Questions about the USA.

[onodera]

When I was in Hungary I think my cousins all had washing machines in their bathrooms. Is that a common place to put them in Europe? I don't think I've ever seen a washing machine in a bathroom in the US.

Yes, it is, where else would you put it if you have no basement and it has to be a room with water hookup?

But no dryer. And if it's the kind of washing machine I think it is, it wouldn't cut it in America.

You can buy a washing machine with dryer functionality. A standard size front-load washing machine, 60 cm deep, certified to handle up to 8 kg of laundry, what's so unamerican about it?

[Al B. Sure!]

A standard size front-load washing machine, 60 cm deep, certified to handle up to 8 kg of laundry, what's so unamerican about it?

Front-loading is un-American. Our commercial machines are front-loaders but our consumer ones are top-loaders.

[Hauldren Collider]

That's not true, I recall reading that front loaders are becoming more popular as the price has been going down.

[Al B. Sure!]

Front-loaders are also prone to mold buildup in the rubber gasket on the door.

[DaShi]

You can buy a washing machine with dryer functionality. A standard size front-load washing machine, 60 cm deep, certified to handle up to 8 kg of laundry, what's so unamerican about it?

That they don't really work and leave your clothes smelling funky.

[Al B. Sure!]

That's not true, I recall reading that front loaders are becoming more popular as the price has been going down.

I've only found two sources about front-loaders:

http://news.consumerreports.org/home/2010/04/best-front-loaders-top-loaders-which-is-more-popular-mold-vibration-washing-machine-reviews.html

Yet nearly 75 percent of American households still have top-loaders, according to research from Whirlpool Corporation.

http://205.254.135.7/pressroom/releases/press355.cfm

Twelve percent of households in Tennessee use front-loading clothes washers in their home, half as many households as in neighboring Virginia (24 percent). Front-loading clothes washers use much less water and energy than traditional, top-loading models.

But I don't know if that's a percentage of households with washing machines or households in totality.

[OzzyKP]

I've only ever seen top loading washing machines. Front loading dryers though.

[regexcellent]

I always use liquid detergent.

[OzzyKP]

Yes, it is, where else would you put it if you have no basement and it has to be a room with water hookup?

I guess I"m less familiar with apartments (in any country), but I think they generally go in their own room, or in some alcove or closet somewhere.

[onodera]

Front-loaders are also prone to mold buildup in the rubber gasket on the door.

Only if you're lazy enough not to wipe it dry after use.

[onodera]

I guess I"m less familiar with apartments (in any country), but I think they generally go in their own room, or in some alcove or closet somewhere.

Apartments aren't known for having extra rooms just for the washing machine.

[giblets]

Front-loading is un-American. Our commercial machines are front-loaders but our consumer ones are top-loaders.

Seriously? A type of washing machine is "un-American"?

[onodera]

3. Why do American cars have large engines? Even Ford Focus is sold with a different engine in Europe and the US.

[Asher]

I've only ever seen top loading washing machines. Front loading dryers though.

You guys must live in ghetto areas.

Virtually no one buys top-load anymore in developed countries.

[MrFun]

1. Do you really put liquid detergent into your washing machines instead of laundry powder?
2. Why do laundromats exist if they provide no additional service? Why don't people just put a washing machine in their bathroom or kitchen?
More to come.

I never use liquid detergent - I use powdered detergent.