The only Christmas Gift Guide you’ll need when buying automatic washing machine that you will be happy to use for the next 10 years!
A good washing machine is essential to every household, and while they all serve the same purpose, the variety of machines available can make purchasing one a puzzle. This buying guide will take you through each type of machine, and explain what to look for in each to guarantee you’re making the most informed choice possible when shopping.
What should I know?
The most limiting factor to be considered before you begin looking at washing machines is the available space in your home. If your home has one designated spot for a washing machine, you will need to choose a machine that will fit that space. Having several possible locations will open up your buying options, but it is still important to know the measurements of each space (don’t forget to leave a gap for pipes at the back, and room for the door to open at either the front or top!).
Once your space is figured out, the next factor to consider is the capacity you require, which depends on how much & how often you wash. Machines range in size from 5kgs to 10kgs, with a 7kg capacity machine being generally considered adequate for a four-person household. Having a rough budget estimate will also help you narrow down your decision.
Top Loaders
Top-loading machines clean clothes either with an agitator or an impeller. The agitator is the design most people are familiar with; it consists of a tube or pole that twists up through the middle of the machine. In contrast, an impeller has low ridges that rotate on the floor of the machine to create turbulence and clean clothes. Both types remove dirt quickly, but are more rough on clothes than a front-loading machine. A model with an impeller offers maximum capacity, but is more likely to tangle clothes, and will cost more in electricity and water to run.
One advantage top-loading machines have over their front-loading cousins is the ability to open the machine after the wash cycle has begun. This allows you to add last-minute clothes into the wash tub, or to retrieve a forgotten phone from a pocket, something not possible in a front-loader, which needs to drain all water before it can be opened.
Pros:
-Typically found at a cheaper purchase price than equivalently-sized front-loaders
-Shorter wash cycles than front-loading machines (15-40 minutes, compared to 1.5-2
hours)
-Items can be added or removed at any point during the wash cycle
-They can be loaded and unloaded while standing upright
Cons:
-Uses more energy and water than a front-loading machine (of equivalent size),
which means higher running costs.
-They tend to be rougher on clothes, and models with an impeller are more likely to
tangle clothes.
-They use more detergent than front loaders, which will further increase running
costs.
Large top-loading washing machines can have deep drums, so while you’re –
inspecting machines at a retailer it’s worth opening the machine and making sure –you can reach all areas inside the drum. If you prefer being able to stand instead of crouch when loading and unloading your washing, then a top-loader is probably a better fit for you.
Front Loaders
Front-loading washing machines have two big attractions; energy efficiency, and their space-saving design. With front-loading machines, you’ll also find that even entry-level units come with a variety of features or wash programs.
Pros:
-Being able to fit under a bench or have a dryer stack on top makes these machines
ideal for those with limited space.
-More efficient use of energy, water and detergent compared with a top-loading
machine.
-Generally have faster spin speeds than top-loading machines (which makes drying
easier too!).
-They’re gentle on clothes, so your garments will last longer.
Cons:
-They can have a high initial purchase price.
-The door is low to the ground, which makes the design unsuitable for those
uncomfortable with having to bend down to fill or empty the machine.
-Wash cycles can typically take around 2 hours to complete (although many models
come with a ‘Quick Wash’ setting for getting through smaller loads in a hurry).
-The higher spin speed may also mean noisier spin cycles, although this will vary by
manufacturer and model.
The reason for front-loading machines being considered more energy efficient than
top-loaders is due to the differences in the way the two soak, agitate, and rinse
clothes in water. A top-loading machine fills with a pre-selected amount of water,
and washes using a vertical spin action while pumping water in and out. Front- loaders spin their drum horizontally, tumbling the clothes over and using gravity to effectively distribute water and detergent throughout the load. Modern front-loading machines use sensors to determine the appropriate amount of water to use for each wash, and they are able to be packed much fuller than an equivalently sized top-loader.
If you’ve decided which type of washing machine fits your needs best, you can start to look at the extras and features that can turn a good choice into a great choice, and make a great machine indispensable.
Conclusion
You want a washing machine that you will be happy to use for the next 10 years, so spending a bit of extra time researching and choosing the right model for you is well worthwhile. Before making your purchase, take a moment to browse buy washing machine, automatic washing machine for sale which highly reliable to gift this Christmas!
