Buyer's guide - Washing machines

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Alexandra Aussenac

By Alexandra Aussenac Your guide to buying a washing machine

Introduction to washing machines: get with the program!

Picking the right household appliances is an important lifestyle decision. Considering the wide range of household appliances available on today’s market, choosing the right model can be difficult.
Household appliances are becoming more powerful, more cost-effective and quieter. This guide will help you narrow down your choices when it comes to picking a product. There's loads to consider when you're choosing a washing machine , so read this guide and get with the program!

The right washing machine for you

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The days of using hand-operated mangles to squeeze water out of fabrics are thankfully far behind us! Modern washing machines are packed to the brim with loads of advanced features that will do the hard work for you. For help choosing the ideal washing machine for you, read on…

Compact and smart

Does your laundry tend to pile up? No need to panic - this guide is here to help you pick a washing machine, which has become an essential part of any home. If you live on your own or with a partner, a 5kg washing machine will do the job because you’ll never have much too laundry to do. If you prefer, you can choose a washing machine with a larger capacity and use it less often. Bear in mind that most washing machines come with a variable automatic capacity, which only uses the amount of water and power necessary to wash your laundry. This feature is eco-friendly, reducing your electricity bills and minimising the impact on the environment.
Front- or top-loading? This is a question that is frequently asked. Make your decision based on the amount of space you have. Top-loading washing machines are practical because you don’t have to bend down to load them. Front-loading washing machines are ideal if you want to save on space as they’re only 40 to 45 cm wide and 60 cm deep. Some top-loading washing machines also include a feature known as SuperStop or PosiStop. This function saves you time because, at the end of a cycle, it ensures the drum automatically stops with the opening facing the top.
Perfect for large families, front-loading washing machines are generally wider (60 cm), but not as deep as top-loading washing machines (52 cm). The largest washing machines can contain up to 10 kilos of laundry, so your duvet will fit in without any problems! What’s more, if you can’t (or don’t want to) dry your washing on the line outside, you can install a tumble-dryer on top of the washing machine. Integrated washing machines can be easily placed under your countertop, or used to extend your worktop, so you don’t have to worry about them becoming eyesores in your kitchen!

The heavyweight champion of washing

Do you have a temperamental washing machine that just doesn't meet your family’s needs?
Don’t worry - the perfect washing machine is out there! Backed by cutting-edge technology, it’ll solve all your annoying laundry problems!
Modern washing machines are packed with safety features, such as an anti-overspill function to protect against water leaks and automatically cut off the draining system and water supply outlet when a problem is detected. Special anti-foam mechanisms prevent washing machines from breaking down by evacuating excess foam. Protection against load imbalances limits spinning speeds, so that washing machines vibrate less when laundry is unevenly placed inside the drum. And if your children like to get their little hands on everything, you'll be pleased to know that some washing machines come with child protection that freezes controls such as delayed start, so your program begins at the time you planned!

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A washer and a dryer rolled into one!

Washer-dryers save on space and time, and allow you to wash and dry clothes in an hour or two. With capacities ranging from 5 to 10 kilos and a whole host of programs, washer-dryers give you the same results you’d expect from a dry-cleaner in the comfort of your own home! It is recommended to use a 5 kg washer-dryer for optimal washing and drying results.
Washer-dryers are sometimes equipped with an electronic sensor to regularly measure humidity levels. By monitoring the amount of humidity, electronic sensors help to reduce creasing for easier ironing, allowing you to wear your clothes as soon as they come out of the washer! Electronic sensors also adjust cycle times for more efficient drying, making you huge savings on electricity bills.
Washer-dryers provide a minimum spin speed of 1,000 rotations, reducing creases by preventing friction between fabrics.

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Caring for your fabrics

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Caring for your linen isn’t just about using a washing machine. For perfect results, you'll also need to get your hands on a few other bits of kit…

Drying

Tired of seeing the clothes hanging out to dry on the clothes rack? Don’t have enough space to dry your clothes? Why not get a tumble-dryer - an essential appliance if you have frequent laundry loads.
5 kilos of laundry can be dried in just two hours with atumble-dryer, so you don't have to hang around waiting for your clothes to dry! Ideal for allergy sufferers, tumble-dryers come with a filter that eliminates mites, dust and pollen in clothing, guaranteeing healthier, softer fabrics. Plus, thanks to “steam care” programs, you can steam out wrinkles and odours, and refresh clothes with just the push of a button.
Some tumble-dryers include sensor controls to automatically stop the cycle when the load is dry. They even sustain the movement of the drum, which helps to protect your delicates.
When choosing between an evacuation- or condensation-type tumble-dryer, consider the layout of your room. The most practical of the two is the condensation-type tumble-dryer: all you need is a mains electricity socket, as the cooled steam is collected in the chamber or drained. An evacuation-type tumble dryer requires the installation of a 1.2m-long air duct to evacuate steam.

