Who's on First?

Sorting out Appliances

Choosing the right washing machine

When you're choosing a new washing machine several factors come in to play, and effect our decision. Here are a few of them.

Size:

You need a machine big enough to do the job. Tub size can matter, but remember that front load machines will hold more than equivalent sized top load machine, and sorting and frequency of washing need to be factored in when selecting tub size.

Cost:

Everyone has a budget. Appliances can seem expensive, but think about the life span and how often you use your washer.

Features:

There are an abundance of features on today's washing machines. Make sure to take advantage of this, and don't buy a stripped down machine. I remember hearing about a customer who insisted on the most basic washer available, and later complained that it lacked a permanent press cycle.

Brands:

Brands DO make a difference, and it's easy to get confused. For example, the Whirlpool Corporation owns and manufactures several appliance brands, eg. Amana, Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, and Jenn-Air. However, that does not mean that these brands are the same. For example, Whirlpool laundry products are high quality and hugely popular. Even though Maytag washers and dryers are made by Whirlpool Corp, there are significant differences between Maytag and Whirlpool. Maytag has many heavy duty, commercial parts, that are absent on the Whirlpool as well as a longer warranty and a higher price.