People all over the world spend thousands of dollars a year in laundromats to get their clothes cleaned week after week. One of the most sensible decisions every independent person could make at one point is to buy a washing machine. It ends up saving money in the long run, and it gives you control over when and how many loads of clothes to wash on your own. However, like all decisions in our adult lives, it is not as simple as it may seem. Besides traditional washing machines, portable washing machines also exist and are a feasible competitor for anyone looking to get their laundry done at home. Below, we present the pros and cons of each of these home appliances.
The case for washing machines: tradition above all
A washing machine is the traditional appliance we all know and learned how to use. You load clothes in it, either from the top or the front, add detergent, turn it on, and that is pretty much it. Now, there are a number of settings and functions that differ across washing machines from all brands, which is why you should always look for a list of top washing machines in your country to see how they compare to one another.
Ideally, a good washing machine should be able to perform all of their cycles quickly and efficiently. Top-loading machines take longer to fill up with water than front-loading models, reason for which the latter are also more energy-efficient. However, machines that load at the top are usually more effective at washing and rinsing, while those that load at the front are better at spinning.
Other differences between models include the capacity of the drum, which is usually higher on vertically-oriented machines. Propensity to jam, cycle modes and speeds, type of motor and agitator, and other factors should also influence your decision. A traditional washing machine will certainly bring advantages when it comes to repairs, since they are widely commercially available and their structure is pretty standard and known by technicians.
Portable washing machine: a convenient contender
A portable washing machine comes in handy in many different contexts. People with small apartments and no washing machine installations can still wash their clothes at home if they decide to get a portable washing machine. Offices and workplaces can share portable washing machines for punctual washing if their jobs require regular use of clothes or other materials that should, preferably, be clean.
Of course, the portable form factor of these machines means that it comes with some inherent limitations. Depending on who you ask, these could also be seen as advantages. For instance, almost all portable washing machines load from the top, which means that they have an advantage when it comes to actual washing and rinsing functions like traditional machines. However, this also means the drum is smaller and you can only load few clothes per laundry cycle, also keeping in mind that you shouldn’t pack the clothes to the bottom of the drum.
More factors on the plus side for portable washing machines include the fact that they use less water and can be loaded using a hose connected to any common water fixture at home. You can also move them around, so you can store the machine and get it out only when you want to use it. Moreover, they consume much less energy than other appliances, making them efficiency champions and good news for your power bill.