Dunchie, I have had mine for 12 years, it's a Whirlpool and is still working magnificently, I have been married for 51 years so obviously been washing for that length of time and using a top loader, when I changed to a front loader I found it washed so much better and never had the tangles of the top loader (top loaders may be different now with all the new technology) but as said, I would NEVER go back to a top loader. Good Luck and I hope you have as good an experience as I have had.

Nothing works like sneakers in the washing machine! Even better with the laces removed. But put the laces in a delicates bag or (I know from experience) they can get out through the holes in the internal barrel and cause all sorts of problems.

Hi Souzette, Front loaders look great but can be a pain, We still like to soak things in the sink and getting anything like a sheet into the machine if it's not next to the sink becomes messy, so seeing that we try to avoid using the dryer we have the washer next to the sink Our preferred way to dry things most of the year is on the clothes line or on the retractable line we have above the bench and in front of the window But then we all do things differently, and you live in a colder area. Did you finish the original bathroom FYI The following link shows how to change the door on an Electrolux machine, not sure if it works on any others https://www.cnet.com/pictures/switch-your-washing-machine-door-to-the-other-side/11/

Thanks Kate. Our house has 2 bathrooms. So would that mean that in theory I could put the washing machine in one bathroom and that the sink in that bathroom could be classed as the 'washtub' while the handbasin in the second bathroom covers off on that requirement?