With consumers squeezed by the increased cost of living thanks to the stagnant economy, white goods manufacturers have responded by launching ever-cheaper products to tempt us into spending our hard-earned cash. Therefore, it may seem like a great time to save money by buying a cheap washing machine, but think twice – you could be throwing good money away on a product that won’t last.
Cheap Washing Machines
With prices typically starting from just £170, for a new washing machine with a five kilogram load-capacity, cheap can be tempting if purse strings are tight, but there are problems associated with low-price washing machines that the careful shopper needs to be aware of.
Typical Problems Include:
- The machine won’t be as reliable as a more expensive washing machine, meaning it is more likely to break down. Some washing machines are built to last 20 years. If you buy a cheap model, you could be forking out more cash for repair or replacement once the warranty expires.
- Lack of washing programme options leads to a general wash, which is less efficient at getting your clothes clean. This leads to a longer wash with more water and therefore, larger bills at the end of the month.
- Lower spin cycles mean that clothes take longer to wash, use more water and need higher temperatures to get clothes clean.
- Washing machines are rated A+++ to B. Lower energy efficiency in cheaper machines means that, when it comes to price per load, 25 per cent of that cost will derive from energy bills.
- Damage to clothing, by repeated washing in a cheap machine, can lead to fading and wearing of clothes. These will need to be thrown out and more money will then be spent on new clothes.
- Noise from the machine is something we could all do without. With many cheaper models producing over 50 decibels of noise, your spin could get distracting if you’re trying to watch TV in a small flat!
Don’t Get in a Spin
There is an easy and simple solution: shop around. Increased access to the Internet means that manufacturers know consumers are getting more and more knowledgeable and informed about the products they are looking to buy. This has in fact driven up standards of medium and higher prices products, with brands competing against each other to offer quality washing machines at affordable prices.
The Solution
Take the Miele washing machine for example: from £688, this reliable washing machine is available with a promotional five years warranty (instead of the now standard European two-years). Other features include a minimum A+ energy rating, a six kilogram washing load, variable temperature, anti-crease action and a honeycomb drum, which works with the programmable washes to care for clothes.
This means that in the long run, consumers save money by buying reliable machines that are less likely to break down, more energy efficient and kinder to clothes. Plus that means you can put that money toward a trip a or something more fun!