Washing Machine Comparison
Studies show that the average American family does somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 loads of laundry each year. That’s a lot of water and energy consumption, not to mention the time and energy of whoever is doing all that laundry! So, selecting the right appliance for your household takes on a greater importance than one might realize. First, you should conduct a washing machine comparison, and don’t forget to look for the Energy Star label for the most energy-efficient appliances.
Here are a few tips to consider when doing your washing machine comparison:
Researching Pricing and Options
It’s always good to be prepared and to truly understand the cost of appliances before you go shopping. As with many home-related products, you get what you pay for. The question is, do you need what you’re paying for? Appliances today come with lots of bells and whistles, and much of it is simply there to justify a higher-price tag. But do you need every possible setting? You know what kind of laundry you do and only you can determine what kind of settings you need. Just make sure that the machine you purchase has a good, strong spin cycle. The more water extracted from your clothes before drying, the shorter the dry cycle, which is both energy-efficient and less damaging to the clothes.
Capacity
To some extent, this is obvious. If you have a big family and you’ll be doing lots of laundry, a large washing capacity is important. If you regularly wash large items such as blankets, small rugs and towels, you will also want a large size machine. On the other hand, if your household is small with no kids, chances are a smaller machine is all you need. On the issue of energy consumption, it’s obvious that using a big machine to wash a few pieces is a waste of energy, but keep in mind that doing many small loads because the machine isn’t big enough is a waste of resources as well.
Front Load vs. Top Load
This is a big part of any washing machine comparison. Generally, people agree that front-loading washing machines are more energy-efficient and easier on your clothes than are top-loading machines. This is because the clothes are tumbled through smaller amounts of water in a front-loader, as opposed to a top-load machine that uses a central agitator to move the clothes around, requiring more water and causing more damage to the clothes. Top-load machines are also more expensive. However, the rubber gasket around the door of a front-load machine (which keeps all that sudsy water off your floor) is more vulnerable to damage because clothes are often dragged across it as they are removed. This becomes a regular point of repair, and front-load machines may have to be replaced more frequently than top loaders. Other considerations in your washing machine comparison are the height of the user (can you reach fully down into a large-capacity top loader?) and the location of the appliance. In smaller homes, condos and apartments, it may be more efficient to install the appliances under a counter or stacked in a closet, in which case your only option will be front-load.
Measure Twice, Buy Once
I speak from experience. I once had a second-floor condo with a dedicated laundry closet. I decided to purchase a stacked washer/dryer combo to save space and be able to use the other side of the laundry closet for storage. Unfortunately for me, I only measured the size of the overflow pan, not the available space to the walls around the pan. The unit was delivered (yes, up a flight of stairs) only to discover that the dryer on top was cantilevered off the back and my closet did not have the extra six inches of depth required. I’d only measured the floor space needed. Live and learn. And measure.
As with all major home purchases, careful consideration of needs and understanding of which washing machine best suits your needs are the first and most important steps to take toward making the right purchasing decision for your home and budget.
For more on the advantages and disadvantages of front-loading vs. top-loading washing machines, check out this article. There are other ways to save water at home through wise use of appliances. If you're not sure yet that your washer needs to be replaced, try cleaning it to see if that makes it work better so you can postpone a big purchase.
Author Linda Merill is a professional interior designer and writer based in Massachusetts. Visit her decorating blog and her Web site. Linda is an amazing resource for interior design information. Go ahead and contact her!
