That is a very big question as it depends on so many different things, as you will see later in this article.
Before going through the list, it is fair to say that the manufacturing processes for washing machines is much better than it used to be, and modern washing machines are of a higher quality on the whole. However, there are many types of machines, and prices can vary drastically.
One of the problems with the range of products available on line, there is gererally no-one to look to for advice on the sales sites. Unless you have carried out a certain amount of research first, you may find you are attracted to the best price, or the colour way that goes best in your kitchen, not always the best way to buy.
What type of machine suits your needs:
- Always purchase a machine towards the top end of your budget, never buy the cheapest available. Inevitably the machine is very cheap for a good reason – it is made from cheap parts, and, chances are, it will not last very long and will not give the results you are looking for.
- You should think about the usage of the machine and ask yourself the following questions. How many are there in the household? How many times a week will the machine be used? The industry average is one wash load per day or, say, 365 wash loads per year. Obviously if you have one or two people in your household, this is probably about right for you, but if there are four or five people in your household you can quickly see how this average will increase
- If you are in a larger household with children, you will probably not only have your normal wash but perhaps other items such as sports kits, you may even have to take a turn in washing the sports kit for a whole team! All these wash loads add up to the wear and tear of your machine.
This would indicate that you would need to buy a more robust washing machine, than your single neighbour next door.Do your homework first, check for the most reliable machine in your price range and ensure it is a robust machine and capable of taking on more loads. It is also a good idea to look for a manufacturer who is prepared to offer a two year guaranty rather than the standard one year, as this shows confidence in their product.
- Do you run a business perhaps and need to do extra washing of tablecloths, overalls, uniforms etc. on a daily basis. Combined with a larger household, this may suggest that you might need to be looking for an industrial washing machine. This may be more money that you wanted to spend, plus it would take more room, but it would probably work out much cheaper in the long run, as it would stand up to the increased usage far better than even the best domestic washing machine.
Regardless of the amount of usage your washing machine will have to carry out, you must remember these are only machines and even the best of them are liable to have faults at one time or another, as with any other electrical domestic appliance. With the best will in the world, nothing is perfect.
You can, however, help to extend the life of your machine, by following the manufacturer’s instructions on load sizes, selecting the best programme for the job in hand, and carry our your normal maintenance tasks, such as emptying the filter regularly to avoid blockages, and to keep it clean.
The most important action to avoid is overloading the machine. This is definitely the highest cause of damage to washing machines. If you have to stuff the last few items into the drum when loading the machine, it is too much. Not only do you put the machine under strain when you do this, you will also not wash any of the items properly, and it is a waste of time.
If you have to call out an engineer whilst the machine is still under Warranty, and you have caused the damage by overloading the machine, there is a very good chance that you will have to pay for the call out and repair, as it is considered to be a ‘self-inflicted’ problem, not covered by the Warranty.
Look after your machine and, in most cases, it will last a long time. However, bear in mind, that faults can happen to the best of us.