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Three tips for buying a washing machine
Front loading: The most common type of washing machine. Choose this for larger households and for longer use, as it usually has greater capacity, is gentler on clothes and uses less water.
Top loading: Top-loaders lack some of the advantages of front-loaders. But they can be smaller and more convenient, and so may be more practical if you live alone or in a tiny flat.
It may be tempting to buy a washer dryer, but they have some downsides: they tend to use more water, have longer washing cycles and do not dry as well as a separate tumble dryer. That said, buying a washer dryer may be a space-saving and money-saving option for you.
This may be stating the obvious, but you should buy a washing machine that has the capacity to cope with the laundry produced in your household. If you’re unsure, there’s a conversion chart that tells you how much capacity you should expect per person in your household. On manufacturer Beko’s website, you’ll find a handy Washing Machine Capacity Guide.
FAQ
The concept of a washing machine is that your laundry is spun around with water and laundry detergent to remove dirt. This is followed by centrifugation where the water is wrung out.
The washing machine takes in the water through a water inlet hose, and the water is then mixed with the laundry detergent that has been added to the detergent drawer. The rotation of the drum ensures the mixture covers all the laundry.
If there is plumbing, water, and electricity already installed, it can cost between £100 and £250. It becomes increasingly expensive if the installation requires new plumbing or electricity to be rewired to the place the washing machine will fit. In that case, the cost can be between £500 and £1,000, depending on the difficulty of the installation. If electricity needs to be installed or rewiring is necessary, this needs to be done by an electrician.
An average washing machine uses around 1 kWh per 60-degree wash cycle. With an average cost of 17 pence per kWh and a laundry detergent cost of about 10 pence per wash, in combination with the cost of water, it equals to about 35 pence per load of laundry. There is money to be saved by doing the laundry during the night, but if you live in a flat, you should be aware that this can be disturbing for your neighbours.
The number of household members is the most important factor to consider. As a rule of thumb, you would need a capacity of at least 7kg for a household of four people. This is to avoid doing the laundry too often.
If you have a big family, it’s also good to consider how long the programmes are. The longer it takes to wash the clothes, the more time you will have to spend dealing with it.
There are mainly two kinds of washing machines: front-loading and top-loading.
The front-loading washing machines are the most common by far. The drawback with this type of machine is that it takes up a bit more space, but on the other hand, you can use the top of the machine to store things.
In a home with plenty of space, a front-loading washing machine is always a better choice because it often has a more generous capacity and has more advanced settings. If you live in a small space, a top-loading washing machine might be a better option.