Buyer’s Guides to Laundry & Dishwasher appliances

Washing Machines

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Front-loaders: Front-loading machines are the most commonly used type of washing machine in the UK and come in many shapes and sizes to suit all needs and budgets. Crucially, they fit perfectly under worktops – slotting seamlessly into your fitted kitchen as a free-standing or integrated appliance. Depending on the size of the drum, these machines can handle up to 11kg of laundry per load.

What will I be using it for? Before buying a washing machine you need to establish how often you will use it and how much washing you will be doing. If you’re doing several baskets full of washing for your family every week your requirements will different to a young couple.

Drum capacity: If you are left flummoxed by special features and are only concerned about size, drum capacity will tell you what you need to know. The capacity of the drum tells you just how much washing you can effectively squeeze into the machine every time you load it up.

Washing basket never empty? Some of the larger drums can hold up to 11kg and are well suited to larger families who often find themselves on the muddy local playing fields or in the middle of messy mealtimes. The larger the drum, the more you can wash – meaning good news for busy mums aiming to get the week’s washing done in a shorter time. Also, you can wash duvets and other large items in a machine with a bigger drum – signalling an end to those annoying trips to the laundrette.

I’m not washing for a football team... On the flipside, why bother with all that space if you’re only washing for yourself and a partner? The average drum size is around 7kg, which should provide ample space to keep the washing pile of a couple or smaller family in check. To put it into perspective, Which? found that an average wash involves about 4.5kg of laundry.

In a spin – how to save time... Most machines have a minimum of two spin speeds: 1000-1800 revolutions per minute (rpm) for cottons and 400-800rpm for delicates. People looking to save time when doing their washing should look out for machines with a high spin speed. This is because the faster the spin the more water is removed from your clothes – helping them dry quicker: Crucial when your uniform is still in the wash and your shift starts in an hour or so.

...and energy Because of the increased water removal, faster spin speeds also reduce the time the laundry needs in the tumble dryer – getting a big thumbs-up from green crusaders. Speeds go all the way up to 1800rpm for those always in a rush, but the more common 1200rpm is up to the job of handling most loads. Don’t forget, you get what you pay for so the higher the rpm the more you’ll be coughing up.

Shaking up the spin Machines with variable spin speeds allow you to alter the speed depending on what you’re washing. So, if you’re washing delicates such as a cashmere jumper or a hand-knitted baby’s cardigan, you can lower the spin speed to keep them fluffy and soft

Wash cycles – what does it all mean?

Many high-end machines will put you in a spin with their numerous programmes and cycles, but generally they will all break down into the following categories:

Cottons: This is intense high-temperature washing for dirty clothes that can take it.

Synthetics: A gentler lower-temperature approach for man-made fabrics.

Delicates: A gentle cycle that won’t damage fragile items.

Woollens: Under this cycle your woollens are overwhelmed with water: Best suited to wool-mixture clothes which can be subject to bobbling.

Handwash: Offers exactly what it says on the tin: A washing experience easier on fabrics than your own hands.

Quickwash: This cycle takes up to 70 minutes and is suited to freshening up clothes that weren’t too dirty when they went in the machine.

Economy wash: Also known as ‘half load’ this can be used to save water and energy when you only have a little washing to do.

Other programmes - bits and bobs

Some machines now come with ‘coin traps’. These are good news for the forgetful among us – filtering out all that loose change that ends up left in our pockets long after we’ve thrown our trousers in the laundry bin. Also look out for pre-wash programmes, which lift surface dirt from filthy fabrics before the main cycle gets under way. Finally, if you’re not a fan of ironing then look out for a steam clean programme - which does its level best to eliminate creases during the wash.

Special features – busting the jargon and working out what you need

Electronic display If you’ve ever wondered whether your cycle will be done before work, an electronic display is for you – as it shows you how long your washing has left. And if you really want to get swanky, why not opt for a machine with an LCD touchscreen? With one of these you can set your wash quickly by tapping the screen – doing away with the need for knob-twiddling.

Flush it out The extra rinse feature flushes detergent from your linen, making sure any little ones with eczema or sensitive skin can sleep easy.

