(
(
(
A new washing machine is a major purchase and one you need to be sure to get right first time. With so many different features and options available nowadays, you may be puzzled as to which washing machine is the right one for you. This is why we’re here to help you choose. We’ve done the research for you and provide the best washing machine reviews, and the web’s best advice on which washing machine suits which type of customer.
No matter if you’re looking to purchase a brand new machine or a slightly older second hand one; the washing machines reviews site is a great place to start. This site lists all the features and benefits of each washing machine so you can identify which is the best value for money and which is ultimately the best washing machine for you.
Best Washing Machines Reviews and Buyers Guide
Nowadays you can buy washing machines with huge drum capacities of up to 11kg, which allows you to wash large items such as bedding materials in your own machine rather than having to go to the laundrette. However, if you don’t really have that many large items to wash you might not actually need such a large machine and the energy it takes to run one would actually be going to waste.
What type of washing machine should I go for?
There are various different types of washing machines; front loading machines, freestanding machines, top loading machines and washer dryers (top loading machines tend to be a little awkward as you can’t put them under a kitchen work surface).
Nowadays you can also choose washing machines that are actually built-in to your kitchen and hidden away in a cupboard. If you’re not looking to remodel your kitchen at the moment, then you should simply choose the usual type of washing machine; the free standing model. It costs a lot more to have a built-in washing machine installed, and they tend to be very expensive.
What do the energy ratings on washing machines mean?
The government has helpfully created an energy rating scheme to help you understand how energy efficient each washing machine is. This means how to affects the environment and also how much it costs to run. The energy rating scheme runs from A to G, where A-rated machines are the most efficient, and G-rated models are the least efficient. Due to government standards, most washing machines are now built to have an energy efficiency rating of at least C, but this isn’t considered to be particularly energy efficient. If you’re looking for one that is, look for an A+,A or a B rating and look for the Energy Saving Trust’s recommended logo.
By choosing an energy efficient machine, you’ll be helping the environment in a small but important way, and you’ll also save yourself a great deal of money on your electricity bill.
Should I opt for a large capacity machine?
The normal load carrying capacity of washing machines these days is 6kg. This is more than enough for most people. If you do live in a particularly large household or have a lot of large items you need to wash, you can choose a machine with a capacity between 7 to 10kgs. If you do have a lot of clothes to wash, or perhaps large curtains that need regular washing then being able to do this in one load is actually more energy efficient than running the washing machine through its cycle twice. If you don’t need such a large capacity, however, it’s wasteful to have one as it takes more energy to run and uses up more water.
What are the most useful programs?
Every washing machine these days offers the standard wash programmes of 30, 40 and 60 degree washes. These are the most widely used programmes and can be used to wash most types of laundry. However, some washing machines come with extra programmes such as a quick wash for those times when you’re in a rush, or a freshen-up programme when your clothes aren’t actually particularly dirty and you want to save water, energy and time. There are also various special programmes for hand-wash only items, delicates, woollens, and extra rinse (see ‘Glossary,’ below for explanations). These are all quite useful for the different types of clothes you may need to wash such as silks, hand-printed t-shirts or woolly jumpers. However, they’re not technically necessary. If you don’t really have a lot of these different types of clothes it’s probably not necessary to pay extra for a washing machine that has these capacities. Sometimes even without extra wash programmes, some washing machines can allow you to adjust such things as temperature, spin speed and wash time, which effectively lets you design your own wash programme every time.
What maximum spin speed should I get?
The normal speed of a washing machine these days is 1200rpm. However, there are a few models that are capable of spinning at the higher speeds of 1600 or 1800rpm. The point of the extra spinning power is that clothes emerge dryer, but they may also be a little more creased. This saves energy if you are going to tumble dry your clothes anyway (it means they need less time in the dryer, which uses up more energy than a washing machine), but washing machines capable of higher speeds tend to be more expensive than the standard models. It’s useful if you have a lot of delicate clothes to choose a washing machine that will allow you to tailor your spin speed each time, as some washing machines have a default spin speed that’s actually quite high and unsuitable for delicates.
What features make using a washing machine easier?
If you’re looking for ease of use, it’s a good idea to choose a washing machine with a wide door. This makes it far easier to actually load and unload washing, rather than having to stuff it in and then squeeze it back out again. It’s also a good idea to make sure that the drawer is a decent size, because it can be fiddly to add fabric conditioner if not.
Is there an advantage to having an electronic display or touch screen control?
Many washing machines these days come with LCD display panels that let you see how long your wash program has left to run. This is quite useful if you want to know when you should return to take it out. Some machines also have touch screens these days instead of the traditional dials that most washing machines used to have. Although they look good, it doesn’t actually mean they’re any easier to use than the usual dials. It’s a good idea to actually try using any washing machine you’re thinking about buying before purchasing it.
What is a noise level rating
You should always pay attention to the noise level rating of any potential washing machine. This is measured in decibels at the peak of the spin cycle. It’s important to think about how noisy your washing machine will be if it’s in a busy kitchen or open-plan style house. Machines rated around 70db are quite noisy, while 50db is an acceptable level.
Should I get a hot-fill or cold-fill washing machine?
The standard for washing machines these days is cold-fill. This is where the water flows in from your cold water supply and the machine heats it up when it’s inside. This tends to be more energy efficient if you do a lot of washing at a temperature of below 50 degrees (the most common temperature is 40 degrees). However, if you mainly wash your clothes at higher temperatures of between 60 to 90 degrees it would be more cost efficient to get a hot-fill machine instead.
I live in a hard water area. Should I use water softening tablets in my washing machine?
If you live in a hard water area you should always use water softening tables in your washing machine. These stop the build-up of lime scale from forming on the heating element, which ultimately means your machine should last longer. Remember to use less detergent if you’re using water softening tablets, however, as water will lather more with these.
What maintenance do washing machines need?
You should make sure to clean the filters of your washing machine regularly. When you’re thinking about which machine to buy, make sure the filters can easily be located and removed. You should also wash the detergent drawer from time to time to prevent old detergent from building up inside as this can cause the drawer and inner pipes of the machine to become clogged. It’s recommended that you do at least one high temperature wash once a month as this will effectively clean the inside of your machine.
Should I buy a washer dryer?
It’s not always better to buy a combined washer dryer so if you don’t need to, just buy a separate washing machine and tumble dryer. Buying these separately is usually actually cheaper than buying one combined machine. Because washer dryers combine two functions in one, they don’t always do either particularly effectively. The drying function in particular always seems to be negatively affected by the washing function. Many reliability surveys have found that washer dryers are one of the least reliable of all household appliances, and usually end up costing a lot in terms of repairs in addition to their original expensive price.
If you really don’t have the space to have both a washing machine and a tumble dryer, however, then you don’t have the choice! If you’re forced to buy a washer dryer than you should make sure to choose a really good quality one from a company such as Miele, for example. These are top of the range so do tend to be quite expensive. If you can’t afford a Miele, then make sure you get a long warranty with whichever washer dryer you choose.