THE KITCHENISTA

Love it or hate it, there’s no escaping laundry. Fortunately, there’s a huge selection of modern washing machines to make our lives easier. But which one to choose?  We’ve put together an essential guide to buying the right washing machine.

The first decision you need to make is whether to purchase a washer-dryer or stand alone washing machine. Although generally more expensive, washer dryers are excellent space savers, combining two appliances into one unit.

Most washers machines come with a 6kg load limit, but some models do go beyond this. Consider how many people are living in the home and the frequency of use as this will affect the size of the machine required.

It is important to decide if the appliance is going to be free standing or integrated into a kitchen as this can affect what models are compatible with your kitchen. If you opt for a washing machine that is suitable for integration then a unit front can be fitted to disguise the appliance and to help create a sleek finish to the kitchen.

If you choose a free standing washing machine, it’s worth bearing in mind the colour and design of the machine and making sure that it compliments the rest of the kitchen.

The cost of washing machines varies greatly. Investing in a good quality machine will often save money in the long run by saving on energy and water consumption. Higher end machines also offer a greater variety of features including start delays, night cycles, LED interfaces and more programme options. Some can even tell you how much washing powder to use or if you have “overdosed” on detergent. Selected models also allow you to determine how long the wash cycle should be, perfect if you need an item cleaning in a rush.

Finally, consider how environmentally friendly the appliance is. All home appliances now come with an EU Energy Label which allows customers to see the efficiency and energy consumption of a product. The labels run from AAA (the most efficient) to G (least energy efficient.)