For a long time your choice for washing machines has been either front or top loader? But now there's a new kid on the laundry block- while still a front loading washer, the steam washer from trusted brands like LG washer and Kenmore is becoming more readily available and regarded. Perhaps the local dry cleaners should be worried?
I've rounded up the good points and bad points of the 3 main types of LG washer available on the market.
There are lots of benefits to a front loader when comparing it to a top loading machine. They typically use less water and electricity, and their design makes them better for people who have limited space. But if you find it difficult to kneel or bend this is probably not for you as you will find loading and unloading a front loader tricky if it is floor mounted.
With a capacity of on average 15 pounds of laundry the front loader is match for the top loader even though it appears much smaller. When buying a washing machine, think about how many people you wash for. For a single person, something around 10lb capacity is more than enough, while a family may need a bigger machine.
An independent study revealed that a LG washer, in a midsized model used on average 15 gallons of water for each load compared to a top loading machine that used 29 gallons. That's almost half the water used for the same size load in a front loader. The difference is so vast because the top loader needs so much water to cover the laundry in the drum whereas a front loading machine needs much less as the drum is positioned horizontally and as it turns, gravity assists in ensuring all the clothes get dropped back into the water.
Because there is no agitator in front loading washers this means there is more space for dirty laundry which as a result means you can do bigger loads each time, therefore you should in fact be doing fewer loads. It is much gentler on your laundry to wash them with no agitator.
Front load washers also use, on average, less electricity than top loaders. Independent tests show us that a top loader will use twice the amount of electricity that the same size capacity front loading washer will use. Front loaders have a much faster spin cycle and this removes a lot more water which will also save on energy if you must use a dryer.
You'll find top loaders as a rule will be less expensive to purchase than the majority of front loaders. If you are on a budget you will be able to pick up a top loader for around 500 hundred dollars or under but should you choose to purchase a top loading machine you will make savings long term on your power bill.
For a quicker wash time a top loading washing machine is the answer. The wash time is about half that of a front load LG washer as the agitator speeds up the wash process. It's not possible to open the door of a front loading washer once the wash has begun whereas with a top loading washer you can simply pop the lid open and add that stray sock you dropped on the way to the laundry room.
Even though the steam washers are front loading you can in fact open the door on some models part way through a wash as there is a pause button as there's no water to escape out of the washer in steam mode. It's important to check that the laundry you wish to clean can take the steam temperatures, when I did a test load on steam mode I found the end result was fantastic and much better than a regular wash. It's worth noting too that the steam setting uses a lot less water than standard wash settings. Steam washers are a more expensive option but they are still relatively new and hopefully the price will come down more in line to the prices of the more traditional washing machines.
