Umbra, your response doesn't factor in the cost of water.  Many people in my community are paying over $500/year in municipal water fees (which covers both water and sewer charges).  If I can save 3,000-5,000 of gallons of water a year, that will help cover the cost of the more efficient machine in a few years.

Beyond the savings in water and detergent one should consider what is going down the drain.  Fire retardent clothes are a big problem.  Wasn't there a fuss about those chemicals?  Who allowed it?  Who made money off of their lobbying?  How about anti bacterial agents?  Phosphorous in detergents?  Myriad other chemicals go down the drain, who is watching out for the environment?  I don't think George is, or his friends that got appointed to positions to so call monitor the industries.  Between all the drugs and antibiotics and chemicals we eat and flush down the drain is it any wonder that we have to drink bottled water which is questionable in itself?  PVC pipes, Chlorine, Flouride, it makes me want to move to what is left of the North Pole.  But of course there is fallout there and I would be competing with Polar Bears that are dwindling in numbers due to the loss of their real estate.  Find the money changers and throw them out of the temple!  Where's whathisname when you need him/her/it?

Front loaders clean clothers better...

Clothes washed in front loaders last longer...

Umbra, while you do speak factually, your comments (and those of others) are more about saving money and energy.  Let's not forget about water conservation itself.  Much of the country is not on municipal water but rely on wells (essentially no monetary cost except for minute amounts of electricity for the well pump). We as a nation waste far too much water. We have to get beyond cost alone when considering what products we purchase and consider the preservation of resources for ourselves, wildlife and future generations.  Thanks.

I am sure EVERYONE knows Freecycle.org, but just in case, the old washing machine can go there. Many non-profits are on the lists, too, in addition to other needy/wanty people. It's a pretty amazing system that works. It gives me hope. Sign up if you can.

Also, a great place to GET things, like clothing (reducing consumption and all that), baby items, pretty much anything.

After I bought my front-loading, energy-saving washer, I was able to get $150 in rebates from our local gas & electric utility as well as water district. That made the purchase price competitive....

I purchased a front-loading Sears Elite washer/dryer combo about 3 years ago during a store wide sale.  I love them!  I use less water (hot or cold), less detergent & fabric softener (Amway), less Arm and Hammer, less OxyClean and bleach (not together) and have a shorter drying time.  The large capacity allows me to wash my bluky comforters every time I change sheets (very good for allergies and asthma) so I no longer spend $100's of dollars a year on drycleaning bills (the fluids are pollutants) and the special settings allow me to wash many clothing items that would typically require dry-cleaning.  I sold my not so old washer and dryer at a low price to a family that could not have afforded a  washer and dryer otherwise even though they were not charity elegible.  Everybody is happy.

...might not need a motor to spin the clothes, just nozzles aranged to create a vortex.  

Could it be cheaper to construct also?

Come back Bucky, post on these blogs, borrow a laptop from jesus.