At first glance, the greenest way to wash your whites and colors might seem like an awful lot of green for laundry. An energy-efficient, water-sipping front-loading washing machine can cost over $300 more than a conventional washer.

But don't succumb to sticker shock. The efficiency of a front-loading washing machine, coupled with local rebate programs, could offset the higher price in as few as two years.

"I urge consumers to figure out the long-term cost of their purchasing decisions, rather than just the up-front (sticker) price," says Thor Peterson, research director for Seattle-based Cascadia Region Green Building Council. "A unit that uses less water and energy will save you money on electric, water and sewer bills, and all of these should be taken into account."

A front-loader uses about 18-25 gallons of water per load, compared to a top-loader's 40 gallons. With less water to heat, a front-loader uses up to 70 percent less electricity. Conventional machines use an agitator to spin clothes about 600 to 700 revolutions per minute. A front-loader tumbles your clothes instead (like a dryer) at a speedy 1,000 rpm or more, and the agitator's absence allows for significantly larger loads. The quicker tumbling  gets more water out of clothing, so your dryer will require less energy for its job, too.

Even before you see your electric bill shrink, you can get money back through Saving Water Partnership's WashWise program, which offers rebates of $50 to $100 for the purchase and installation of qualified energy- and water-saving clothes washers. Customers of Seattle Public Utilities and several surrounding cities' utilities are eligible.

One note: Some front-loader owners have complained of mold problems. Most manufacturers have since addressed this problem by adding drainage holes in the door gasket. When shopping, inspect the gasket and door carefully to make sure that water can't collect there.