When you need to purchase an appliance for your home, what does your research process look like? Do you read reviews or visit a store to choose from a selection of models? You even might ask friends or family members for feedback on the appliances they’re using.

Nine years ago, we replaced our traditional, agitator-style washing machine with a front-loading washer that promised to be more energy-efficient. Our former washer worked fine, but it was a small-washtub model purchased before our three children were born. Once we were doing laundry for five, the larger capacity of a new machine seemed alluring, and we went to an appliance store to pick out a new washer.

Shortly after the new washing machine arrived, I realized it wasn’t quite as reliable as my older one. While it definitely used both less water and less detergent, the new machine didn’t get the clothes nearly as clean as my old washing machine did. I started keeping a bucket in the laundry tub to pour extra water into the machine before running it. Even so, this machine never has done a good job of getting stains out of laundry, and I’ve ended up hand-washing anything particularly dirty.

Just 18 months after this washer’s one-year warranty was up, an error code appeared on the machine’s screen noting an electronic water sensor had failed. A call to a repair center yielded a $300 estimate to come fix the part — that’s half the price we paid for this $599 machine! I ordered the $94 sensor and replaced it myself with the help of a YouTube video.

During the next five years, the same part failed two more times, and I continued replacing sensors. Last month, the electronic motherboard for our washing machine failed, and the price of a replacement board is more than $300. I decided to return to a traditional, top-loader washing machine. After much research, I chose a commercial model that’s popular with laundromats and has an estimated lifespan of 25 years.

While I realize returning to a traditional washer means the machine will use 26 gallons of water instead of the 7 gallons our current front-loader uses, I also am confident returning to this kind of washer will clean clothing better than the front-loader did. For me, the extra expenses of using more water and detergent are worth it to get our clothes clean once again.

I had an interesting conversation with the sales representative at our appliance store as well. He said most new washing machines are designed with a six-year lifespan in mind. I was shocked by this — the front-loading washer we’re replacing already is considered “old” at nine years of age. The salesperson said many consumers are used to upgrading things every few years and are ready for new features, such as internet connectivity, cellphone notification when a load is complete and the ability to automatically order more detergent online when the current supply runs out. These consumers don’t necessarily see replacing large appliances as a negative because they’re “upgrading.”

I’m in a different place though — I want something reliable that will last. When we got our front-loading washing machine, we gave our former, small top-loading washer to a family member who still is using it today. That machine is 24 years old. My parents’ top-loading washing machine is even older than that and still is going strong. It might not talk to the internet, but it gets clothes clean.

I do realize many things these days aren’t built as they used to be, but I hope choosing to return to a traditional-style washer proves to be a good investment for our household. Our new machine has fewer features and electronics than many models available, but as I see it, it also has fewer things to break or go wrong. In the long run, this seems the best use of our family’s budget.