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Washing & Drying

About Washing & Drying Machines

Washing & drying machines have gone from being a luxury item in affluent homes to something that we cannot live without. These days, the question of whether or not you need one is irrelevant. Rather, it is more about which one to buy.

A washing machine is just what the name says it is. It washes and dries your clothes. In the initial years of these machines, you did not have to think about which one to buy. There were only a few options and also, they weren’t very different from each other. Fortunately, things have changed for the better. Today, there are so many different washers with wildly different features. Also, you can choose a convenient size, wash options, child lock and many more. But before you start shopping for them, read this article to know more about them. This will help you make the right choices when you shop for washing & drying machines.

Types of washing & drying machines

In order to choose the right model of washing and drying machine, first, you need to know the difference between them. However, it isn’t like every single washer has a completely different set of features from another. Instead, the best way to understand different types of machines is to categorise them based on their functions. A good machine should be affordable and be able to serve your needs effectively. This article will tell you everything you need to know about them.

Free-standing machines

These are the most common types of washing & drying machines. For most people, this is a practical option. As the name says it, these machines are free-standing. That means you can move them wherever you want without a lot of work. All you have to do is to find a wall socket to plug in the machine, a water pipe, and a way to drain the water after washing clothes. You can install them under your kitchen countertop or keep them separate. They do not look bad in any way. However, they might not blend in well with the overall aesthetics of the kitchen, especially if you have spent a lot of money on home decor.

Built-in washer and dryer machines

If you don’t want to ruin the look of an expensive kitchen, you need to go for a built-in washer. Functionally, they are not wildly different from a free-standing machine. But the main difference is that they have a flat front where you can attach your kitchen cabinet door. So, the machine will only be visible if you open the door. And when you close your cabinet door, it won’t be easy for an outsider to tell if there is a washing machine in the kitchen or not. But the downside is that you have to sacrifice the portability of the machine for a streamlined look.

Stackable washer and dryer

In professional settings, like hotels and hospitals, where there are a lot of clothes and other materials to wash, one machine might not be enough. In that case, a stackable machine is better than buying two separate machines. This will also allow you to save a lot of floor space as well. But as such assemblies are taller, you need a facility to keep them safe from tipping over. On the other hand, if you have your washing machine and tumble dryer as separate units, you can buy a stacking kit to place one on top of the other. This is also a great idea to save floor space.

Washing machine vs Washer and dryer combo

There are two options when you are shopping for a washing machine. One is to buy a separate machine that only does the washing and get a separate tumble dryer. Another option is to get a washer dryer combo. So, what are the pros and cons of both options? A washer-dryer comes with an in-built tumble dryer. However, the tumble dryer in a washer-dryer might not dry the clothes as well as a dedicated tumble dryer. That means you will have to air your clothes longer for them to dry completely. If airing the clothes for longer is not practical for you, then you are better off getting a separate tumble dryer.

Tips on how to buy Washing and Drying Machines

At first, finding a good washing &  drying machine might not seem difficult. However, there are so many different options out there. Even the same type of machines differs when it comes to capacity and size. So, is there a way to simplify it? Luckily, there is. Selecting the right machine for you can be easier if you know what to look for in them. Here are a few tips that you can follow while shopping for such machine.

  • Loading type – You have to choose between a top-loading washing machine and a front-loading washing machine. If you will be keeping the machine under your kitchen countertop, you need a front-loading machine. That way, you won’t have to move the machine to use it. But if you are keeping it in a dedicated space, a top-loading machine is enough. Both of these have their own advantages and disadvantages.
  • Size of the machine – Whether you are buying a free-standing machine or a built-in machine, it is essential for it to fit inside the given space. For this reason, you have to make sure that the outer dimension of the machine is right. However, getting exactly the right size is even more important when it comes to built-in machines. Or you can do it the other way around and build the kitchen cabinet around the size of a given machine.
  • The capacity of the machine – Choose the capacity of the machine depending on the size of your family or the requirement of your institution. For home use, a machine with a capacity of around 10 kilograms is a good choice. You should also consider how often you wash. If you wash all your clothes once a week, you might need a bigger machine.
  • Fully automatic vs Semi-automatic machines – Among the two, semi-automatic machines are the cheaper or the entry-level machines. While both of these are washer and dryer combos, one of them has two separate tubs for washing & drying. In a fully automatic machine, the tub for processing the clothes are the same.

Although these are the main factors to look for in a machine, these are not the only thing to look for. The material of the drum or tub of the machine plays a huge role in determining the longevity of the machine. Stainless steel and porcelain are better than plastic tubs. Also choose a good quality machine from reputable brands like Samsung, Candy Hoover, Ariston, Super General, Siemens, and LG. Finally, don’t forget to check out other amazing products from the Household category.

Question & Answer

Are washer dryer pedestals interchangeable between manufacturers?

Almost always, washer pedestals are designed for a specific model of machine. So, the pedestal for a specific model might not fit another model from the same manufacturer. For that reason, there is less of a chance that a pedestal would fit a machine from a different manufacturer. However, if you have a non-model specific pedestal, the probability for it to fit a different machine is more. They might not give you the best fit, but these general pedestals are more versatile than brand-specific ones. Another option is to build your own custom pedestals.

How to find a quiet washing machine?

There is nobody in the world that prefers a noisy washing machine over a quiet one. Not only washing machines, but people also prefer to buy quiet dishwashers and even refrigerators. But the real challenge is finding a quiet washing machine. One way is to read online reviews on e-commerce sites. Although all machines produce at least some level of noise, machines that are poorly built and balanced are noisier. Also, such machines usually produce more sound when they are running at higher speeds.

How long do washing machines last?

The average lifespan of a washing machine is eleven years. That doesn’t mean all washing machines will go bad exactly at the eleven-year mark. Sometimes yours might last for fifteen or more years or sometimes it can go bad in four or five years. But under normal circumstances, you can expect your machine to last for eleven years or so. However, you can extend the lifespan a couple of years more than that through repairs and maintenance. Even then, you might find that a decade-old machine will consume more power than a new machine.

If you are looking to buy washing & drying machines online in the UAE, look no further as you are in the right place. All you have to do is to look for them using the product search engine . There are more than 500 shops and brands offering them here on Shops.ae. These include some of the popular brands like Whirlpool, Electrolux, Panasonic, Bosch, Beko, and Indesit.

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