Cleaning laundry is inevitable. You have to do something with the mountain of dirty clothes that has all but consumed your hamper. Having a reliable washing machine, like a Maytag, is a must-have and can help make laundry day fly by.
There are lots of bells and whistles to choose from when shopping for your next laundry machine. We’ll let you know which ones actually make your life easier and compare two of our favorite Maytag machines to show the difference between top load and front load washers.
The Extras
Let’s start with the bells and whistles to look for in a washing machine. Ultimately, it’s up to you if the extra features are worth the extra costs. Here are the extras that we have found give you the most bang for your buck:
Fresh Hold Option
We’ve all forgot a load of wet clothes in the washing machine and ended up having to rewash them. Think of the fresh hold option as an insurance policy against this. This option keeps clothes smelling fresh in the washer with an internal fan and occasional tumbling. Best of all, it will continue to keep clothes fresh for 12 hours!
Optimal Dose Dispenser
Auto dispensers are trays that you pour detergent, bleach and fabric softener in. They’re designed to release these cleaning agents at the perfect time during wash cycles. This precise timing keeps your cleaning liquids from working against eachother. Some washing machines can even store several months’ worth of detergent!
PowerWash & Steam Option
You want a washer that gets stains out the first time. Selecting a machine with a PowerWash cycle helps deep clean your clothes by using optimal water temperature and extra cleaning action or a boost of steam. It’s a great way to remove pet hair or other stubborn messes.
Stainless Steel Drums
Stainless steel drums increase the performance of your washing machine. They allow for higher spin rates which extract more water and cut your dying time. Basically, they help you turn laundry day into laundry afternoon.
Top Load vs. Front Load
Like I said previously, your biggest decision is whether you prefer a front load or top load machine. Cleaning clothes involves two simple elements¾ water and agitation. If I placed a dirty shirt in a babbling brook, the water would eventually clean it. If I beat the same shirt with a rock I could clean it fast but it’d soon be torn to shreds. Washing machines find a balance of water and agitation.
Top Load Washing Machines
Top load washing machines are more like the rock in the above scenario. They focus more on agitation than relying on water to clean clothes. You can get models with or without an agitator. The agitator is in the center of the machines and is designed to move and beat laundry during the wash cycle.
Our Pick: Maytag Top Load Washing Machine
Our favorite top load model is Maytag’s MVWB766FW and can only be bought at select dealers like Factory Builder Stores. This Maytag unit is the best cleaning machine in it’s class thanks to it’s superb PoawerWash cycle. It also has an unheard of 5-year parts and labor warranty. Request a quote for more details!
Pro and Cons
Our Maytag pick has an agitator but you can also get a washer without an agitator. These models spin faster than agitator models to achieve the same goal of moving and disturbing dirt out of your clothes. For the reason of fast removal of dirt, top load machines usually use more water than front load machines.
Because of their engineering, top load washing machines can wash clothes faster than front load machines. They also drain from the bottom so it’s unlikely for mold or mildew to grow in the machine.
Another huge positive for a lot of people is that you don’t have to bend down to get your laundry as top load open from the top. However, many models are deep so make sure you test out if you can reach the bottom for that last sock before buying a top load machine.
The last point to note is that top load machines are normally cheaper than their front load counterparts. Don’t let a few dollars make the decision for you though. Your laundry unit should last at least 10 years, so get the type that works best for your lifestyle!
Front Load
If top load washing machines were the rock in our analogy, front load washing machines are the babbling brook. They are gentler on clothing and rely on water exposure to remove dirt. This means the wash cycles take a longer time but they usually clean better than top load machines.
Our Pick: Maytag Front Load Washing Machine
If you haven’t got the hint, Maytag has this laundry thing down. Our favorite front load model is their MHW8200FC and comes with a stainless tub, optimal dose dispenser, PowerWash cycle, steam for stains option, and a fresh hold option. Just like our favorite top load model, this model can only be bought at select retailors, aka Factory Builder Stores. You can get a quote here!
Pros and Cons
Front load washing machines spin faster than top load counterparts. The high rate of spin can mean some models get noisy from vibrations but the tradeoff is the spinning extracts a lot of water making for shorter drying times.
One concern people have with front load units is the buildup of mold in the rubber gasket around the door. This problem can be combated by running a hot water wash every so often or keeping the washer door cracked open after a cycle.
Another inconvenience is having to bend down to unload the washer. A solution to this is to buy a pedestal. Expect to pay anywhere between $100 and $300 for a pedestal. Our Maytag model has 2 pedestal options, a 10” or a 15.5” with a storage drawer.
Although front load washers depend on water to clean clothes, they use less water than top load units. These washers still clean clothes better because they are exposed to the water for a longer period.
There’s no right or wrong washing machine to buy. For some, a front load washer makes the most sense. For others, a top load washer fits their needs. No matter what group you’re a part of, know your options and pick the right unit for you.
If you need help choosing the washing machine for your lifestyle, whether it’s our favorite Maytag washer or another brand, we’re here to help!
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