The front-loading washing machine is actually a very simple appliance.  The wash drum in mounted horizontally with a door for loading clothes located on the front face of the machine.  A single drive motor and pulley set drives the drum.  Paddles located on the inside of the drum lift clothes and drop them down into a small amount of water sitting at the bottom of the drum.  This repetitive lifting and dropping combined with the detergent and absorption of water into the fabrics is what cleans the clothing.  The most complex system on the modern front-loading washer is the door seal.  This large gasket is responsible for preventing any water from leaking out of the machine during operation.  Most seals also incorporate a folded baffle design that attaches them to the drum and prevents small articles of clothing from slipping out of the drum and clogging the drain.  Early versions of front-loading washing machines suffered from leak problems but most of those problems have been resolved in the past decade.

Front-loading washing machines allow for the use of a relatively small amount of water to facilitate cleaning since the entire drum does not need to fill like in a top-loading washer.  Front-loading washers are also capable of spinning the wash drum at much higher RPM (up to 1200 RPM) allowing for more water to be removed from the clothes before drying.  While front-loaders offer many benefits, they are not problem free.  The horizontal alignment of the wash drum does allow for some water to remain between cycles which can allow the growth of mold and mildew in the washer.  This can produce unpleasant colors and scents in clothing.  This can be prevented by following manufacture’s recommended cleaning schedules which often include weekly cleaning of the door seal, monthly wash drum cleaning cycles and leaving the washer door open between loads.  If clothes do take on an unpleasant odor, washing them with detergent and 1/2 cup of white vinegar can remove the odor.

Overall, modern front-loading washing machines now offer an excellent combination of efficiency and reliability.  They still do have some drawbacks such as limited capacity, long cycle times and additional appliance cleaning steps.  Most front-loading washers are also still priced between $300 and $1000 more than their top-loading counterparts.  But the water and energy savings over the lifetime of the washer often offset these costs.  Find out more about how front-loading washing machines work.

At the same time that top-loading washers were beginning to become popular in the United States, front-loading washers were taking off in Europe.  It would take another four decades before the front-loading washer’s popularity would bring it back across the Atlantic Ocean to North America.  Surprisingly, the modern top-loading washing machine is actually a much more complicated machine than its front-loading rival.  This is primarily due to the gearbox drive that is necessary to rotate the wash drum and agitator separately.  However, thanks to its vertical orientation, the rest of the washing process is aided by gravity.  The large upright drum of a top-loading washer gives it excellent capacity to wash generous amounts of dirty clothes in a single cycle.  However, this capacity comes at a price as the drum must be completely filled with water to accommodate these loads.  The agitator is designed to draw clothes into the center of the drum and downwards in a cyclical pattern during the wash cycle.  Large or buoyant items like pillows and sleeping bags often do not submerge fully and as a result are better washed in front-loading machines.

Overall, the top-loading washing machine has reached the maturity of its technology.  Today’s top-loading washing machines are significantly larger, quieter, efficient and reliable when compared to their earliest predecessors over 60 years ago.  Find out more about Top-Loading Washing Machines.

The stylish design of the GE Profile series can make it the center of attention in your home

look no further than the amazing GE Profile series.  The latest GE Profile washers and dryers include a huge range of cutting-edge new features like SmartDispense, Overnight Ready, Adaptive Vibration Control, HydroHeater, SteamRefresh, eDry, eWash and Stain Inspector.  Today, we’ll cover these key features and how they can make your life easier.

All washers make claims about great cleaning performance, gentle and fast cycles, efficiency and high tech options, but GE has taken their Profile series to the next level with these great options:

SmartDispense: Unique pedestal that features 3 large capacity detergent and fabric softener reservoirs.  This pedestal can hold up to 6 months of detergent and will automatically integrate with the washer to ensure that the right amount is dispensed with each and every load.  It even dispenses at the precise time.  This great feature ends the mess and hassle of having to measure out detergent manually before each load.

Overnight Ready: Now you can start the washer before you go to bed and in as little as 8 hours your load will be washed and dried without having to move the clothes to the dryer.

