Two taps, a kick, an hour or so of plodding along and a clothes line outside. Has this become your routine for doing laundry? It may not be so bad in the Summer when we all harbour a slightly romantic notion of clothes dried by fresh air. But it does become a bit of a Wintertime nightmare when every door, heater and flat surface contain drying clothes. It may be time for a new washer, dryer or, even, combined unit.
While not the most exciting of new purchases (and clearly one you may have put off buying for ages). There are a number of machines available at great prices. Here are a few things to look for:
If you want to just go with a basic washing machine (with or without an accompanying dryer) you can be prepared with spend from just under £200 to more than £600 for a high-end machine. In the mid-range, the Bosch Classixx can hold 6kg of washing and has an A rating for energy efficiency and washing performance. The upside with a single unit is, of course, many more settings and a more powerful machine than a dual washer/dryer. This is especially apparent with the LG 1400 spin steam drive washing machine. At more than £600 it’s double the cost of a basic machine but has a long list of features includes A++ efficiency rating (on a scale from A-G with some getting ++ over A), more economical use of water, 9 programmes and an extra large door for loading and unloading.
The low end for tumble dryers is around £150, but you can get a high-end unit for over £500 as well. The Whirlpool freestanding 6kg tumble dryer is a good example of a basic model. It rates a C for efficiency and has four programmes. On the high-end you have the Bosch Logixx 10kg tumbler dryer at about £600. With 15 programmes, three drying temperatures and a large door to pull the laundry out, it’s easy to see why some may be seduced by a more expensive machine.
The benefit to an all-in-one washer and dryers is simply its space saving. If there is no possibility of room for two units (particularly for those living in flats) then it may be a good choice for you. The Indesit Front Load All-in-One Washer/Dryer has special features such as settings for delicates, extra rinsing and delayed starter time. Less than £300, the Indesit has a nice, simply design and can be built into your kitchen cabinet space. Or, if you prefer freestanding, be sure to secure it against a fixed surface, such as a wall, and something sturdy such as a trunk. A technician generally won’t install a machine if it’s freestanding, but will give you tips for securing and show you how to set up yourself.
The key is to ask yourself a few questions about your laundry needs: how many people in your household need the machine? Are you always pressed for time or can you easily fit laundry into your week. Depending on your needs it should be pretty clear what kind of machine you are looking for.
