Between talk of top-load versus front-load and mid-range versus high-end, sifting through endless models of laundry appliances can be difficult. We went to the professionals, Matt Burkholder at Martin Appliance (www.martinsappliance.com) and Ed Continenza from L.H. Brubaker (www.lhbrubakerappliances.com), to break down what people are buying right now. lus, Classic Drycleaners and Laundromats’ (www.classicdrycleaner.com) Jamie Zurat shares her top-notch, practical advice for at-home laundry care. See? You thought doing laundry was going to be a chore.
Traditional Top-Load machines
It’s the washer you picture in your mind, the one that’s been built for the last thirty years. And yes, the traditional top-load washer is still being manufactured, although sales have dropped in recent years with the multitude of bell-and-whistle-laden machines on the market. Its perks lie in its simplicity.
“It will function like what you’re used to. It will do exactly what you tell it to do,” says Burkholder. “Other machines are advanced, smart. You might ask a newer machine to do one thing, and it might do what it thinks is best.”
Some customers continue to buy the traditional top-load washer because it’s what they know; the mechanical knobs are straightforward: pull out to start. Others complain that the wash cycles of new, high efficiency models are long and vary in length; they’re too confusing. And some customers buy traditional models because they are the less expensive than high efficiency top-loaders or front-loaders.
Whatever the case may be, Burkholder says there are only about five models of this tried-and-true washer left on the market, and they are split between two brands: GE and Speed Queen. His favorite picks for washer and dryer duos to keep it simple?
GE's GTWN2800DWW (price $549) has a 3.9 cubic foot stainless steel tub and traditional timer, and it matches perfectly with dryer GTDP220EFWW (price $549). All of the cleaning power you need and none of the extra gadgets.
High Efficiency Top-Load machines
Over the last thirty years that he’s been selling appliances, Ed Continenza has seen all kinds of changes and shifts in the industry. Many of these changes started with the introduction of top-load washers.
“Pretty much all American-made products, I’ve always said, they’re built like a tank,” he says. “But they were not energy efficient. Over time, the
Department of Energy has put restrictions on manufacturers to use less energy.” As producers began to adapt, consumers also learned how high efficiency top-load machines could benefit them as well.
This type of appliance has the same easy access to laundry as the traditional washer, yet runs on less water and electricity. It also gives you more space: high efficiency top-loads lack the agitator, leaving room for bigger loads of laundry. But with the convenience comes a higher price tag and some drawbacks, too.
“They tend to wrinkle clothes more,” admits Burkholder. “If you have someone that hangs clothes out to dry, they tend to not like these as much because of the wrinkles that set in due to high spin speeds.”
Pros’ top picks for washer and dryer duos are Whirlpool’s WTW8100BW washer and matching dryer WED8100BW, both at the $799 price point.
Front-Load machines
While their front-load washer sales percentages may vary slightly, both Continenza and Burkholder agree: the majority of their customers these days are springing for front-loading machines. These appliances boast similar benefits to high efficiency top-loading machines, such as greater capacity and more efficient use of water and electricity. As an added benefit, front-load washers are stackable, allowing homeowners to squeeze a washer and dryer combo into a smaller space.
But they do have drawbacks, such as higher price tags and time considerations. Like top-loading washers, front-loading washers do not have agitators, so the less aggressive wash action takes longer on the whole. And then there’s the issue of logistics: some people find loading the washer, with clothing deposited in the front versus the top, more difficult.
“Loading is a little less convenient, with feeding into the front,” says Burkholder. “Unless you put them on top of a pedestal, it’s a low opening, so it’s a lot of bending for you.”
To combat some of the drawbacks, companies are compensating in various ways. Our pros named three front-loading machines that are changing the game.
For Speed of Wash
Burkholder says the Electrolux EIFLS60JIW has a legitimately appealing claim: the fastest wash cycle of any front-load washer. Electrolux achieves that by having a recirculating pump inside the washer, getting more water movement than any other machine. At $1049, the cost may be steep. But, for some, the time gained is worth the hefty price tag.
For Convenience
To eliminate the drawback of awkward bending that’s associated with front-load washers, Burkholder suggests one of GE’s newest units, the GFWR2700HWW washer. Priced at $1099, this washer is shipped with a 6-to-8 inch platform, or riser; when placed under the unit, it pushes the machine’s opening to a taller, more convenient height.
For Steaming Clothing
One of the latest trends, according to Continenza, is laundry appliances that do more than just clean clothes: they steam garments as well. “The steam started on dryers. It has a refresh steam mode, so basically it’s steaming the garment and refreshing it, so you can wear it out to dinner,” explains Continenza. “Then they incorporated it in washers.” Despite its high price tag, one of most desired models on the market is LG’s WM8000HVA washer ($1499), paired with the DLEX8000W dryer ($1499), Continenza says.
Laundry tips from the pros
1. Read Labels Carefully:
Different fabrics require various forms of care. But sometimes hastiness with pre-wash clothing sorting leads to undesirable consequences. “People want to do the time saver part of things. If you are attempting to save time by throwing something in that recommends hand wash, you run the risk of it stretching,” says Classic Drycleaners and Laundromats’ Jamie Zurat. “Home machines are great, but they’re not precise.” Zurat recommends always reading care labels carefully, as not all garments are made to withstand different forms of care. She also advocates knowing your rights as a consumer. “Manufacturers who make clothing are required to include on the garment a care label. It must contain instructions for at least one option of care, by law,” she says. “If you have a garment, let’s say your colors bleed… You have the right as a consumer to return it if you followed the care label [and the garment] didn’t withstand it.”
2. Be Dryer-Wary and Spot-Savvy:
Zurat says machine drying can often set pesky spots or stains, so she recommends pre-treating prior to washing, then hanging garments to dry. She says a cold-water hand-wash is especially important for anything that is delicate in nature or prone to stretching; these garments should then be left to air dry as well. But, if you have spots on your dry clean-only clothes, beware: “If people have dry clean-only items with spots of stains on them, I always recommend that they don’t do any home remedies on these garments. Sometimes a stain will become twice as difficult for us to remove.”
3. treat Clothing as an Investment:
When it comes to some tricky fabrics, like rayon and wool, sometimes work is better left to the pros. “I don’t ever recommend washing wool at home. Not only does it shrink, but the texture can change,” says Zurat. “Dry cleaning keeps things soft. It involves a very low amount of moisture, if any, in the process.” And while dry cleaning may be more expensive than at-home washing, Zurat says that your clothing is an investment. Certain pieces require special care. “Sometimes people work many months to build a working wardrobe,” she says, continuing, “so you need to care for it appropriately.”