How does a washing machine affect your clothes lifespan?

When choosing a new washing machine, it is often the case that people will be looking for specific technical capabilities of the device itself, perhaps with a focus on load size, spin speed and other attributes. However, one factor that also merits attention is whether a particular machine will cause damage to your clothing and send it to a premature bobble-covered demise, or whether it will be able to keep your clothes wearable for longer than you might otherwise anticipate.

Some items of clothing are reasonably rugged and are designed to stand up to repeat washes, but the more delicate and expensive items can be difficult and expensive to replace, frustratingly so when it has been your washing machine that has done most of the damage. As a rule of thumb it is safe to assume that if you opt for a machine that comes from a respected, established brand and pay a little more than you might for a generic, low-cost machine, you should be extending the life of your hard earned and often irreplaceable items. When looking at washing machines, there are also other clothing care considerations.

One aspect of a washing machine that can have an impact on the lifespan of your clothes is its spin speed. You might reasonably assume that machines with high spin speeds will do more damage to your clothes in the long run. However, the opposite is actually true. This is because the centrifugal force created by a higher spin speed will force the clothes up tight against the side of the drum. The lower the speed, the more likely it is that clothes will work loose and rub against each other. This friction associated with lower spin speeds damages the fabric.

Washing machines are available in both front loading and top loading form. If you choose a top loader, you will be likely to suffer shorter clothing lifespan simply because the method of removing dirt is different. Front loading washing machines use internal blades to pick up the clothes and then let the power of gravity drop them gently down once they reach the top, allowing the soap to permeate the material without causing unnecessary stress to the fabric. In top loaders, the blades spin and use mechanical force to literally beat the dirt from the clothes. This increase in force wears the fabric quickly and is consequently harsher on your least resilient garments. As you might expect, a gentler wash results in longer life for your clothes.

If thus far you are convinced that a high quality washing machine with a fast spin cycle and a front loading design is for you, there is one further consideration to take on board if you are worried about damage to your clothes. Many better quality washing machines have a variety of modes and wash cycles which can drastically alter the way in which your clothes are treated. Gentle wash cycles which use low water temperatures are ideal for fragile items and washing your delicates separately from rather more abrasive materials such as denim will further minimise friction inside the drum and keep your clothes looking and feeling brand new.

Miele washing machines under discussion

Time for some washing machine discussion from the Woman&Home forums where user Glitterqueen has been asking for recommendations from the rest of the community.

There are plenty of responses across the board, and – of course – Miele has some strong support with, among others, louisejn stating “Miele – nice and quiet, economical and 5 yr guarantee!”

To see the full conversation, and leave your own comments, just jump on over.

Poorly Scammo needs a new washing machine

Money Saving Expert (MSE) contributor Poorly Scammo has had a bit of an issue with their washing machine,

“It’s knackered with smoke coming out of it. Guess I’ll need a new one.”

Thankfully though a ‘knackered’ washing machine is no match for the MSE community. The request for recommendations has seen three pages worth of responses; admittedly not all have been helpful, though the majority of posts falling into this category have at least provided a smile. However, the more informative replies have had many brands suggested, but for Munkiemunkie81 and Gunsandbanjos the new machine has to be a Miele,

“I have a Miele and I love it”

Read the whole discussion here, jokes and all.

Mammoth Miele washing machine video!

Over on Youtube, there’s a great indepth look at the cycle of the Miele W3744 put to task washing a dog bed. The video below is just part one of ten (!), so you get a great idea of how the machine performs at every stage of the cycle.

Head over to Boshlovers Youtube channel for the full range of videos – with bonus towel footage too!

Which? Miele washing machines recommendations are worthwhile?

Melb is questioning other members of the Money Saving Expert forum about the expert advice from Which?, especially when it comes to Miele washing machines – and soon generates plenty of interesting responses. 

Casey972 “has been happy with all his [Which?] purchases, of which the most recent was the Miele washing machine Prestige Plus 6”, whilst CKdesigner “obviously would always only recommend Miele washing machines”, especially when purchased from independent specialists. Bosseyed agrees; “in your case I believe Miele are a decent make, so I’d say you can’t go far wrong with one of those.”

It is left to Mwilletts however to round off the discussion, with absolutely no doubt in his mind: “Miele are by far the best manufacturer of Washing Machines for the domestic market. Bar none.”