Comparison between Top-Loading Machine and Front-Loading Machine

Top-Loading Machine are cheaper compared to Front-Loading Machine. The wash quality of top-loading is not as good as front-loading. But front-loading machine requires daily maintenance if not the washing quality will degrade and the machine will wear-out in 2 years. I will explain about the maintenance of Front-Loading Washing Machine later. In Top-Loading Machine more number of clothes can be washed and adding/removing of clothes in middle of washing cycle is possible.

Front-Loading Machine are costly. They are having better washing quality when compared to top-loading. The disadvantage are more number of clothes cannot be washed in a single washing cycle. adding/removing of clothes in middle of a washing cycle is not possible. The direct drive machines are the best to my at present experience as they have less vibration compared to belt driven machines.

My experience and suggestion is for working people living in nuclear family who don’t have time or someone else available at home to take care should go for Front-Loading Washing Machine. The washing quality will be excellent and the machine will last for long run for many years on condition the daily maintenance is followed very strictly.

Daily Maintenance Tips to be followed for Front-Loading Washing Machine to increase the Machine   Life: -

1.Don’t use hot water option unless and other wise required. Especially for cleaning bed-sheet, bed-covers, screen clothes etc either weekly or monthly hot water option can be used. This will reduce the scaling build-up in the drum.

2.Use only washing powder recommended for Front-Loading or Top-Loading to the minimum requirement. This can be decided on the experience of the daily wash. Surf Matic or Ariel Matic are the best. Don’t ever use normal washing powder as they build-up slud and damage the machine in short period.

3.If the washing performance is not satisfactory it will be due to hardness of Water. In this case add Vanish O2 Powder along with Surf Matic or Ariel Matic which will give better result. Don’t ever get fooled by additive accessories and water softener etc as they are only marketing techniques. These additives will reduce the life of the clothes. If you are living in hard water area then true water softener with various stages of filtration is available in market with water treatment companies. They are available for house-hold and commercial purpose but costly.

4.Very important is after every washing cycle after removing the clothes make sure to run the machine with plain water, spinning and drain the water immediately. THIS IS THE VERY IMPORTANT METHOD TO AVOID SCALING.

5.Monthly once use branded company descaling power available with IFB or Whirlpool to do tub cleaning with hot water without clothes. If tub cleaning option is not available in the washing machine model than use the normal 2 hrs hot water cycle to clean the tub. Don’t use any other unbranded descaling chemical available in the market as they will kill the drum due to acid properties.

6.If you are living in voltage fluctuation area then make sure to use high/low voltage cutoff switch which will safe guard the washing machine. Don’t spend money buying voltage stabilizer which is not required.

The above daily maintenance tips can be applied for any type of washing machine either front-loading or top-loading.

If you follow the daily maintenance tips as suggested above the washing machine will last long for many years and you will save money. You will not require annual maintenance contract provided by the companies.

8 Easy maintenance tips for front load washers

Kimberley Mok (@kimberleymok)Living / Cleaning & OrganizingDecember 12, 2013

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CC BY-SA 2.0 StarsApart

Many people love their front-loading washing machines, thanks to their efficient use of water and energy, ergonomics and their gentler cleaning action on clothes. Indeed, many homes have traded in their old water-guzzling, top-loading machines for updated, high-efficiency models.

But these modern-looking domestic workhorses aren't perfect. A recent lawsuit alleges that some front-load models from the late 2000's were known by manufacturers to be "defective," as their design allowed for the rapid growth of mold and mildew, and yet, still sold to consumers.Repairs and parts can be expensive too, meaning that in some cases, people are finding that it's more cost-effective to buy another machine altogether.

Andrew Kelsall/CC BY 2.0

Regardless of the age of the machine, some simple maintenance can be done to ensure the smooth operation of a front-load machine. If your machine has a self-cleaning option, great, but there are things you can still do to prevent trouble down the road. It doesn't have to be costly or burdensome -- a few small changes in one's laundry habits will go a long way. Here are some quick and

easy tips to keep your front-loader happy, healthy and lasting longer.

Tips on maintaining a front-load washing machine1. Always, always use detergent made for high-efficiency (HE)

machines, and use the minimum amount (more is not necessarily better). Regular detergents produce much more suds, and over time, can build up a film on the drum and hoses that become a breeding ground for mold, and may even mechanically or electronically damage a front-load machine. Read the label carefully -- some detergents are marked "HE compatible," but still produce lots of suds, which is difficult to rinse out as your high-efficiency machine uses less water, and therefore should not be used in your front-loader. We can't stress this enough -- in same cases, using the wrong detergent may even void your warranty.

2. Use less or forego liquid fabric softeners (one teaspoon will soften a whole load). Ditto for bleach (one tablespoon for concentrated bleach, two tablespoons for regular). Remember, high-efficiency machines use less water, so less product is needed.

3. Remove finished loads immediately. Do not let damp clothes sit in the machine (this provides an ideal breeding environment for musty smells and mildew). Care should be taken to ensure pets or children don't climb in.

4. When not in use, leave the door of the washer ajar, to improve air circulation inside the machine and to prevent the buildup of mold and mildew.

5. Clean out the washer door's rubber seal thoroughly with a half-half solution of water and vinegar regularly. Use Q-Tips for hard-to-clean areas. Remove any bits of hair or fabric you may

find -- these trap odors, sludge and provide a wonderful home for mold. Wipe the inside of the drum with this solution as well.

6. For a monthly cleaning session, pour some distilled white vinegar instead of laundry detergent into the dispenser, and add one cup of baking soda directly into the drum as well (this will neutralize the pH, but provide a scrubbing action). Run the machine on the hottest cycle, plus an extra rinse. For extreme cases of mildew-y smells, replace vinegar with bleach and run a few quick cycles with hot water. If there's a self-cleaning cycle, follow your manual's instructions on how to use it.

7. Clean out the drain pump filter every few weeks or whenever you notice problems with water drainage, excessive vibrations, wet clothes after the final spin, longer than usual cycle time, or unusual pauses during a wash cycle. Hair, fabric, and other various bits can get clogged up in the drain pump filter, leading to sluggish drainage of water. The drain pump filter's location varies by machine (check your manual for details) but it is usually located at the front and bottom of the machine behind a small trapdoor.

8. Ensure that the spin speed you select is appropriate for the load you are washing -- higher spin speeds may mean drier clothes prior to putting them in the dryer, but also means extra wear and tear on the machine's inner parts, potentially shortening its lifespan.

Beyond a regular cleaning, if there are indications of more serious problems (loud noises, won't fill with water, etc.) then you can try to identify the problem yourself before calling the repairperson.