.geappliances.com/harmony/hydrowash.htm