Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Sometimes Replace

When the time comes to replace that worn-out, unrepairable washing machine, consider a front loader. Less common in Pittsburgh but everywhere in Europe, front loader machines typically use about 1/2 as much water, are gentler on your clothes while getting them cleaner, use less electricity, hold larger loads, and have twice the service life of a top loader. The spin cycle spins clothes much faster, so clothes come out nearly dry. Some models even include a heating element, so you can "sanitize" towels, for example, with almost boiling water. If you're cramped for laundry space, the units can often be stacked, or you can create a countertop across the washer and dryer to be used for folding.