The Washer Whisperer's Guide: How to Choose the Right Size Clothes Washer?
As a seasoned repairman with tools dusted and ready, and overall-clad, I’ve seen it all — from monstrous, king-size washers that could swallow your toddler to compact laundry savers designed for doll houses. Suffice to say, your clothes washer is ready to become the unsung hero of your laundry room. But how do you know which size to choose? Pull on your DIY gloves and join me on this entertaining journey to discover your picture-perfect clothes washer!
Noise Off! — The Importance of Your Washer’s Size
Imagine having a Rolls Royce in your backyard; impressive but impractical for the urban jungle, right? Oversizing is a common washer blunder. It might seem like a power move to buy the biggest washer, but you'll end up wasting water, energy, and space if you’re only washing light loads. On the flip side, a downsized washer could demand frequent loads, thus straining the machine and hiking up your utility bills.
Let's Size Things Up — A Measure of Your Laundry Needs
To solve the Goldilocks puzzle of washers, identify your households' laundry output. A single bachelor or bachelorette might not warrant a large capacity washer. A family of five with a fondness for outdoor activities would definitely need a bigger model.
Do You Hear the Whispers of Your Closets and Baskets?
Just listen closely—your laundry baskets, closets, and laundry room dimensions are giving you crucial pointers! Measure your laundry area and calculate how much space you can spare. Bear in mind that you need some extra for the hoses and vents. Generally speaking, if you’re replacing an old washer, use that as a reference for the new one.
Life in Cubic Feet — Understanding Washer Capacities
Now here comes the fun stuff — washer's capacity. A small washer, suitable for apartment living or a single individual, typically comes with about 2.5 to 3 cubic feet capacity. Medium-sized washers — great for couples or small families — would sport a 3 to 4.5 cubic feet capacity. Lastly, for the laundry warriors handling over five loads a week, you'll need a larger capacity washer with 5 cubic feet or more.
The Art of Balancing Load Size and Washer Capacity
I say ‘art’ because it's not just about stuffing clothes in the drum. To clean effectively and take care of your clothes, a washer needs some breathing space. So, aim for a washing machine that can handle your average laundry load size, leaving room for the water and detergent to move around freely. A rough rule of thumb is that one cubic foot can handle about seven medium-sized towels.
The Ultimate Sizing Checklist
To tie it all together and make your life easier, here's your definitive five-step washer-sizing checklist:
- Evaluate your regular laundry load and match it with a suitable washer capacity.
- Measure the space in your laundry room and take note of any doors or pathways the washer needs to pass for installation.
- Weigh the pros and cons between different washer designs, top-loading or front-loading, based on the washer's capacity and your space limitations.
- Keep the washer's room for maintenance and servicing in mind.
- Consider future alterations in your laundry needs (like a new baby or a teenager going off to college).
The Repairman's Tip to A Happy Laundry
One thing my experience in the realm of washers whispering has taught me: There's always an exception to every rule! You might find a compact washer with a surprisingly large drum or a big one with a smaller load capacity — but remember, laundry isn't a one-size-fits-all scenario.
All set, time to retire your old, ‘hard-to-fit’ washer with a shiny new one. Happy choosing and may your socks never go missing again!