Laundry is one of those household chores that seems like it is never ending. You spend all day doing laundry only to turn around and have to do more. Whether you like doing laundry, or you’re like me and you feel like it is a non-stop process, it is a necessary task. When the time comes to either invest in a washer and dryer set or upgrade the set you have, you may realize that choosing your favorite color is not the biggest choice you have to make. Laundry systems come in all shapes, types, and sizes, and it is important to decide what you need before heading to the store to make your purchase. Here are the parts to consider when making your choice!

What to Consider When Buying a New Washer & Dryer:

1: Side-by side or stackable? Gas or electric?

If your laundry room is already set up, make sure you check to see if your home will support gas or electric connections. Choosing side-by-side or a stackable set comes down to what you have the space for. Stackable systems are usually smaller and better for space conservation.

2: What capacity works best for you?

Do you do laundry for just yourself, or a family of 7? Are you frequently washing heavy towel loads or only small loads once a week? Front-load washers tend to have a larger capacity and handle bulky items well. Compact top load machines usually have a smaller drum and fit less weight but are more affordable.

3: Front load or top load?

Before considering which type you like better, take a second to decide which would fit your space. Will the machines be going under a counter, preventing you from purchasing top-loaders? Will they be in a tight corner of a room that will make it hard to open the door on a front-loader? Once you know what your space can handle, then you can decide which you prefer. Front-loaders tend to be more expensive but are easier to load and unload as you no longer have to strain your arms trying to get the items left at the bottom of the washer. If you are interested in a front-loader but aren’t crazy about crouching to load and unload, you may want to invest in a pedestal that raises the height of the machine.

4: What features do you need?

Today, the features you can get on these machines are endless. Some have digital displays, some have wi-fi capabilities, some are meant to be energy-efficient, and some can even steam your clothes. If any of these (or more) features are a deal-breaker for you, make sure you are searching for the machines that offer these incentives.