| C'mon now, we've all been there. Your old washing | | | | environment? |
| machine has just flooded the floor for the third time | | | | There are washing machines on the market that |
| and the repairman has sucked in his breath (or just | | | | offer short cycles or 'quick wash' (to save on |
| laughed in my case) at the suggestion that he might | | | | energy.) Some offer half washes with only half the |
| like to repair it! So, you think that you will buy | | | | water normally used, all of which have less impact on |
| another one instead but what washing machine do | | | | the environment. I have to say that the short cycle |
| you go for? What can be so hard about choosing a | | | | is a blessing in many ways. With limited leisure time at |
| new washing machine? Let's get down to the store | | | | weekends, the last thing I want to do is stay in |
| quickly and buy one before the dirty washing takes | | | | because the washing machine hasn't finished! |
| over the house. | | | | However, if your work means that you have dirty |
| Half an hour later and you are stood in front of rows | | | | overalls or clothes every week or so, the short cycle |
| of gleaming machines. You wonder which one is the | | | | is not good enough to get clothes really clean. It is |
| best buy for you. The salesman can smell the | | | | wonderful for freshening up though. |
| desperation and you just know he is going to try and | | | | Are you interested in whether the machine will be |
| sell you the most expensive one there. How can you | | | | economical to run? |
| avoid this situation? I have put together the following | | | | The other comparison you can do is to check the |
| to help you think about what washing machine might | | | | energy rating. All machines have a sticker on the |
| suit you best. Most people have a fixed idea about | | | | front which shows which level they have been |
| how much they want to spend so the next | | | | judged at for electrical economy. 'A' is the most |
| important decision is about what other options you | | | | economical, the further down the alphabet, the more |
| want. | | | | electricity it will use and therefore the more |
| How many washes a week do you and your family | | | | expensive it is to run. However, be warned, I bought |
| do? | | | | a washing machine that seemed to be economical to |
| A simple enough question, but it will make a big | | | | run, but when I started using it I found the normal |
| difference to all sorts of questions that might follow. | | | | wash took 2hrs! There wasn't a 'quick wash' cycle |
| For example, if you do a lot of washing you might | | | | either. In one way I was saving money, but I wasn't |
| want to think about what washing machine is going | | | | saving on time. In my busy life, time is important for |
| to be more reliable rather than be an 'all singing, all | | | | me. I should have paid more attention to what |
| dancing' machine. Or, if you only do a couple of | | | | washing machine would wash the quickest instead of |
| washes in a week or you live somewhere with no | | | | which one was the most economical. |
| place to dry laundry, you might want to think about | | | | I hope this helps you find what washing machine suits |
| a combined washer and drier. More expensive | | | | you and I am sure that you can think of more |
| machines seem to have more program options, but | | | | questions to ask (and think about the answers) - the |
| are you going to use them? | | | | more the better in fact, as that way you will end up |
| Are you worried about any impact on the | | | | with the washing machine that will suit you best. |