Which Feature Is Most Important When Shopping For A Washing Machine? - Exclusive Survey

Laundry may not be your favorite chore, but the right tools can certainly make it easier. Whether you're doing laundry for yourself or for a family of four, having the right washing machine is going to remove some of the annoyance and frustration. According to Howstuffworks, while a washing machine may seem like a lifetime investment, most will need to be replaced after about 10 or 11 years of use. Excessive noise and water leaks are common signs yours may need replacing.

If you're not having these issues, then you don't have to rush out to find a new washer straight away, but if it's approaching a decade of use, it still might be wise to consider replacing it. New washing machines have a ton of high-tech features that are designed to make the laundry experience easier. In an exclusive survey, House Digest asked readers what features are most important when looking for a new washing machine — here are the results.

No one wants to do more loads of laundry than necessary. A washing machine with a larger capacity allows you to wash more clothes at one time. It's little wonder then that House Digest readers consider this to be the most important feature when looking for a new washing machine. Of the 629 total responses, 183, or 29.09% of the total vote, agreed that capacity is the top priority.

Washers can range from 1.5 cubic feet to 6 cubic feet, according to Whirlpool, and the necessary size of a washing machine depends on your household and your lifestyle. Smaller families with limited space may want to consider a capacity under 3 cubic feet. Medium capacity falls between 3.5 and 4.4 cubic feet and can fit certain bulky items like towels and bedding. Large capacity washers over 4.5 cubic feet are best for large families or those with active hobbies like regular gym goers or children who play sports.

After a capacity, many people then consider whether or not the washing machine is a top loader. Out of the 629 responses, 173 people, or 27.50% of the total vote, agreed that a top-loading feature is the most important. Top-loading washing machines can be more comfortable if you're doing many loads of laundry, but they may not be as effective as front-loading washing machines, according to New York Times. Front-loading washing machines are better at cleaning your clothes because the wash motion is more effective, and they also use less water and energy. Interestingly, Front loading was the third most popular feature in the survey with 140 respondents or 22.26% of the vote.

Other sought-after features include a self-cleaning mode, with 8o respondents, or 12.72%, saying this is the most important feature. Having a spin setting was chosen by 34 respondents, 5.41%. The least important feature in this survey was an automatic detergent dispenser, with only 19 respondents, or 3.02% of the total vote.