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Ironing

Caring for your linen, T-shirts and shirts doesn't stop with washing and drying them.
Irons are easy to use, powerful and tough on creases The steam rate of most irons has been increased and the “steam care” mode is becoming more common. Some irons switch off automatically when they are left in a vertical position for more than 8 minutes.
With bigger and better features, steam generators considerably reduce the time you spend ironing. They work by continually releasing steam as you iron, enhancing your comfort of use and your iron’s efficiency.
Steam systemsmake ironing easy too, with their impressive, advanced features. Sometimes equipped with steam generators, they remove creases from fabrics with ease.

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Bestsellers

INDESIT IWE7145 Washing Machine - White
£ 339.99
£ 269.99 Inc. VAT -20%
IN STOCK
BEKO WM85135LW Washing Machine - White
£ 329.99
£ 269.99 Inc. VAT -18%
IN STOCK
INDESIT IWE91281ECO Full-Size Washing Machine - White
£ 349.99
£ 219 Inc. VAT -37%
IN STOCK
LG F14A7FDS5 Washing Machine - Silver
£ 829
£ 649 Inc. VAT -21%
IN STOCK
ESSENTIALS C510WM12 Washing Machine - White
£ 159.99
£ 129.99 Inc. VAT -18%
IN STOCK
BEKO WM74155LS Washing Machine - Silver
£ 349.99 Inc. VAT
IN STOCK
See more

Focus on…

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Electronic program controls

These days, washing machines are packed with sensors that control and adjust settings such as speed, temperature, spinning, detergent quantities and more, so you can be sure every load gets the treatment it needs!
Washing machines are becoming more intelligent and can now even tell how dirty your clothes are. This means you don’t have to rewash your linen, reducing water and energy consumption.

Essential features

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Washing machines are more complex than they seem at first glance, so you should consider all features before you make a final decision.

Spin-drying

Spin speeds not only determine drying times; they also make ironing easier. Ranging from zero to 1600 rotations per minute, there’s a spin speed for every kind of fabric.
Washing machines with invariable spin speeds are the most economical as they only have one speed setting, regardless of which wash cycle you choose. Variable spin speeds can be set to suit the type of fabric you’re washing. You can therefore programme your cycle according to the type of fabric, or let the washing machine select a setting for itself!
To prolong the life span of your clothes, opt for a washing machine with a high spin speed. Contrary to popular belief, spin-drying doesn't damage your clothes. In fact, the higher the spin speed, the more your clothes are pressed up against the inside of the drum and the less likely they are to move about. This reduces the risk of friction between fabrics and therefore damage.
What’s more, if you use the speed setting of 1200 rotations per minute for cotton, the drying time is drastically reduced.

Programs

Manufacturers are offering more and more programs and features to cover all your laundry needs.
Automatic and quick-wash programs are cost-effective and practical, and therefore ideal if you want to cut down the amount of time you spend doing laundry. Automatic programs adjust power and water consumption, as well as the duration of the wash cycle in relation to your load, while quick-wash programs are great for washing lightly soiled items.
Delayed start timers and anti-crease features make ironing easy. In fact, delayed start timers allow you to programme the washing machine to start a cycle at a certain time. This allows you to schedule your loads. The longer you leave damp clothes in the machine, the harder they are to iron.
Anti-crease (steam washing) features not only help the machine to reach temperatures high enough to destroy allergens; they also reduce water and power consumption.
Extra rinse and delicate programs are easy on your fabrics and help wash away detergent to protect sensitive skin.

Saving energy and the environment

Energy rating labels help to highlight energy-efficient washing machines by letting you compare different models based on their efficiency and power and water consumption. Interesting fact: did you know that back in the 1980’s, the average washing machine consumed 2.5 times more water per cycle than those of today?
All washing machines carry a Eurolabel efficiency rating to help evaluate their performances. Eurolabel is an alphabetical classification going from A+ to G, with A+ being the most efficient. A+ washing machines save 10% more energy compared to A-type models. G-type models are rare, as washing machines have more and more advanced features these days.
We are living in an increasingly ecologically aware society, and more consumers are doing their bit for the environment by reducing their consumption of natural resources. New technologies that allow you to hook up an alternative water supply, such as water treated by a filter or water heated using solar power, are now available on the market. This means you can reduce your electricity consumption by 45% for a cotton wash cycle programmed at 65°. Some washing machines use electrolysis and stronger water flow instead of detergent, and some don't use water at all but UV rays instead - it all helps to protect the planet!
We can all do our bit for the environment by making a few simple changes to the way we use our washing machines. For example, a half-load cycle reduces your water consumption by 30%, while “steam care” programs reach higher temperatures quicker and cut back on your electricity bills.

Conclusion

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As well as being more economical and more powerful, modern washing machines have plenty of other tricks up their sleeves. For virtually every need, there is a washing machine. To find one that’s right for you, ask yourself the right questions. Once you've found the answers to your questions and have purchased your washing machine, don’t forget to get the accessories to go with it!

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