How do agitatorless washers work

Despite what some people think, advances in washer technology ensure that agitators can take on your toughest loads — without being tough on your clothes. That job belongs to your family. And between home-run mud stains, early-morning coffee spills and tough gym sessions, these appliances have their work cut out for them. A washing machine with an impeller uses less motion and water than a washer with an agitator.

Designed so laundry has more room to move, it drives clothes from the outer rim of the wash basket to the center, using a small amount of water to optimize the friction. This is what helps deliver a gentle, efficient, yet thorough clean. Uses low-profile cones, wheels, fins or discs that spin to gently rub clothes against each other.

For both, make sure the clothes are placed evenly around the central spindle or wash plate so the wash basket is balanced. With cleaning performance, energy efficiency, capacity, innovation and convenience being roughly equal, your decision really hinges on your personal preference. You can easily add the 2 in 1 Removable Agitator to your load or just as quickly remove it and have extra room to wash bulky items.

Check out our agitator and impeller washer top picks, or shop all top-loading washers from Whirlpool. Learn more about front load vs. Sign in to unlock lower pricing. Subscribe to Receive :. Total Price:. We use your information in accordance with our privacy policy. Skip to main content.

We seem to have lost our map and can't update your zip code right now. Please try again in a bit. This site only ships to the United States. Your location:. Order Status. Find a Store. The equipment is easier on clothes. Because you own a washing machine without an agitator, there are fewer interactions between your clothing and the appliance. That creates less wear-and-tear while doing laundry, keeping your favorite items cleaner and in better condition compared to traditional models.

You create specialized results with bulky items. Agitation creates damage on any materials. Your large comforters and blankets are specifically vulnerable to this issue when doing laundry at home. Upgrading your equipment to a washing machine without an agitator gives you the chance to produce professional results at a fraction of the price.

An agitator may not reach all items of a large blanket, an issue which disappears when it is gone. The rinse in a washer without an agitator offers more usefulness. The traditional washing machine design with an agitator requires the drum or rub to refill with water a second time to thoroughly rinse your clothing and linens. That means your items are thoroughly soaked and spun at least twice to get them clean.

When you choose a washing machine without an agitator, a high-pressure spray rinses your clothing instead. Your items receive the rinse they require for proper cleanliness while saving on water costs and preventing laundry damage.

Washers without an agitator spin at higher speeds. Both styles offer a slower spinning speed for your delicate items too. Spinning at higher speeds removes more water from your clothing and linens, which means they spend less time in the high-heat environment of the dryer. At the same time, the larger drum means you can wash more clothes in less time, getting through your laundry chores faster.

Impellers are just as useful as agitators for cleanliness. When you purchase a washing machine without an agitator, the clothes and linens become clean because of the presence of an impeller. This technology produces strong water currents within the drum as it works, removing the stains and dirt from fabrics effectively. You receive as much power within the drum as an agitator provides without the trashing motion which causes fading and stretching over time. You get the same levels of clean if not better while taking advantage of multiple savings levels.

Fabrics are typically cleaner in a washer without an agitator. Because water currents clean the clothing and linens, the fabrics are usually cleaned to a deeper level when compared to traditional models. The agitator impacts clothing in a monotonous circle, creating a surface clean on most items. Overloading the agitator with a large load could create problems with some areas even becoming clean.

The same issue applies for large blankets or comforters which do not come into contact with the central device. That may cause the clothing to stretch or tear while in the washing machine.

They work with the same size requirements as other washers. Turnover helps your clothes rub together, which is very effective for removing many types of stains and cleaning your clothes better. Is high efficiency really efficient when it comes to getting your clothes clean? High efficiency means that the machine was built to use less water and less energy. These machines used a wash plate at the bottom of the tub instead of an agitator which means:.