WASHING MACHINE BUYING GUIDE

Most washing machines have similar features as follows:

Regular/Normal Cycle: Advisable for whites, sportswear, underwear, socks and T-shirts. Though efficiently removing stains, Normal Cycle may cause coloured clothes to fade due to strong agitation speeds and hot water.

Delicates: For lightweight and delicate clothes. Make sure to check the labels as some delicate clothes are “dry-clean only”. This feature is advisable for cotton blend sweaters, linen shirts and dri-fit sportswear.

Heavy Duty: This is recommended for heavily soiled clothing and muddy items. Heavy duty cycles offer longer, warmer washes and high-speed tumbling to make sure all the dirt is flushed out and removed.

Key difference between front load and top load washing machines lies in the door design. While front loaders have a door and laundry is placed inside the drum from the front, top loaders have a lid on top and laundry is added from above.

Front loading washers are becoming more popular since they not only save space but are also more economical because they consume less water, electricity and detergent.

You can stop/pause your machine after the cycle has started to add clothes mid-cycle. The washer’s door isn’t unlocked once the water level has reached the level of the door, when the spin cycle has started or when the water temperature is over 60 degrees.