Check out our handy Washing Machine Buying Guide, with all the best tips and advice plus all the latest products from leading brands!
Learn moreA front load washing machine is characterised by a door on the front of the unit, which allows users to load and unload laundry horizontally. These machines use a drum that spins on a horizontal axis, employing a tumbling action to wash clothes. This method is highly efficient, as it requires less water and detergent compared to traditional top load washers.
The tumbling action mimics the motion of clothes being washed by hand, where gravity helps to agitate the clothing against itself and the drum, effectively removing dirt and stains. Front-load machines typically have higher spin speeds, which means they can extract more water from clothes during the spin cycle, leading to shorter drying times and reduced energy consumption if you are reliant on dryers for your laundry.
The size of the washing machine you need depends on your household's laundry habits, the number of people in your household, and the types of items you regularly wash. Washing machine capacity is typically measured in cubic feet or kilograms, indicating the maximum weight of dry laundry the machine can handle in a single load.
For small households or individuals, a washing machine with a capacity of 3 to 4 cubic feet (or around 6 to 8 kilograms) is usually sufficient. This size can accommodate regular loads of laundry, including clothes, towels, and small bedding items. For larger families or households with high laundry demands, a machine with a capacity of 4.5 to 6 cubic feet (or around 9 to 12 kilograms) is recommended. This size allows for washing larger loads, such as bedding, heavy fabrics, and bulkier items, reducing the number of cycles needed each week.
Consider the available space in your home when choosing the washing machine size. Measure the area where the machine will be placed to ensure it fits comfortably, allowing for clearance around the machine for ventilation and maintenance. If space is limited, consider a stackable front-load washer and dryer combination, which can maximise available space without sacrificing capacity.