Washing Machine for Bachelors: What to Consider Before Buying

Last Updated on April 25, 2022 by Rupesh Patil

You are a bachelor, and things seem as great as they should be. The fridge is stocked with beer, the Xbox has FIFA, the guys are coming over – everything is great until you realise that a Monday is coming up. That means 5 or 6 days of work, and you have no clean clothes. The maid is AWOL and you need clean clothes. So you decide you’ve had enough and go ahead with buying a washing machine. The question is, what do you buy? What is a good washing machine for bachelors like you?

Things to Consider

Buying a washing machine isn’t as easy as it sounds. There are a lot of things you need to decide before you make a purchase.

Size

Given your work schedule and general bachelorhood, it is most likely that you will wash clothes once a week. That means at least 5 shirts, a few T-shirts, a pair of jeans, at least two pairs of trousers, underwear, hankies, shorts, and once a fortnight, your bedsheet and pillow covers. This kind of load will necessitate buying a washing machine of more than 5kg capacity so your clothes can have enough space to tumble in the drum. A 6kg washing machine seems to be the sweet spot.

Recommendations –

• Haier HWM58-020 Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine (5.8 kg)
• LG T72CMG22P Fully Automatic Top-loading Washing Machine (6.2 Kg)
• Whirlpool Classic 621S Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine (6.2 Kg)
• Bosch WAB16060IN Fully-automatic Front-loading Washing Machine (6 Kg)
• Samsung WA62H4100HD Fully-automatic Top loading Washing Machine (6.2 kg)

Front Loading or Top Loading

We have listed the pros and cons of both front loading and top loading washing machines before, but for the sake of bachelors like you who like it simple, a top loading washing machine is just about enough. All you have to do is lift the lid, put in the clothes, add the detergent, and press start and you are good. A front load washing machine, by virtue of being a newer entrant, often comes with a load of newer tech and navigating all that may require a fair bit of time.

In addition, a front load washing machine is costlier than a traditional top load washing machine. If all you need a washing machine for is basic cleaning, go with a top load with a simple menu. Plus, a front load washing machine can have an accumulation of mould in the door panel (because water swishes against it every time you use it) and this might require extra effort from you to clean it. A top load washing machine is easier to maintain that way.

Recommendations:

• Haier HWM58-020 Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine (5.8 kg)
• LG T72CMG22P Fully Automatic Top-loading Washing Machine (6.2 Kg)
• Whirlpool Classic 621S Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine (6.2 Kg)
• Samsung WA62H4100HD Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine (6.2 kg)

Fully Automatic or Semi-Automatic

For your sake, we suggest fully automatic or you will have to do a lot of work yourself. A semi-automatic washing machine requires you to physically lift the rinsed clothes from one drum and move it to the spinner drum. A fully automatic washing machine has one drum that will do the washing, rinsing and spinning on its own and you don’t need to be around till the programs are complete. Just run the washing machine and forget about it till the end buzzer sounds.

Recommendations:

• Haier HWM58-020 Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine
• LG T72CMG22P Fully Automatic Top-loading Washing Machine
• Whirlpool Classic 621S Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine
• Samsung WA62H4100HD Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine

Ease of Use

Few bachelors we know are even concerned about washing modes. In fact, most couples also use the first preset mode without really bothering about the Gentle or Delicate modes. If you are the kind that looks for convenience, find out how many modes the washing machine has, and if the first general mode will work to remove dirt and soil. If yes, go with it!

Recommendations:

• Haier HWM58-020 Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine – 6 Wash programs, Standard is the default automatic mode
• LG T72CMG22P Fully Automatic Top-loading Washing Machine – 8 Wash Programs, Fuzzy selects the best washing program automatically
• Whirlpool Classic 621S Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine – 4 Wash programs, Normal is the default mode
• Samsung WA62H4100HD Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine – 6 Wash modes, Fuzzy selects the best washing program automatically.

Body & Tub

We do not expect bachelors to take extra care of their appliances. Very few of us are home divas that have sparkling clean appliances. This means that the washing machine you buy has to be hassle-free in terms of maintenance. This means that a plastic body and tub would be better choices than a metal body and tub, which might catch rust or be damaged faster by iron in the water. A plastic body and tub will survive water splashes far better than a metal body and tub.

Recommendations:

• Haier HWM58-020 Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine – Plastic body, PP Tub
• Samsung WA62H4100HD Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine – Plastic body, PP Tub

Maintenance

This might seem weird, but even washing machines need a wash sometimes. If you regularly wash very dirty or grimy clothes, chances are some residual grime will stick to the drum and not be washed away with the dirty water. Or if the washing machine has been left unused for a week or two, it can accumulate dust inside. There are two ways to deal with it. One, you give the inside of the washing machine a good rub with a cleaning agent and then hose it down or wipe with another clean cloth. Two, and the more sensible way, is to buy a washing machine that cleans itself.

Your washing machine should have a mode where it cleans itself automatically. You only have to run the washing machine with water and select the Auto Clean mode and it will do its job without requiring you to put in extra effort.

Recommendation:

• Whirlpool Classic 621S Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine – Has Auto Tub Clean
• LG T72CMG22P Fully Automatic Top-loading Washing Machine – Has Auto Tub Clean

NB: Samsung WA62H4100HD Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine dries out the tub when drying your clothes so there is no mildew growth.

Delay Start

Some may argue that a delay start is pointless in a washing machine because you can finish the washing whenever and take the clothes out to dry any time you want to later. However, to have washed laundry sit in the washing machine can cause them to start smelling or get too creased. Therefore, a delay start function is extremely useful – you can set the washing machine to start while you are at work, so the end buzzer sounds after you get home. That way, the washing in done in your absence and all you need to do is take out the clothes as soon as they are done without waiting for them to be done.

Recommendations:

• Haier HWM58-020 Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine – Delay timer 0.5 – 24 hours
• LG T72CMG22P Fully Automatic Top-loading Washing Machine – Delay timer 3 – 48 hours

Speed

How quickly do you want your clothes washed and rinsed? There are quick wash modes on most of these machines. However, the spin speed varies, so how dry, and how fast your clothes will be done will depend largely on that too.

Recommendations:

• Haier HWM58-020 Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine – Has Quick Wash Program, Maximum Rotation Speed: 1000 rpm
• Bosch WAB16060IN Fully-automatic Front-loading Washing Machine – Has Super 30-min Wash Program, Maximum Rotation Speed: 800 rpm
• Samsung WA62H4100HD Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine – Has Speedy Wash Cycle, Maximum Rotation Speed: 680 rpm
• LG T72CMG22P Fully Automatic Top-loading Washing Machine – Has Quick Wash Cycle, Maximum Rotation Speed: 800 rpm
• Whirlpool Classic 621S Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine – Has Speedy Cycle, Maximum Rotation Speed: 740 rpm

Price

At the end of everything, it all boils down to the price you will pay for your washing machine. At the time of writing this article, the prices on Amazon for these models were as follows: 

• Haier HWM58-020 Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine (5.8 kg) – Rs. 10, 369
• LG T72CMG22P Fully Automatic Top-loading Washing Machine (6.2 Kg) – Rs. 18,090
• Whirlpool Classic 621S Fully-automatic Top-loading Washing Machine (6.2 Kg) – Rs. 12, 933
• Bosch WAB16060IN Fully-automatic Front-loading Washing Machine (6 Kg) – Rs. 19,889
• Samsung WA62H4100HD Fully-automatic Top loading Washing Machine (6.2 kg) – Rs. 14, 990