Top Loading Washing Machines

Washing garments has been something that has been practically done since humans first stood on two feet, albeit in very much different regimes as performed in modern times.

Washing clothing the way our ancestors did in the past, would be sneered at by many people in the civilized world today. Although some of the principle methods of getting garments clean from the past are still seen today in the less industrious regions of the world. Methods such as beating clothes clean on rocks after dipping the items into a river, can still be seen practiced along the banks of the River Ganges in some parts of India and by tribes people in the Amazon Jungle to name a couple.

The ancient Romans would have a person named a 'fuller' cleaning clothes, getting those whites, whiter than white by stamping the clothes clean in large vats of fermented urine.

It certainly is nice to know that times have changed in the modern world, even since the first patented washing machine model in 1691. The first actual device that resembled top loading washing machines that contained a drum and spin action was patented by an Englishman named Henry Sidgier in 1782.

Of course any such clothes washing devices would have only been seen in mainly homes of the wealthy, and used by maids, who would manually perform the spinning action then hand wring the clothes by hand.

Then a washing day coup was invented, the first clothes wash device with a wringing mechanism (Clothes Washer with Wringer Rolls) was shown off to the public by its inventor John E. Turnbull in 1843.

These first washers had been constructed of wood and steel, so hot water would have been boiled separately on a fire then poured into the wash drum to wash the clothes.

Rinsing would have to have been done separately then the wringer which looked like the better known mangle, would have been used to do the job that spinning would do today.

The first actual electric top loader washing machines where invented sometime between the late 1800's and the early 1900's by a man with the name of Louis Goldenberg who also worked at Ford. Not surprisingly as technology allowed limited design concepts, these first electric devices where top loading washing machines, which slowly began to change through the next 30 - 40 years to the designs that we know today.

Your reasons to buy

You have either decided that you are moving into a new home or that you are going to replace an older washer. So to save on kitchen space you have decided that your utility room or garage will be your wash room.

So with this in mind you will want to find a machine that is great value for money, and does not have to be a front loader because you are not locating the washer under any units in your kitchen.

One of the other reasons why it is wise to choose a top loading washing machine for use in your utility room is value for money. They are simply so much cheaper, and get the job that its purpose serves done, just as good as any front loading model.

Budgets, Brands, Workings and Efficiency

There are some big differences between a front loading washer and the top loader, one of those differences is in the agitator (The centered paddle) that is not in the front loader. This is the principle method of gently washing your clothes of top loading washing machines, with it caressing and twisting motion during a wash cycle.

These top loaders come in a range of budget or high end prices, shapes and sizes, not only that they are produced by many of the leading manufacturers such as:

• Hotpoint - probably one of the best manufacturers of up-to-date technology and efficient cleaning power.

• L&G - The newer kid on the block, but still with many years of experience which is enough to build some fantastic units.

• Staber - which incidentally is the only top load horizontal-axis clothes washer made in the U.S. according to the manufacturer. And apparently is very efficient at washing clothes, at a very reasonable price for the machine.

• Maytag - Robust and easy to use, although various designs can be a big difference in efficiency and price.

• Kenmore - Another one of the well known brands that seemingly can do no wrong.

• Frigidaire - Similar in quality and efficiency with its models as the Kenmore Washer Units.

• Whirlpool - One of the big players, some more expensive models but have exceptional performance.

• And many more.

If you want to save money on a washer unit, and want it to fit perfectly into an area of your property that can utilize more space then the obvious choice will be top loading washing machines.

If you look out for energy star ratings you will see a difference in your energy bills also over time, especially over any older models that you may have had in the past.

If you suffer from a bad back or any other health problems that limit your ability to bend, then top loading washing machines will be of benefit to you - hence no need to do as much bending to remove or load up the machine.

All in all there are many plus points to owning a top loading washing machine - the pro's far outweigh any con's, all you need to do now is select which model best suits you.