When you have a large family, the scale is increased for just about every facet of life. Food is consumed at a faster rate, toilet paper reaches the end of the roll in a matter of days, and the laundry pile turns into a mountain in an instant. We can’t help with every situation in your home, but we do know how to get the most out of your washer to help make your life a little bit easier.
There’s a lot of planning and thought that goes into buying a new washing machine. You’ll want to think of available space, the type of clothing you’ll mainly be washing, and placement for how far you’ll have to move to switch loads. Figuring out these lifestyles choices will help you decide what type of washer will perfectly match the needs of your family. It’s different for everyone, so we’re here to help you decide what general features every family should look for in their washer.
Washer Type
The choice everyone must make when buying a washer is choosing between a front or top-load washer. A front-load washer is better suited for a large family that uses their machine daily. These washers spin faster and extract more water, which cuts down on your drying time and uses far less water for an energy-efficient wash.
A lot of the front-load washers today include anti-vibration technologies to prevent your clothes from sticking to the drum, causing that constant rattling. This creates a smooth, quiet wash that won’t disrupt your household work or sleeping children. Some models even include smart notifications on your phone to tell you when your laundry is done.
Top-load washers typically have an agitator to tackle larger load sizes and concentrate on stubborn stains. If you’re looking for a faster cycle without compromising the cleaning results, rapid wash cycles cut down on wash and spin times while boosting motion and temperature to shorten each wash.
Capacity
For a large family, the washer’s capacity is everything. The wash drums are measured in cubic feet, and the higher the number, the more laundry you can fit into the machine per cycle. For an average wash capacity at 4.2 cu. ft.-- 4.5 cu. ft. you can fit a family of four’s weekly laundry needs, but if you run more frequent laundry loads, you should consider a machine with a capacity of 5.0 cu. ft. and above. Anything above will hold up to 1.5 times more laundry than a normal top or front-load washer.
If you have children who are busy in sports, the dirty uniforms can pile up. A larger washer helps handle all the kid’s baseball uniforms and still leaves plenty of room for bath towels, bedsheets, tablecloths, and more.
Wash Cycles
Wash cycles can make a big difference depending on how much laundry you do. Different temperatures, water levels, and fabric type change how your cycle will run. Given it’s back-to-school time, you might want a washer with delicate cycles to wash school uniforms. Heavy duty and steam-clean are ideal for work clothes to eliminate wrinkles while they wash. If you’re on the go at practice or picking up the kids from school, you might consider an automatic cycle that you can set ahead of time, or control from your phone when you’re not home to start a cycle.
Energy Efficient
A high-efficiency washer will extend the life of your clothing—which is ideal if you’re planning to pass down clothes to your children. A tumble feature uses less water and energy than top-load washers with an agitator. Keep an eye out for the Energy Star to save money on your appliances—which means more money for all those toys your kids keep begging for.
Speed
Cycle time is another spec to consider when you have a large family. Even with a high-capacity washer, it’s still possible to run multiple cycles—so you’ll want to make sure those cycles aren’t draining your entire day. Some brands have efficient detergent dispensers to rinse out your wash faster and reduce the time waiting to get your clothes into the dryer. The detergent is sprayed directly onto your clothes and removed with a high-powered rinse. If time is of the essence in your family, don’t put off your chores—find a washer that works as fast as your life moves.
Performance
The most important feature of any appliance is how it runs. Whether it’s red wine, grass stains, baby food, or sweat from the gym, your washer must be able to get rid of the biggest stains in a single cycle. A full house means more to keep track of, more distractions, and less time to make sure every article of clothing comes out clean. You need a product you can rely on to get the job done the first time, every time.
When you have a family, your household appliances play a vital role in the upkeep of your home. If you decide to upgrade your family appliances, Howard’s Appliance has the right appliances to perfectly match your family’s needs. Stop by today!