by Roxanne Prather, Member Services representative

Most people prefer washing machines without an agitator for several reasons:

1. More capacity (especially for bulky items): With no center post taking up space, you can fit larger loads, comforters, and blankets more easily. (Be careful not to overload your washer though, keep in mind that even though you can fit a big bulky comforter in  your washer, you may not want to do this.  (Think about how heavy it will be when all the batting in the comforter gets wet.) It’s hard on your washer if it’s too heavy.

2.  Less wear and tear on fabrics: Agitators scrub and twist clothes against the post, which can cause pilling, stretching, fraying and fading over time.

3. Less tangling: Items (sheets, straps, active wear) are less likely to wrap around a post, so loads come out less knotted and stretched out.

4.  Often better water/energy efficiency: Many “impeller” or “wash plate” designs use less water than older agitator top-loaders (though it varies by model and settings).

5.  Easier loading/unloading: There’s more open space in the drum, so it’s simpler to move laundry in and out.

Why do some people still like agitators:

1.     They can be very good at heavy soil cleaning (work clothes, muddy items), and cycles can feel more “aggressive” when you want that effect.