If you have a small laundry room or laundry corner
Full-sized laundry appliances such as washing machines can be 24 to 30-plus inches wide, so we suggest that you use a measuring tape and write down the dimensions of your space. Check also if the washer will fit through the hallways and doorways on the way into the laundry room. Consider also other limiting factors such as the washer door that might bang into the wall every time you open it. If you have a super narrow space, we recommend getting a front loader that stacks with the dryer.
- If your laundry room is not located in the basement area
The first thing to do is to make sure that the floor is properly reinforced for the weight of the laundry appliances. We recommend a quieter model with features that reduce vibration and noise during the spin cycle so the appliances do not cause any disruption to your daily life. You may also consider getting a fashionable color since it is likely that your guests may see your appliance more often other than if the machines were hidden downstairs.
- If you have a ton of wash to do
The tub dimensions play the most important part here. Tub dimensions can range from about 2.45 cubic feet up to 5.6 cubic feet. You can find the largest capacity on a front loader or in a top loader without the central agitator. You may also consider bells and whistles like programmable settings so that your older kids can do their laundry with ease.
Selecting a budget friendly laundry appliance doesn’t necessarily mean a sacrifice in performance, but only fewer fancy features. Traditional no-frill top loaders are on the top of the list for budget washing machines, but they use more energy to run. We suggest that you use the energy guidee estimates to compute your energy costs over the 10-to15-year lifespan of the laundry appliance.
- If you want to conserve water and electricity
If you want to conserve water, we recommend choosing front loaders as they use way less water than traditional top loaders which have to fill up entirely for the wash and rinse cycles. Look for an Energy Star model, which reduces electricity by 20% and water by 35%, over non-rated models. Use the energy guidee labels as a basis for comparison. Keep in mind that your actual costs may vary, depending on your usage and the utility costs in your area.
- If you’re always having a hard time with tough stains
Based on our tests, front loaders provide better cleaning results than top loaders. We suggest that you look for a machine with a special stain-remover or one with a steam feature.
- If you’re very particular about clothing care
Regarding clothing care, you may choose a front-loader or a top-loader without the agitator. Some higher-end models of washing machines have nifty special cycles which are designed to clean specific materials, from denim to towels to comforters and more. Look for other custom features like steam for better stain removal, sanitizing cycles to kill germs and adjustable spin speeds to reduce tangling of fabrics.
The Cleaning Institute