HydroHeater: Special internal water heater that boosts water temperature to 160 degrees F to assist in sanitization.

SteamRefresh: Rejuvenates clothes and fabrics using a special steam cycle to remove odors and wrinkles.

CleanSpeak: The washer and dryer can communicate electronically to preset cycle times to help you save time.

eDry: GE’s unique dryer sensor that can reduce drying temperatures and allow for an additional 10% energy usage reduction.

eWash: A very effective cold water wash option that is the eco-friendly way to cut energy usage in the washer by an additional 10%.

The unique GE SmartDispense pedestal can hold up to 6 months of laundry detergent

Stain Inspector: On-screen program built into the washer and designed to integrate with the SmartDispense system to clean even the toughest stains.  It uses specific combinations of pre-wash detergent, cycle tweaks and temperature adjustments to make sure that your clothes always come out clean and fresh.

Adaptive Vibration Control (AVC): This active vibration reduction system is the latest in a long line of technology features on washing machines designed to reduce the amount of noise and vibration caused during spin cycles.  This system allows the washer to adapt to changing load balances and spin patters to reduce noise caused by out-of-balance loads.  It is still recommended that owner’s install an anti-vibration pad under the washer to absorb the remaining vibration noise.

Now that you’ve heard what makes the GE Profile series so impressive, remember that if you plan on installing this or any other washing machine on a second floor or plywood sub floor laundry room you will need to install a washing machine mat or pad.  Anti-vibration mats and pads assist the washer and dryer’s built in vibration reduction technology and protect against the structural damage that long term appliance usage can cause.  This is no place to penny pinch if you’ve just invested in a great new washing machine and dryer, spend the extra few dollars now on a set of Silent Feet anti-vibration pads and save yourself costly home repair bills later.

Save big on money, hassle and piece of mind on your next apartment appliance and consider renting or leasing your washer and dryer

A growing number of apartment, condo and home owners are renting appliances.  Selecting and purchasing a washer and dryer used to be a major purchase akin to choosing a living room set or a new car, but not any more.  These very utilitarian appliances can now be rented for a fraction of the price and you never have to worry about them growing too old and obsolete.  Not to mention that you never have to worry about costly repair bills.  The other main advantage to renting appliances is that if your living situation ever changes or you have to move you can end your lease contract without worrying about selling or moving the appliance.

For parents of college age children, it used to be the norm to consider buying them a new washer and dryer as soon as they got their first apartment.  But what happened to that washer and dryer set after just a few years?  It usually ended up in the garage or storage unit collecting dust as soon as they moved or changed dwellings.  There is no need to waste money investing in extra garage ornaments, just rent and rest easy.  So give up the dream of buying a new washer set and trade up to the piece of mind offered by a state of the art rental set.  Just think, no mater what your situation is in the coming years, you won’t have to worry about your washer and dryer.

For added piece of mind, consider adding Silent Feet or Anti-Walk Silent Feet pads to your rental washing machine.  This is especially important for apartment owners.  Add the world’s best appliance anti-vibration pad before you neighbors start complaining about your late night laundry habits.

If you’re in the market for renting a new washing machine or dryer, here are some companies to consider.  Appliance Warehouse deals with many different appliance rental situations including leasing, apartment units, commercial, corporate and home contracts.  Rent-A-Center offers many different rental appliances as well as computers, electronics and furniture.  Azuma appliance leasing company has locations all across the US and makes renting washers and dryer easy.  Similar to Rent-A-Center, Aaron’s offers a diverse selection of electronics, computers, furniture and appliances like washing machines and dryers.  Rent Crusader is another great option for customers looking to rent or rent-to-own a washing machine and dryer.  These are just a few of the national appliance rental chains.  There may also be local rental, lease and rent-to-own washing machine and dryer companies in your area.  Consider this option next time you are in need of a new appliance, but don’t forget that all washing machines benefit from installing Silent Feet or Anti-Walk Silent Feet anti-vibration appliance pads.

