Whirlpool Duet Sport washer/dryer laundry pair on 10 inch pedestals, with work surface and laundry towers.

Laundry Pedestals
One of the most popular laundry accessories is a set of laundry pedestals. Laundry pedestals help to raise washer and driers so that you don’t need to bend down to insert or remove a load. Especially when it comes to front loader washing machines, where the door opens close to the ground, a pedestal can be a very valuable investment. Pedestals can also be used with driers, almost all of which open in the front. Laundry pedestals elevate washer and drier units from 8 to 15 inches off the ground, making it easy to use without straining your back with substantial bending. Trust us,your back will thank you! Pedestals are available in a variety of different heights and finishes and are built of sturdy metal to support heavy clothes washers. Generally, pedestals are not interchangeable and must be purchased from the same manufacturer as the washing machine. Although a washing machine can be elevated on a custom made wooden or cinder block platform for considerably cheaper, it is not usually recommended unless built by an expert craftsman. Since front loading machines direct their energy into the ground and result in a lot of shaking, it may weaken a homemade support overtime leading to a hazardous situation. Furthermore, pedestals are esthetically pleasing, built by the major brand names to match the washing machine finish.

According to the well-respected retailers in the New York/New England region with whom we were in contact, most customers today do indeed purchase pedestals and are thrilled that they did. It should however be noted, that when using a pedestal, it is no longer possible to stack a drier on top of a front loader clothes washer—an important point to consider for anyone seeking to conserve floor space. Nonetheless, pedestals are also space efficient, possessing a small built in storage area. Purchasers of compact pedestals, which are usually eight or nine inches in height, are sometimes disappointed to discover that the actual storage space is smaller than required and can only hold a large detergent container when the bottle is slanted.

GE Profile Frontload SmartDispense™ Pedestal

For someone seeking even more comfort than is afforded by a run of the mill laundry pedestal, GE makes the deluxe Smart Dispense Pedestal, that comes equipped with built in detergent and fabric softener dispensers. Three built in canisters hold up to a six months supply worth of liquid detergent and softener. Just adjust dials to select the type of fabric, the size of the load, the dirt level, and the hardness of the water and the matching washer will add the right amount of soap automatically. It doesn’t get easier than that!

Laundry Hoses
Although most new washers come with their own rubber laundry hoses, we strongly suggest the purchase of a stainless steel braided hose. A good quality stainless steel hose should only set you back between $25 and $50 and will insure you never have to worry about a hose breaking.  A metal hose is many times stronger than required and will not burst under normal circumstances. Rubber hoses, on the other hand, expand and contract as the washing machine switches between different portions of its cycle. This fatigue will eventually lead to failure and, you guessed it, a flooded wash room. Take it from us, save yourself the potential headache and go for the stainless steel hose.  Your wallet will thank you in the long run.

If you do decide to use rubber hoses, make sure to replace the hoses every two or three years – it’s much cheaper than dealing with the aftermath of a broken hose.

Stacking Kits
Another popular laundry accessory is a stacking kit for front loading washing machines. One of the main advantages of a front load washer over a top loader is that a drier can be stacked on top of a front loader, saving valuable floor space for anyone seeking to store their laundry units in a small closet or in a kitchen. To do so safely, requires purchasing a stacking kit to securely attach the drier to the top of the washer. The kit consists of a metal plate, brackets and screws for easy home assembly that sells for as low as $20. A more expensive model that goes for around $70 comes with a built in sliding tray for folding laundry.

Shoe Racks
A slightly less popular but nevertheless very handy laundry accessory is a shoe rack. Typically made of coated metal or plastic, its function is to prevent shoes from clanking around in the drier. It is inexpensive, selling for around $29 a piece making it a good choice for anyone who owns a pair of washable shoes.

Whirlpool Work Surface

Work Station
Anyone who wants to optimize their washer and drier counter spaces should take the time to check out a Work Station by Whirlpool. The work station is essentially a 5-foot wide seamless metal counter that rests atop a side-by-side washer/drier unifying the surface area for maximum efficiency, eliminating the annoying gap between units where laundry might fall. It provides you with a scratch and chemical resistant mat to manage all your laundry needs while providing ample room for sorting, folding and treating laundry.

Laundry Towers
If laundry pedestals are not quite your thing, consider a laundry tower instead. Built to match the height of a washer or drier that rests on the ground (as opposed to a pedestal), laundry towers provide a practical shelf space for detergents, fabric softeners, bleach and stain removers and will look great next to the washing machine. Laundry towers are often overlooked in favor of pedestals. Indeed, most retailers we interviewed reported never having made a single Laundry Tower sale, Customers looking to save a few dollars can do so by purchasing an inexpensive shelf cabinet from a hardware store instead.  Keep in mind, however, that a laundry tower will match the finish of your appliances and will have a more professional appearance.

Summary
It feels good to get clean—that’s why people sing in the shower. We hope that these tips will help to make your laundry experience more comfortable and enjoyable so that you can sing when doing laundry as well!

