The following buying guide will help you navigate your way through the potential minefield of buying a washing machine. Choose a section below to find out more.

• Buying a washing machine
• How much do I want to spend?
• How often will I use the machine?
• What types of fabric do I wash? (Programmes)
• What is the spin speed?
• Loading Options and Noise
• Worried about electricity bills and the environment?
• Running Costs
• How long should it last?
• Washer Dryers

Buying a Washing Machine

When shopping for a new washing machine you will find that there is a huge choice in terms of different makes and models. From the most basic model, with just a few wash cycles to choose from, to futuristic looking machines with user manuals as thick as telephone directories and a bewildering array of dials and buttons.

Technology has advanced rapidly on all fronts in recent years. This has had an impact on our daily lives, not only through our personal computers and other traditionally high-tech areas that we are all familiar with, but also on domestic appliances: washing machines have been no exception.

Upon starting the search for your ideal washing machine keep at the forefront of your mind exactly what your particular requirements are, and the type and likely volume of washing that you will need the machine to handle. So much choice is available that it can seem daunting, but as with any high-ticket item it pays to give some thought as to what exactly it is you are looking for, rather than diving straight in and going for the most physically attractive model. It also worth considering the potential future use of a washing machine: is the family likely to grow in number?

Think carefully about how often you plan on using the machine and the wash programmes you think you will need; the physical space available in your kitchen or utility room and the warranty terms available. Armed with your list, look around a few showrooms and chat to the staff to track down machines that fit your criteria. In these days of environmental awareness it is also necessary to think about the "green" factor. Most manufacturers now produce washing machines with high-energy efficiency as a big selling point: good for the planet and your pocket.

How much money do I want to spend?

Before searching for a machine set yourself a budget and stick to it. Bear in mind that an extremely expensive machine might do a very good job, but it could be expensive to repair if something goes wrong.

Remember that showrooms are designed to encourage you to part with your money: it is all too easy to be seduced into spending more than you had planned as more attractive and sophisticated models catch your eye.

Fortunately, washing machines come in such a range of capabilities, sizes and prices that if you take your time you should easily be able to find something that suits both your budget and your performance requirements. The average washing machine will cost around £300 to £400, but there are plenty of cheaper models available if your budget is tight. There are equally as many expensive ones for those with more to spend, or that meet more demanding performance requirements that the budget machines cannot match.

Look out for any special offers that the retail outlets promote. If you do not urgently need a new machine it might pay to wait a few weeks before making a purchase in a sale at a very favourable price. You should also consider the warranty that comes with the machine. Warranty terms and length will vary and you can juggle the value of having an extended guarantee with paying a slightly higher price for the model.

How often will I use the machine?

Think about how often you will be using the machine: this will be directly related to the size of your household. If you are living alone, or are a couple with no children, then you are obviously not going to wash as many clothes as a family of five. In that case you will not need a machine with a large wash capacity. You will also be using the machine less frequently so it should last much longer.

The major washing machine manufacturers are in direct competition over drum size, as this obviously determines the volume of washing you can squeeze into the machine for a single wash cycle. A large capacity washing drum is most convenient for a user in a busy household with several children. School children are often involved in sporting events during the week and with their normal day clothes the dirty washing will quickly accumulate. Dirty clothes will be constantly piling up in baskets and there will be precious little time to spend on scheduling washing days: you will just want to cram the lot in; particularly if it is a fine drying day outside. Of course, a bigger drum will entail a physically bigger machine so you will need to check that you have the space available. If you are a heavy user an extended warranty period could well be worth buying.

If you live alone or are a couple, it is worth looking at the wash cycles available on the smaller capacity machines: look for programmes specifically for small loads. It would clearly be counterproductive to go for a big drum if all you are going to wash is a few socks, shirts and underwear. This is hardly environmentally friendly either, not to mention the waste of water and energy, and the increased electricity bill. Equally, a family of ten is not going to get much benefit from a machine with a small drum capacity, as the machine will be running too regularly. They should think more in terms of the range of wash cycles for the different types of materials being washed, and should opt for as big a drum capacity as the budget will stretch to.

Drum capacities typically range from 6kg to 10kg, but the technology is developing so rapidly that larger drums are undoubtedly on the way.

What types of fabric do I wash? (Programmes).

Having decided on the drum capacity the next most important aspect of a washing machine that you have to consider is the number and type of wash programmes. Light users will probably be content with a minimal range, but larger households might benefit from a greater variety of programmes being available. Other considerations should be ease of use, timing facilities and the range of other features that typically come with a modern washing machine.

