Washing machines
 

Hi
have hears that top loaders ruin your clothes and it is best to buy a front loader,even though they are more expensive in Canada,is this true?
mike

I don't know if that is true or not, but have always been scared of front loaders, because I have seen those doors come un-done and water flooding the place.

We particularly like toploaders ( frigidaire and whirpool ), and the same goes for all our appliances. They are reasonably priced, with washers and dryers starting as low as $350 and $450, and they look good too. There are a lot of fancy ones out there, but what is the point of spending all that money on that? They also come with the energy saving logo too.

The guy in the store did tell us though, that frontloaders save more energy. There are sales going on right now at the BRICK and SEARS.

Re: Washing machines
 

I have the Whirlpool Duet frontloaders and they are just as good (twice the size) of the Zanussi I had back home. Cost me $1600 for the pair, but I think they have gone down since I got them three years ago. Washing detergents here are hopeless, so you need a good washer to get clothes clean without a whack of bleach. Top loaders also "pill" jumpers and tee shirts after one or two washes. I had Maytag top loaders and thought they were dreadful.

My inlaw's toploader wrecks clothes, but I think that is more to do with age than design.

I prefer the all-in-one units myself. Load the thing once, hit a button, come back in a few hours and your clothes are clean and dry!

Yup - Lazy I am.

Whirlpool top loader - takes a queen sized comforter (ie a duvet).

No pilling problems experienced - Canadian clothes seem to be fine, but Brit clothes need gentler treatment.

Re: Washing machines
 

question about washing machines... we are intending to rent an apartment to begin with, and some of the places we've looked at have in their descriptions laundry rooms... are these decent? does anyone have experience with shared facilities, or is it better to go and purchase a washer/dryer?

Re: Washing machines
 

We have coin-op laundry machines in our apartment building. It gets expensive paying 4 dollars for one load to be washed and dried, especially when you have homeless people likely to steal your clothes. It would help if people in our building bothered to shut the outside doors behind them.

I guess laundry rooms will always depend on the quality of management in your chosen building. We've been through 6 resident managers in over 18 months, and not one has agreed to put a lock on the door, or even a mock security camera.

Our rental apartment had its own washer & dryer - it was ancient, but it worked.

Re: Washing machines
 

Our apartment building comes with the coin-op laundry rooms, pretty nasty really, not only is it a pain having to carry all that laundry, the dryers don't work properly so you have to pay twice as much to get the clothes dry. Building management doesn't let us install our own washer/dryers even though we purchased our unit.

Lot less strain on the bearings on a top loader, so they seem to last forever, but they use more water and hydro (thats electricity to those still in the UK:) ), which I think is what is driving the introduction of (expensive) front loaders. Also a top loader isnt much good to you if you want to install it under a kitchen counter. I suspect the age of the machine and hardness of the water have more influence on whether your clothes get ruined, but there do seem to be a lot of older top loaders out there to put holes in your clothes, probably 'cos they seem to be indestructable.

Re: Washing machines
 

We abandoned the inhouse laundry facilities to drive to a decent laundromat. It cost less, we could do all the loads at once, and the dryers were much better, plus noone is going to nick your laundry if you are sitting there while it dries. Used to do the weekly groceries while they washed, so it worked out quite well as we got half the chores done in a couple of hours.

I had a front loader for 30 years. I bought a front loader about 3 years ago and I really like it. It definitely seems to treat the clothes more carefully. When I was looking for a new washer, one salesman told me that they were phasing out the top loaders as they used too much water. However, I have not seen any evidence of that so probably it was just the usual rubbish salesmen tell you to get you to buy what they want to sell you.

As for apartments, I would guess that whatever city you live in, the owner will not allow you to install your own washer, even if the facilities provided are not to your liking. I doubt that you could install a washer without the owner finding out because you would have to change the plumbing I would think. Some apartments in Regina have a laundry room in each suite. This would obviously be better than leaving your laundry washing itself when there is therefore opportunity for pilfering!

Hi

I have just purchased a front loader and dryer. The prices have come down a lot in the 2 years we have been here. I paid about $1000 for both (from The Bay). I have used the top loader here and have to say I MUCH prefer the front loader plus they are way more efficient.

JJ

washing machines
 

Hi,
when i lived in calgary for a year i used a toploader and never had a problem with the clothes, never ripped any or wore out quicker, also sister has used toploader for nearly 20 years and not said she has any problems with her. I guess us brits are so used to frontloaders not sure about change, looks as though you can get more in a toploader, is that true? don't know!!

My top loader washer is 17 yrs old and still doing its job....its a kenmore. The Dryer is also a kenmore, same age! Most homes that you will buy in Canada will have a basement and there will be a place for your washer and dryer. Plumbing for the washer and the vent for your dryer. Not many houses will have the washer in the kitchen like UK. My dishwasher and stove are a Maytag and are fairly new, and I personnally feel the Maytags are over rated, for the price of them.