Use a Front Loading Washing Machine

Front loading washing machines, otherwise known as horizontal axis washing machines, have gained popularity because many models use less energy and save people money on electric bills. The front loading washing machine uses technology similar to a traditional front loading dryer since the clothes are placed in a stainless steel drum, loaded from the front, and spun. These washers work by filling the bottom of the tub with water and rotating the clothes through the water, instead of wringing the clothes through a central agitator. Because these washers are so different from traditional top load washers, instructions for use also differ greatly. Before using your front load washer, research how best to use and care for it and it will have fewer mechanical problems. This article will show you how to use a front loading washing machine.

Steps

  1. Buy high-efficiency detergent. This is also known as HE detergent. There is a small HE logo that appears on all high efficiency detergent bottles. Because a front loading washer uses less water, the detergent is a concentrated formula that has been proven to clean clothes thoroughly but avoid producing the amount of suds that a normal detergent would. For normal loads, no more than 1/4 to 1/2 of a cup (59 to 118.3 ml) of liquid detergent should be used.
  2. Make sure your washing machine is level before use. The front load washer uses a fast spinning motion to wring water from the clothes, so that the clothes leave the washer with a lot less water in them. If the washer isn't on a flat surface, it will shake and be very loud when in use.
  3. Load a full washer. A front load washer uses the same amount of energy to clean a few clothes or a full load. To take advantage of both the washer's capabilities and lower energy usage, be sure to fill it up before running a load. Front load washers also take slightly longer to run, so running full loads is both energy and time efficient.
  4. Open the glass washer door when you are not using it. Front loading doors are made of a combination of glass and plastic seals. If they stay damp, they can often mold and produce a smell. Leaving the door open helps to dry out the steel drum, seals and glass and prevent mold.
  5. Open the detergent drawer as well when you are not using the washer. Mold can also accumulate in damp areas in the detergent drawer and the pipes that feed the detergent into the washer. Avoid mold growth by routinely opening the drawer.
  6. Clean the washing machine with the built-in machine cleaning cycle. Read your user's manual to see how often this is recommended. A regular cleaning should prevent mold build up and the smells it can cause. Commercial washer cleaning products are also available to use in these cycles. They are a mild solvent that can remove mold or residue.
    • Some models recommend that you rinse the washer with 1 cup (236.6 ml) of bleach every month to clean it thoroughly.
  7. Wash with hot water from time to time. Most people take advantage of the fact that front load washers clean well with cold or warm water. This also saves money because you are not paying to heat the water. Incorporating an occasional hot water wash will help to clean your washer of residue and mold and perhaps save money on repairs in the future.
  8. Look at the steel drum in your washer after every load. A sock or washcloth can stick to the side and increase the chance of mold.

Tips

  • If your front loading washer model has a removable cup for liquid detergent, be sure to remove that cup before placing powdered detergent into the washer.

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Sources and Citations

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