My flat is always changing. From switching out curtains to shopping for the latest TV deals, it seems like I’m always trying to update my living space. With temperatures now dropping and my motivation to leave home falling with them, my next move seems obvious – installing my own washer and dryer.
My problem is likely a familiar one: I get home from work, totally knackered, and drag my dirty clothes down to the launderette for a washing. Half hour and £5 later I’m back in the car and home just in time to have missed X Factor. Not anymore. My place may be the size of a Camden Market stall, but I’ve decided that adding my own appliances is well worth the precious space. With that in mind, it’s time to compare washing machines and dryers.
Perhaps the most important thing to consider when choosing a washing machine or dryer is brand name. Miele, winner of the best domestic appliance brand in 2009, is commonly regarded as making the best quality machines. However, with quality comes cost, and it’s important to consider how easy the unit will be to fix should it need repairs in the future. While one can expect a higher quality product to be more durable, it remains a fact that spare parts and repairs for a Miele machine are much more expensive than those for a lesser brand. Additionally, the price point for the more inexpensive brands tend to make them more popular and thus easier to find a local repairman for.
What we’re left with are slightly inferior but much more cost-friendly units. Brands such as Whirlpool, Bosch, and Hotpoint all make quality products for the budget-conscious shopper. Because size is an issue for me, I’ll probably be looking at stackable machines that will save horizontal space in my flat. A stackable front-loading Hotpoint washer with an even cheaper condenser tumble dryer just might do the trick. One can also consider all-in-one combination washer/dryers, but these tend to be more expensive and offer less flexibility than separate units.
