Top loaders are exactly what they sound like - you load the clothes into the machine from the top. They are generally more complicated than front loaders, and have the disadvantage that they don’t clean larger items of clothing as well. This is because the larger items tend to float to the top of the machine and hence don’t get as thoroughly washed. Because they are more complicated they tend to be more expensive as well as more likely to break down! For that reason if you have one you should make sure it is properly maintained and is checked over by a professional on a regular basis.

Front loads are loaded from the front - quite obviously - and hence are simpler and in general less likely to break down although there are exceptions. They are also usually less expensive than top loaders although that again depends on the exact model that you buy and where you buy it from. Research comes in very handy to make sure you get the best deal here. The advantages are less water is used, and less detergent is required. They are also much more convenient if you want an integrated washing machine as they open from the front where the door will be.

The down side of a front loader is that in general the wash cycle takes longer than a top loader, although as we’ve mentioned there are some advantages to a front loader too.

If you have a very stylish kitchen and you want to hide your washing machine away so that it blends in with the rest of the decor then an integrated washing machine is definitely for you. They are fitted into your existing kitchen units and are hidden away by a door so that they can’t be seen unless you want to use it.

On the other hand a freestanding one just sits below the kitchen desktop and so can be seen at all times. It is purely an aesthetic choice but it can make all the difference if you are worried about the style of your kitchen will stop

Although whether you get an integrated washing machine or a freestanding one is an important decision for the look of your kitchen much more important choices will have to be made when buying a new washing machine. For example, spin speed is an extremely important property of the drier part of your washing machine. Basically, the higher the spin speed equipment your clothes will dry and hence the more washes you can get done in a shorter amount of time. Also heavier clothing, such as clothes that have thicker material, need a higher spin speed to get rid of the water while the lighter clothing needs a slower spin speed to prevent damage.

So on the whole, whether you want an integrated washing machine or a freestanding model is completely up to personal choice. You will be somewhat limited by the space you have in your kitchen and the importance you place on the look of your kitchen. When buying a washing machine you should always make sure that you spend a lot of time looking for the best deals and for the machine that is right for you. You do not want to buy a low quality machine and end up buying a new one in a few years time. A bit of research can go a long way when buying a new piece of equipment such as a washing machine and dryer.

If you’ve bought a washing machine – whether it is an integrated washing machine or a stand alone one – you need to make sure that it is properly maintained if you want it to last a long time. Of course the easiest way to do this is to hire a professional in to regularly check the machine for any signs of problems, and this will definitely provide you with the most reliable way of keeping your washing machine going. However not all of us have the money to do this regularly, so there are a few things you should keep in mind to help maintain your washing machine.

A common problem in washing machines is lime scale in the tube, and this is probably something that needs to be looked after by a professional as it can seriously affect the durability and lifetime of your washing machine. Always make sure that the drawer where you put in the detergent is also kept clean as otherwise mould may start to build up inside it which is obviously something you don’t want at any stage!

Regularly inspect the fittings in the machine as well as the hoses. You’re looking for cracks in them or even worse, water dripping. It’s often a good idea to replace the hoses every few years even if there aren’t problems just to be on the safe side.

We’ve all seen washing machines that walk around a lot and make a huge amount of noise, and this is often because they aren’t set level on the floor. If this happens it’s only a matter of time before it breaks, so make sure you properly level your integrated washing machine before it does some damage.

Other things to do are clean out the barrel of the washing machine. This is something that should be done by a professional every few months unless you know exactly how to do it.

Of course, there are plenty of other things that you should do to properly maintain your washing machine but these are a start. Always keep the outside clean too to make sure your machine stays new for as long as possible. Washing machines are things we use on an almost daily basis but often don’t take much time to care for. They are expensive pieces of kit, so do your best to keep them running for as long as you can!

First of all it is not a good idea to try and cram in as much clothing as possible into the washing machine for a wash. While in most cases this won’t actually damage the washer, it will mean that your clothes won’t be completely clean and therefore you’ll have to put it on again. It is far better to hold those last few items of clothing back and put them in the next wash to avoid overcrowding. Putting too much in does overtax the washer too, so will not help its lifespan anyway.

This next point isn’t directly related to the washer but is important all the same. You need to make sure that the floor beneath the washer is completely level to stop it moving around and damaging itself. Use a spirit meter to check that it is level before you put the washer on the floor, and then use the level again on the washing machine to check it is still level when you put it in its position. You should also make sure that the floor beneath the washer is solid so that the washer won’t become unstable. This can dramatically reduce the lifespan of the washer so is important to do.

If you have the money and the time, you could consider washing large and heavy items such as bedding and beach towels in public washers rather than your own as these put a lot of strain on the washer. It is an inconvenience, but could make a difference to how long your washer lasts.

Overall, most of the techniques for prolonging your integrated washing machine are straightforwad but important. You also need to properly maintain the inside of your washing machine, and if possible this should be done by a professional