The one household appliance that we all take for granted is washing machines – finding the right model is not always as easy as you might think.
This is mainly because when they very first came to market more than 50 years ago they were actually two separate pieces of kit: a washer and a spin dryer. Soon these became merged into one unit but still you had to manually move the wet clothes from the washer drum and into the spin dryer compartment next to it.
Today, of course, the modern design means there is just one big drum almost exclusively with a front loading position. This means you pop your washing into the machine once and take it out when it’s all done. Whether you are a first time buyer or replacing an old machine that has come to the end of its working life, the range of machines on the market today can present quite a challenge at first glance.
The basics
There are several basic things to bear in mind because as with most other household appliances, there is something to suit every budget and the most expensive may not always be best suited to your needs and requirements.
Sometimes spending a little bit more can mean the difference between a machine which strains to hold a full load and one which effortlessly gets the job done. You need to evaluate what you’re getting for the money you’re spending to ensure you don’t buy into a false economy.
Size
There are a range of different sizes, or capacities, on offer across most ranges. Each of these is a significant improvement on washing machines of old, and today, seven kilograms is probably the average size for a domestic drum.
It’s best to bear in mind is that you really don’t need the biggest machine if you are only using it for a small household. If you have a large or growing family the bigger capacities of eight kilograms can be useful.
Size issues can also be considered in another way – depending on where you are locating the machine. You can get a choice of slim profile freestanding machines that can be very useful for smaller kitchens with difficult access for fitting the machine and also buy units specifically designed to slot into an available kitchen cupboard.
Noise
Although much quieter than previous generations of machines, some washer dryers can be significantly more noisy during operation than others. If you are lucky enough to have a dedicated small room or cupboard area which is plumbed in for a washing machine, then noise and vibrations don’t really matter as much. However, if your machine is placed in a kitchen or near your main living space then the potential disruption is something to consider.
Energy ratings
The final thing to look for is the energy rating of the machine. This basically illustrates how energy efficient a particular model is so buying a high rated washing machine not only means you can save on bills but also allows you to do your bit for the environment.
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