Let's talk washers and dryers...more specifically washers

[Shy0717]

So DF and I are in the process of purcharsing a new washer and dryer and I'm trying to decide which would be better for diaper washing....a front loader or a top loader??? I've heard that because front loaders use less water you tend to have to do several cycles of washing. In you guys' opinion which one would be best for a soon to be cloth diapering mama??

[brietta]

I know a lot of people really prefer their top loader for washing diapers.

In my opinion, the excellent job a front loader does on everything else is worth whatever extra trouble I may have to go to (I've never washed diapers with a top loader-- only clothes-- so I can't really say if it's harder or not). I love that front loaders can handle an entire comforter off a bed (which is handy for babies who poop and spit up on such things!). I also think our clothes are much cleaner. AND they dry faster, since front loaders tend to spin the clothes to a dryer status much better than front loaders.

All in all, if I were in the market for a washer again, I'd buy a front loader without thinking twice.

[Shy0717]

Thanks Brietta I think we were thinking the same thing but since this is our first and our first experience with cloth diapering I was a little nervous.

[Leisha]

I have a front loader (have never even seen a top loader! is that an American thing??), and it works just fine on our dipes!

I can set it for "extra rinses" and also "extra water" for example.

It also has an "eco" setting (uses less water and energy) but I don't use that for diapers. (although I have used it and it was fine. But I read somewhere that using not enough water sometimes leaves bacteria, or something, in your washer. Don't know if it's true )


Edit: my washing routine is usually just normal washing cycle for cotton and I add the prewash, plus one extra rinse. (60° celcius)
Sometimes I forget and do just the regular (no prewash, no extra rinse) and that also works but I think they're just that bit cleaner with the prewash & rinse.

[alsoSarah]

This thread has lots of opinions, too.

alsoSarah

[Mrs.Oz]

I personally love my top loader for dipes. If it goes out any time soon, I'm replacing it with another top loader for sure. I've only used a front-loader for dipes when visiting a relative (think it was a Maytag?). I did not like how long the wash cycle was, and didn't like that you can't open the machine during the cycle. I sometimes like to check things mid-cycle to gauge if I need to run another rinse, add more of something, etc.

[Beauchamp]

I have a Whirlpool Cabrio set (top loader with no center agitator...so it's supposed to work like a front loader, with energy/water saving, etc.)

Anyone wash CDs in a Cabrio?

[Sk8ermaiden]

Originally Posted by brietta

I know a lot of people really prefer their top loader for washing diapers.

In my opinion, the excellent job a front loader does on everything else is worth whatever extra trouble I may have to go to (I've never washed diapers with a top loader-- only clothes-- so I can't really say if it's harder or not). I love that front loaders can handle an entire comforter off a bed (which is handy for babies who poop and spit up on such things!). I also think our clothes are much cleaner. AND they dry faster, since front loaders tend to spin the clothes to a dryer status much better than front loaders.

All in all, if I were in the market for a washer again, I'd buy a front loader without thinking twice.

That's interesting. I've always (monthly) washed our queen comforter in our top loader and never had the slightest problem. My mom washed all our comforters regularly in all her top loaders. Is that a problem for many people?

I've read a lot of posts from moms who got new dryers while cloth diapering and hated the change. I personally made sure to get a new washer NOW so I could get a top loader before they all disappear off the market. But I can't personally compare them to a frontloader.

[confustication]

We just switched to a front loader (HE) a few months ago. I wouldn't go back to a top loader if I could possibly help it. Our clothes are cleaner, they hold up better, it dropped the electric bill by about $45/month switching to the HE- and I suspect that when it's warmer we'll drop that even further by drying outside more often.

[lajn]

Originally Posted by brietta

I know a lot of people really prefer their top loader for washing diapers.

In my opinion, the excellent job a front loader does on everything else is worth whatever extra trouble I may have to go to (I've never washed diapers with a top loader-- only clothes-- so I can't really say if it's harder or not). I love that front loaders can handle an entire comforter off a bed (which is handy for babies who poop and spit up on such things!). I also think our clothes are much cleaner. AND they dry faster, since front loaders tend to spin the clothes to a dryer status much better than front loaders.

All in all, if I were in the market for a washer again, I'd buy a front loader without thinking twice.

:

[brietta]

Originally Posted by Sk8ermaiden

That's interesting. I've always (monthly) washed our queen comforter in our top loader and never had the slightest problem. My mom washed all our comforters regularly in all her top loaders. Is that a problem for many people?

Whenever I would do bulkier items, not only did they not fit as well in my top loader as they do in my front loader, but they would often make the top loader get off-balance, causing major rocking and shaking and moving of the washer. This sort of thing never happens now.

And my front loader does a better job at cleaning the bulkier items well, too. I assume this is because it fits better and because it doesn't have to wrap around the middle agitator.

[paulam]

I have a FL and got it before I started washing dipes, so I don't have much to compare too, especially since I had a 20yo TL with a really small tub. I really like my FL. I am able to check on things mid cycle. I have a tub light, that lets see into the tub. I can tell from looking at the water if I need to add another rinse. Also you can open the door midcycle, you have to push the pause button and wait for it to unlock the door. I do that a lot when I find another dipe that I need to add after I just started the washer. My FL, the LG steam model, will heat up the hot water even hotter for the sanitary cycle. I am not sure if other FL do that or if TL have that capability. You do have to get use to longer washing cycles, but since my TL can wash about 3-4 times what my TL did, I feel it all evens out.