Washers & Dryers Discussions

uses less water & detergent

Front-load washers use, on average, 1/3 the water and energy of a conventional top-load washer. They also wash better, as the detergent isn't as diluted, and is better mixed with the water, meaning that all garments get saturated with detergent. The washing action is also very thorough, as the clothes scrub each other while soapy water is forced through the clothes. They have spin speeds 2-3x those of conventional top-loaders, which wrings clothes much dryer, which allows the dryer to use less energy. Additionally, front-loaders tend to have greater capacities, allowing you to do 50-150% more laundry per load with most machines.

They do require high efficiency detergent, which doesn't make suds. They also should be left open when you're done doing laundry for the day, to allow air to flow and moisture to evaporate, so mildew doesn't develop.

You can get a more thorough description of various types of washers at http://www.tinyurl.com/cnvqhu

Don't front-loaders have high vibration problems?

As with most things, "it depends." It depends on the model, the machine being level, how much laundry (and what kind) is in the washer, the spin speed selected, and the kind of floor the machine is on.

Brands like Samsung and Electrolux have put a lot of research into vibration reduction/elimination technologies. Samsung's dual-ring ball-bearing system (VRT, or Vibration Reduction Technology) cuts down on tub swaying during spin, which reduces vibration to the floor. Electrolux has a floor-sensing technology that determines the kind of floor and then bases its spin speeds on that information. For these reasons, these washers are usually suitable for second floor installation.

On the other hand, brands like Whirlpool and LG tend to have more vibration during spin cycles, and are more suitable on reinforced first floors or concrete floors.

Some companies manufacture vibration pads for front-loaders. They're basically a thick sheet of rubber that the washer stands on. The rubber helps absorb the vibration and diffuses it over a larger area, reducing the transference of vibration to the floor. They are moderately effective, but will not completely eliminate vibration noise.

Also, having odd combinations of garments in the wash (like, say, a large thick towel and a tee shirt) can cause the load to become unbalanced and that can cause vibration noise.

Or, if you put in a really big load of heavy towels and set it to the highest spin speed, that can cause vibration noise.

I say "can" with most of this because it is possible, but it also might not make excessive noise. As with most things, the full set of circumstances determine what will or won't happen.

If you're going to have the machine by a bedroom, I suggest an HE top-loader like the Whirlpool Cabrio, Kenmore Oasis, or Maytag Bravos. They make the least vibration.

i just purchashed a set of he3t. i did notice a little vibration while spinning. can you recommend what spin cycle to put the washer on or does that matter so much? are the he3t good washer and dryer? this is my first front laod set.thanks

There will always be some vibration during spin with front-loaders. Even the best ones for vibration reduction still vibrate. However, if there's excessive vibration, be sure that you're not stuffing the washer so full that you have to tuck garments into the tub, use the default spin speed for the cycle you choose, and make sure the garments are all of a similar type (e.g., all jeans, or underwear and socks and tee shirts, instead of two pairs of jeans, three tee shirts, and a sock). One other thing to remember: putting in too little laundry can actually cause imbalance, so don't just put in one towel, or one pair of jeans. Make sure you throw at least a few in there so it can balance itself out. But, overall, the vibration shouldn't be excessive.

Is the washer on a concrete or first floor? This can also affect vibration noise, as second-floor installations are not recommended for this machine. That's something your sales associate would/should have asked, but I wasn't there, so I must ask.