You will find many different opinions on this forum. I have a top load, but my advice is to read everything you can find on fl especially the posts on this site. Just try the best that you can to make sure that whatever you choose (if you change to fl), you will be happy. Also, go to youtube and search for videos and the washer manufacturers websites often have videos as well. Watch as many as you can find. It is a difficult decision and since washers cost so much you don't want to make a mistake. I totally understand. Good luck in your search.

Also, keep in mind that you may want to just keep yours. Newer tl's don't add as much water as yours does.

Broken agitator dogs has no relation to urine odor.

All the research and various consumer organizations indicate that FLs do a better job cleaning than TLs, which is also my experience. FL washers are also gentler on clothes. FL use much less water. FL are used commercially because they can handle much larger loads, not that you will be getting a washer that can handle 100+ pounds of laundry. All things being equal the type of detergent you use has a huge impact on washing performance. Some FL have had mildew issues which may account for the smell coming from your friends clothes. I have never had any such issues with my FL washer.

IMO, a FL is so much better it's not funny. CLothes come out SO much cleaner and a FL uses a lot less water. I don't care that the cycles take longer. And after years of use, we have ZERO issues with mold or smells in our FL washer. Just leave the door open and wipe out the boot.

" I also noticed an almost overpowering smell from the detergent." This means either too much detergent is being used or their detergent is more heavily scented that the brand you use. Or (c) Both of the above.

I've used both. Much prefer FL both for cleaning and especially for the spin. Extraction of the excess water means less time in the dryer. You can read what my FL will do: Miele Fans Washing Machine Cheat Sheet.

To answer your question, if your comparing a new HE FL to your old style style TL, they do not clean any better. Any additional cleaning benefit you get is because of the internal boost heater. Far as being more gentle, there NOT, friction creates wear and more so when there is little H2O to immerse the load. Something's the old school TL just inherently does clean better than the new modern FL, and some things the new FL does better and more efficiently.far as urine smell, it's the cold water washing. You can't wash in cold water and expect clean regardless of what type of machine your using.

Thank you all for your helpful insights. I know that eventually I will have to get a new washer, but I do plan to keep mine going as long as possible. I thought it might have been an issue that my friend washed her clothing in cold water, or the type of detergent, or it could even be affected by the hardness of the water. It was the only comparison I could personally see, so I will have to see if she will let me wash a "tester" load of my own clothing using my own temps and detergent someday.

Until I absolutely have to get a new washer, I will continue lurking here and around other areas to gain as much insight as I can get!

To Dadoes, I believe, with the agitator not agitating, my rug did not get clean. As soon as I replaced them, and rewashed the rug, it was great. Of course, it could be that it got 2 full washes, so I am sure that had an impact as well. At least the smell alerted me to an issue with the washer that I had not noticed, and the fix was easy and inexpensive, my favorite type of repair!

The dogs are related only to rotation of the upper spiral part of the agitator. The base, and fins which provide the sloshing action, continue to oscillate normally down in the water when the dogs are bad.