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Laundry buying guides

Life’s too short to spend it on doing laundry. No matter how large your family’s laundry load or how small your laundry space is, our Laundry Buying Guide has a solution for all your laundry needs with. Find out which washing machine or dryer is best suited to your needs so you can spend more time on the important things like time with family and friends.

How do I choose the right washing machine for my washing needs?

Selecting the right washing machine depends on a number of factors, for example; the number of people in your household, how often you do your washing, the types of garments you wash and if you need to target specific issues like allergies or your time-poor schedule. The space of your laundry is also important to consider if a top load or front load washing machine will suit you.

Which capacity type should I go for?

If you live in a single or coupled household of 1 to 2 people, a washing machine with 5-7kg capacity would suffice. If you’re a large family of 3-4 people, then a washing machine with a 7-9kg capacity will work wonders. If your household is home to over 5 people or perhaps you wash often with a bigger load, then a washing machine with a 10kg capacity and above is the perfect one for you.

What type of laundry functions should I look out for?

There are numerous laundry functions to help make washing and drying your laundry easier! Some of the popular functions include:

  • Quick Wash: washes your laundry load in a shorter amount of time, anywhere between 15 minutes to 40 minutes.
  • Eco Wash: wash effectively while reducing your energy and water consumption with an economical wash cycle.
  • Anti-Crease & Wrinkle: wash and reduce the need to iron with anti-crease and anti-wrinkle functions.
  • Auto Dosing: load your washing, fill the detergent dispenser and let the washing machine do the guess work. By using sensors, the washing machine can detect how much detergent the wash needs.
  • Delay Start: need the washing or drying to start at a particular time? Simply load your load, then set how many hours later you need the cycle to start and the machine will do so. Generally, delay start will let you load up to 24 hours ahead.
  • Add Items: whether you forgot an item or a sock fell from the load, washing machines that have a pause option or door pocket for adding items will be a lifesaver. Now you don’t have to wait for the next wash.
  • Smart Control: connected to the Wi-Fi, the washing machine or dryer can be monitored and controlled via an app on your smart device.
How do I choose the right dryer for my drying needs?

Finding the best dryer depends on a host of factors such as the drying capacity you require, your laundry’s space, the type of venting required, if any and other considerations such as if you need a quick drying option or drying to meet the needs of those with sensitive skin or allergies.

Can I have a washing machine and dryer in my apartment?

Depending on the size of your laundry, you could have your washing machine and dryer next to each other or they could be stacked if the height allows it, ensuring the controls are still within your reach. However, if you live in a smaller space like an apartment or a granny flat, a combined washer dryer combo will be ideal.

Quick Tip – Create zones in your laundry space that will make laundry day more efficient. Have a ‘dirty’ zone, a ‘clean’ zone and a workspace. Use labelled baskets and clever hooks that you can get at your local homewares store.

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CHOOSE A TYPE OF LAUNDRY PRODUCT

There are a wide variety of washing machines available, with the main difference being the access point – top loading or front loading. Below you will see the unique characteristics of both to see which best suits you.

Front Load
PROS
  • More gentle on clothes
  • More energy and water efficient
  • Costs less to run
  • Wide variety of programs and functions
  • Higher spin speed to expel water
  • More compact, ideal for small spaces
CONSIDERATIONS
  • These machines are ideal for smaller spaces and usually fit under a bench (height dependent). They also allow for a dryer to be stacked above if required.
  • They require minimum space at the front and side to open the door
Top Load
PROS
  • Average wash time is shorter than front load washing machines
  • Light and easy to move
  • Better rinse performance
  • Easier to add clothes in once machine is operating
  • Easy to load. Just lift the lid and drop or push in the clothes
CONSIDERATIONS
  • More energy and water is used when compared to front load washing machines
  • If installing a dryer above, leave enough space on top to open the washing machine’s lid
  • Most top loaders vary in size, so make sure you measure the width of the space you have to ensure it will fit.

In Australia, we are lucky enough to often have perfect drying conditions and the clothes line as a trusty companion. However, sometimes weather, time or just plain space is not on our side and a dryer is an essential part of our laundry set up.

Dryers are categorised into three types:

Vented
A vent runs from the dryer to the outside where it dispels the moist hot air. Traditionally, these are the cheapest to purchase but have the highest running costs. They’re suitable for areas that can be vented.

Condenser
This dryer essentially recycles the air by passing the moist, hot air from the clothes through a heat exchange, extracting the water and sending the hot dry air back through the clothes. The collected water will have to be emptied or drained. Suitable for a well-ventilated room to prevent condensation.

Heat Pump
Similar to the Condenser dryer, Heat Pump dryers use heated air to dry your clothes with warm damp air cooled and removed as water. These dryers are more expensive however their costs are balanced with the low energy usage. Ideal for apartments as no venting is required and no hot air or moisture is created from the machine.

Washer Dryer Combos are the ultimate space saver and can be the perfect solution for households with minimal space. They are essentially a front-loading washing machine with an in-built dryer and the total capacity is usually less than a conventional washing machine or dryer.

Washer Dryer Combos may cost as much as buying a washing machine and dryer as two separate units, so their ultimate benefit is for those in smaller homes. Another advantage is that you don’t have to move your clothes between units and at the end of the whole cycle, your clothes will be washed and dried. The length of the wash including drying time, is usually quite longer than a traditional wash to dryer, because it takes time for the drum to dry out for the dryer to function.

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