Buyer's Guide to Your New Washer
Now when looking at capacities, do your best not to focus in on cubic footage, but focus on how many towels they can clean. Every good unit has the towel test, and here is an example of what I mean: The GE Profile Harmony is 4.0 cubic feet in capacity, and will efficiently clean 24 bath towels, while the Kenmore Oasis, 4.5 cubic feet will efficiently clean 23 bath towels. See the difference? GE Profile's Harmony has a 4.0 cubic ft capacity, but can clean 1 more towel than the larger 4.5 Kenmore Oasis. Not to knock one product over another, I just simply want you to understand how much paying attention to language in ads can save you.
Another difference in the high-end, lower-end models is the stainless steel tub. These are important for several reasons. First, the tub won’t rust. Second, the tub will last longer, it will generally have a lifetime warranty. Third, it harbors less than .01% of bacteria, which means no more mildew smell or growth. Lastly, it won’t crack. Another thing, remember why I said most front loaders should not be placed on any level but the ground because of their suspension? Top loaders have a similar issue with tubs being bolted to the machine. If you have been one of the lucky consumers to have a machine walk on you, you will appreciate this information. Washers walk because of their suspension system. Many tubs are just bolted to the bottom of the machine, so when the load gets unbalanced, it will begin to shake or even walk. If you can, make your way out to a store that carries any GE top load washer, push the tub around in the GE; then walk to a Maytag and push that tub around. You will notice a HUGE difference. You can push the GE tub around with very little effort because again, they have a spring and shock suspension, so they will never become unbalanced or walk. (No I don't work for GE... I just know they make good products and most places carry them, so it's easier to use that name than "Miele" who are excellent by the way, they just aren't as common.) Again, if you do not have the time or means to make your way out to a store. Simply call the manufacturer of the appliance of interest and ask! Customer service lines at these major appliance companies are excellent and really know their stuff.
Lastly before we move on to dryers, know that most of the new clothes washers that have dispensers (which are important) use HE (High Efficiency) detergent. HE detergent is used and better than traditional detergent because it creates less suds which has been proven to get your clothes cleaner! Many of us want to see suds, we feel as though the suds make our clothes clean, when actually they’re soiling our clothes. To get them their cleanest you need the proper amount of detergent, with the least amount of suds and to dispense the detergent at the proper time during the wash, which the dispensers handle. High-end models do all of those things, and surprisingly HE detergent costs less than regular detergent, not by much, but it is less, and now you don’t need to use as much detergent, so it saves you on detergent expense. You can find HE detergent  at any local grocery store, Wal-Mart, Target, etc.[SIDEBAR: For those of you that did not know, fabric softener ruins cottons! Sure it smells good, but it's taking the life from your clothes. With a good washer and dryer all you need is detergent to maintain that good smell.]
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