Washing Machine Buyer's Guide

One of the top sources of home energy consumption comes from doing the laundry, and that can be a good thing in that it means you are properly supplied with plenty of clean clothes. Yet at the same time it means that the washing machines we own and use so frequently get put through plenty of abuse. When you are in the market for a new or replacement model you can find plenty of options and designs to fit in any home and be able to serve any number of family members.

The Washing Machine Basics

The two main kinds of machines you can choose from are either ones that are free-standing or integrated. Going with an integrated one will give off a cohesive look but it can be difficult to match the specific colour schemes or materials already present in your home's décor. Far more popular are the free-standing models that you can then find in a variety of looks and appeals.

• A front loading washer is nice in that they are usually able to be housed in relatively any amount of free space. Should you go with an integrated version it will be a front loader. What's more is that front loading machines are actually going to be much more energy efficient which will save you plenty on your utility bills. They are able to hold a larger amount of clothes per load and cut down on the amount of washes you do each year. They are looked at as not only more economical but greener for the environment as well.

• Top loading washers are going to use more water as well as more energy per load but they can come in smaller sizes and thus fit in tinier dimensions. If you are a single person or just short on space these will work for you.

Picking the Right Place and Size

You need to be able to incorporate your washing machine into your home after all, so you will want to find out the specific area you have available to reserve for it.

• You want to find an area that is near a site of your in home water supply because they will be drawing water from these water pipes.

• They need to be supported by a strong base that is also even. They will shake and to reduce the amount of noise and vibrations you can offset this by a sturdy floor.

• Front loading machines tend to be 850mm in height, 530-600mm deep, and 400-600mm wide.

• Top loading washers are going to be the same depth but only 250-400mm wide and about 900mm tall.

Getting the Most From Each Load

Again when you are thinking about how big your washing machine needs to be you want to think about how many people are in your home and how often they change their clothes. The best way to be both energy and water efficient is to only run a full load, and this is true regardless of whether you are cleaning for a family of six or just yourself. That means obviously a greater number of people will need a larger amount of available room and if you are a single you should get a smaller capacity version because running too many small loads is just going to be a waste.

Standard Programs

The kinds of clothes you wash will always vary and for the different materials and label instructions you will want to tailor the program you choose for the wash. • Different temperatures for cottons, delicates, etc. You will find varying degrees such as 30, 40, 50, or 60.

• Wash times can be adjusted as well as the temperatures to meet clothes label guidance.

• Specific material programs so you can adjust whether you have a cotton, linen, wool, polyester, or other kind of garment.

• Half load settings that will instruct the washer to use less water for loads that are not completely full.

• Flash wash for even shorter time frames to clean clothes when you are pinched for time.

Additional Features

As with any kind of device or appliance there are a wide selection of additional options you can choose to get in your model of washer.

• Long spin: you can decrease the amount of time your clothes spend in the drier by spinning them both longer and faster in the washer. This is also a way to cut back the amount of energy used.

• Extra rinse: if you have skin allergies or are especially sensitive to detergents, a second rinse will further eradicate any soapy residue.

• Anti crease: avoid having to take out the iron by setting your washer to continue to be in motion and keep wrinkles at bay.

• Pre-wash: done before the standard washing and is helpful to clean especially dirty clothes

• Wool program: this will make the washer adjust to the even more delicate woollen clothes with as little spin speed as possible.

• Sports wash: for those that are avid gym goers or mothers with children who are always on the move and playing rough and tumble, this setting will be sure to get delicate gym and sports clothing just as clean but not contribute excessive wear on the garments.

Words and Technical Terms

• Time saver button: if you need your clothes in a hurry and they aren't that dirty this setting will do a cleaning in a fraction of the time.

• Variable temperature control: manually input the desired temperature of the wash so you can adjust between delicates while keeping the time of the wash the same.

• Drum capacity: dictates how much water is used for each washing cycle.

• Delay timer: choose when to start the wash and this will let you plan to begin the load at your specifications. This can save you money by opting to run a wash on non-peak electricity times.

• Electronic program selector: unlike models of the past you won't turn a dial but will merely touch a button to instruct your washing machine to start the specified load of wash.