The competition's cheap Chinese neoprene washer pads just don't stack up against the amazing results of Silent Feet washer pads.

washing machine was no more than a big metal box with a metal laundry tub and a timer on it (there may have been a few other electronic bits too).  Overall, all the washer did was fill itself with water, spin a bit, drain, rinse and spin dry.  It had little to no care in the world for what you were trying to wash, how balanced your load was or for how you managed to get a spaghetti stain on your sock.  These days your washing machine likely has more computer processing power than the Apollo lunar lander did.  Washers have digital displays that make George Lucas’s original Star Wars series look a bit ancient and you washer now knows exactly how heavy, balanced and dirty your clothes are at all times.  Kenmore has even introduced a new feature called Kenmore Connect where their washers can communicate their exact mechanical problems with technicians using your cell phone.

Samsung washers now include their outstanding Vibration Reduction Technology (VRT) where a series of large ball bearings spin counter to the off-balanced load of clothing to reduce vibration.  LG  TrueBalance anti-vibration system takes advantage of direct drive motors and counter balance weights to make their washers suitable for installation anywhere including on the second floor.  GE washers use ultra complex suspension systems that rival the suspension in modern luxury cars.

Despite the rapid advances in washing machine technology, most washer pads have not kept pace.  Just walk into any Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sears or Best Buy and you will find average, hard, neoprene rubber washer pads.  These simple pads are really glorified paper weights.  If you put them under your washing machine chances are that all you will gain is an inch of height on the washer.  Compare any washer pad to Silent Feet anti-vibration pads and the difference is clear.  Instead of cheap Chinese neoprene, Silent Feet use ultra high tech Sorbothane urethane.  Sorbothane’s unique carbon urethane properties actually convert vibration energy into heat effectively absorbing it before it can become annoying noise and vibration.  Anti-Walk Silent Feet washer pads use the same Sorbothane rubber but also lock your washer and dryer in place preventing walking and unwanted movement.  Don’t settle for cheap off the shelf washer pads, buy high quality, American made, Silent Feet washer pads to compliment your high tech front-loading washing machine.

The next generation of washing machine ant-vibration pads will feature a dual rubber construction for two layers of isolation. This a change from our current model which features only one layer of isolation. We have been able to make this significant improvement by using a stiff but still flexible rubber top layer on all Silent Feet. This new top layer does double duty. While being flexible enough to absorb vibration, it also conforms to the shape and weight of your appliance to help lock it in place. This makes installation even easier and protects against appliance walking.

Check back soon for more updates and the official release of the next generation of Silent Feet Anti-Vibration pads.

“Many customers are first-time front load washing machine purchasers and typically are unaware of the vibration and noise issues of conventional front-loading machines.  Samsung has a compelling solution to this common annoyance for consumers and provides them with a stylish design to complement their homes,” said Jeff Armstrong, Senior Marketing Manager of Samsung Home Appliances.

Samsung claims that in tests involving unbalanced loads, Samsung’s VRT washing machines offered the lowest levels of vibration and noise from all the front-loading washers that they tested.  But, those tests were conducted internally by Samsung.  So, the question now is how does the technology really stack up for customers.  Samsung’s VRT technology has been available for almost 3 years so the results are finally available and it’s looking good for Samsung.

The Good

Form and function come together to create a stylish and very functional washing machine.  Many reviews have noted that even when washing large bedding and towels there was very little vibration and noise from their Samsung VRT washer.  Customers have even noted that that vibration reduction extends to washing pet beds, shoes, hockey gear, football pads and bath mats. (Source: Consumer Reports Reviews for Samsung VRT Washers)

Samsung VRT washing machines are offered in a variety of colors to add style and flair to your home.  Their currently color line includes Tango Red, Onyx Blue, Stratus Gray, and Neat White.  The color finish quality is excellent which means that you don’t have to hide your washer and dryer in a closet or utility anymore.  The washer and dryer are now quickly becoming a status symbol and a decor piece and Samsung has capitalized on this.

Superior wash quality has not been sacrificed.  Almost no complaints have been found for the cleaning abilities of Samsung VRT washers.  Whites

Form and Function in Harmony

really do come out whiter and colors are gently washed preserving both the fabric and the brightness.  Stainless steel washer drums and steam cleaning options combined with SilverCare technology produce clean and fresh smelling clothes load after load.

