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