Choosing the right washing machine
The humble washing machine might be more of a necessity than an item that sparks joy, but the laundry staple represents a significant financial investment.
So how do you get the most out of your purchase – and how do you make sure it doesn’t break down and doesn’t damage your clothes?
The first step is to make sure you’re buying the right kind for your needs, starting with choosing between a top loader and a front loader.
Choose the right machine
‘‘We’ve found that front loaders are typically a bit more expensive, but do tend to wash better,’’ said Ashley Iredale, from Australian consumer advocacy group Choice, adding they were gentler on clothes.
Front loaders are also considered more water-efficient, but are also much heavier, which could be a factor if you need to move them around, or up and down stairs. Think about the features you would actually use, rather than opting for technology such as web-connectivity.
‘‘They all come at a cost and if you’re not going to use them, you’re better off not paying for it,’’ Iredale said.
Consider what kinds of clothes would be washed the most frequently.
Buyers who do frequent delicates or woollen loads, for example, might be better choosing a machine with a greater range of specialised cycles.
Steam cycles are also popular because they can be used for refreshing silk items that do not necessarily need washing after each wear.
Getting value for money
Iredale said the single biggest cost of running a washing machine was simply the detergent and, generally speaking, it was best to aim to only run the machine when it was full.
‘‘It’s less washing liquid overall, less water, less electricity, and less wear and tear,’’ he said. Heating the water was the next biggest cost, and many consumers now stick to cold, where possible. ‘‘While you do get slightly better performance from a hot wash, the modern enzyme-based detergents get much better results from cold water,’’ said Iredale.
‘‘Most of the front loaders will have a built-in water heater and that means for a hot wash, a front loader is more energy efficient, unless you have solar hot water.’’
Many machines come with an ‘‘eco mode’’ – washes with a longer run time, but at a lower cost.
Make sure it doesn’t break down
Washing machine repairer Maurice Nikoloski said that other than faulty components, the most common issues he saw were blockages caused by foreign bodies, and oversudsing.
Using incorrect detergent or too much detergent can cause the machine’s water measuring device to give an incorrect reading, leading to the machine flooding or leaking, he said.
‘‘The biggest mistake people make is using too short a wash cycle,’’ Nikoloski said.
‘‘They don’t understand that the detergents are chemical, and those chemicals need a specific amount of water and time for them to do their job.’’
Running quick or short cycles and overdosing on washing detergent could cause mould and bacteria to grow.
This is because the excess detergent doesn’t break down. Instead, it accumulates into a kind of glue – scrud is the technical term – that will build up in the machine. Ideally, use less detergent and run the machine on longer cycles.
Read the manual, and regularly run the machine’s cleaning cycle if it has one.
What about washer-dryer combos?
Washer-dryer combos are worth considering if you only use a dryer occasionally, or you’re very short on space.
‘‘We have found that they typically wash the same as a front loader, but drying capability leaves much to be desired,’’ said Iredale.
The machines were also more complicated, which meant more could go wrong, and they used a lot of water in the drying process.