The front-load washing machine has a circular door in the front, from where the clothes can be loaded.
It has an H axis design for its tub, which is mounted horizontally and has the usually perforated basket inside the tub. The tub rotates back and forth, giving the clothes the necessary agitation coupled with gravity.
There are small paddles, which lift the clothes and drop them as the drum rotates.
This motion gives a flexing to the fabric, and the flow of water and detergent in the drum will force its way through the material, giving it a thorough cleaning.
As this action is achieved, without the clothes being soaked in water, the water consumption is limited.
As the agitation lifts and drops the clothes, a nice amount of foam is formed, and therefore, this machine does not require much detergent.
A High-Efficiency detergent is required for the front loading washing machines, as the detergent mustn’t produce too much foam or suds.
The front-loading washing machines have a small drawer with different compartments, which you can pull out to add the detergent, fabric softener, and bleach.
The control panels on these machines are sophisticated and present a choice of programmable wash cycles. You can choose between various periods depending on the fabric and the level of dirt in your clothes.
There are also controls to choose the temperature of the water so that you can have a hot wash for stubborn dirt and stains.
You can also preset a soaking time so that the detergent has time to soak and act on the dirt.
The best front loading washing machines come with sophisticated motors which are quite silent in their operation.
As everything has its own positive and negative qualities, front load washing machines also have their advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
- Front-load washing machines consume less water and detergent. Therefore the washing can be completed with much less water, resulting in its saving.
- The consumption of electricity in the front load washing machine is very less, and thus you can save a precious resource and make a saving in your power bills too.
- This type of washing machine has a more efficient agitating system and flow of water, which is gentle on the clothes, yet can clean them thoroughly.
- The capacity of the front load washing machine is usually much higher, and so it’s ideal for a large family, to get all their laundry done at one time.
- Last but not least, these machines do not make much noise and are quieter in their operation.
Disadvantages
- These machines are a bit costly in comparison to the top-loading variety, and may not fit everybody’s budget.
- As the machine has a front-loading system, people have to bend to put or remove clothes from the machine, and it may be difficult for old people as well as people suffering from backaches.
- Parents with small children should be more careful while operating and should keep their children away from the machine area.
- Though it uses fewer detergents, it needs a special detergent, specially made for this type of machine, and is a bit costly than the normal detergent.
- These machines take a longer time to wash clothes, and if you opt for the quick wash cycle, all the dirt may not be adequately removed.
Taking into account the above advantages and disadvantages, we can say that the benefits outweigh the cons, and a front load washing machine would be a wise purchase.
The initial cost factor will be more than compensated in the long run by the savings in power and a much better wash.
Here is a comparison of front loader vs. top loader washing machines that may define the benefits of both types.
The first advantage of top-loaded washers is the ability to add clothes while the wash cycle is running. Mention that doing this may decrease the quality of cleaning your clothes, but this ability is beneficial when you found one more sock or just remembered that some other items should be cleaned right now. With front-loaders, you do not have such ability.
Due to their construction, front-loaders clean clothes gently, without any aggressive moves. Top-loaders have an agitator that pushes and turns over the clothes very intensively all the wash cycle long.
In this sense, front-loaders are more preferable. They cause less damage to your textile. However, this rule is not fair for all washer models. Some top-loaders also have a hand wash-like manner of cleaning.
Another front loader vs. top loader washing machine point is water consumption. Top-loaders require more water than front-loaders, for the same amount of clothes. Usually, a top-loaded washing machine needs three times more water compared with a front-loader.
The same is with the detergent usage: twice less detergent is needed for the front-loader. As a top-washer uses more water to clean the clothes, it consumes more energy on its heating, draining, etc. That is why top-loaders are more expensive in use.
However, a lot of customers complain that it is difficult to load and unload front-load washers and that it is much more convenient to do this from the top. Front-loaders solve this problem by individual high pedestals that raise the washer to the height that minimizes the need to bend when loading the clothes for washing.
Front-Loaders have more advantages in terms of energy efficiency, gentle washing, and detergent consumption. Top-loaders are handier to load and allow them to add more clothes after the cycle was started.