Some models now feature 20 or more programmes that are colour coded with symbols on the front of the machine, and with the associated buttons offering even more flexibility in getting the machine to handle your every washing need; this can be somewhat bewildering. However, it is not rocket science, and as with other technical products such as cameras and computers the essential set of functions is a relatively small one. All the extra bits and bobs are potentially useful refinements of these - which you may or may not choose to use. The basic wash programmes are designed to treat a small range of common fabrics in the correct way, to ensure that they come out of the machine clean and smelling fresh.

It is essential that before you put any clothes into a machine that you study the labels that are affixed to the garments. These contain all the information that you need to sort the clothes into groups to match with a suitable wash programme. If you get this wrong (particularly temperature) the result could be disastrous, with a white blouse coming out two sizes smaller and a very nice shade of pink!

The common wash programmes that you will find on modern machines are:

• Pre-wash. To remove any heavy soiling from the fabrics before the normal wash cycle starts.
• Cottons – Linens. A more vigorous programme that can usually be set to run at between 30C and 95C.
• Easy Care. For synthetics that require a lighter wash - reduces creasing. This usually operates at between 40C and 60C.
• Woollens. Works with cold water or to a maximum of 40C. Uses larger quantities of water but the agitation is minimal.
• Hand-wash. Useful for those really delicate items such as your best woollens and anything woven from silk. Temperatures between 30C and 40C.
• Fast-wash. Does exactly what it says. Freshens up clothes rather than thoroughly washing them. The time that this programme takes to complete varies with machine models. If you think that this facility might be important to you check the time given by the manufacturer.
• Reduced load. This is useful if you only have a small wash to complete that will only partially fill the drum. It is also more economical as it has the advantage of reducing the amount of water and electricity used.
• Reduced ironing programme. Sadly, for those that hate ironing this will not actually make that much difference. Theoretically the machine using a slower spin speed reduces the creasing of the clothes. You will not find an appreciable difference when using this programme with clothes washed on a normal cycle.
• Rinse hold. This may help with reducing the ironing if you are unable to remove the clothes from the machine as soon as the programme has completed its cycle.

Washing symbol	Machine	Hand wash	Suitable for
	Wash in cotton cycle	N/A	White cotton and linen articles without special finishes
	Maximum wash in cotton cycle	Spin or wring	Cotton, linen or viscose without special finishes where colours are fast at 60°C.
	Medium wash in synthetic cycle	Hand hot. Cold rinse, short spin or damp dry.	Polyester/cotton mixtures, nylon, polyester, cotton and viscose with special finishes.
	Maximum wash in cotton cycle	Warm. Spin or hand wring.	Cotton, linen or viscose where colours are fast at 40°C but not at 60°C.
	Medium wash in synthetic cycle	Warm. Cold rinse. Short spin. Do not hand wring.	Acrylics and acetate, including mixtures with wool, polyester/wool blends.
	Minimum wash in wool cycle	Warm. Do not rub. Short spin. Do not hand wring.	Wool, wool mixed with other fibres, silk.
	Hand wash only
	Do not machine or hand wash
	May be chlorine bleached
	Do not chlorine bleach

The machine will work to perfection when set to the correct cycle. Just piling the contents of the laundry basket into the machine and hoping for the best will just not do. To reiterate, it is necessary to separate out the different types of fabric before making full use of the wash cycles that are available to deal with them all correctly.

A variable temperature control is usually included on machines these days that gives you more fine-tuning functionality. It allows you to adjust water temperature according to the condition of a load that would normally require a standard cycle, but is perhaps less or more soiled than usual. An economy setting is also often included, a feature that will also reduce the water temperature of the cycle and save on energy bills.

In addition to this range of useful extras to the normal wash cycles, most washing machines now allow you to drain water off before the spin starts. This is ideal if you are washing drip-dry clothes.

What is the spin speed?

Spin speed is another factor to consider, though the choice is thankfully less wide with only two basic spin speeds available on most machines. These are determined largely by the selected wash programmes, with a high speed for cottons and a lower one for delicate and synthetic fabrics. You can in addition often select the spin speed yourself. For example you can manually select the higher one to extract water efficiently before putting the load into a tumble dryer.

Where does it have to fit?

