How to Buy the Right Washing Machine
No matter if you’re a first-time buyer or upgrading from the worn-out washer you’ve had for too many years, today’s washing machines will surprise you. No longer relegated to the back of the appliance store, new machines with their innovative features, stylish design, and range of colors are making their way to the front.
Take a look. New machines save energy, clean clothes more effectively and gently, and add significant style to your laundry room. Efficiency and style … it’s time to look at buying a new washing machine. With so many styles, options, and technologies to choose from, the possibilities are virtually endless. So how do you decide what you really need and what is just a convenience?
FEATURES, FUNCTIONS, BENEFITS
Washers are more advanced thanks to an industry that responds to consumer concerns. Washing machines have digital displays and use computer chips. That’s a far cry from the wringer washer your grandmother probably used. Digital displays are easier to read, simpler to use, and will show the current status of the wash cycle. You can even customize your wash cycle settings, something you can’t do on the old button and dial machines.
Improvements in the washing machine industry make cleaning your clothes easier and more efficient. Washers which are kinder to your clothes and the environment are also traits to look for when shopping for a new washer. Eco-friendly advances have created the ability to wash your clothes using less water and electricity without sacrificing cleaning ability.
TOP LOADING or FRONT LOADING
The main visual difference between a top-loading washer and a front-loading washer is where the clothes are loaded into the machine. From there the differences are abundant – ranging from efficiency to the detergent you use.
Top-Loading Washers
Traditional top-loading washers are available in a wide variety of models, options, and price ranges. The most basic models get the job done and perform very well under normal cleaning conditions. They offer reasonable value with no unnecessary frills.
- Standard capacity for a top-loading washer varies from approximately 2.3 cubic feet per load for a compact model to 4.7 cubic feet per load for a high-efficiency model.
- Overall, top-loading washers are generally less expensive to purchase than front-loading machines, but are more costly to operate because they use more water and electricity.
- Available in high-efficiency models such as the Whirlpool® Calypso® which replaces the agitator with wash plates.
- ENERGY STAR® qualified models
Front-Loading Washers
Even in their basic models, front-loading washers deliver better cleaning results than traditional top-loading machines. The reason why your clothes are loaded in the front of the washer instead of the top is because the tub sits horizontal, just like the drum in your dryer. Clothes are tumbled inside the tub and are cleaned using a concentrated, high-efficiency (HE) detergent.
- Standard capacity for a front-loading washer varies from approximately 3.4 cubic feet per load for a compact model to 4.7 cubic feet per load for a large capacity model.
- Less expensive to operate than traditional top-loading washers due to less water usage and electricity consumption per load.
- Requires the use of high-efficiency detergent which consists of a low-sudsing formula specifically designed for low-water washing systems.
- ENERGY STAR® qualified models.
OPTIONS & FEATURES
Both traditional and high-efficiency washing machines have a wide array of cycle selections, speed options, temperature settings, and water level settings. Not only knowing how, but when to use these options can drastically increase the cleaning performance of your washer.
Cycle Selections – Washing cycle selections are designed to match the types of fabrics you wash frequently with the variable combinations of speed and wash/agitation time available on your washer.
Standard washing cycles will include Light/Gentle, Regular, and Permanent Press or Heavy. Even the most basic models will include four or five cycles. Some models will include as many as 27 different cycle options to provide the most versatile fabric care selections available for washing sensitive items such as wool and items tagged as hand wash only.
Speed Options – Having preset cycle selections which include speed options take some of the guesswork out of your laundry care. You will still need to sort your laundry properly and pick the right cycle to wash them.
Temperature Sensors – The temperature of the water your machine uses for both wash and rinse cycles depend on your laundry care needs. A typical model will feature at least three temperature settings – Hot/Cold, Warm/Cold, and Cold/Cold. Top-of-the-line models offer as many as six or seven temperature settings including ‘Super Hot.’
Water Level Settings – The amount of water used for each load directly affects washer performance. Too much water can be as bad as too little water.
Typically, most top-load models will feature at least three manually-set, water-level settings – Small, Medium, and Large. Some machines might have an extra small setting such as ‘Mini-Basket’ or haven’t done laundry in three weeks ‘Extra Large’ setting.
A feature and benefit of front-loading washers is they usually come with automatic water-leveling sensors. These sensors determine load size and adjust the water level in the tub for best cleaning performance and better rinsing.
Operation Noise – If you washer is located near your baby’s nursery or other locations where silence and quiet are important, ensure your model is equipped with extra noise insulation.
Dispenser Systems – To help ensure the correct amount of detergent, bleach, and fabric softener are used in every load, some washers feature an automatic dispensing system. This feature will ensure accuracy and can reduce the time you spend in the laundry room by dispensing the right amount of each cleaning product at the right time. This feature is usually only found on higher-end, top-loading washers and the vast majority of front-loading washers.
LOAD CAPACITIES – Cubic Feet
Maximum load capacities range from 2.3 cubic feet for a traditional top-loading compact model to 4.7 cubic feet per load for a high-efficiency front-loading model. The maximum load capacity required to shorten your laundry day and make your clothes cleaner will depend on the amount of laundry you wash on a regular basis. The more clothes and the variety of textiles you can wash per load should be a key item on your checklist to review when selecting a washer.
With the agitator being replaced by the high-efficiency washers, there is much more room in the tub for cleaning larger items such as comforters, pillows, and rugs. For that reason, even small to medium-sized families should consider the flexibility of a larger-capacity washer.
SPACE REQUIREMENTS – Installation and Stackables
It doesn’t matter how much you want that new washer on the showroom floor, if it won’t fit in the space allotted in your home then it won’t do you much good. Measure the width, height, and depth of your available space … and then measure it again! Bring those measurements with you to the hhgregg store nearest you and show them to your sales associate.
If you have limited available space such as a closet or bathroom, consider a stacked washer and dryer combination unit. They are available with either electric or gas dryers. Lacking square footage in your home doesn’t mean you lose out on the features of their standalone counterparts. You’ll still have options to choose from such as wash cycles, water level, drying time, and more.
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
As with all of your home appliances, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Read your owner’s manual before you use your machine for the first time to review the manufacturer’s recommendations on maintenance.
Hoses – Check your hot and cold water inlet hoses for cracks, leaks, and general wear and tear. Even if they visually appear to be in working order, it is a good idea to replace them every five years because you can’t see the condition inside the hose. Using plastic or stainless steel hoses will generally last longer than rubber ones.
Lint Trap – If you don’t have one connected to your washer, don’t do another load until you do. During your washer’s spin cycles, it collects lint and sends it right down the drain. This drain can get clogged over time and send water everywhere, even under your washer where you can’t see it.
Level – Check your washer to ensure it is still sitting level. Several seasons of laundry could have moved your machine out of kilter. All that extra noise and rocking back and forth can cause damage to the machine itself, the dryer next to it, or even the walls near the washer.
Wash Your Washer – Your washer has a dirty job to do and over time it can get as dirty as your laundry. Wipe down all the exterior surfaces using a soft cloth and a mild detergent or soap. Also, wipe down the wash tub inside your washer, checking for detergent residue and other debris.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Shopping for such an important appliance requires some thought – available space, front or top-loading, environmental concerns, load capacity, and other options. Save money by purchasing a matching washer and dryer set.
Check out hhgregg’s nine washer brands with more than 50 different models to choose from here.
Still have questions? – feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!
