Scotland is a bit different from the US (go figure). Cars are smaller here and average 40 m.p.g. You can’t buy milk in a container larger than a liter because it wouldn’t fit in your small refrigerator. People rarely introduce themselves, but then you’ll meet someone new and they’ll try to kiss your cheek!

And then there’s washing machines…

I’ve found different numbers, but about 90% of US washing machines load from the top and about 90% of UK washing machines load from the front. As often happens with these things, each country seems to think its way is better.

We just got a new front loader in the manse to replace the rusting pre-war eyesore that was here before. It’s a spiffy little machine that does a darn good job of washing your clothes. You’ve got to plan ahead, though, because it takes over two hours 20 minutes per load. But get this: it saves a ton of energy as compared to a top loader, like more than 50%.

Front loaders heat their own water and use gravity to do most of the washing. Top loaders suck up a ton of water from your water heater and the middle-spinny-thing does the washing (some say this is rougher on clothes).

On the average, front loaders use less than half the energy of top loaders even though their cycle lasts much longer. Front loaders also use much less water, and they spin crazy-fast (1600 rpm, which means nothing to me but looks real fast) so your clothes take up less energy to dry as well.

Top loaders have the advantage of being able to take on more clothes mid-cycle, have much faster cycle times, and cost a whole lot less than front loaders.

A minister’s snooping: I’ve noticed that in Scotland it’s fairly common to own just a washing machine (with no drier), while at home you never see a washing machine without a drier.

I guess it all comes down to space. Americans have the space to have both, but Scots rarely have the space for both–or even one–so the washing machine is often found in the kitchen. Here it’s common practice to dry clothes on racks or on a line. At home, top loading washers that leave clothes fairly wet perpetuate the need for Americans to buy driers or wait days for their clothes to dry on racks.

Washing and drying clothes accounts for 10-20% of household energy use. Changing from a top loader to front loader can half the energy used for washing and drying. For an average household that’s savings of over $50 per year.

Should churches urge their members to buy the more expensive but more efficient front-loaders? Are Americans caught in a top loading washing machine conspiracy? I don’t know, but next time I have a spare $700 bucks and am looking to buy a washing machine, I’ll strongly consider a front loader.

It’s practically biblical: “Wash me thoroughly, and cleanse me from my sins (Psalm 51).