No kidding... I was looking into getting one of those new water saver clothes washing machines, and maybe a high efficiency dryer to go along with it... Then I saw the price tag. Those "saver" washers run nearly $1000! I'll stick with my 12 year old washing machine.
Mark
I bought one of those front-loading, water efficient washers last Dec and I love it--it is so much more efficient with the water AND the amount of electricity AND detergent that I am saving. I have two sons 14 & 18 who produce a lot of wash and it is amazing how much I can get into the front load machine--you should try looking at them again.
Yup, you can use your "normal" washer, but remember this:
Your "normal" top loading washer uses just under *50* gallons (really, put your drain hose into a 50 gallon drum) to wash a "large* (usually about 15 pounds) load of laundry.
I work in a commercial laundry. If we use *MORE* than 2 gallons of water per pound of product, there is a MAJOR problem, and we have to find it and remedy it BEFORE the local enviro-fascists learn about it. At this moment in time, we are down to just UNDER one gallon of water per pound of CLEAN, PRESSED AND READY FOR USE (sterile)product. This is for HOSPITAL and operating room laundry.
As soon as I can, I'm getting a front loading washer. NOT for the "enviro-weenie's" sake. but because I have really SEEN the difference between what is thought "normal" and the reality of water waste.