How to Select a Washing Machine That Fits Your Needs and Budget. 7 Tips to Help You Navigate the Dozens of Confusing Options Out There (2020)

How to Select a Washing Machine That Fits Your Needs and Budget. 7 Tips to Help You Navigate the Dozens of Confusing Options Out There (2020)

Till a few decades back a washing machine was considered a luxury. However nowadays it is more of a necessity in every home. It not only frees you from the dependence on domestic help and laundries to get your clothes cleaned, but also saves you a lot of time and money. But how to select a washing machine from all the many brands and makes available? This BP Guide will not only explain these factors but will also introduce you to the latest technology trends currently available in India which will help you buy the right washing machine for your home.

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Washing Machines – How They Changed Our Lives

There are many things in the world that have changed over time and are still changing. All these changes have made an impact on our lives. One such impact is the invention of the washing machine, which is one of the greatest inventions of the industrial revolution. Little did the inventors know that this machine would change our lives so much.

Before the washing machine was invented, women used to spend hours just washing the clothes. It involved a lot of hard work, like fetching the water, storing it, applying soap to all the clothes, washing them individually and leaving them to dry for at least 3-4 hours, depending on the intensity of sunlight. Most of all, the energy and labour that had to be put in was excruciating.

Now that we have a machine to do the washing and also the drying (to some extent), our lives have become simpler. Time saved in this can be used to do something productive and enhance our skills. The time the clothes spend on the drying line is also reduced as the spin feature of the washing machine wrings away all the excess water making it easy to dry the clothes.

Advantages of Using a Washing Machine

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  • Time Saver:
    A washing machine is a big time-saver when compared to washing clothes by hand. It is automatic, so there is no need for you to sit around and monitor the washing process step by step. A washing machine has different options for different types and loads of clothes. So based on these parameters, there is proper care given to the clothes that goes into the machine. In many washing machines today, even this is done automatically, which saves even more time.

  • Less Physical Effort:
    The amount of energy and physical effort that goes into washing clothes by hand has been eliminated by the washing machine which does all the hard work and gives you clean and dry clothes.

  • Available in Different Sizes:
    There are different types of washing machines available in the market and you can get one based on your requirement, be it budget, size, technology, etc. There are compact models that can easily fit even in a small kitchen space.

7 Tips on How to Select a Washing Machine

1. Washing Machine Capacity

A washing machine's capacity is one of the first things to consider while selecting a washing machine. This depends on the user’s necessity based on the number of people in the family. It is usually represented in kg, which means the maximum weight of clothes that can be washed at once in the machine. If you have heavy blankets, then it is better to go for a machine with a higher capacity. Always ensure that at least one third of the machine has free space so that it can last for at least a few more years.

2. Drum Material

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The material of the drum is actually a critical factor that contributes to the wash quality. Generally, the drums can be of plastic, enamel or stainless steel. Among these, the recommended one is stainless steel, which are slightly costlier than the others, but these last longer and give a good wash quality. They can also withstand high spin speeds.

3. Spin Speed

Spin speed is the number of times the machine's drum rotates in a minute. This is how the extra water from the clothes is wrung out to reduce the time they spend on the line for drying. Spin speed differs according to the material of the clothes, many washing machines today set it automatically, although in some cases, it has to be selected manually.

4. Additional Features

There are many washing machines that offer some additional features like RPM (Rotations Per Minute) - they give the option to select the RPM for the spin cycle based on the clothes to be washed. Temperature control is another feature provided in some machines which allows you to set the temperature of the water to wash the clothes in, cold water saves energy whereas hot water will clean the stains better. Fuzzy logic is the best feature as it is an artificial intelligence system that automatically determines the water intake, time, spin, etc. just at the click of a button. Others features include time delay, LED display, dryer and bubble wash.

5. Wash Settings

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Wash settings are the different wash types available for choosing based on the type of clothes. Wash settings that are normally available are quick wash, fuzzy logic, odour removal, delicate, delay start, steam wash, RPM speed, drum clean, temperature control, etc.

6. Energy Efficiency

Source www.amazon.in

Give priority to a washing machine that has a 5-star BEE rating. BEE rating is the amount of energy that the washing machine consumes annually. Machines with 5-star rating consume less energy compared to 4-star, 4-star consumes less energy compared to 3-star and so on. 5-star rating washing machines are slightly expensive, but save energy and money in the long run.

7. Front Load vs Top Load

Are you confused whether to go for the standard top-load machine or the high-efficiency front-load one? Here is a comparison between the two types:

Front Load:

  • Front load washing machines clean better than top load ones.
  • They use less water, detergent and energy as compared to top loaders.
  • They are easy to install, take much lesser space and can be stacked above/below another appliance.

Top Load:

  • Top load washing machines are easier to use compared to front load washing machines.
  • They wash the clothes quickly and saves a lot of time and energy.
  • They do not build up any mould and are low maintenance.

Latest Technology in Washing Machines

  • Bubble Wash:
    Companies like Samsung and IFB have come up with technology that aim to clear dirt from the clothes without causing any damage. Samsung washing machines uses EcoBubble Technology that converts the detergent into bubbles which penetrate deeper into the fabric and remove dirt. IFB uses O2 Wash Technology that creates millions of air bubbles that penetrate the fabric and remove adamant dirt particles.

  • Drum Technology:
    Samsung uses diamond drum technology that has 25% smaller holes comparatively and are located deep inside. This prevents the clothes from sticking and tearing. Siemens uses wave drum technology that clean the clothes with utmost care by using wave patterns in washing.

  • Anti-Vibration Technology:
    Almost all washing machines make noise and there is vibration observed during the spin cycles. Samsung uses VRT+ (Vibration Reduction Technology Plus) to reduce vibration levels which in turn reduce the noise levels. Bosch however uses Anti Vibration Technology that reduces noise by the use of sensors.
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Malathi
Malathi is a freelance content writer offering blogging, ghost-writing, and copywriting services. In addition to developing digital marketing content, she maintains niche websites related to kids, parenting, and pregnancy. Malathi's works have been featured on several prominent blogs and websites. When she is not writing, you will find her exploring exotic locales on our beautiful planet.
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Choose Your Washing Machine Carefully

When buying a washing machine you not only need to consider your current requirements but also the requirements in the future and plan for them accordingly. It is also prudent to explore the latest technology and features available in the market to make your purchase future-proof. We hope this BP Guide would have helped you in understanding the factors to keep in mind to finalise which washing machine will be the right fit for your home. Stay connected with us for more such engaging content.