There are some electronics that you buy for fashion, for the sake of a trend, and there are some purely functional electronics. One of those function-oriented products is the washing machine. A modern-day necessity that does what it does the best, i.e. make your life easier. The process to buy one however is not necessarily an easy task.
Selecting a washing machine is not a one-step process. It takes a lot of planning, evaluation, and budgeting. It depends upon a lot of factors like the number of members in your family, your budget, the storage space available in your home, and the time you dedicate to the selection process.
The first step is planning. When you decide to get your laundry requirements sorted at home, by yourself, and thus buy a new washing machine, the first step is to make a budget. The first level of filtering starts here. While you do have to make a budget, it is recommended to be a little flexible with it in case you find a good option that might be a little over the budget. Because buying a washing machine is a long-time investment. A good washing machine will be there for you for years to come. So it is perfectly okay if you spend a little more than what you decided to at the beginning. Apart from making a budget, you also need to plan according to the laundry requirement, your family size as well as the storage space, or the utility area you can dedicate to a washing machine.
Coming to the cost of the washing machine first. The price of washing machines mostly depends upon the type of washing operation (that are semi-automatic and fully automatic), loading type (that is front load and top load), the capacity, and the brand (obviously).
Let us discuss these factors in detail.
Capacity
The capacity of a washing machine means the number of clothes you can wash in one go. It’s safe to say that this is one of the most important factors in choosing a washing machine. To make it easier for you to understand, let’s say a 6-7kg washing machine would be appropriate for a nuclear family or a couple but not for a joint family. Whereas, a 12KG washing machine would do just fine for a joint family, but would be total overkill for a 2-4 member family. Although it again comes to an individual’s choice, this is what the experts recommend:
- A 6KG washing machine can wash 4 shirts, 3 pairs of jeans, 1 bedsheet, 1 towel, and 1 pillow cover in a single go.
- A 7KG washing machine can wash 5 shirts, 5 pairs of jeans, 1 bedsheet, 1 towel, and 1 pillow cover in a single go.
- An 8KG washing machine can wash 8 shirts, 8 pairs of jeans, 2 bedsheets, 2 towels, and 1 pillow cover in a single go.
| Family Size | Recommended Capacity |
| Couples and Bachelors | 5-6 KG |
| Nuclear Families | 6-8 KG |
| Joint Families | >8 KG |
Operation type
Semi-automatic and fully automatic are the two types of washing machine-classified based on the operation. As understood from the name, a fully-automatic washing machine, that has only one tub for both washing and drying, does not require any manual effort. It runs the entire operation, from adjusting levels of water required to rinsing and drying the clothes without asking you to put any effort. Just putting your laundry and pressing a button would do the task for you. A semi-automatic machine, however, has two different tubs for washing and drying, it requires you to fill the washtub manually before starting the wash operation and then once the washing is done, requires you to shift the clothes in the dryer by yourself.
It may sound like a semi-automatic washing machine is a lot of work, but it has its advantages as well. First, it costs less than the automatic washing machine, significantly less. Second, it consumes less water than a fully automatic one does as it does not require a continuous flow of water intake. And third, it weighs lower than any fully automatic model. Surprisingly enough, it also takes a little less time for a complete wash and rinses as compared to the time taken by a fully automatic machine thanks to its high spin speed.
But a fully automatic washing machine has its perks as well. A lot of them. It does not require any effort from your end. Just select the program, click a button, and voila, you’re done! It has a larger number of wash programs as compared to a maximum of 3 programs that a semi-automatic one offers. And last, but not least, it takes up less storage area.
There are two types of washing machines within the fully automatic type machines on basis of the loading type.
The loading type
There are mainly two types of machines based on the loading technique: Top load and front load. As the name implies, a top load is the one that loads the clothes vertically and performs the vertical-axis rotation, whereas the front load machine lets you load the clothes horizontally and uses a tumble spin or a horizontal-axis rotation. But this is not all that is different between the two.
