Clean your clothes, not your wallet
Agitator washing machines are supremely tough on stains.
In turn, agitator washers can also wear down clothes quickly.
Agitator washers cost less than front-loading washers and impeller washers.
What is an agitator washing machine? Agitator washers are top-loading washing machines that take a sledgehammer to tough stains and grime. A front-load machine can clean laundry, but agitator washers' sheer power makes them preferable for households with clothes, linens, and other items that frequently need thorough cleaning to get smells and dirt out. Let’s walk through how agitator washers work, the pros and cons, and help you determine if one is a good fit for your household.
Agitator washers are incredibly robust washing machines that top-load and rely on a central post, called an agitator, that twists back and forth to get stains out of clothes and linens. This creates friction between the water, clothes, and detergent capable of removing difficult stains like grass, coffee, and tomato sauce that frequently don't come out when washed in less robust machines.
The oscillating motion of the agitator ensures that detergent is evenly distributed throughout the load, so you aren't unpleasantly surprised by stale or musty smells after pulling the clothes out of the dryer later. The agitator in the washing machine also thoroughly beats out any remaining detergent before the rinse cycle.
If you’re in the market for a new washing machine, one of the main decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want an impeller or agitator washer. Both types of washing machines are popular choices. While an agitator washer relies on an agitator post, impellers use a disc or cone at the bottom that rotates.
Impeller washers will effectively clean clothes and linens, but the gentler rotations at the bottom of the drum don't create as much friction as agitator washers. Subsequently, they aren't as tough on stains as agitator washers. They do, however, have higher capacity and are gentler on fabric.
Thinking of installing an agitator washer? Here are the pros and cons to consider.
The main draw of agitator washers is that they will decimate stains, odors, and all the other unpleasant byproducts of daily life more effectively than other types of washing machines. If household members frequently battle food stains, dirt from physical jobs and sports, and your pets love to nest in your linens, an agitator washer could be more effective than a high-efficiency washing machine for your household.
Agitator washers have shorter wash cycles compared to other types of washing machines. The cycle is fairly straightforward: It fills with water, distributes the detergent and beats the stains out of your clothes or linens, drains, and rinses. If you have several loads of laundry to do in a day, it makes the job drastically faster.
A new washing machine costs $300 to $1,000 on average, with agitator washers being on the lower end. They are also durable and don’t need repairs as frequently as more high-tech models. Once wear and tear beats down an agitator washer, a new machine can even cost less than calling a local washing machine pro after the warranty runs out. This makes agitator washers the top choice for homeowners on a budget.
While agitator washers are tough on stains and muck, they’re also tough on fabrics. The harsh motions from the agitator will wear down fabrics faster than other types of washing machines. If your clothing is more delicate or expensive, you may prefer an impeller washer.
Agitator washers use more water than other types of machines. Depending on how much laundry your household does, this can result in high water bills that quickly negate the low upfront costs.
The agitator component in agitator washers takes up more room than the discs or cones used in impeller machines. Larger households that prioritize jampacking the washing machine over a shorter wash cycle and effective stain fighting may prefer an impeller washer for volume purposes.
If you’re used to seeing a variety of options akin to a fast food soft drink dispenser when you start a load of laundry, agitator washers can be a rude awakening. They are very limited in terms of different wash cycles and modifications, such as an extra rinse, hand-wash cycles, or allergen-friendly washing methods. Some homeowners desire this level of simplicity, but households with more complex laundry needs may be put off by this.
While you can remove the agitator from an agitator washer, this is not recommended. It's the key component that washes your clothes, and it doesn't require removal if it needs cleaning. If the agitator is dirty but functional, you can clean it with warm water and detergent. If the agitator is malfunctioning, you should contact a local authorized washer technician to check on it instead of removing it yourself.
Some impeller washer models use a wash plate. It sits at the bottom of the drum and friction is created with water jets, not the plate itself. Spraying, rotation, and spinning fins distribute the detergent and clean the clothes. An agitator is a large post in the middle of the drum that creates friction and effectively beats dirt and stains out.
The agitator is a large post that is usually just one piece, but some models are made of two pieces that tightly fit together. You can tell if the agitator is damaged if these two pieces are coming apart or there are visible cracks, or you can turn the post with your hands. If it doesn't move at all when you do a wash cycle, that's also a sign the agitator is damaged.