How Steam Washers Work:
Essentially, steam washers are everything normal washers are, but with the extra benefit of steam as a cleaning setting. This technology is built right into the washer, without the need for additional hook-ups or parts. Some machines directly heat the water in the tub while others use a steam generator that heats the water in a separate compartment before release. The steam complements the water throughout the cleaning process by increasing the temperature of the wash tub, offering an advantage to each stage of the cleaning process:

• Pre-wash cycle: While water fills the tub, the steam works with it to soak fabrics more thoroughly.
• Wash cycle: Steam increases the water temperature, causing detergents to dissolve more effectively and spread throughout fabrics, improving cleaning power and removing dirt and stains.
• Rinse and spin cycles: Steam increases the temperature of the tub to sterilize garments (no more adding bleach to towels and sheets,) remove hard wrinkles that may have formed while clothes were being tossed in the tub, and keep fabrics soft.

LG Steam Washer WM2801HLA

Cost and Features:
Unfortunately, the quest for a dirtless and disinfected wardrobe comes with a price tag.  Steam washers cost approximately two to five hundred dollars more than conventional washers. Top brands include LG Electronics (the company that introduced the first home steam washer,) Maytag, Whirlpool and Kenmore. Most, if not all, are front-loading for high efficiency –they spin out more water, so clothing dries more quickly but with longer cycles. And, thanks to the Department of Energy, steam washers use less water and power, giving you a break on utility bills.

When shopping for a steam washer, consider the features of the various makes and models. Some have cycles to help those with allergies, working specifically to eliminate dust mites and pet dander. Others incorporate steam with stain removers for an extra cleaning boost. Some steam washers have a self-cleaning option that uses steam to clean the tub, which most owner’s manuals recommend doing once a month.

To Steam Dry or Not to Steam Dry?
Your biggest decision in buying a steam washer may be in considering whether you climb the next rung on the laundry ladder and purchase a steam dryer as well. Like their cleaning counterpart, steam dryers use the high temperature of steam to deodorize and sanitize clothing but with the extra benefit of reducing wrinkles in both wet and dried clothes. Concerned about a mismatched washer and dryer set? Not to worry. Some brands offer matching sets even if either the washer or dryer does not include the steam option.

What price is peace of mind? If it’s paying more to ensure your coverings are leaving the wash as sanitized and as sterilized as the living quarters of Howard Hughes, then a steam washer may be the force driving your decision.

One of the first and most important decisions you’ll need to make when starting your process is whether to buy a top-loading or front-loading wash machine. The top loading washer is the traditional home model that most of us are familiar with, whereas a front loader washer is more commonly used in a Laundromat. The main difference between these two units isn’t hard to guess – the names say it all. A top loader washing machine opens from the top with an agitator in the middle to churn and agitate the clothes. Front load washing machines, on the other hand, open from the front and use the nature force of gravity to distribute the water without the need of an agitator. In the past, it was very rare for American house owners to own front loaders, although they were the washing machine of choice by private individuals in Europe for decades. Today however, front loaders have suddenly become more and more popular in North America as well, putting them on the map in America for the first time for anyone in the market for a new machine. We’ve made it our business to speak to a number of well-respected retailers in the New York/New England region and asked them to share their decades of experience with us to try to understand the new rise in popularity of the front loading model so that you can make the smartest decision possible when purchasing your washing machine.

Advantages of a Front Loader Washer:

Whirlpool Duet 9470 Cranberry Front Load Washer

Economically and Ecologically Efficient
Without exception, our sources all recommend purchasing a front loader washer over a top loader for a number of different reasons. The first and foremost reason is based on a simple law of economics – people like to save money! Although in the past, front loaders were more expensive, today the prices are basically identical, ranging from $400-$600 for middle range machines. It is possible to find a bottom of the line top loading washer for less, but the short term savings won’t come close to the money that will be saved over the life of the machine, as we will explain.

While a top loader washing machine requires large amounts of water – as much as 44 gallons per average load – a front loader uses as little as 14 gallons per load. That’s a savings of up to 30 gallons per load! The reason for this discrepancy is due to the fact that the tub of a front loader is suspended vertically and therefore requires much more water to cover all of the clothes. A front loader on the other hand, is suspended horizontally and only utilizes a small pool of water gathered at the bottom of the washing machine, relying on gravity to drop the clothes into the water. While a top loading washer needs to empty soapy water and refill for a rinse cycle, a front loader simply sprays a small amount of clean water on the load as the drum continues to turn. Considering that the average family does almost 400 loads per year in their clothes washer, the water you save annually is enough to fill three swimming pools!

Furthermore, most front loading machines spin mechanism can reach up to 1,200 rpm as opposed to the standard top loader’s average 650 rpm. The faster spin cycle extracts more water from clothes, reducing dryer time and therefore saving on energy costs. According to Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, one can save up to $135 per year on bills with an energy efficient machine.

