Gone are the days when clothes were washed by hand, beaten on stones and rinsed in running water. The modern trend is towards washing machines, which come in a wide array of brands and makes. For convenience and catering to various requirements of different consumers, these machines are manufactured in a variety of models, like top loading, front loading, integrated etc. The top loading and front loading are the most commonly used ones.

Top Loading Washing Machines are vertically mounted and basket-fitted with a water tub. This top loading washing machine has an agitator at the centre of the bottom. All the dirty clothes are loaded from the top of the machine. It consists of a perforated tub, which is filled with water. The water level should match the level of the clothes. Once the machine is set in motion, the agitator pulls the clothes towards the agitator paddles. The clothes are then tossed up and down the sides of the machine. Whereas in Front loading machines, they have their wash tub placed horizontally. Clothes can be loaded by a door, which is provided in the front part of the machine. The agitator uses a back and forth motion. The clothes are lifted by the paddle fitted inside and then dropped into the machine.

Front Loading Washing Machines require water only for moistening the clothes. These machines use less water and detergent. These machines are mechanically simple to use as the motor is connected to the drum by a pully belt and a pully wheel. The front loading washing machine has a door, which will be sealed once the machine is set in motion, otherwise water could seep out from the machine. It is designed in such a way that it prevents small clothes from falling in the gap of the machine and jamming the rotation process of the machine. These machines have electrical heating elements.

Top loaders have an advantage that their doors can be opened at any stage of washing, thereby clothes added or removed. These machines need a gearbox, clutch and crank to perform its function. They use more water and consume more electricity, when compared to front loading machines. These machines have more wash capacity. The front-load washers rank high on energy efficiency. They have a faster spin speed than the conventional washing machines, giving out much drier clothes. The major drawback with these machines is their cost and availability of lesser models. Top loading and front loading machines have their own benefits and limitations. However, today the front loaders are in demand than the top loaders.