Fuzzy logic Although this sounds like a trendy new band, it’s actually a technology which recognises how much washing the drum is holding. Once it’s made its mind up it adjusts the water, energy and cycle length to slash waste and save money.

Where it will go – to integrate or not? If you want the machine to slot into a gap in your utility room or kitchen then a free-standing machine will do. But if style is high on your agenda and you want the machine to fit in with your kitchen, the only way to go is integrated.

Integrated machines

Integrated machines blend seamlessly into your kitchen. When out of use they are hidden from sight, covered by a door in the same style as your kitchen units to create a sleek, modern look.

Semi-integrated A semi-integrated machine covers its most unsightly part – the drum – when out of use. Again, it disappears behind units matching the rest of your kitchen. Only the controls of the machine remain on show. However, if they’re the high-end touch screens they are worthy of showing off anyway.

Free-standing Not quite as stylish as an integrated machine, a freestanding unit more than makes up for it with its impressive mobility. Want to bring your washer into the kitchen to free-up garage space or take it with you when you move – no problem with a free-standing machine.

Washing machines and saving energy All washing machines are graded from A+ to G on their energy efficiency – the best machines will be marked A+. If the environment is important to and you like the sounds of an A-rated machine, then look for one with an Energy Saving Recommended mark on it. Although you pay a bit more for one of these, the extra cash will give you green credentials with the family and save you money on bills in the long run.

Machines with a higher grading will offer features such as time delay – which allows you to put a wash in and set the timer for it to start when cheaper energy kicks in during the early hours.

Tumble Dryers

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Rainy British weather means that hanging your washing on the line outside is sometimes impossible. And even when the sun is shining, many families get through so much laundry that more drying options are called for. Leaving washing to dry around the house can lead to condensation. A tumble dryer offers the perfect solution, and as they are often the same dimensions as a washing machine, they can sit side by side or with one on top of the other without looking odd.

Vented tumble dryer These work by venting warm, damp air through a hose and out of an open window or through an external wall. These dryers use less energy than condenser models and are generally cheaper too. But don’t forget if buying a vented dryer, you will have to position it by a window, door or external wall to get rid of the damp air. You can either have an external vent fitted in the wall or hang the hose out of the window.

Condenser tumble dryer These are slightly more expensive than vented dryers, but as they don’t require a hose so you get the freedom of installing them wherever you want, provided the room is well-ventilated. These dryers work by removing moist air from the drum and cooling it inside the machine. The water is then collected in a container - which you need to remove and empty regularly.

How they work The drum size in a tumble dryer is often bigger than that of a washing machine – helping dry those clothes fast. This is because the air flows more efficiently inside a larger drum - resulting in faster drying times.

Settings and things to look out for Most dryers come with two settings - one for synthetics and one for cotton. But as technology has advanced, a third setting for delicates has come into play. This means that most items can now be dried in a tumbler – a far cry from the days of them being trusted with nothing but towels.

A full size tumble dryer will normally dry about the same weight of laundry that its corresponding machine will wash. Driers are available in a range of sizes, so if you use a large capacity washing machine to do your family’s laundry you will probably need a similar size dryer.

Other features

Reverse tumble: Many machines now come with a reverse tumble feature. This sees the drum spin both ways in a bid to knock out creases – pleasing ironing shirkers the length and breadth of the country.

Crease Care: This feature is handy for people who leave their drying in while they’re at work. It gives your laundry a tumble every now and then after the cycle has finished to prevent it creasing until you can get home and empty the machine.

Tumble dryers and saving energy

All tumble dryers are graded from A+ to G on their energy efficiency – the best machines will be marked A+. If the environment is important to and you like the sounds of an A-rated machine, then look for one with an Energy Saving Recommended mark on it. Although you pay a bit more for one of these, the extra cash will give you green credentials with the family and save you money on bills in the long run.

Safety first

Before using your new dryer remember to check the labels on your clothes to find out if the fabrics are suitable for tumble drying. And don’t forget to clean the filter of your tumbler – as fluff and fibres can build up there.

Washer/dryers

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Washer/dryers combine a washing machine with a tumble dryer and take up less space than having two separate units. Their drums are smaller than those on separate washers and driers but the smaller drum size means less drying can be done each session – about half a load at a time.

