Did you know that the typical top loading washer uses 46 gallons of water per full load of wash vs. the typical front loader using 12 (that’s right, count ’em, 12) gallons? In addition to the substantial water savings with a front loading washer, you’ll also use less detergent per load of wash and your clothes will last longer washing them in a front loader because you don’t have that damn agitator whipping them back and forth. Oh, sure, a front loader will cost you a little more up front but you’ll more than get your money back by using less water and detergent and by not having to buy replacement clothes as often. Fun facts to know and tell.

The subject of levelling the washer comes up frequently in the laundry appliance repair forum. And almost every single friggin’ time, the Grasshopper blabbers on about how he knows the washer is level because he levelled it with a bubble level and that’s the end of that, blah, blah, blah. But when you hear us professionals talk about levelling your washer, bubble-level ain’t nearly as important as it is to have each leg carrying 25% of the washer’s weight. A washer can be bubble-level and still have three of the legs carrying most of the weight but the fourth leg is lightly loaded or even off the ground by a millimeter or two. In spin, a washer is basically a centrifuge and generates huge centrifugal forces. Any uneven weight distribution among the legs will manifest itself in various gawd-awful ways: thumping against walls during spin, knocking down walls or whole houses, and even flying across the room and wiping out whole families.

Awwite, if the Samurai says it then it is so. From now on, when I say to check the washer’s level you’ll know what I’m talking about.