How To Choose The Right Size Washing Machine For Your Home

Whether you’re tackling dirty sports kits or bulky bedding, selecting the right washing machine size can save you time, water, and energy. This quick guide looks at both capacity and external dimensions to help you decide what size washing machine best suits your household.

How do I know what size washer to use?

The best washing machine size for your home depends on a few things, including the size of your household, what you wash, how frequently you prefer to do laundry, and last but not least, how much space you have in your laundry room.

These factors all relate to either capacity or dimensions. Let’s delve a little deeper.

1. The right washing machine capacity for your needs

Washing machine capacity refers to the weight of dirty dry clothes a washer can handle. More people in your home means more, and bigger, loads of laundry. Here’s a general guideline to help you select the best washing machine load capacity for your household:

• 1 to 2 people – 5kg to 6kg

• 3 to 4 people – 7kg to 8kg

• 5 to 6 people – 9kg to 10kg

• 6+ people – 11kg to 12kg

Consider how often you do laundry and the types of items you wash. A larger capacity washer allows for fewer loads, and as long as you fill it to the max it will be more energy and water efficient. If you prefer to wash lots of smaller loads, though, a lower capacity machine may suit you fine, even if you have a big family.

What about washing large or bulky items?

If you regularly wash bulky items, such as duvets or heavy loads of bath towels, you’ll need a washing machine with enough space for them to move freely during the wash cycle.

Here’s a guideline for washing duvets:

• Single duvet – 5kg to 6kg

• Double duvet – 7kg to 8kg

• Queen duvet – 8kg to 10kg

• King duvet – 10kg to 12kg

• Super King duvet – 12kg+

Choosing a larger capacity machine for larger loads ensures better cleaning and prevents the drum from being overloaded.

2. The right washing machine dimensions for your laundry

In addition to the internal capacity you need in your washer, you’ll have to consider the external dimensions to make sure it will fit in your laundry space. Most washing machines come in standard sizes, but larger capacity models may be bulkier and require extra room.

Standard washing machine dimensions

The size is dictated to a degree by the type of washing machine you choose: front loader or top loader.

• Front load washers – Typically 60cm wide, 85cm high, and 55-65cm deep.

• Top load washers – Vary more in width, ranging from 54cm to 70cm wide, 90-110cm high, and 55-70cm deep.

While top loaders used to dominate the market in New Zealand, today, front loaders are more popular.

Front load washing machines tend to be more space-efficient externally while still offering good drum capacity for bulky items. They use a tumbling motion to clean, which allows items like duvets and bath towels to move more freely during the wash cycle. They are usually more energy and water efficient than top loaders as well.

Top load washing machines can be a good choice if you don’t want to crouch down to load and unload your laundry. While top loaders come in a range of capacities, the presence of an agitator can reduce internal drum space. Models with impellers (which are like low-profile agitators) offer larger drum capacity but may not clean bulky items as evenly as front loaders.

Appliances Online stocks a range of front and top loaders from Fisher & Paykel, Haier and other leading brands.

Will it fit beneath a benchtop?

If you plan to install your washing machine under a benchtop, front loaders are the only option because they don’t require top access. Most standard benchtops are 90cm high, meaning a front load washing machine (usually around 85cm high) will fit comfortably with a small gap for ventilation. However, some extra-large capacity front loaders (12kg or more) may be slightly taller.

Will a larger capacity washer stick out?

As capacity increases, so can depth, though the washing machine width remains the same. While a standard 7kg or 8kg front load washer is around 55-60cm deep, models between 9kg and 12kg capacity may be 65-70cm deep and may stick out beyond cabinets or benchtops.

Stacks of room

If your laundry space is limited you might want to consider stackable options: front loaders can usually have heat pump or vented dryers stacked on top of them (using a stacking kit) or have vented models wall-mounted above them if the laundry’s layout allows.

Alternatively, for the ultimate in laundry room space-saving, a 2-in-1 washer dryer combo could suit you better.

Whether you’re thinking about getting a front or top loader, always measure the available space before buying a washing machine and remember to allow a few centimetres extra for power cords, plugs and water hoses.

Other features to consider

Beyond washing machine capacity and external dimensions, you might want to look out for these other features that can make laundry day easier and more efficient.

• High spin speeds – A higher speed spin cycle removes more water, reducing subsequent drying time.

• Auto-dosing – Dispenses the right amount of detergent and softener for each laundry load. No guess, no mess.

• Wi-Fi connectivity – Allows you to control and monitor wash cycles remotely. Handy phone notifications remind you to empty the washer of freshly cleaned laundry.

• Energy Star rating – Look for more energy-efficient models to save on power bills. In New Zealand most washing machines are rated between 1 and 6 Energy Stars, with a very small number of advanced models being rated out of 10 stars.

• Water Star rating - Like the energy star rating, the more water stars a washing machine has, the less water it uses compared to other less efficient models of the same capacity. Washers are rated up to 6 stars in New Zealand.

• Cold water wash options – Save energy while still effectively cleaning clothes. Most of the cost of washing clothes comes from heating the water used, so a cold wash is a cheaper option.

• Special wash programs – Options for delicate fabrics, wool, or quick washes can be useful and help prolong the life of your wardrobe.

Get the ideal size new washing machine sooner, with FREE delivery

Why pay for delivery on top of the price of your new washer? At Appliances Online we offer free delivery for even the biggest, bulkiest items. Plus, next day delivery is available for in-stock items in our Auckland delivery area. To see delivery availability for other areas of New Zealand type your postcode into the delivery location field at the top of this page.

We’ll also take your old washer away for recycling, keeping it out of landfill. For more help choosing the right size or type of washer for your home, call 0800 265 265 to chat with a member of our friendly team 24/7.