Due to these facts, front loaders are substantially more environmentally friendly, which is an important factor in today’s world of global warming. Nearly all front loading models bear an “Energy Star” label distinguishing it as an economically and ecologically efficient appliance, as opposed to only a few redesigned top loading models. Additionally, products with Energy Star certification often come with incentives as sales tax exemptions, store credits, or power company rebates (go to Energystar.gov, for a list of special offers on Energy Star qualified products in your area).Today there are in fact a few advanced redesigned energy saving top loader washing machines on the market which cut down on water use, but not nearly as much as a front loader.

Gentler on Clothes
There are a number of other important factors at stake that give front loaders an advantage over top loaders. In general, a front loader washer has more room, compared to a top loader of the same size, since they do not have to make room for a bulky agitator in the middle of the tub. Aggressive agitators also add additional wear and tear on garments, whereas front loaders are much gentler, helping to preserve the life of clothes. Lint build up in the dryer filter is evidence of damage to clothing from an abrasive washing machine. Also, since front loaders spin faster, they get rid of more detergent residues, keeping colors from fading.

Most front load washing machines also require the use of special low-sudsing HE (high efficiency) detergents which are more concentrated so that you need less soap and less water. Today, they are available in your local stores and are made by all the major detergent companies. Many front loaders also include built in water heaters that can bring the temperature up as high as 170°-200°, sanitizing clothes without the need of bleach or other chemicals that are harmful to people and the environment. Finally, front loaders can be loaded more easily by simply throwing everything in. This is not the case with a top loading washer due to the presence of the bulky agitator. In more advanced energy-saving top loaders, clothes items should also be placed inside one by one in order to prevent tangling.

Built for Efficiency
A few other differences in engineering make the front loader washer a more efficient clothes washer. When it comes to saving floor space, front loading washers also have a valuable advantage that they can be stacked with a companion dryer, an impossible feat for your standard top loader. Front loaders are engineered to run using a belt driven system wherein a pulley belt turns the tub, taking off most of the stress from the motor. Many top loader washers, on the other hand, operate on either what’s called a direct driver system in which the tub is spun by a mechanical arm that is connected to the motor or through a transmission system. In the belt driven system, the belt is the most likely thing that will break over time; a relatively inexpensive and easy to replace item. In the other two systems, however, the motor or transmission themselves can fail, leading to expensive repairs down the line.

For these reasons, retailers reported that 7 out of 10 buyers tend to choose front loaders over top loaders when purchasing a new washing machine. That being said, there are still some advantages to a traditional top loader.

Advantages of a Top Loading Washer:

Whirlpool WTW6500WW Top Load Washer

Familiarity and Comfort
The leading reason to choose a top loader washer over a front loading machine is simply that it’s what most people are used to. That makes them the best choice for anyone who doesn’t like change. Due to the vertical positioning of the tub, top loaders can be comfortably loaded without bending down, so it is ideal for older couples or people with back problems. Nonetheless, many front loader models today are available on a 15 inch pedestal so that the tub is easily reachable without bending down (however it is important to note that a dryer cannot be stacked on top of a front loader washer that rests on a pedestal).

Another helpful feature of a top loader is the ability to add additional items once the load has started. Since the top loader opens from the top, the lid can be flipped up in the middle of a load to insert a forgotten item of clothing. Only the most expensive front loaders come with this feature. For the more absent minded type, this might be an important factor to consider, although according to one of our retailers, only 1 in 50 retailers find this to be a deciding factor. “If you make the mistake of forgetting to put an item in the load once with a front loader, you won’t make it again,” he said.

More Flexible Placement
Although top loader washers cannot be stacked for people who want to conserve ground space, they are usually about 5-6 inches more shallow from front to back allowing them to fit into narrow folding closets. Furthermore, it is recommended to keep clothes machine doors open when not in use to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Since a front loader door juts out in front when open, this will also prevent closet doors from closing.

Additionally, a top loading washer allows for more flexibility in that it can be placed on any floor of the house. A front loader, on the other hand, is best kept in a basement. Since the drum is suspended to the bottom of the unit, energy is pushed into the floor when the wash machine spins, causing considerable shaking to the house if stored on an upper floor. If you are planning on storing your clothes washer on an upper floor it is therefore recommended to purchase a top loader which spins from side to side or an expensive upgraded front loader with up to 6 built in shocks. The total wash and spin cycle in a top loader is also considerably faster, but many people prefer the less aggressive approach of the front loader even though it takes more time. In the words of one retailer, “most people are so happy with their front loader washer, they don’t even notice the extra time.”

Whirlpool Duet 9750 Cranberry Front Load Pair in Stacked Configuration.

In Summary:

The front-loading machine is a clear winner in terms of conservation – saving water, energy, clothes life and of course, money over the life of the machine. If a person prefers a top loader because of comfort, familiarity, or placement, it is definitely recommended to find a model with Energy Star certification. Although it will not save as much water as a front loader, it will be substantially more efficient than a regular top loader model. Regardless of your decision, we hope you enjoy full satisfaction from your washing machine, and may it provide you and your family with many years of clean clothes!