Washing machines

Mica has had this washing machine, a Hoover Commodore (not unlike a [Holden](http://www.holden.com.au/)  Commodore, really) for over 14 years now. Lately, we’ve noticed that it’s getting a bit senile: it’s walking around the laundry by itself and peeing all over the ground (we think it’s trying to get to the toilet). On top of that, it’s not exactly energy efficient, and it’s also very loud. Consensus is that it’s not got much life left in it and we should start looking for a new one before it becomes a real problem.

There is a dizzying array of brands and models to choose from. Yesterday, we drove to our local Myer Megamart (which is now inexplicably a Harvey Norman store) to check out the selection. Top loaders, front loaders, 5kg, 6.5kg, 7.5kg, fuzzy logic, non-fuzzy logic blah blah blah. Madness! The selection was dizzying. We took copious notes, concentrating on the Kiwi brand Fisher and Paykel (of DishDrawer fame) and German brand Bosch . We looked at some others, but weren’t happy with the build quality (LG) or the price (Miele).

We did decide on a front-loader though. They tend to be better for the environment, even though they do take longer to do their jobs. They also have the space-saving advantage of being stackable, which is handy in our smaller sized laundry. We also discovered some kind of new condenser dryer that doesn’t need to be vented! Very nifty, but also much more expensive. Neither of us had any clue that such beasts existed.

Back home, we consulted an excellent government resource about energy efficiency and a really crap non-governmental one about water efficiency . Now we’re really confused.

I found a washing machine guide on a place called Choice, which seems to be some kind of Australian consumer group. Problem is, they want money for the report, and I have no way of assessing the value of their opinions and testing methodologies. I usually look at a report on computers as a guideline, because I know a thing or two about them. If the computer report sucks, I’ll know to treat the washing machine report with a grain of salt. Sigh. I’ll spend the money for a three month all-you-can-eat subscription and look at some reports.

If you know anything about washing machines, gentle reader, now would be the time to say something.