Front Loader Vs. Top Loader

[lillacfaerie]

I recently got into a (mini) argument with a woman who owns a cloth diaper boutique. I was talking to a pregnant mama about how to wash her diapers. She has a front loader. I told her that she would probably have to wash her diapers twice to get them clean, because front loaders use so much less water(at least that what I do with my front loader). The owner of the store sort of snapped at me and said that front loaders are just a good at cleaning cloth diapers as top loaders. She then said that because front loaders get hotter than top loaders they work better. Is that true? When I wash my diapers in my moms top loader(1 rinse, hot wash, cold rinse) they come out sparkling, but I have to put them through two full wash cycles, plus an extra rinse in my front loader.
What do you do for a front loader?

[kirstenb]

I have to do a lot more rinses with my FL to get the soap out and so they don't get stinky. My dipes get clean but it takes more. When I visit my mom and wash dipes in her top loader it is an easier process.

[Juliacat]

In my mom's top loader I put them through a cold soak and a hot wash. In my front loader I put them through a cold short wash, hot heavy wash, and extra cold rinse. Both ways get them clean, but I'm careful to use 100% cotton diapers that don't have too many layers. My front loader doesn't get any hotter than my mom's top loader, btw.

[lillacfaerie]

Just what I thought! Forget that owner of the overpriced baby boutique! Does anyone else get annoyed when people try to argue with your wash routine?

[kirstenb]

Originally Posted by lillacfaerie

Just what I thought! Forget that owner of the overpriced baby boutique! Does anyone else get annoyed when people try to argue with your wash routine?

And, all washers are different, so two different FL would likely have two different routines. Plus, it does depend on the diaper being washed. I find it funny she was arguing with you over that!

[ChetMC]

Washer Debate

In five years I have had zero issues with our front loader and cloth diapers (including some synthetics), but it's a very high end machine.

I had some issues with the cheaper front loader we were using when we were in a rental property for a year, but the situation was nowhere close to requiring two wash cycles.

I do think the front loaders with a heater to heat the water to an extremely high temperature have an advantage, as do front loaders that allow you to increase the amount of water used, It probably helps too if you don't have hard water.

[Ifluffedthree]

Originally Posted by lillacfaerie

I recently got into a (mini) argument with a woman who owns a cloth diaper boutique. I was talking to a pregnant mama about how to wash her diapers. She has a front loader. I told her that she would probably have to wash her diapers twice to get them clean, because front loaders use so much less water(at least that what I do with my front loader). The owner of the store sort of snapped at me and said that front loaders are just a good at cleaning cloth diapers as top loaders. She then said that because front loaders get hotter than top loaders they work better. Is that true? When I wash my diapers in my moms top loader(1 rinse, hot wash, cold rinse) they come out sparkling, but I have to put them through two full wash cycles, plus an extra rinse in my front loader.
What do you do for a front loader?

many people have front loader machines these days. she was probably upset as she might loose a sale.
That said.
I totally agree you -- I did not buy a new front loader but a new Fisher and Pykel HE Energy Star rated Top loader for similar reasons that you have noted.

[Ifluffedthree]

Originally Posted by lillacfaerie

Just what I thought! Forget that owner of the overpriced baby boutique! Does anyone else get annoyed when people try to argue with your wash routine?

No, but I do get annoyed when someone comes along and trys to tell me that Cloth is not all that great for the environment and that it uses more water.
at that point I am ready to comparison battle.

[HeatherB]

I agree that different machines - even of the same type - will do things very differently. I know people who use really nice front-loaders that have "sanitary" cycles and LOVE them for cloth. Compare that to the ancient, rusty top-loader in the rental we had for 6 months, and the front-loader is far better!

But, I always have to do multiple washes in my top-loader with our hard water. I'd love to get a really nice HE top-loader someday, though, when this one finally gives out!

[Logan]

I have a front loader and do a regular cycle. If it were super dirty I would do a 'medic rinse' which is basically a warm extra rinse. But its a very high end front loader, and I dont have a top loader to compare it to. Its so good at cleaning I wash all our clothes on 'delicate' cycle and they come out beautifully.

[lillacfaerie]

I think the issue with ours is that it's the cheapest front loader on the market! Does delicate use more water?

[Logan]

The washer adjusts the water automatically to the weight of washing. And delicate is a smaller capable load (in order to clean thoroughly) but shorter wash cycle. So I dont know...

I do it cause our previous washer was an ancient top loader that used to eat my clothes up- literally had to put anything I cared about being destroyed in a wash bag! So I was traumatized after I got the new one... But since it washed so well and took less time I kept it up cause its so gentle on the clothes. Im really paranoid about taking care of my belongings.

[Ifluffedthree]

Originally Posted by HeatherB

But, I always have to do multiple washes in my top-loader with our hard water. I'd love to get a really nice HE top-loader someday, though, when this one finally gives out!

for the record.
I paid 1033.00 for both HE top loader washing machine and matching dryer, deliver and installation. inclusive full 2 year coverage. Fisher and Paykel