If you’re wondering how a front-load washer works, you’re not the only one. They’re a relatively new design in the US, unlike their common counterpart, the top load washer, and can look very different, with no agitator and (the clues in the name) a door at the front.
They’re known to clean clothes better, remove stains more easily, and use less water, making them more energy efficient than even the best top load washers. But it seems many Americans are still choosing the alternative. Perhaps tradition and not knowing a lot about what makes the best washing machines are to blame.
So whether you’ve invested in one of the best front load washers or not, we’ve spoken to an appliance expert at Power Point Stores on how a front-load washer works and broken down the parts, literally.
What is a front load washer?
Front-load washers may be more expensive than top-load models, but they are known to do a better job of cleaning your clothes. They use less water and tend to last longer, too. However, there are some similarities between how a front load washer and a top loader work. Both feature a stainless steel drum and use a motor, drain pump, and rotational spinning to rinse water from your laundry.
How does a front load washer work?
If you're new to front load washers, or you're simply looking for a few handy tips to help get the most out of your machine, these pointers will explain just how a front load washer works.
1. Loading
The main variation comes with loading your clothes. A front load washer comes with, you guessed it, a door on the front of the machine. The drum inside can come in a few sizes, ranging from 11 lb loads all the way to industrial-size 26 lb models.
Sterling Broad, Owner of Power Point Stores, says, “Some front-load washers use smart technology and can be controlled via an app. For the tech-savvy customers, this feature can allow you to time the wash to start when you’re out or remind you to buy more washing tabs.”
The design of front-load washers makes them easy to stack with a dryer, and doing so will allow you to load laundry without constantly bending down. Despite needing to crouch to empty cycles, front-load washers tend to be easier to reach into it, which is great news if you struggle with the depth of top-load machines. It's also a good idea to throw smaller items, like socks, into the drum first so that they're less likely to get caught up in clothes and bed linen.
2. Components
There are fewer internal components in a front load washer than in a top load model since there are no gears or clutch control. Instead, there's a rubber bellows system that keeps the water and clothes inside the drum when it spins. By comparison, the electrical components can be trickier to navigate on a front-load washer.
Forget simple dial controls. Front load washers work with minicomputer systems to automatically select cycles according to load size and pre-set, like eco, hygiene-care, or fast wash.
3. Water usage
Front-load washers only use around 13 gallons of water, half of the amount a standard top-load washer uses. How? As Sterling at Power Point Stores explains, “It will only dose the water necessary for the load which has been put into the machine.” More water may be added to larger loads to maintain the preset level once it's been absorbed.
