Choosing a washing machine that's easy to use (view report contents)
Guide to test results
The details below expand on the test result summaries for each model and follow the same order from top to bottom. You can read them straight through or, by clicking on a summary heading you can jump straight to the relevant section of text below.
Loading and unloading
If you have restricted space for the machine and/or restricted mobility yourself, it may matter to you whether the door opens to the left or the right. On a top loader, the door opens up and back. The further the door opens flat back against the front of the machine, the more space you have for loading and unloading the laundry.
The door on the Hotpoint washer drier opened flat against the machine giving easy acess.
Loading and unloading a top loader requires two hands - as well as the top exterior door, there are inner doors into the washing drum - see picture.
Loading the top loaders involved opening the hard metal surfaces of the washing drum.
Most machines have a handle which you pull to open the door. Some have a push button instead. The rating for using the door takes into account the strength you need to open and close it and the size and shape of the handle or button - whether it was large enough to grip or push easily. There was a big difference between the machines.
Detergent
The pull-out drawer for detergent and fabric conditioner should not need much strength to pull out and push in, or to remove for cleaning. There should also be space for your fingers to grip.
The dispenser drawer on the Ocean machine had reasonable space for the detergents and for your fingers.
From a standing position, access to the detergent compartments was easiest on the top loaders, but these aren’t so easy to load - see Loading and unloading.
Controls
Dials and push buttons on washing machines come in all shapes and sizes, but they should always be easy to grip or push and settings should be easy to line up and see. Settings that click into position can be helpful if you have unsteady hands or poor sight.
The dials on the Servis top loader had a textured edge to make gripping easier.
The raised bars on the Whirlpool dials were not large enough to grip really easily.
The Hoover washer drier dials had thin bars on a recessed surface - not easy to grip.
The AEG dials protrude well for easy gripping and the labelling was easy to see.
The pale green symbols around the Indesit dials were impossible to see by people with poor sight.
The labelling around the program control on the Whirlpool top loader was difficult to read.
Programme guide
Most machines have a guide printed on the front to show which programmes are suitable for different types of fabric - quicker than using the instructions each time. This rating tells you how easy it was to read - with fairly large print in a strongly contrasting colour for example.
Indicator lights
lights to show you the washing programme is running, or which settings you have selected, can be helpful. This rating tells you if the lights were large and bright enough to be easily seen.
Filter
Many of the machines had a filter - always at the bottom of the machine - which the instructions recommended you should clear from time to time. The rating shows how easy it was to remove and replace the filter, but however easy it was, you still need to be able to bend down to get at it.
Instructions
We show which instructions had fairly large print with good colour contrast.
Report Contents
Introduction
Types
of washing machine
Buying
Guide
Finding
an easy to use washing machine
Test
results
- Bosch WOK 2001
- Servis 100 M3901
- Whirlpool 1100 AWG 032
- AEG OKO Lavamat 61300
- Hoover Quattro System 1100 AS115
- Hotpoint First Edition 1000 WM52P
- Indesit TPG 1130
- Miele Premier Novo W842
- Ocean WMP 1100
- Whirlpool Solutions AWM 321/3
- Zanussi Quick 'N' Clean FLS 1185QW
- Hoover Quattro System 1300 WS 136
- Hotpoint Casatta WD61T
- Turbodry 1050 WDS 1183 W
Guide
to test results
Manufacturers
Contact Details