• Compact size washing machines are ideal if you have limited space but will usually have fewer programmes to choose from. They typically take loads of up to 4kg, and can be stacked with a tumble dryer if space is limited.
• Most households tend to go for a medium-sized washing machine as this will deal with the typical 6kg load, but many have a larger capacity, which is useful for the likes of curtains, and half-load options on these machines will handle the smaller loads that you normally deal with.
• The larger washing machines are usually of American manufacture and can handle up to 10kg, but naturally they take up lots of space and are typically not as energy efficient as European made machines.

Loading Options and Noise.

Front-loading machines are the standard type because they are the most popular and are designed to make maximum use of space, being easily installed under a worktop. They can also be stacked with a tumble dryer. Top-loading washing machines have smaller capacities but are still popular, one of their few advantages being that you do not have to bend down to load them.

Some modern washing machines create a lot less noise than others. It is only when you are in the same room as a washing machine that you appreciate just how noisy it can be. If it is destined for the kitchen rather than a utility room you might be wise to choose a model that has a low decibel output.

Worried about electricity bills and the environment?

Becoming "green" and saving money on energy bills at the same time is an enticing opportunity. Fortunately washing machines are now designed and manufactured to help both the planet and your purse simultaneously, so you are spared the agony of having to make any moral decisions over this at least.

All machines now carry a EU energy label when displayed for sale. The most efficient energy rating shown on machines is an 'A' (in green) and the lowest a 'G' (in red). These give a range from optimal to poor, depending on the combination of wash performance and energy and dry-spinning efficiency. Below this information is displayed:

• The energy consumption per KWh/cycle.
• The washing performance A to G.
• The spin-drying performance A to G.
• The drum capacity in cotton per kg.
• The water consumption.
• The noise levels at washing and spinning.

From this label you can tell at a glance exactly what the machine's ratings are for easy comparison with other models.

There are now detergents available containing enzymes that make washing at lower temperatures very effective. The Energy Savings Trust recommends that you use a temperature setting of no higher than 30C. This will save you money on your electricity bill and you will also be doing your bit to reduce the harmful emissions from power stations.

Running Costs.

You can work out exactly how much it is going to cost to run any particular machine by looking at the ECR (Energy Consumption Rating) printed on it. This is measured in KWh (kilowatts per hour), and you simply multiply this by the hourly cost of your domestic electricity supply that you will find on your electricity bill. ECR figures for the same types of machine will give you a good comparison point for relative running costs, but when comparing different machines with varying levels of capability the ECR figure will not be the best index because of the other variables involved.

Energy efficiency is a major selling point nowadays, and once you have settled on a suitable machine with the right wash programmes and a good ECR rating, you can consider the fastest wash cycles available from the different manufacturers. Washing machines may use a lot less water than formerly, but a standard cycle can still take just as long. This may be one of your main considerations if you have a busy and hectic lifestyle.

As a general rule, look for a machine with lower water usage as the volume of water as well as the programme being used will determine the energy consumption that will be reflected in your energy bills.

If you are not overly concerned about washing machines taking over the planet, you could buy one that is fitted with Fuzzy Logic computer circuitry. This is an advanced feature that endows the machine with a primitive intelligence. Fuzzy Logic allows the washing machine to navel-gaze at its own load and to make fine-tuning adjustments during the period of the wash cycle, to optimise performance and reduce energy consumption. Water temperature, time of wash, spin speed and rinse performance are all constantly monitored and tweaked by the minute to create the optimal wash cycle. These machines earn performance ratings higher than 'A'.

How long should it last?

When choosing a washing machine you should enquire about the cost of spare parts. If it should break down after the warranty period has expired, major replacement parts could be as expensive as buying a new machine. Owners of top quality machines may be happy to pay for expensive repairs, but for the majority it comes down to a juggling act, balancing the cost of the machine against the availability of any cheap credit to make the initial purchase, the cost of extended warranties and cost of repairs. It is perhaps a good idea to go for a medium-range machine that has all the features that you need and to pay for an extended warranty to cover you for the five or so years that you can reasonably expect it to last. Alternatively you could pay a good bit extra and buy a prestige name washing machine with a long warranty and expect years of use out of it.

Washer Dryers.

Washer dryers can save on space, have an impressive range of features and cost only a small amount more than buying a washer and tumble dryer as separate items. The only significant drawback is that their drying capabilities are inferior to those of a normal tumble dryer, so unless space is the priority it is probably better to go for two separate machines. You can then get on with the next wash without having to wait for the drying cycle to be completed.