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From smart features to more eco-friendly settings, these will make light work of your laundry pile
How lucky we are to have washing machines. These labour-saving appliances have been common in UK homes since the middle of the 20th century.
Washing machines may be close to ubiquitous, but many have been kitted out with new features in recent years. Some can be connected to a smartphone to enable remote operation and other advanced features, and many are now equipped with eco settings that limit the energy or water used in each wash.
Even more important than newfangled features are a washing machine’s key performance specifications, including its capacity and energy rating. Before you buy a washing machine, you should always ensure the maximum load (almost always measured in kg) is suitable for the volume of laundry your household gets through.
Another essential feature of a washing machine we recommend considering is its spin cycle, which partially dries the load while it’s still in the machine, thereby reducing the total drying time. While this capability doesn't offer the same drying that is comparable to the best washer-dryers, it certainly comes in handy when you need to prepare wet laundry for drying indoors on a clothes horse. The higher a washing machine’s maximum spin speed, the better its drying capability is likely to be.
Most washing machines belong to one of two types: freestanding or integrated. Freestanding washers can be placed under a counter or on their own, while integrated washers can be built into your kitchen units. All the best washing machines featured in this guide are freestanding, unless specified as integrated.
As well as successfully doing full loads of laundry, the best washing machines we tested here will also take good care of your clothes.
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This is a neat, simple integrated washing machine that does a solid job relative to the price you pay. It strikes us as an ideal washer for busy people, with a good selection of settings, including "coloureds", "mixed", "eco" and "sport", enabling you to start an appropriate wash in a matter of seconds. There’s also a delay start function, so you can set the washer up to finish its cycle just before the time you’re due to arrive home. With a 7kg capacity, this washer is best suited to households of one or two people.
There’s rationale for investing in a very good washing machine. It’s likely you’ll be using the appliance for about a decade, so you’d best get along with it, and the energy efficiency savings of the best machines can effectively recoup a small chunk of your investment each year. If you’ve decided to take the plunge and buy a high end machine, the Samsung WW10M86DQOA would be a fine choice, especially owing to its A energy rating. It can wash a 2kg load in just 15 minutes and offers premium features such as the “addwash door”, a small door at the front of the machine which can be used to load in more items at any point in the wash cycle.
This washing machine is something quite wonderful. Designed for the blind and visually impaired, the WDD131 WPS guideline uses tactile markings, raised symbols and auditory cues to provide a more accommodating experience through touch and sound. In addition to its innovations in accessibility, it offers very good washing performance. With a maximum load of 8kg, the machine is spacious enough for medium to large households, and its energy efficiency is very good. The drum has a hexagonal patterned surface, which is designed to give laundry a relatively gentle ride inside the machine.
A washing machine is a big purchase for most, so we understand you don’t want to dive in unprepared. So, before you start shopping, make sure you know what you’re after.
Energy efficiency and water use: Check the energy label of the washing machine for its energy efficiency rating, ranging from A to G (previously the rather more confusing A+++ to D), but do keep in mind this says nothing about its water use. So don’t purchase a washing machine based on this rating alone. All washing machines should come with this label, which also shows the KWh usage and how many litres of water it uses per year.
Drum capacity: If your clothes can’t move around properly, they’re not washed as thoroughly as they should be. Overloading your machine can also affect its performance, so be mindful of the capacity of your drum and the size of your load. The average washing machine can hold around 7-8kg, but there’s also options for 6kg which are ideal for those washing four times a week or less and want quicker cycles. For large, active families a bigger 10kg drum capacity might work better, being ideal for around six washes a week and allowing you to do less, bigger loads rather than extra, smaller loads – thus saving on energy.
Spin speed: The spin cycle works to remove as much excess water from the load as possible. The normal speed for a washing machine is about 1200rpm to 1400rpm. Overall, you don’t really need to worry about spinning speed too much. This is really only of importance when washing delicate fabrics, such as silk, where you’d ideally want to change your settings to a lower spin speed (sometimes even as low as 400rpm).
Wash settings available: Washing machines come with all types of special settings nowadays, and most of them you’ll probably rarely ever use. The most important ones to look out for are: quick wash (good for small loads of lightly soiled clothes), cotton (a hotter, more aggressive setting specially for this fabric), synthetics or easy care (ideal for polyester), delicate (the machine equivalent for hand washing), sports clothes and easy iron for less creasing.
There’s some things you can do to make the most of your machine and make sure it lasts a long time. Show it a little love every now and then with these tips and trics.
Firstly, how do you clean your washing machine? You’ll need to do a maintenance wash every now and then, meaning you do a deep-clean cycle with some cleaning solution to rinse the machine of bacteria, stains and mould that might’ve been building over long-term use. You can tell it’s time for a wash when you see little spots building behind the seal of the door.
All you need to do is make sure the machine is empty, add the special washing machine cleaning product and then start the cotton cycle on the hottest possible temperature. The detergent drawer can be cleaned by simply removing and washing in the sink, while the filter – located at the bottom of the machine – should be removed and rinsed with hot water about every four to six weeks.
There are lots of different washing machine types out there, all catering to different homes and requirements. They’re either top-loading o front-loading. Top-loading washing machines have a door on the top, and aren’t as common anymore. Front-loading machines have a door on the front that opens for you to dump your laundry in. They’re usually more energy-efficient and can handle bigger loads.
Integrated washing machines: These washing machines are designed to be built into the cabinetry of your kitchen or utility room. They’re usually front-loading machines and help save you space, plus look minimalistic and out of the way.
Free-standing washing machines: Pretty explanatory, free-standing washing machines are washing machines that can be placed anywhere with access to plumbing. They offer more versatility in terms of positioning.
Stackable washing machines: These are washer and driers that are stacked on top of each other. Think of the old-school launderette or your university halls.
Smart washing machines: These are the most modern (and usually most expensive) type of washing machine. They let you control your washes from your phone and keep an eye on them using an app.
Out of a round-up of extremely impressive washing machines, we’ve decided to name the Indesit washing machine our best buy. While there’s no doubt that some of the higher end machines, such as the Samsung WW10M86DQOA, have fancier features and higher specifications, we felt that Indesit’s washer did everything the average household could need it to, fantastically well. Larger households may need to look for a machine with a bigger maximum load, but for many users, we think the Indesit will turn out to be the ideal washing machine.
Try our pick of the best clothes steamers or the best steam irons to keep your clothes smooth and crease free
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