Changes

== Summary ==

Washers are top-loading or front-loading. Top-loading has long been the USA standard, but energy considerations are switching the market to the European front-loading standard. These are also called horizontal-axis washers.

== Energy Efficiency ==

Reducing water consumption is a big winner, because it also reduces the amount of electricity required to heat water during the hot-water cycle, and reduces the amount of detergent needed. Reducing the detergent reduces the water needed for rinsing. Higher spin speeds eliminate more water and detergent from the clothes, so they require less time in the dryer, and are softer. Front-loading washers win on all of these accounts.

== Types ==

Combination units have a key disadvantage: you have to wait for the entire wash cycle to finish before the drying cycle starts.

== What to Look For ==

*Multiple rinse cycles

*Sanitation cycle

== Models ==