Top Tips

When buying a new washing machine, the first question you should ask is whether you want a front loader or a top loader - see below for our in-depth comparison.

Buying a clothes dryer? Is your laundry room well-ventilated? If not, you might want to invest in a dryer venting kit, or opt for a condenser dryer that doesn't expel moist exhaust.

Always double-check the measurements of your laundry's available space! Be sure to leave some extra room for doors and lids to open, as well as taking into consideration the power cords and drainage hoses. You should also make sure that your new washing machine can fit through the door of your laundry room.

Washers with lots of specialised programs may sound impressive, but they can sometimes prove confusing to operate. Look for washing programs that you're likely to use regularly, and make your product choice accordingly.

Fast spin speeds give you faster drying times, but they can be damaging to delicate garments. Look for a washing machine with an adjustable spin speed.

Washers: Buying guide

Dryers: Vented vs Condenser

Size

Getting the right size is important - too small and you'll have to run several loads; too large and you'll waste resources. The table below should give you a general idea:


1-2 people

5kg or smaller

3-4 people

5kg - 7kg

5+ people

8kg or larger

Energy Efficiency

Generally speaking, the larger the appliance, the more power it will need.

Front load washing machines tend to be more energy and water efficient than top loaders. However some modern top loaders include Eco Modes that minimise energy and water usage.

Heat pump dryers recycle their own heat exhaust - making them some of the most energy efficient dryers available.

Warranty & Service

Appliances Online sells only brand new appliances with full manufacturer's warranties - not factory seconds.

All the laundry appliances we stock come with a standard warranty (usually 2 years, depending on the manufacturer). However, you also have the option of buying an extended Customer Care Plan from Appliances Online.

Our Customer Care Plans are available at the time of purchase. You can purchase a Care Plan of 2, 3 or 4 years - which will begin once the original manufacturer's warranty is up.

Top Tips

If your household regularly does a lot of ironing, you should consider investing in a steam generator. The powerful steam generated by these irons can remove creases faster, and keep the fabric crease-free for longer.

The best surface for ironing is an ironing board - they're smooth, and they also 'breathe' - allowing the steam to do its job properly.

To save space at home, consider an ironing centre that attaches to your wall - when you're done, you can just fold it back up.

Key features

Power

The more powerful the iron, the hotter it can get. High heat is perfect for ironing creases out of tough materials. Most irons have at least 2000W of power.

Soleplate

Available in different shapes and sizes for more ironing options, soleplates come in a variety of materials, from aluminium through to non-stick stainless steel and ceramics.

Water tank capacity

The larger the tank, the less time you'll have to spend refilling the iron, and the more steam your iron will be able to produce. Standard irons have an average water capacity of approximately 300mL, while steam generators usually hold at least 1L or more.

Cord

A longer cord provides better manoeuvrability. Some irons have cords that are designed for easy storage when not in use, while others are cordless!

Steam output

Measured either in g/minute or in BAR pressure (like a coffee machine), this refers to how much steam can pass through your iron during continuous steam and/or burst modes. Standard irons have an average steam output of 40g/min (100g/min or higher for a burst), while steam generators have an average output of approximately 100g/min.

Warranty & Service

Appliances Online sells only brand new appliances with full manufacturer's warranties - not factory seconds.

All the appliances we stock come with a standard warranty (for repair or replacement, depending on the manufacturer). However, you often also have the option of buying an extended Customer Care Plan from Appliances Online.

Our Customer Care Plans are available at the time of purchase. You can purchase a Care Plan of 2, 3 or 4 years - which will begin once the original manufacturer's warranty is up.