Who they’re for Washer/dryers are well-suited to people short on space and with not too much washing to do at a time – a young couple or an older person living alone for example. Remember, with one of these you can wash or dry, but not both at the same time – meaning large families will probably be best looking elsewhere.

Things to consider These dryers generally use a wet condenser system to dry clothes – using cold water during the process. This means that more water is used overall. Because of this, surface moisture will be left on your washing when it’s completed – making it feel a little damp. But this will soon evaporate.

Dishwashers

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Buying a dishwasher will free you from the chore of washing-up. Once you have your new appliance installed and up and running you can kiss goodbye to your messy kitchen – as pots which once piled high on your worktops will be sitting in your dishwasher being scrubbed ‘til they shine.

Things to decide: Where will it go and how many pots?

Before deciding on your choice of machine you need to know where it’s going to sit and how much space you have to play with. Depending on your requirements you can choose from the following options - full-size, slimline or table-top.

Full Size A full-size dishwasher takes up the most room and generally measures around 60cm wide. These are perfect for large families or people who often entertain. They accommodate the following per wash: 12 dinner plates, 12 small plates, 12 bowls, 12 cups and saucers, 12 knives, forks, tablespoons and teaspoons.

Slim-line People with a less space and fewer pots to wash may want to opt for a slim-line model. Although the same height as a full-size dishwasher, they are narrower (measuring 45cm) – great for slotting into that tight space between the fridge and the washing machine. And you don’t lose that much space as on average they can fit nine place settings in per wash.

Table-top People living alone in a property where space really is an issue are well-suited to the table-top dishwasher. These are far smaller than a traditional washer, and look completely different too. A major plus point is mobility: These can be moved to sit pretty much wherever you want but are most often placed on top of a work surface – hence the name. One of these will measure around 50cm wide and cover four place settings.

Integrate me An integrated dishwasher is a good option for the style-conscious among us who don’t want the look of their lovely kitchen spoiled by an unsightly white dishwasher. An integrated machine will be built into your existing fitted kitchen – disappearing behind your matching units when not in use to maintain a sleek and seamless look. You can also choose a semi-integrated machine – which hides everything but the controls behind your units.

Freestanding If you’re likely to be moving at anytime in the future, your best option is a free-standing model. Although this won’t look as smart as an integrated machine, you will be able to unplug it and take it with you when you move. But even if you have no intention to up-sticks, having the freedom to shift your appliances around the kitchen or even into the utility room is a major plus for many people.

What’s the programme? Most dishwashers offer at least three programmes alongside a rinse only cycle but many high-end machines give more options. The all-purpose standard cycle washes dishes at 65c – great for getting off grime and grease. The eco cycle is good to the environment – using less energy but taking a bit longer to get the job done.

Further settings Some machines will feature a baby cycle, which works to get rid of harmful bacteria from spoons and bowls used to feed your little ones. Much like its washing machine equivalent, the half-load programme blasts your pots clean with lesser water than is used on a full run for those times when you’re eating alone. Also, run a pre-soak cycle to shift those stubborn stains that just don’t want to budge from that lasagne dish.

Other features:

Timer Delay This allows users to capitalise on cheaper energy tariffs by setting the dishwasher to start at off-peak times – which often kick-in when most people are tucked up in bed.

Fuzzy Logic (yes, it’s back) Many high-end models use fuzzy logic to measure the load of your wash and adjust the temperature and water consumption to suit – saving energy and money.

Dishwashing and the environment

Like tumble dryers, dishwashers are graded A+ to G on their energy efficiency – the best machines will be marked A+. If the environment is important to and you like the sounds of an A-rated machine, then look for one with an Energy Saving Recommended mark on it. Although you pay a bit more for one of these, the extra cash will give you green credentials with the family and save you money on bills in the long run.

Safety first – what can’t I put in?

Although you may never want to wash a pot again, it’s important to know that not all items are dishwasher safe. So unless the labelling states otherwise, don’t put any of the following in your washer -crystal, patterned china, silver or gold plated china and cast iron pans.