At Bi-Rite we always say that a good appliance purchase is the one that’s right for you and your family, and washing machines are no exception. A good washer will fit seamlessly into your life as if it was always there, and you have trouble remembering the ancient machine you had before which made a high pitched whining noise and smelled faintly of cabbage.
Choosing the right washing machine for your family may not be as straightforward as you think - this guide is designed to help you make the right choice.
Choosing a washing machine for your family can be tricky choice with the wide range of machines available on the market today. Where to start? Top loader or front loader? 7kg or 12kg? By carefully selecting the right machine for your needs you can save money on both water and electricity, as well as time that you could be spending alone, staring at a wall or with your family making precious memories.
Things to consider when choosing a washer
Family Size (and whether this number is going to grow!)
Are you going to have children in the near future? How many people are you washing for? If you buy a small machine and then have a bunch of kids you'll need to replace it or wash way more often.
Washing Frequency
Do you wash throughout the week or are you a washing weekend warrior? A big machine will wash more at once, but if you're doing laundry all the time then a smaller machine will work.
Laundry Room Space
How big is the gap for your washing machine? Measure to make sure you know what you have space for. Think about if you need a dryer as well.
Top Loader or Front Loader?
There are a few key differences between top load and front load washing machines. Top loaders are often cheaper to buy, can have a larger load capacity and have a much faster cycle time. Front loaders are considerably more energy efficient, have higher spin speeds for faster drying time and use significantly less water than top loaders.
Washing machine sizes
| Machine Capacity | Household Size |
| 2kg - 5.5kg |
1 - 2 people. Smaller washers will require you to do the washing more often. If you prefer to do laundry every couple of days then go for a smaller capacity. |
| 6kg - 8.5kg |
2 - 4 people. Great for growing families doing regular washing through the week. Great for couples who only want to do laundry once a week or so. These can usually handle washing one queen size linen set. |
| 9kg - 12kg+ |
4+ people. If you’re thinking about having children in the near future, size up to a larger washing machine. A great option if you’re a family of 4 looking to do bigger load of washing less frequently (weekly). These can usually handle washing one King size linen set or multiple single linen sets. |
