Washers to Meet All Your Laundry Care Needs

Thanks to recent advances in home laundry care, washers are more effective and efficient than ever. Whether you need a reliable workhorse to tackle your family's endless stream of dirty clothes or a versatile unit with a wide range of settings for your diverse wardrobe, there is a washer to match your needs and budget.

Choosing the Right Washer

The two types of washers are top-load and front-load. Each has distinct advantages, but determining which one is best involves more than simply choosing a style. In addition to frequency and size of wash loads, you'll want to consider the types of clothes you launder. For heavy-duty laundering, a larger, more efficient washer may be the answer. For smaller households, look at space-saving compact models. For a long-term, cost-effective solution purchase an ENERGY STAR qualified washer and watch the savings add up on your monthly utility bills.

Top-Load Washers

Top-load units let you add clothes from the top for easy loading and unloading. These washers move clothing through the wash cycle using a central agitator to gently remove stains, odour and more. Selectable water levels allow you to choose how much water is required. Standard models usually feature three heat settings including hot/cold, warm/cold and cold/cold. Deluxe models often include a much wider range of settings and options:

• Temperature sensors monitor water temperatures for more accurate fabric care
• Established technology provides reliable, consistent performance
• Lower initial investment with models in a wide range of price categories
• Energy efficient models often qualify for the ENERGY STAR rating
• Varying tub sizes are designed to handle different wash load capacities

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Front-Load Washers

Front-load machines are best known for their enhanced performance and high energy efficiency. They offer a larger available capacity due to specialized wash systems that clean clothes without the use of an agitator, freeing up more internal space. This cleaning process is extra gentle on clothing, linens and other laundered items. Front-loading units use very little water and require a special high-efficiency detergent to keep suds at a minimum. Rapid spin cycles provide powerful water extraction for shorter drying times and even more energy savings. The design allows you to stack the unit with a compatible dryer.

• Use a constant tumbling motion to gently and thoroughly clean clothes
• Built-in dispensers release detergent, bleach or fabric softener at the right moment
• Temperature sensors monitor water temperatures to ensure accurate fabric care
• High energy efficiency earns many front-load washers the ENERGY STAR rating

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COMPACT WASHERS

Having a washer at home is very convenient, but finding enough space for it can be tricky. Compact washers fit into smaller quarters, giving you the ability to wash your clothes in the convenience of your own home even if you don't have a lot of extra room. Compact models are available as either top-load or front-load and possess many of the same features larger models offer. They are ideal for apartments, townhouses or one and two person households.

• Top-load and front-load configurations available
• Offer many of the same features provided by larger models
• Ideal for smaller living spaces and one or two person households

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Planning Considerations

Prior to purchasing a washer, you'll want to assess both your short- and long-term needs. If you plan to move within the next couple of years, you may want to go with a basic model and then reconsider your options after the move. Conversely, if you've just remodeled your utility room and don't plan on leaving anytime soon, look into ENERGY STAR qualified models that carry a higher price tag but offer added savings over the course of its life. Given the amount and type of laundry you do, find the features that best fit your needs. If you have a lot of delicate items like silk sweaters, purchasing a washer with a hand-wash cycle can save you money and time.

• Consider both short-term and long-term needs
• Choose features that facilitate the type and amount of laundry you do
• Special cycles like hand-wash or delicates can save you money and time
• Noise reduction is important if you plan to store the unit near frequently used rooms

Efficiency

ENERGY STAR rated washers (through their advanced design features) use less energy and 35 to 50 percent less water than current federal standards require. Features such as spin cycles that extract more water for shorter drying times have earned many front-load models this notable designation.

Features

Automatic Temperature Regulators

To ensure proper fabric care and activation of the cleaning properties in your detergent, purchase a unit with a built-in regulator that ensures the temperature needs of each load are automatically cared for.

Sensors

Some washers incorporate sensor technologies that gauge the size of your load to determine precisely how much water should be added for more effective cleaning and added efficiency.

Safety

While most units cease spinning when the door is open, some models feature child locks that prevent the lid from being opened during operation to make use even safer.

Quiet Operation

If you plan to store your washer in a utility room near a bedroom, kitchen or other high-traffic area, consider a model that has sound-dampening features. Reduced noise levels are particularly desirable if you run the washer at night.

Tub Material

Many units feature porcelain-on-steel tubs, which are durable and include a smooth surface that won't snag or catch fabric. Units with a stainless-steel interior provide solid construction and durable, long-lasting use. Plastic tubs deliver quiet operation and can have a slightly larger capacity than porcelain-on-steel.

Dispenser

If you have a tendency to forget to add detergent, bleach or fabric softener, look for a washer with an automatic dispenser, which disperses cleaning materials into the wash cycle at the appropriate time for optimum results.

Extra Rinse

People with sensitive skin or allergies will want to find a unit with an extra rinse feature, which ensures the efficient removal of detergent and bleach to prevent discomfort the next time you wear your favorite shirt.

Electronic Touchpad Controls

New, more intuitive control panels with digital displays and touch-screen functionality make selecting your next wash cycle a breeze. Advanced capabilities even let you choose a cycle based on the type of clothing you are washing or allow you to save your settings for one-touch convenience.