Bats...I would so love to rubbish this statement, but regretfully it's nothing but true

... but I so love being able to chuck in the extra sock when I've missed something...

But as Izzi said, glad it's not just me.

I saw new top loaders in Sears which don't have the whirly bit which seems to be the thing that shreds the clothes.

Anyone got one?

Meanwhile, off to buy some Downy. Even my usually unobservant OH has commented that the washing doesn't smell, er, washed.

Had several top loaders
I remember my granparents had one once

after many issues with getting clothes clean, various washing powers, all to no avail

we bought an uptodate front loader,

water consumption is way down and clothes are clean every time


Applicances here are often good enough, but very rarely good

Which North American appliances are you referring to? The ones that are manufactured by corporations of other nations but which are manufactured in North America, those manufactured in other countries and then shipped to North America, or those manufactured in North America by North American corporations?

Our top loader is fine. It was one of the more expensive Kenmore ones, and is energy star approved.

Like anything, there are good ones and bad ones out there I guess.

As an engineer I like the idea that with a top loader all the weight is evenly distributed on the bearings, and that you are not reliant on a door seal to keep the water in the machine. Capacities for top loaders seem higher to me too.

Front loaders use less water, so are better if you are on a water meter. If you wash with warm water then that keeps heating costs lower too, but we have a well and wash with cold water anyway. The washing action of a front loader is likely more efficient as the direction is not always changing. I hate the bending over though to get wet clothes out of a front loader, a top loader is certainly easier on my back. Ive certainly know some crap ones though, the one in the apartment I was in when I first arrived was pretty poor.

This is totally different from what my machine says to do! It says put in the detergent, then the clothes, then turn it on. I might have to try this other method.... As far as overfilling, generally the machine is half full of clothes when I do a wash, and I choose the medium on large wash setting as that's a water level of half or 2/3 full (from the diagram). I can't believe I'm putting to many clothes in it...
Will try this method next time and see what happens!

Apart from the Kitchen Aid mixer and the food processor anything we have ever bought with a NA name on it. You work out the rest.

I know, lol, but if you read the detergent instructions they 'usually' say to fill or part fill the tub with water, add the detergent and then the clothes. I usually set it to medium load and let it fill, add the detergent and then once the clothes are in put it to the large load. It's a good way of making sure that you aren't overfilling it as well.

it works for you.

My Canadian wife had plenty of satisfactory experience of top loaders - although she loves the look of a front loader. When we moved to our own place we bought the cheapest package and it works like a charm. The money saved went on other things where appearance and comfort were more important than mere functionality.

Top loaders in the rental too. All tenants happy with it.
Makes a difference if you're a family

Ha, now that's something I've not heard before.

and if its Properly connected (as per code) to a septic sytem

I don't, really, need to work anything out. The appliances I have bought in both England and Canada have worked fine and performed as needed.

Maybe you have lower standards than i do.

Possibly, we shall, likely, never know.

I have to say that I haven't had any problems with any appliances I have bought here either - still using the kettle, toaster, coffee maker, iron and microwave I bought 11 years ago from Walmart; washer/dryer (top loader) work without errors and don't do damage to my clothes at all; breadmaker, vaccuum cleaner and sundry small appliances all work fine, the only thing I had to replace was my toaster oven, but after switching to Breville have been more than satisfied.

If it works it works - nothing to do with standards, sorry.

Of course it is. How clean you consider your recently washed clotges are? How well does your oven work? My fancy Maytag has a fan oven that doesn't bake evenly, the NA design of heat at the bottom doesn't help give even cooking. The lower oven door opens downwards onto your toes if you aren't standing far enough back. Once there you have to bend way forwards to lift the heavy casserole out. The controls are at the back so you have to reach over flames/heat/steam to use them. The simmer burners are at the back not the front. Maybe that's all OK for some people as it works and does a job but it does not do it well.