Before technology came, the method of washing clothes was a labored process, to say the least. Clothes had to be manually scrubbed on a washboard, rinsed by hand, and squeezed or rolled through a ringer to press out the water. Line drying ensured that clothes were ready and clean but the entire wash time could consume an entire day or longer, depending on how many dirty clothes were waiting.



Fortunately, no one has to wash clothes by hand anymore unless they wish to. Today, there are many types of washing machines to do the job very well and free your hands to doing other things, including things you enjoy. The choice of what type of washing machine to own is as personal as the type of clothing you wear.

In the United States, the tendency is more towards stand alone washing machines than built-ins. This comes from the design preferences of many home builders who understand that families move from home to home and often appliances such as the washing machine go with them. Or, when a home is sold and new owners move in, they decide to change appliances not just in terms of getting new ones but also where they want the new appliances to be placed.

There are some factors common to both built-in washing machines and standalones that should be considered:

?Loading capacity ? This refers to the amount of clothes that can be washed per load. The average capacities, measured in weight, are the following ranges:

Less than 4.4 kg

4.5 to 4.9 kg

5 to 5.4 kg

5.5 to 5.9 kg

6 to 10.2 kg

?Temperature ? Usually three wash and rinse temperatures are available in hot, warm and cold with 40, 60 and 90 degrees C. ratings.

?Features ? These vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but some common features include time saver, child safety lock, digital control panel, delay timer, memory function, detergent recovery system and refresh option.

The choice between a built-in washing machine and a standalone washing machine rests largely on the space available. Many people who have a shortage of floor space choose a built-in machine because it is designed to fit beneath a counter top, into a custom closet space or into a cabinet specifically designed to hold the washer. This is common for new homes where the desire is to completely conceal the washing machine when it is not in use.

Standalone washing machines often accompany a dryer in a matching set. These washing machines are preferred by those who want the flexibility to put the machine where they want, such as in a laundry room or basement or wherever a convenient water line and electricity supply is. Standalone machines are perfect for those who have less space and for budgets that are not quite flexible enough to afford the higher cost of having a washing machine built into a cabinet or beneath a counter.

There are also small and portable washing machines that qualify for the standalone types. These are excellent for those who have small apartments or flats without a designated laundry room. Apartment size washers can fit into a very small space and are convenient for washing small loads. Portable washers work in virtually any room with access to a sink for water and emptying.