The options for buying a new washer and dryer can be a little overwhelming — front-loading, top-loading, stackable, anti-vibration, sanitizing, red, blue, et cetera. With my own recent W&D shopping experience in mind, I started reading a recent Washington Post article about how these heavily-used machines became "trophy appliances."
The article explains how front-loading machines came to be popular in the US despite the fact that they require laundry-doers — who, for a family, cycle an average of 400 loads a year — to bend down. Already popular in Europe, the front-loaders were adapted to have pedestals (making them taller and easier on backs) and larger capacities than their European counterparts.
Even though laundry loads are still large and frequent, the article also touches on the shift by Americans to considering the long-term savings that come from an efficient machine's reduction of utility and water bills. In contrast to this positive change, and touching more on the "trophy" aspect, consumers also have more superficial options, such as picking between a variety of exterior colors.
• Read the full article in The Washington Post.
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Pff, trophy appliances, heaven forbid people should care about things like beauty or aesthetics in their home. Nope, it must be functional but ugly, or it's just a luxury.
One thing people might also forget about the old fashioned lower washing machines is that they're the right height to use as a folding table. Not everyone has room for an actual folding space in their utility closet, in which case those front loaders suddenly become more useful.
know what would be good? an indoor laundry facilities. I live in florida, where it is still summer, and I mean hot. and the fact that my washer and dryer are in the garage is just cruel and unusual punishment. not to mention that I occassionally have to deal with the 'wildlife' that enters the garage. like bugs and lizards.
Unrelated to the washer, but can we see more photos of this kitchen somewhere? They're pretty fantastic!
I think it was less about beauty and aesthetics, and more that they became a part of the "technical arms race." There is nothing wrong with that of course, but it did hurt the affordable front loading options out there. I know a few people with to much money, and for a while they were upgrading their appliances like people do their phones. It was pretty ridiculous, and something you wouldn't have seen ten years ago.
Mine are in the garage, so I have no need for extra pretty appliances. I did buy my front loader precisely because it was more efficient than the top loaders available. I also like using the top for drying sweaters.
The fact that I have to bend down to load/unload the washing machine has never bothered me; I already had to do it for the dryer...
I've only ever had front loaders and yes you have to bend but it's a lot easier to shift heavy wet clothes onto a basket on the floor than it would be from a top loader.
My only issue is the side the doors open. I'm considering completely remodeling my laundry room because the doors on the washer/dryer open towards each other.
Um, how does one get to the controls on the top machine? Am I missing something?
@Nerves: in the instructions for your washer or dryer, you ought to have directions that show you how to change how your doors open. My dryer, for instance, has a second set of holes on the opposite side of the door so I can switch.
The prices on the new W&D's are ridiculous!! $1,600 for both!!!
My wife likes the front-loaders but I think that's just because she wants to check out my bum.
Even with a top loader you've still got to bend to get to the dryer, in most cases.
linbo, the top machine isn't as high as it looks. The top surface of the upper machine is about 6' off the ground. That said, I saw a machine a few years ago where the dryer's control panel could be moved from the top to the bottom -- cool idea!
It's all about the bejamins for me. I could never afford a $1,600 washer/dryer pair, no matter how efficient and/or pretty.