Washing Machines - Buying Guide, Tips
July 19, 2007
Washing machines have saved households countless hours of drudgery, becoming a timesaving and thus necessary part of life in the UK. The more complex the machines become, the more useful it is to know about the options.
Front Loaders
Front loaders are the most prevalent here in the UK. They are known for using significantly less water, less power to heat up the water, and less detergent. Their gravity based tumble agitation is said to be gentler and more efficient on clothes. The downsides to front loaders are that one must stoop to get clothes in and out, more expensive detergents must be used, and clothes cannot be added (or removed if there is a power outage or malfunction) during wash cycles. They also may be prone to leakage around the door and more complex to repair. They can be stackable or placed under a work bench. Some manufacturers offer shelving as part of the unit to bring the door up higher to avoid stooping. They are generally quieter, and contribute to a quicker drying time by being more efficient.
Top Loaders
Top loaders can be had in the UK and are often picked when space is not an issue or when there is difficulty with bending to do the wash. Top loaders clean by using an agitator with blades that rub together. They are known for being rougher on clothes, and using more water and energy. They are simpler to repair and do not leak around the door. The amount of water wrung out, impacting drying time, depends upon the efficiency of the spin cycle. Washer dryers can also be had for space and unit cost efficiency. They are one machine combos which both wash and then tumble dry clothes. It takes longer to do wash loads due to having to wait for one load to both wash and dry before starting another.
Loading Capacity
Washing capacity or loading capacity is how many clothes can be washed per load. It is given by weight. Most washing machines fall in these ranges:
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- Less than 4.4 kg
- 4.5 - 4.9 kg
- 5 - 5.4 kg
- 5.5 - 5.9 kg
- 6 - 10.2 kg
Machines that wash less than 5 kg are usually suitable for single person households. Drum load is the amount of water in litres the drum can hold, NOT the wash capacity.
Spin Speeds
Spin speeds are how fast the washing machine will spin the clothes to remove water from the wash cycles. They are measured in rpm (revolutions per minute). Most washers fall in between 1000 and 1800 rpm, while optimum spin speeds are said to be 1200-1400 rpm. Higher spin speeds will wring more water from the clothes, which lowers wear and tear on tumble dryers when drying laundry, but increases wear, tear and noise of the washing machine. When looking to purchase a washing machine, you will find that washing machines fall into these spin speed ranges:
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- Less than 1000 rpm
- 1000 rpm - 1499 rpm
- 1500 rpm - 1999 rpm
- 2000 rpm - 2499 rpm
Some units come with variable spin, which means you control the selection of rpm speeds.
Energy Labels/Ratings
Energy labels include energy ratings, which are a measurement that lets the consumer know how well the unit conserves energy. It is rated on a scale of A-G (sometimes you will only see A-F), and can include exact amounts in kwh (kilowatt hour) of energy use. You can also see AAA ratings and A++ ratings where each additional character correlates to a higher rating. Sometimes the label will give water usage in litres. Caution should be used when considering energy ratings. Some machines achieve an A rating on only one cycle. The cycle in question can take considerably longer than cycles with lower ratings, which the consumer will likely choose to speed up washing time. The washing machine may also be rated on a similar scale for wash performance and spin performance.
An Energy Recommended label is different than an energy rating. Energy Recommended labels are supplied by the Energy Savings Trust. They set forth strict guidelines on energy efficiency.
Water Supply
Fill valve options will be cold fill or hot and cold fill. Cold fill has one valve hooked up to the cold tap only to fill the drum. The cold and hot fill valve has two valves, one each hooked up to its respective temperature. Cold fill washing machines are more common as they are considered more energy efficient. The machine will heat up the water to the proper temperature. When hot and cold are used, it takes hot water from the household hot water tank, which then loses its proper temperature before filling the washer drum. This requires the water to be reheated by the machine prior to use.
Water consumption is the overall water used for a load. It is different and higher than drum load which is the amount of water it takes to fill the drum. Both are measured in liters.
Noise Level
Some washing machines are quieter than others, but all make noise. The noise levels of washing machines are measured in decibels (dB). They usually fall into these noise ranges:
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- Less than 40 dB
- 40 - 50 dB
- 50 - 60 dB
- 60 - 70 dB
- 70 - 80 dB
Many fall into the 50-60 dB range. A whisper, door bell and heavy traffic are around 10 dB, 71 dB, and 90 dB respectively.
Size
Units either come as built in or freestanding. Built-ins are place under a work table or cabinet. The consumer must supply the cupboard door. They are usually chosen by those in flats or have restricted space. Dimensions must be selected carefully. Free standing machines stand alone, and usually require more space.
Width/depth/height of the washing machine are important to know prior to purchasing the machine. They are given in this format H# x W# x D#. Depth is the measure meant from front to back of the machine, not the deepness of the drum. They are measured in mm or cm, for example: 600mm, 60 cm. Built-ins require exact measurements of the space on all three dimensions before purchasing. Most units are universally 595 mm-600mm in width.
Stand alones (also known as free standing) require depth measurement to prevent the unit from sticking out. Height is usually unimportant in this case unless you plan to stack the dryer. Width can be approximate, since it is alright if the washer and dryer do not match up exactly.
Mini or portable washing machines can also be had.
Temperature
Most washing machines will offer three washes: 40, 60, and 90 degrees Celsius. Some machines offer boil wash. Variable temperature means that more than one temperature can be selected.
Programmes
Many washers will tell you the number of programmes available. Programmes allow you to pre-select for different fabrics. Common programmes are hand wash, silk wash, wool wash, delicate wash, quick wash and anti-crease.
Other programmes are rinse hold, super/extra rinse, variable rinses, intensive wash option, pre wash, an anti bacterial programme, and economy wash.
Some machines have half load programmes for small loads, and auto half load in which the machine senses the size of the load. Fuzzy logic is an option in which the user places the clothes in the drum which contains sensors. The machine then sets all the settings.
In addition, you can get the following features. This is not an exhaustive list.
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- Time Saver Function
- Time to End of Programme
- Audible End of Programme
- Drum Interior Light
- Delay Timer
- Memory Function
- Child Safety Lock
- Larger Porthole
- Refresh Option
- Detergent Recovery System
- Cradle wash (for woolens)
- Digital or Manual Control Panel
When purchasing a washing machine consider reliability and quality in addition to features and price.