The Bad

Like many front-loading washers, the cycle time on Samsung’s VRT machines is longer than top-loading machines.  This is a typical trade off that allows the washers to conserve water, clean more gently and leave clothes dryer following the spin cycle.  A typical wash cycle takes around 90 minutes.

Mold and mildew have plagued front-loading washers since they first arrived on the market.  It is important that you leave the washer door open following use to allow for excess moisture to evaporate.  It is also recommended to run a load on steam cycle with 1-2 cups of vinegar to clear up mold, mildew and mineral build-up once per month.

The price of these washing machines has also been significantly higher than similar front-loading units on the market.  But, the combination of features, quality, low vibration and reduced noise has kept the Samsung VRT washers at the top of the review charts for the past few years.  You get what you pay for and for an expected price of between $900 and $1500 their is a big decision to make before investing in a Samsung VRT washer.

Overall Review

Samsung has producing a winning combination of features in their Vibration Reduction Technology washing machines.  Customers looking for a  solid, reliable, practical and beautiful washing machine for a second floor laundry room or living space installation need look no further.  Samsung does note that their VRT system does not completely eliminate vibration and an anti-vibration pad like Silent Feet from The Vibration Solution are still a necessary add on.  If you’re looking for a new front-loading washing machine and you want the best appliance on the market, leave the LG, Maytag, Whirlpool and other brands at the store and bring home a Samsung VRT washing machine today.  3 years of positive customer feedback proves that it is a wise and worthwhile purchase to make.

In addition to silencing the noise transfer to your home, Silent Feet will raise the height of your dryer making it easier to load and unload.  If you’ve installed Silent Feet under your washing machine, it’s best to get a second set for you dryer to keep them both at the same height.  Silent Feet and Anti-Walk Silent Feet will also help stop prevent walking and unwanted movement on dryers.  The following gas and electric dryers have been shown in laboratory tests to have high levels of noise and would benefit from the installation of a anti-vibration isolation pad like Silent Feet.

Electric Dryers with Noise Problems

Amana NED4800V
GE DRSR483EG
GE DTSR495EF
GE Profile DPSE810EG
Fisher & Paykel DE62TG1
Fisher & Paykel DEGX2
Kenmore 6952
Maytag Centennial MEDC500V
Miele Touchtronic T9800
Staber HXD2304E

Gas Dryers with Noise Problems

Amana NGD4800V
Fisher & Paykel DG62TG1
Fisher & Paykel DGGX2
GE Profile DPSE810GG
GE DRSR483GG
GE DRSR495GG
Kenmore 7952
Maytag Centennial MGDC500V
Miele Touchtronic T9820
Staber HXD2304G
Whirlpool WGD5700V

Recommended Low Noise Electric Dryers

GE Profile Harmony DPGT750EC
Kenmore Elite HE3 Steam 8674
Kenmore Elite HE5 Steam 8772
Kenmore Oasis Steam 6808
LG DLE2516
LG DLE5955
LG SteamDryer DLEX3001
LG Tromm DLE8377
Maytag 5000 Series Steam MEDE500V
Samsung Steam DV448AE
Whirlpool Duet Steam WED9600T

Recommended Low Noise Gas Dryers

GE Profile Harmony DPGT750GC
Kenmore Elite HE3 Steam 9674
Kenmore Elite HE5 Steam 9772
Kenmore Oasis Steam 7808
LG DLG2516
LG DLG5955
LG SteamDryer DLGX3002
LG Tromm DLG8388
Maytag 5000 Series Steam MGDE500V
Samsung Steam DV448AG
Whirlpool Duet Steam WGD9600T

Buy a set of Silent Feet Anti-Vibration Pads for your washing machine and dryer today. Thousands of customers all around the world are enjoying a more peaceful and quiet home thanks to our products.  Experience the most effective anti-vibration pad on the market for yourself today.

Check out our other buying guides for 2010:

The Complete Guide to Front Loading Washing Machines 2010

The Complete Guide to Top Loading Washing Machines 2010