no arguments with hubby (above) on the washing clothes part of the question
BUT
for dying, washing fleece, and so on? front loaders suck.
you cannot fill one full of hot water and use it to dye cloth, wash fleece, or etc. they are LOUSY at the "soak" feature, and most dont do it at all.

for clothes? da bomb! but you should know about the crafts issue before you buy.