Choosing the Best Apartment Washing Machine
Choosing the perfect washing machine for your apartment can be tough. There are so many options to choose from and possible problems you might run in to. The most important factor to consider is to make sure the washer is the correct size and that your apartment has the hookups for a washer. If not, there are washers that are designed to connect to a faucet.
To make the process easy for you, I have outlined some important questions to ask yourself before heading out and buying the apartment washing machine:
What is my budget?
The budget is one of the most important decisions. It’s very easy to get caught up into the marketing aspect of purchasing a new washing machine so it is important to set your budget. If you are shopping on a frugal budget, you may want to consider buying used. This way can even get a washer and a dryer set for about $300. If you are buying new, a decent washing machine for an apartment will run you at about $500. However, there are portable washing machines that can be found for just a couple hundred dollars. These are the types that can be connected to your sink to run the water. So set your budget before shopping so you will be certain not to spend too much.
Do I have enough space?
For people who live in small apartments, the size of the washing machine should be a top priority on your list. In order to conserver as much room as possible, you will probably want to buy the stackable washer and dryer combo. If space isn’t much of an issue for you, it would be wise to opt for a full sized washing machine so you can get more laundry done per load. Most importantly, just make sure you have the proper connections and that you measure the space your washing machine will go in before making the purchase.
Which features are important to me?
There are many features that add to the value of some washing machines, but which are the most important to you? Some have a rang of settings designed for certain types of clothes which can be important for some. Some of the newer top loading washing machines come without an agitator and can measure the weight of the load and adjust accordingly. So decide which features are important to you and whether they are worth the extra cost.
Is it energy efficient?
Washing machines tend to use up a lot of water when used. Make sure your prospective washer won’t hike your water bill. This can potentially save you thousands of dollars in the long term. In addition, the amount of water left over in the clothing is a major factor too. The less water absorbed in your clothes after the load, the less time you will need to have the clothes in the dryer. This means that you can save more on the energy bill in the long run.
Apartment Washing Machine – Top 5 Tips
People staying in the apartments that are equipped with washing machines feel really lucky as they find it really convenient to wash clothes in their apartment rather washing them at the apartment complex laundry room. An apartment washing machine can be used in a flexible manner by their owners during the day as well as at night time. Some apartments that aren’t equipped with a washing machine have washer hook-ups installed in them that make it possible for you to set up a washing machine and a dryer. This is an important asset that should be seen before you buy or lease an apartment. The location of the hook-up would also help in determining the size of the washing machine. Washers and dryers are also available on lease in many apartment complexes.
Here are a few tips that should be ideally followed by you while using your washing machine:
- The vibrations and spinning sounds of your washing machine can disturb your neighbour and therefore it’s advisable to not to use your washing machine late at night or very early in the morning.
- Never use the detergent powder in excess amounts to wash your clothes in the apartment washing machine. It can result in a big, soapy mess in your apartment.
- Never leave the apartment when the washer is running in your washing machine as you never know when it may starts malfunctioning and give way to an over flooded situation.
- It’s advisable to use your washing machine for washing clothes only when you have bulk of clothes at hand, otherwise you would be wasting a lot of water and energy for just bunch of one or two clothes.
- Very large comforters, blankets and rugs should be always washed in the oversized washers of apartment complex laundry room and not in an apartment size washer.
Compact Washing Machine – Things to Consider of Before Buying
Though all of us are aware of the pluses extended by a compact washing machine, none of us are really aware of its minuses. The first minus that can be related with any compact washing machine is of the noise factor. If there is somebody staying on the floor just below your apartment you would be required to carpet your floor to muffle the annoying noise produced by the washing machine. It’s better if you have a look at the vibration frequency of the machine before you buy it to avoid any sort of hassles and fights with neighbours later.
Have a close look at the documents of your lease to confirm whether or not it is forbidden to hook up a washing machine in your apartment. There are some leases that don’t permit you to hook up a compact washing machine in your apartment. It’s a point that can be possibly present in the lease documents in a case wherein the landlord pays the monthly water bills of your apartment. This is a clause that should be checked before you buy a washing machine so that you don’t have to face a regretful situation later. Compact washing machines are just not the thing for families. If you still prefer buying a compact washing machine for your family, you may have to run it several times a day to complete the daily laundry routine. Even if you’ve been thinking of buying 2 compact washing machines instead of one big top loading or front loading one, you may end up spending $100-$200 more.
It’s really important to consider all the aforementioned issues before you decide to purchase a small-sized washing machine. Also, you would be required to air-dry all the clothes before all of your laundry is completely dry unless you have a dryer available to you.