Laundry is one of the most dreadful activities that we regularly face in our homes. It takes time, attention, and so much effort to finish your laundry chores, but having an automatic washer makes the process easier and faster.
When searching for the next major laundry appliance, two types of washers cause dilemmas for Singapore homeowners: top-load and front-load washers. Both machines offer helpful features and excellent functions. Choosing the best washer boils down to its ability to cater to your home's needs.
And this question stands in the "front load vs top load washer" feud - Would you rather trust a front load washer or a top load washer to do your laundry?
Read through this short buying guide to find out what type of washer works for you and your home.
Major Differences Between a Top Load and a Front Load Washer
Washing and dryers come with outer and inner drums that work hand in hand during the cleaning cycle. A washer's outer drum is responsible for containing the water. For a front-load washer, this water enters and exits the rotating inner drum, which holds the laundry during the cycle. A top-load washer, on the other hand, contains a circular disk, impeller plate, or agitator that rotates the water inside the drum.
The opening of a top-load washer is at the top. It means that you can load and unload your laundry while standing. The inner and outer drums of a top load washer are positioned vertically. The door of a front load washer, on the other hand, is placed on the front, which often requires you to bend or sit while loading and unloading your laundry. The front-load washer's drums are located horizontally.
Ease of Usage
Both top-load and front-load washers make your laundry easier. Both machines have easy to manoeuvre buttons and convenient functions. When choosing a washer for your flat, consider how you want to load your machine. As mentioned earlier, top-load washers allow you to load and unload clothes while standing, while you have to put in a little bit of effort to load and unload your laundry from front-load washers. This means that you have to bend while working, which is not advisable for people with back problems. Front-load washers are efficient for people who have shorter statures. Using a laundry pedestal can help you work with a front-load washer with ease.
Sometimes you add more clothes to your washer during the cleaning cycle. This is possible for top-load washers by simply opening the lid upward and safely adding more pieces. This may not be applicable for all front-load washers, although other advanced units will let you add more loads mid-cycle.
Appearance
Both top-load and front-load washers express their own charms with their sleek designs. Top load washers boast their clean configuration. Since the lid is on the upper part of the machine, there are no visual constraints on its body. Front-load washers provide a good view of the interior with their transparent glass inserts, where you can monitor the progress of your laundry cycle. For front-load washers, knobs and buttons are located at the uppermost part of the washer's front.
Water Use and Energy Efficiency
Typically, standard top-load washers consume more water than front-load varieties. In light of this, top-load washers can handle more laundry than front load washers. To purchase high-efficiency washers, you may need to stretch your budget a bit.
In weighing your choices, you have to consider your laundry needs. Usually, the washing machine's capacity ranges from 6 to 12 kilos. If one to two people live in a household, a washing machine with a 6 kg capacity will suffice. A family of three to four people will need a 7–8.5 kg laundry capacity, and bigger families will need a 9–12 kg laundry capacity. Of course, this depends on your lifestyle. If you pile your laundry and use your washer at once, you can go for a washer with a larger capacity. This will also help you save water and electricity. If you have kids and the elderly in your household, you will need to use your washing machine more often. Also, larger items like bath towels, duvets, and bedsheets require more space and consume more water.
|
Tick Rating |
Water Required (litres/kg) |
|
2 |
9-12 |
|
3 |
6-9 |
|
4 |
Less than 6 |
When buying a new washer for your home in Singapore, make sure to check the PUB Water Efficiency Rating tick label on the products to ensure that you can save as much water and electricity as possible. Most efficient washers have a tick rating of 4. These units are more expensive than 2-tick washers, but they will help you save a huge amount of water and electricity in the long run. If you are short on budget, we recommend you go for a 3-tick washing machine because the 1-tick difference helps you save twice as much as the 2-tick varieties.
Performance and Laundry Wear and Tear
Which is better washing machine front load or top load?Ultimately, when deciding which is better washing machine-front load or top load - it's important to weigh these factors against your budget, the space in your home, and your laundry needs. |
Top-loader washers work when the agitator rotates and soaks clothes in the mixture of water and laundry detergent. When this touches the fabric, it creates pressure, causing possible damage to your laundry. Standard units with agitators are harsher on fabric. A front-loader washer is considered more gentle since the inner drum, where the clothes are contained, rotates while soaking the fabric in water and a gentler type of detergent. This process decreases friction and lessens the probability of your clothes being damaged. The good thing is, if you want a top-loader unit, modern high-efficiency units use impeller plates instead of harsh agitators. These are notably gentler than traditional models.
When buying a washer and dryer in Singapore, aside from your budget, it is important to weigh your laundry needs and the future benefits of each type. Remember, every piece of home furniture or appliance is an investment. Your purchasing decision today will determine how comfortable and convenient your home living will be.