Congratulations on your purchase!!
I'm the opposite. I've always had top loaders in the past and I purchased a front loader for the first time.
The first thing I'm going to say is, PAY ATTENTION to the type of fabrics you are washing and the settings on the machine. Top loaders have the capability of destroying clothing if you don't use the right settings.
If you do use the right settings, they tend to do a great job, but where they really shine is on those heavy denim and canvas fabrics. If you wash things like Pillows, always use the gentle cycle whenever possible otherwise the agitator will rip your pillows apart. (Personal experience talking here.)
Another thing about top loaders, put the clothes in loosely into the basket, don't pack them in like a front loader. You know if you loaded it correctly if the clothes turn over in the water. If they just "float" there and move back and forth, they are still getting cleaned, but maybe not as well.
My GE had a real big problem with Denim fabrics if you loaded it properly. You had to under-load it so that the jeans just wouldn't float on top and not get cleaned. (If it's not touching water, it probably isn't being cleaned.)
My 4.1 cu.ft GE could hold 9 pairs of jeans, but realistically it can wash 7. In comparison, my 3.3 cu.ft Huebsch can wash 9 pairs, no problem.
That's the first thing I noticed about switching over to a front loader is that the clothing isn't rinsed as well as a top loader, leaving more fragrance in the clothing... but I don't mind because I'm not sensitive to the soap.
BTW, NEVER EVER wind clothing around an agitator!!! Do not do this! I have done this and have paid the price. You will not like what happens if you do that.
Oh, another thing.. If you mess with the water level switch and don't use enough water to clean your clothing, the clothing won't turn over and you could possibly damage your clothing..
So, the trick is learning where the water levels actually are. The easiest way to do that is to let the washer fill on the lowest setting, then as soon as the agitator kicks in, move the dial up to "Reset" then move the dial down to the next setting and see what happens.
Eventually, you will become familiar with what water levels are what and you can save some water depending on the load you plan on doing.
Top loaders are the most efficient when they are fully loaded, but obviously the less clothes are in them per load, the better they work. The trick is finding the right balance.
You didn't make a bad decision because your clothing will come out clean. However, there are different mindsets to using a top loading machine over a front loader.
Have fun and good luck!
