It's very common. If you can leave the lid/door open, even a few inches, between loads you shouldn't have a problem.

Also use chlorine bleach on a regular basis ... either on your normal load of whites/kitchen-bath linens or occasionally run an empty cycle with bleach if not wanting to use it on clothes.

Consumer Reports has ratings of all types of washing machines: consumerreports.org/join - $10/month digital.

I think you have to look at specific machines rather than just FL vs TL. There are good and bad for both.

I have about 10 SpeedQueens, older top load models we use commercially and I have one at home. The current TC-5 the closest thing to those. They make ”TR”;models which use a different type of agitation. These out of the gate did not clean as well as SQ true agitator models. They had to add 20 mins of agitation to one of the cycles to improve cleaning. They ended up also bringing back the classic TC-5.

For me the advantages to this machine are the fast wash cycle. 30-35 min for a full clean cycle. I have detergent allergies and the full fill rinse provides a large dilution with each rinse.

I have no problem getting a hot wash even though the hot water heater is in the basement. I keep my heater set so that after it fills and agitates for 10 mins, the temp is 135°F. I can turn up the hot water heater if I need hotter water. At work we need to maintain 160°F and do this by turning the hot water heater up to provide this.

On the other hand, FLs use less water so a lot of the heat goes to the frame of the machine So an internal heater is important. In Europe many of the machines slowly heat through the cycle so that stains that need to come out at lower temperatures and set at higher temperatures come out before the high temperatures kick in. I don’t know if any machines do this in the US.

The other thing I like about my SQ is that you can soak in it for as long as you want to. Be sure to read the manual to see what the machine you are considering will do. Some won’t soak at all and some soak 20 min and then dump.

Sometimes I use my machine to handwash especially big things. You can fill it, agitate by hand, soak and then spin on slow spin. This means get be for wool blankets, pillows, quits or even rugs. i have washed cotton batting and even a whole sheep’s fleece like this.

When my parents were upgrading their machines, initially they wanted to do an HE top loader, but those machines tend to be slow and not really good at their job, so we ended up looking at a front loader. We got a decently high-end LG machine (one with the square doors, TurboWash, and steam) and it's served them beautifully for years now. I like that LG machines have a little magnet on the bottom of the door that helps keep it slightly ajar to air out, but not so ajar that it's wide open or could pose a safety risk to the pets in the house.

Leave the door open between cycles, run the washer clean cycle once a month (with or without added machine cleaner), and do some wash cycles with a powder detergent and you'll be fine.

In terms of features, I'm a huge believer in washers with recirculating pumps as they help to dissolve detergent faster and get your clothes soaked more thoroughly. LG calls it TurboWash, Samsung I believe calls theirs Super Speed, and I'm not sure about the others.

I have a nearly 9 year old Whirlpool. I don't have any odor. I wash in hot, warm, and sanitary temperatures. I also leave the door open ajar and leave the dispenser draw pulled out slightly. Personally, I don't believe in washing in cold water. And all that's why I don't have any odor issues.

The new LG front load has a little drain hose that removes the water collecting under the drum. That's where the smell comes from. We just bought them and were told this brand is the only one that has the drain. I was also considering the LG turbo top load. Had a little concern with reaching to the bottom of it as I'm short.

After spending time researching here on this forum, we bought a FL washer nine or ten years ago. Absolutely no regrets and absolutely no odor problems. It's all in how one does their laundry and cares for the machine.

In addition to leaving the door ajar between washes, I always use vinegar in the fabric softener cup. I've had top loaders for about 20 years and never smelled mold, though I live in a humid climate.

Keepthefaith MiGirl, what model did you buy?

I have always had top loaders with agitators. Stayed away from FL because of the smell problem (and because the way the laundry room is set up, a FL wouldn't work). I now have a new GE HE toploader. I bought this particular model because they advertise "use all the water you want". I'm guessing they made that distinction because of all the complaints of not being able to use enough water. If I used the machine at HE defaults, I'm not sure I'd like it (haven't tried it) but I override the HE settings to "use all the water you want" and I'm extremely happy with the results. Does it take longer than a FL? I don't know since I've never had one but seems to take a shorter amt of time than the washer it replaced.

@monicakm_gw: "If I used the machine at HE defaults, I'm not sure I'd like it (haven't tried it) but I override the HE settings to 'use all the water you want'"

That may result in worse cleaning than if you allowed the washer to fill normally. You're forcing the impeller at the bottom of the basket to agitate a large volume of water; the clothes may thus be sloshed around the basket -- the cleaning process -- less than if you allowed the washer to fill with less water i.e., the normal amount.

My spouse does the laundry and didn't want to bend over for a FL. Our space is height-challenged so pedestals weren't possible. We went for the LG with the impeller blades, which handles large loads very well (our blankets/quilts are CA King).

We've had them for less than a year so no LT experience, but so far we like them very well.

I like how well my clothes are being cleaned and stains removed. I can't put more water in the machine than the machine will allow. I can just put more than they think I need to clean x amt of clothes on x setting. This washer advertises "use all the water you want". I'm not doing anything the washer isn't designed to allow me to do.

Top loading all day every day. After our last front loader I swore I would never buy one again. My current top loader gets clothes cleaner and never smells mildewy.

@monicakm_gw: Thanks for the logic chuckle! The next time somebody chides me for jack-rabbit starts or swerving, I'm going to reply, "Well, I'm not doing anything the car isn't designed to allow me to do."

Front loaders only -- I've used them for close to 20 years, and will never go back to a top loader again. With a few simple steps (keep the door ajar, use a cloth to absorb any excess water in the door gasket), I get all the benefits of a front loader without any mildew or mold. Gentler on my clothes, uses less water, uses less soap, clothes just a clean -- and because they come out of the washer less wet, the dryer uses less energy too.

I have had front loaders for about 45 years now. The only time I had a top loader was immediately after my divorce when I needed to buy a cheap, used machine. I would never go back again.

I personally prefer a top loader due to fear of odor from front loader. Also, I have cats and I wouldn't want to leave door ajar in case they got into machine. People should drape a handtowel over the door if they leave it ajar so pets can't get trapped in machine! Also small children.