Turning my old, heavy duty top load washing machine into a high efficiency model

[Fumesucker]

1. I'd think hard about hauling a five gallon bucket of water up two flights on a regular basis..

All it would take is one misstep on the stairs with forty plus pounds of bucket and water and you could be in a world of hurt that could cost you more than you'll ever save, and that's just money. You'll be concerned about spilling water inside the house so are likely to try and save it if you bobble and that's even more apt to cause injury than if you just let it go. You won't have time to think about it if it happens and your reflexes might cause you to do something silly.

I'd use two two gallon containers and make sure they have a top or seal that will allow you to drop them without spilling, the more balanced and slightly lighter load will be a lot easier on your back and your reflexes are less likely to cause you to try to save a possible spill. You'd have to make about one extra trip a week with four gallons at a time instead of five.

It's easy to lose a fingernail opening the normal five gallon bucket with the pry off top so I wouldn't use that sort of top in any case if I had a choice in the matter.

I noticed that one of the lower ranked reviews on the soap nuts said another brand was superior.