Let me give you some advice from someone who learned the hard way. About five years ago I needed to get a new washer and dryer. I wanted one of those fancy front loaders that all the cool kids were getting. They were everywhere so everyone must love them, right?

So I purchased my new front loader and proceeded to learn to deal with laundry taking over an hour to do a load, and the smell of rotten eggs from the mold that grows in the rubber around the door. It was fine, after all this was energy efficient and my clothes were never cleaner. Then a few months ago the washer started making a really, REALLY loud noise. So I called for service. And the service adviser informed me that the bearings were worn out on the washer and it would cost over $900 to repair! Wait, what? After all, I had only had this machine five years and I was used to getting at least ten out of all of my appliances. He was then nice enough to explain to me something you won’t hear from your salesperson. Or frankly even reading about reviews of front load washers, because after talking to him, I researched online and couldn’t find anything, so I decided to share his wisdom with you.

Front loaders are designed to wash large loads of clothes. When the washer is spinning, the load that is on top needs to be the same weight as the load on the bottom. Well, I live in a house of two people. So really the only load that is ever big is towels or sheets. And, because my boss told me once that his wife’s grandmother who worked at Walmart saw a man blow his nose into a shirt hanging on the rack, the minute I buy any new clothes they go into the washer separate all by themselves.

Who knew I was causing damage to the washer by doing this? The service advisor said that also the loads needed to be all like clothes, i.e. jeans in one load, cotton shirts in one load, etc. Well, that is never going to happen. I do darks, whites, delicates, towels and sheets. Period.

The repairman was nice enough to tell me to get a top loader, and to make sure it had an agitator because that is what evens out the loads. Now I have a perfectly fine top loader again, and I love the loads finishing before I can turn around. I do miss the front loader feature of the delay start. I could put a load in the washer, and set it to start in six hours, and by the time I got home the load was finished and ready to go into the dryer. But that is the only thing I miss.

So I hope this helps someone who is thinking of purchasing a front loader. If you are single, or a small family, I would JUST SAY NO.