Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying a Washing Machine

Planning to buy a washing machine? We understand what a task it can be to settle down on that one perfect washer, especially with the latest technology hitting the market. But before you decide on one, let us tell you that it’s not just about the brand, size and price. There’s a lot more that goes into buying the right washing machine. Here are 6 things you should consider before buying a washer…

Buy One Based on Your Lifestyle
Washing machines are a long time investment that run for at least 8-10 years, so you need to be clear about what you’re exactly looking for in a washing machine. Here are some questions you should have answers to before you decide on buying one: How often do you wash clothes? Do you have more of heavily soiled laundry? Are you looking for any specific features? What is your budget? etc. Do some research so that once you hit the store, you’ll know exactly what you’re looking for and make your decision less stressful.

Top vs Front Load
A top load washer is easy to operate, affordable and more commonly used. They’re also lighter and easy to move but consume more water. This is perfect for you if you’re single and living alone in the city or have an elderly person operating the machine, as it’s convenient to wash without having to bend. Front load washers on the other hand, are more expensive and heavy to move but can manage larger quantity of clothes and consume less water. It’s also more energy efficient and has high spin speeds that help reduce the drying time. The only drawback is that they have longer wash cycles, louder spin cycles and are a bit high maintenance. If yours is a big family, a front load washer is what you should opt for.

Semi Automatic vs Automatic
Talk of semi automatic machines and the name says it all! It’s partially automatic and requires some amount of manual effort, as it’s equipped with two tubs. One for washing and the other for drying. The biggest advantage of a semi automatic machine is that it saves water, as it doesn’t require continuous water supply. You’re also free to add more clothes during the washing cycle. They’re bigger in size, cost less than fully automatic machines and are low maintenance. As far as fully automatic machines are concerned, they’re equipped with one tub, which is used for both, washing and drying. There’s no manual work required but it does require a continuous flow of water till the wash cycle is over. Most people prefer automatic machines because it’s convenient. All you need to do is load your laundry, set the options and leave the rest to the washing machine. Once the alarm beeps, you know it’s done.

Size and Capacity
This totally depends on your wash load, budget, frequency of usage and space requirements. You need to have a rough idea about the amount of laundry you end up washing. For instance, if you have a child at home, it’s sure to increase your usage frequency. This means you will need a washing machine that varies between 5 – 10 Kgs. But if you’re single and hardly have laundry, a 5 kg washing machine should work best for you. Just in case you didn’t know, let us tell you that high capacity machines allow you to wash less frequently. This means cutting down on energy bills.

Budget
The price of a machine totally depends on its size, features, capacity and depending on whether it’s a front or top loading, semi automatic or automatic machine. As far as choice goes, you’ll be flooded with choices once you enter the store, we can assure you. But if you know your budget, it’ll be easier to decide which one to buy. Well, you can find one starting from as low as Rs 5K and as high as Rs 80,000 or more. Typically a semi-automatic will cost you anywhere between Rs 5000 to Rs 17,000. A fully automatic top-loading can range between Rs 8,000 to Rs 35,000 and the front-loading anywhere between Rs 13,000 to Rs 80,000.

More Features
There are various features in a washing machine depending on the brand you choose. We’re listing down a few important ones for you to choose from…
* Automatic Dispensers: This is a useful feature for those who never understand the amount of detergent to be added. An automatic dispenser puts in the correct amount of detergent so you don’t have to measure manually.

* Sound Dampening: If you hate those noisy machines, this is one feature that you should definitely look for. Yes, there are soundproof washing machines available in the market and they’re just perfect for those who’ve placed their washers in the kitchen or bedroom.

* Steam Cycle: This is a new technology and most new washing machines have this feature. It’s got a few advantages including, gentle wash, reduction in wrinkles and is ideal for washing things that accumulate dust like bed sheets, pillow covers, table cloths, curtains, etc. With this feature, laundry can seriously save you some sniffles!

* Quick Wash: This option can really hurry up with the washing cycle without sacrificing on its performance.

No matter which washing machine you buy, remember that it’s an appliance and it needs to be taken good care of. The best way to do this is to think of extending its life well in advance, with an extended warranty plan. This will save you from all the hassles of hunting for the right technician at the last minute. Buying the OnsiteGo extended warranty plan can make your life less stressful, as the company offers free at-home service, where a technician from an authorized service center will come home to repair your washing machine.

Happy shopping!