Features Advantages Disadvantages Ideal For
Front Load

Front Load Washers

  • A washing machine with a front-opening door
  • Water and energy efficient
  • Kinder to your clothes (i.e. less chance of fabric snagging or tearing)
  • Generally smaller (and thus easier to fit into tight spaces)
  • Stackable (i.e. you can stack a dryer on top)
  • Can fit under benches (even kitchen benches)
  • Tend to take longer to wash your clothes. Most models feature quick wash cycles (some as short as 15 minutes!) however these generally only work with light loads
  • Tight spaces
  • Apartments and studios
Front Load

Top Load Washers

  • A washing machine with a lid on top
  • Easy to load, with no need to bend down
  • Shorter wash cycles
  • Tend to have more cold water wash options
  • Ability to pause the wash cycle (to add/remove items)
  • Generally more affordable than front loaders
  • Tend to be harder on your clothes (especially models that use an agitator, which can potentially snag or stretch delicate fabrics)
  • Usually use more water and energy than front loading machines
  • Large families
  • Cleaning large items like doonas
Twin Tub Washers

Twin Tub Washers

  • A traditional style of washer with one tub for washing and another for spinning
  • Puts the user in complete control of the wash process
  • Does not require a plumbed connection to a water supply
  • Needs to be manually filled with water
  • Clothes need to be transferred manually between the wash and spin tubs
  • Saving Water

Washer/Dryer Combos

  • A front-loading washing machine that can also be used as a dryer
  • Two appliances in one - saves space
  • Allows you to wash and dry clothes in the same cycle
  • Usually only suitable for drying small loads - often half of a regular wash load or less
  • Drying cycles tend to be longer (compared with normal clothes dryers)
  • Laundries that are short on space
  • Apartment living
  • Energy-efficient households
Vented Clothes
              Dryer

Vented Dryers

  • A dryer that vents hot air and moisture into the laundry (or outside when using a venting kit)
  • Affordable
  • Light enough to wall-mount
  • Easy to use
  • Can fill a poorly-ventilated laundry with steam and moisture
  • Any laundry that has an exhaust fan or a window
  • Smaller laundries (when wall-mounted)
Condenser
              Dryers

Condenser Dryers

  • Extracts the moisture from your wet clothes and drains it away as condensed water
  • Won't fill the laundry room with steam, and doesn't need a venting kit
  • Some models include a drainage tube, removing the need to periodically empty the water tank
  • With no need for ventilation, a condenser dryer can be installed anywhere in the home
  • Too heavy to be wall mounted (though stacking is sometimes possible)
  • Apartment living
  • Unventilated laundries
Heat Pump Dryers

Heat Pump Dryers

  • A type of condenser dryer that recycles exhaust heat for maximum energy efficiency
  • All the advantages of a condenser dryer
  • Among the most energy efficient dryers available (up to six stars!)
  • More expensive than other types of dryers
  • Apartment living
  • Unventilated laundries
  • Energy efficient homes
Gas Dryers

Gas Dryers

  • Generates heat using natural gas rather than electricity
  • Saves energy through the use of natural gas
  • Usually have a high capacity for larger laundry loads
  • Limited number of brand and model choices available
  • Large units won't fit in smaller laundry spaces
  • Often more expensive than other dryers
  • Homes with gas connections
  • Energy-efficient households
Ironing
              Systems

Steam Generator Systems

  • A high-quality iron that generates pressurised steam for effective crease removal
  • Great for tackling tough creases
  • Can also be used as a vertical steamer to freshen up garments and curtains
  • The water tank is larger, so you can iron for longer without needing to refill as often
  • They're larger than ordinary irons, which can make storage difficult
  • Steam generators are more expensive than normal irons
  • Households that regularly do a lot of ironing
  • A cost-effective alternative to dry cleaning
Irons

Irons

  • A traditional style of household iron
  • Usually inexpensive
  • Easy and simple to use
  • Sometimes it can take a long time to remove creases
  • Fabric does not stay crease-free for as long (compared with a steam generator)
  • If the iron is set at a temperature that's too hot, it can damage delicate fabrics
  • Households that only iron occasionally
Ironing Boards

Ironing Boards

  • Provides the ideal surface for ironing
  • Provides a smooth and stable surface across which an iron can glide
  • 'Breathable' material allows steam to pass through your clothes - which is ideal for removing creases
  • Can be annoying to store when not in use
  • Households that only iron occasionally
Ironing
              Centres

Ironing Centres

  • An ironing board that's built into your home, and folds away when not in use
  • Creates a dedicated area of the home for ironing
  • Folds away tidily when not in use
  • Easy to install into a custom cabinet or wall space
  • Must be wall-mounted
  • Households that regularly do a lot of ironing