I bought a new washer dryer set and selected the top loader. It does not have an agitator and swishes the clothes one way then another. Each setting has a different swish. I bought it because it had a hand wash setting. I wash all my fabric on that setting. No more tangled threads or raveling of the fabric. I can wash fat quarters, and even charm squares and no tangled mess of strings. I don't prewash that much but the handwash is perfect for washing finished quilts. I don't know how it spins the water out but nothing is pushed flat to the sides or bottom of the drum unless I use the sheets and towel setting. It has a setting for most all washable items. It cost more then the front loaders I looked at which surprised my DH. I looked and I can't see any place a small item can get out of the drum into anything. Just tiny holes in the drum.