Perhaps you've walked past the front-loading washing machines in home improvement stores, marveling over their sleek, modern look. Or maybe you've admired one in a model home, or the new house in the neighborhood with the appliance upgrade.

Front loading washing machines are not a new concept; they have long been used in commercial laundries. They have only been practical for home use, though, for a few years. Most department and home improvement stores now carry at least one, and usually several, models.

With front-loading washing machines gain in popularity, consumers are asking questions. They want to know what the differences are between a front-loading washing machine and a conventional, top-loading machine. They may have heard that front-loading machines save energy, and want to know how. Consumers are also looking for the latest innovations in appliance technology, and want to know if front-loading machines are available with the features they are looking for.

Why is the Door on the Front?

Front-loading washing machines and their top-loading cousins use entirely different mechanisms for washing clothes. They both use water and detergent, and spin at the end of the wash to remove water, but that's where the similarities end.

Conventional, top-loading washing machines wash clothes by using a large agitator to force clothes back and forth through soapy water, and then again through clean water to rinse out detergent. These machines are also known as vertical-axis washers, because the tub spins vertically.

Front load washers work in an entirely different way. They spin horizontally, and are sometimes called horizontal-axis washers. There is no agitator to move the clothes through the water; the tub itself moves, causing the clothes to be repeatedly lifted out of the water and plunged back in.

What are the Benefits of a Front-Loading Washing Machine?

Front-loading washing machines are gaining in popularity because they have several unique benefits over top-loading models. They are remarkably energy-efficient, and help extend the life of clothing washed in them. Front-loaders are also quieter and have larger capacities than conventional washing machines.

Energy Efficiency--Front-loading washing machines are good for the Earth in not one, but four separate ways. What's good for the Earth in these cases is also good for the pocketbook, a boon for buyers still suffering from sticker shock.

Front-loading washers use significantly less water than top-loaders. Because of the uniqueness of the wash mechanism, they use as much as 50% less water than vertical-axis washing machines. Not only will the owners of front-loading washing machines be able to pat themselves on the back for conserving water, but they will also be able to boast about their lower utility bills.

Because a large part of the energy used by a washing machine goes to heating the water, washing machines that use less water consequently use less energy. Even on the sanitary cycle, which washes clothes in water as hot as 160 degrees, front-loading washing machines use less energy for heating water than top-loading washing machines washing on the warm or hot settings.

Front-loading washing machines also spin faster than conventional machines, so the clothes that come out of them are drier than clothes coming out of a top-loader. This is handy when a harried homeowner has several loads to do in one day, because wash and dry times are closer to the same length. It also saves dryer energy, because there is less water to be dried by heat.

Finally, front-loading washing machines use less soap. Laundry detergents are costly and contain a lot of chemicals that are not readily biodegradable, so using less detergent is a benefit to both the Earth and the consumer.

Easier on Clothing--Wear and tear on clothing can cost a significant amount of money. When clothes last longer, consumers save money. The savings is even larger when expensive work clothes last through several seasons. Front-loading washing machines cause clothes to last longer by being gentler and reducing drying time.

In a traditional washing machine, the agitator beats clothes through the water. This results in stressed and twisted fabrics that quickly become worn. Horizontal-axis washers clean clothes by tumbling them in and out of the water, a much gentler action.

Time in the dryer also causes wear on clothing. Because clothes washed in a front-loading washing machine spend less time in the dryer, they become less worn.

Options--Front-loading washing machines are appliance manufacturers' luxury models. Consumers looking for the newest and best features will be able to find what they are looking for on front-loading washing machines. Some of the features and options to look for include:

• Sanitary cycles--Many high-end washing machines come with an option to wash clothes at temperatures high enough to kill bacteria and mildew.
• Stainless steel wash tubs--Porcelain-coated wash tubs can chip and rust, and are not able to spin as fast as stainless steel.
• Quiet operation--Modern floor plans often place laundry areas closer to the living areas of a house, making quiet washing machines desirable. Front-loading washers are quieter than top loading machines.
• Stackability--Many front-loading washing machines are stackable without giving up much washing capacity, a nice feature for people who live in compact homes.
• Larger capacity--Because front-loading washing machines do not contain a bulky agitator, models with super-large capacities are easy to find.

What are the Drawbacks of a Front-Loading Washing Machine?

Although front-loading washing machines have many benefits, they also have some drawbacks. Manufacturers are working to correct some of these shortcomings, but have not succeeded yet.

• Cost--The biggest problem with front-loading washing machines is their cost. Owners will recoup the initial expense in utility bills, but the machines still cost around $1000 or more.
• Decor--Although front-loading washing machines are becoming more common, there are still fewer models to choose from when compared to top-loading machines. Shoppers may have to purchase a white washer when they really wanted stainless steel, or almond even though their other appliances are white.
• Soap availability--Not all laundry detergents are appropriate for front-loading washing machines. Consumers may find that they have to change brands, or even look in a few stores before finding a product that will work.

With the exception of initial cost, the drawbacks of front-loading washing machines are relatively minor. Because manufacturers are trying to improve their products all the time, homeowners who plan on waiting a year or two before buying their next washing machine may have even fewer drawbacks to consider.