Washing Machine 101: How to select the right washing machine

Whether you’re purchasing your first appliance or just upgrading to a new one, Electrolux breaks down what you need to consider when selecting a washing machine that will fit you and your family’s needs!

Choosing a washing machine is a big investment and for many, it’s not easy to know which is the right one. When you’re faced with daunting array of washing machines with different features and designs, how do you find the appliance that suits your laundry needs?

To help in your selection, here’s a simple checklist that gives you a run through of the factors to consider when buying washing machine.

 

Family size and washing habits

The size of the washing machine you get can depend on the number of people in your household. For homes with one or two people, a 5kg washing machine could work. Families with 3-4 members can move up to 5-7 kg while those with five people or more, would be better off with a capacity of 8 kg or more. These refer to the weight of the laundry load that a washing machine can comfortably or efficiently clean. For perspective, 1 kg of laundry is equal to 5 shirts, a pair of jeans or two bath towels.

Be careful not to overload your washing machine as they will consume more water and electricity to clean your clothes. Instead, consider doing smaller loads more frequently and opt for a machine that has an inverter motor for better energy efficiency.

Front Load or Twin Tub?        

Another crucial factor to consider is which type of washing machine to get. Among the common types of washing machines are front load washing machines, which open at the front, and twin tubs, which have two tubs to wash clothes – the one typically on the left is where clothes can wash, rinse or soak while the one on the right is used to spin moisture out of your clothes for less time drying on the line. To decide which one you want to buy, let’s take a closer look at their cleaning performance and other factors like water and energy efficiency.

Cleaning Performance and Operation

When it comes to cleaning performance, front load washing machines give clothes a more thorough clean and are gentler on clothes than twin tubs. Front load cleans clothes using a gentle tumbling action, using gravity to pick up clothes to lightly drop them in the water. This is different from twin tub models, which use pulsators to rotate clothes, allowing water and detergent to go through fabrics to remove dirt quickly but may result in tangling and early wear and tear. Given this, it’s better to rely on front load for washing delicate fabrics.  

Using a twin tub is also more labor intensive vs. a front load washing machine – given their design of having one tub for washing and another to spin dry, you have to manually move clothes from one tub to another. Many twin tubs require you to manually fill it and drain it with water, usually by connecting it to a hose, while front load washing machines are connected to your water supply and draws water automatically.

Eco-friendly and Energy-efficient

Both washing machines are water efficient. Front load washing machines use less water as they don’t need clothes to be fully submerged in water for effective washing – instead, clothes are washed by repeatedly picking them up and dropping them into the wash water. Meanwhile, twin tubs allows you to control your water usage and recycle your wash water, for re-use in another cycle or to water your garden.

Front load washing machines are also energy-efficient as it uses inverter technology in its motors, which consumes power depending on the load of the machine.

Size and Space

Deciding on what machine to get also depends on the available space in your home. Twin tub washing machine usually takes up more space vs. a front load washing machine, which works as a single unit as a compact washer dryer or a stackable separate washer and dryer. So, if you have limited space, a front load washing machine may work better for you.  

Cost

When it comes to price, twin tub washing machines are usually less expensive. While front load washing machines may cost more upfront, it also gives clothes more quality clean with features that are specifically designed for different types of fabrics and are more energy and water efficient so you may end up saving on the long run.

If you are looking to buy a washing machine, consider the latest Electrolux UltimateCare Front load washing machines, designed not only to clean but care for your clothes.

For better cleaning and caring for clothes, consider the Electrolux UltimateCare 300 Front load washing machine. This affordable washing machine comes with a Hive Drum design that provides high performance cleaning through its gentle tumbling action while reducing wear and tear of clothes. For people on the go, it also has Time Efficient Wash Programmes - a quick 20 wash cycle for everyday fabrics and a Daily 60 cycle for larger loads, plus an Add Clothes function which lets you add forgotten clothes up to 15 minutes after the start of a wash cycle. 

Achieve effortless elegance with less ironing with the Electrolux UltimateCare 500 washing machine. It comes with Vapour Care Technology that softens fabric while reducing wrinkles by 22%, helping you achieve effortless elegance with minimum ironing. The same technology also eradicates 99.9% of allergens and germs, and it also comes with the Add Clothes function and inverter technology for that provides maximum power with minimum energy consumption.

The Electrolux UltimateCare 300 and 500 washing machines are available in leading appliance stores nationwide. You also have the chance to take home the UltimateCare 500 at 15% off or for only P41,995 and UltimateCare 300 for only P24,995 at the Electrolux Summer Ready Sale, along with other fantastic Electrolux Appliances.

For more information on Electrolux and its products and the complete list of products and offers at the Electrolux Summer Ready Sale, visit www.electrolux.com.ph and follow @ElectroluxPhilippines on Facebook and Instagram.