People often are in a dilemma when they have to buy a washing machine. The main confusion is whether they should buy a top loader or front loader. When some stay dedicated to top loaders others are all set to buy a front loader. The pros and cons of the traditional top loaders and the trendy front loaders are weighed in this content to enable consumers to make a wise decision.
Before the advent of front loaders, top loaders ruled the laundry industry. Some benefits and drawbacks are associated with top loaders. Faster laundry washing cycle and comparatively cheaper prices are noted advantages of them. Loading and unloading of clothes are easy in a top loader as you don’t have to bend down for the purpose.
However, they have their disadvantages too! They use more water and energy for a washing cycle making them less energy efficient. The agitator in the washer though is intended for best washing results is found to cause damage to clothes.
Front-loaders are becoming more and more popular due to certain reasons. The sleek and good looking appliances enhance the overall look of a home. You have the option of choosing small designs that come at lesser prices. Better water conservation abilities of front loaders help save precious water. The lower energy consumption of them is their most noted quality. It uses 60% less water and energy when compared to its top-loading counterparts.
The drawbacks noticed in front-loading washers is their high cost. Lack of efficiency, when compared to top loaders, is due to the absence of an agitator. People who have back problems and elderly people find front loaders inconvenient as it needs bending down to load and unload clothes.
Now the pros and cons of both types of washers are put before you, you can make a decision most suitable to you
Tips to consider while purchasing a Front Loading Washing Machine
The compact and streamlined front loaders take up very little space, which makes them an ideal buy for apartments and other areas where space is restricted. Front loading washing machines are designed to take a lesser load, unlike its top-loading counterparts.
Hence, it is important that you take the size of your household into consideration before you make the purchase. If you have a small household, a top loader will do the job just fine whereas, if there are more people living in the house, it is better you reconsider your decision.
The front loaders are very energy efficient which makes it possible to save money and energy for you. If you are a green person you will feel good to know that they make very little impact on the environment.
Since front loading washing machines are available in different models and brands you will have to keep some time aside for looking around! Their prices too vary widely and if you have a restricted budget a good search through the net or local electronics shops will help you to make the right choice.
Washers are most popular among washing machines, as people believe they are more beneficial than top loaders. When choosing a front loader, we will have to first decide features that you feel more important to be on your washing machine.
Let us find few tips helping you compare and buy the washing machine better.
- Look for the most famous brand name washing machines like Whirlpool, Maytag, Kenmore, and others. These brands usually have got more number of varieties of front loaders to choose from. These brands will also have a good reputation when it comes to quality.
- Make out the difference between energy-saving washers and traditional types of ones. The energy-saving washers intend to use less water during the wash cycle. Energy savers can save you more money and can be a better choice for the environment. Watch out, the top loaders however energy-efficient they maybe will consume more water than front loaders.
- Check for the washer tub material. There are different materials available like porcelain, stainless steel, and plastic. The most preferred material among the three is stainless steel which will last for a longer period of time. Since the tub is the basic and the most important part of the washing machine, it should be made of good material so that it doesn’t crack the ways others can.
- Find out the capacity you may require washing clothes. If yours is a large family you may definitely require a larger load tub capacity. For smaller families, petite capacity will do but a good start would be from 3.1 cubic feet to 4.7 cubic feet.
- Nowadays washing machines come with numerous features and wash cycling settings. Look for special features like the automatic detergent release, sanitizing, power stains removal, and more. These options can make washing simpler and easy and of course can make your washing machine more expensive. Consider your budget and choose the features that you find more useful.
History of Washing Machines
Before detergent soap was used to clean the clothes, people used various methods to remove the dirt away from the clothes such as washing them in water streams or rubbing them with rough sand or striking them on the rocks, etc. The first-ever soap to wash the clothes was made from the ashes of animals found in Rome that contained essential fat to remove the dirt off the clothes.
The earlier washing machines are powered by hand. In the late eighteenth century, the scrub board was used for ablution purposes. In 1851, James King invented a sort of washing that uses a drum. Although this machine needs to be driven by hand, it had the rudimentary elements of the modern washing machine.
The first rotary washing machine was invented by Hamilton-Smith and about two decades later, William Blackstone designed a washing machine that can be used as a home appliance with enhanced features.
Modern Washing Machines
In, 1908, Hurley Machine Company based in Chicago, USA brought out the modern washing machine that was powered by electricity. The Thor, as it was called, was designed by Alva J. Fisher, an inventor. This washing machine had a drum, a moving tub, and an electric motor.
F.L. Maytag founded the Maytag Corporation in 1893 and the main business of the company was producing farm equipment. In 1907, Maytag launched his wooden-tub washing machine and later introduced other models in the following years.
One of the major washing machine manufacturers, the Whirlpool Corporation (formerly known as Upton Machine Co.) was started in Michigan in 1911. The company introduced wringer machines driven by electric motors.
The Schulthess Group, one of the pioneers in washing machines, brought out their first washing machine model in 1909. The company also introduced punched card control in their washing machines in the nineteen fifties. In the same period, the first automatic washing machines hit the commercial market in many European countries. Modern washing machines with computerized controls began to appear in the nineteen-eighties.