They are different, but they are unique in their way. For example, a top-load is easier to load and is a better buy for older buyers because there’s no need to bend down to put in the laundry, unlike the front-load machines. However, a front-load takes the cake and the cherry when it comes to providing a thorough and cleaner wash. There’s an obvious price difference between the two types that we’re going to discuss in a bit. The overall comparison between the two depending on the major factors can be put as follows:
Note: The semi-automatic washing machines are all top-load.
| Comparison Factor | Washer Type |
| Easier to use | Top Load |
| Price | Top Load |
| Wash time | Top Load; not by a big margin |
| Better Cleaning | Front Load; by a decent margin |
| Less residue | Front Load |
| Spin speed | Front Load |
| Installation flexibility | Front Load |
Now, the price. The cost is one of the most important factors when it comes to purchasing anything, let alone the washing machine, that’s a no-brainer. But for a one-time investment like a good washing machine, a little flexibility around the budget may reap you amazing benefits for years to come. Again, it totally depends upon an individual’s choice, but filtering the choices available based on price is primarily the first and one of the wisest decisions. It took some time to come to this topic as you need to understand the basic difference between the various types of washing machines based on several different modes of classification. So let’s talk budget now.
| Type of Washing Machine | Price Range |
| Semi-Automatic | Rs.6,000 – Rs.12,000 |
| Top Load Fully-Automatic | Rs.9,000 – Rs.36,000 |
| Front Load Fully-Automatic | Rs.20,000 – Rs.80,000 |
Features and wash programs
Technology in the last few decades has made our lives easier. This would be a criminal of an understatement. It hasn’t just made our lives easier, but also has added some very innovative features to our daily gadgets. Many washing machines, for example, now give a fast dry in as little as 15 minutes, come with multiple quick wash programs for smaller loads of laundry, automatic water temperature controls, in-built heaters, digital control panels, an option to start the washing later, pre-soak option to soak heavily soiled clothes and whatnot! A perfect washing machine comes with all the features you need for your laundry requirements. Many machines nowadays come with a monsoon wash mode. This Indian-specific washing program helps in the faster drying of clothes during the monsoon season.
Another very popular wash program nowadays is the Fuzzy Logic. The Fuzzy logic controls the washing process, water intake, water temperature, wash time, rinse performance, and spin speed according to the laundry load. It also advises on the required amount of detergent, assesses cloth material type and water hardness, and checks whether the detergent is in powder or liquid form. Some of the machines in the market even learn from past experience, memorize programs and adjust them to reduce running costs. So many of the higher-end washing machines even come with a self-diagnose system that helps you get easy troubleshoot solutions in case of any problem related to the working of a machine. Several smart washing machines can also be controlled through your smartphone apps.
So when you get into the process of choosing a washing machine, you also need to keep an eye out for the features as well as the wash programs that bring you the maximum level of satisfaction and convenience.
Safety features
When we talk about the features of a washing machine, it’s not just about the operational features, it’s also about the safety features associated with its use and even when it’s not in use. Before you settle on a specific machine model, check if the basic and even the advanced safety features are present or not. Confirm with the seller if there is a child lock feature present in the machine? That is a must. Is the control panel waterproof and shockproof? Is the machine safe from rodents? These might not be the major features or something you start your search process with, but they are as important as any other factor nonetheless.
Ease of Use
It does take some time to understand the working mechanism of a new gadget entirely, but the instructions should be clear and it should never appear overwhelming or over-complicated. Remember, you are buying a new washing machine to make your life easier, not more complicated. So before you finalize a model, make sure that you understand how it works and it is easy to use. No, it does not mean that you settle with the one with the least features. It means that you find the one that is just perfect for you irrespective of what’s the best in the market.
Storage area
Once you make sure that you are on the right track in terms of choosing the right capacity washing machine with the right features, and that fits in your budget as well, evaluate one more thing. Does it fit in your home as well? It might not be the most important factor that your selection depends on, but it is not to be ignored as well. The size of your washing machine should be in terms with the available storage space. Remember, if you are going with a semi-automatic option, you would need a little more space because the washer and dryer are two different tubs in this variation. Fully-automatic model, however both top-load and front-load occupy lesser space than a semi-automatic model does. Although front-load can be a better option if you want to stack a separate dryer above it.
How To save energy?
If you want, while you can, go green with your washing machine purchase by choosing the energy and water-efficient options. A semi-automatic washing machine utilizes lesser amounts of water. On the other hand, a fully automatic washing machine runs a more energy-efficient operation. The greener, more energy-efficient models also reduce carbon emissions while running a low-noise operation. You can refer to the washing machine’s BEE energy rating before you bring home your laundry partner in the form of a new washing machine. There’s always something to give back to the universe, every contribution matters, even as small as choosing the right washing machine for your household as well as the environment.
Last but not least.
Make sure you check the comprehensive warranty and extended warranty plans before you finalize your washing machine companion to have a hassle-free experience.
Always remember, a perfect option is not the most expensive one, or the cheapest one, the one that your friend or neighbor has. It is the one that fulfills your needs the best. Walk through these factors very carefully, evaluate your needs, make a budget and follow it and you will get the best results.
We hope this article helps you find the perfect laundry solution for your household. If you have any doubts or queries, please write to us in the comments section below.