The problem of today's market is that sometimes you have to sacrifice something for another. A couple of reasons for the development of front loader washers is eco-friendliness and space-savings. Eco-friendly in the sense that the front loader uses less water and therefore less detergent. They are also a space-saver because of the ability to stack the dryer on top of the washer, install them in a closet space or even under a kitchen cabinet (like the ones that ASKO produces - http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/W6984FI.html?brand_store=1). But then again there are companies out there that are taking the "less water" concept into consideration when developing top load washers. Take for example, WA42T26GW1 from Fisher & Paykel (I found it here - http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/WA42T26GW1.html) which has an auto water level that senses the size of the load and selects the optimum water level automatically, eliminating water wastage and fabric damage caused by too little water. The only thing is that you can't stack it, but if that isn't a problem for you then it doesn't matter. I use to own a top load before converting to my Electrolux Wave Touch machines, and my machine use to emit a nasty smell (well, maybe not nasty but definitely not pleasant) after a couple of weeks of use and I use to hate cleaning the dispensers which use to get all greased up and nasty (I tend to use this word alot!). So smell there always will be whether you use a front load or a top load. And cleaning the tub is definitely not that difficult as my machine reminds me when I need to do it and all I have to do is run a cleaning cycle with bleach. Like PC vs Mac, there will always be arguments around which one is the best and it will always come down to which one YOU are most comfortable with.

Combine the storage room and the laundry room to allow yourself a lot more flexibility. A 5 by 5 foot area doesn't leave enough room for opening doors on front loading washer and dryer at the same time if you have a sink there as well as an open hallway door. You need space for a laundry basket to take wet laundry outside, too. Download the installation manuals for the washer and dryer you chose so you can see how much space the manufacturer specifies. Then draw what's required.

I have always had top loaders with agitators. Stayed away from FL because of the smell problem (and because the way the laundry room is set up, a FL wouldn't work). I now have a new GE HE toploader. I bought this particular model because they advertise "use all the water you want". I'm guessing they made that distinction because of all the complaints of not being able to use enough water. If I used the machine at HE defaults, I'm not sure I'd like it (haven't tried it) but I override the HE settings to "use all the water you want" and I'm extremely happy with the results. Does it take longer than a FL? I don't know since I've never had one but seems to take a shorter amt of time than the washer it replaced.

"Where’s the rest of you LG lovers????" I am happy with my LG - and it is a top-loader. I just am not interested in a front loading machine. I don't want to have to wipe out/clean a gasket or leave the door open. That's just my preference. I do NOT love having to clean the soap dispenser however. My old machine cleaned fine with me just pouring in the liquid. This machine came to me after my parents passed away this summer - my washer got fried in an electrical surge in December so I just took their old (only a couple of years old really) machines. I don't like bells and whistles on my washer and dryer, but since these were free that is what I wound up with.