The presents are all under the tree,
the turkey's defrosting in the fridge and the mince pies are cooling
in the kitchen. A few last minute preparations to take care of before
the relatives descend upon your home - and disaster strikes. Your
washing machine shudders to a grinding halt, leaving you with a pile
of unwashed bedding and nothing to wear on Christmas Day.
This scenario is the stuff of
nightmares, but is more common than you realise. Washing machines
have a habit of breaking down at the worst possible moment. This
usually means Christmas, when the shops are closed and you can't get
an engineer for neither love nor money, or just before you are about
to pack your suitcase for a two week holiday in the sun.
If your washing machine is more than a
few years old, and you've noticed your whites aren't looking as white
as before, it could be time to investigate buying a new one and
prevent unexpected disasters further down the line.
How to select a brand
When it comes to kitchen appliances it
is a good idea to go for an established brand. You can be pretty
confident that when you purchase a brand such as a Hotpoint washing
machine, it will be a top
quality product that should perform brilliantly with each wash.
In addition, top brands are designed to
last, which means they will often work out better value than cheaper
alternatives. If in doubt, check online reviews or try to get a
recommendation from someone in the plumbing/appliances field.
Where to find a great deal
Washing machines from Hotpoint and
other established brands can be found at larger supermarkets but
online comparison sites are also worth exploring as they can help you
to source the best deal.
If you’re on a tight budget, consider
discount stores which often sell second-hand or refurbished goods for
much less money. Do be aware, however, that these products may not
have the same longevity as the latest models and the more you can
invest, the better, especially when factoring things like energy
efficiency, which will save you dollars in the long-term.
There is no doubt that when it comes to
'kitchen appliances we couldn't cope without,' the humble washing machine
comes high on the list, along with the refrigerator. The oven is also
vital but at least there is always the microwave to fall back on if
the cooker does stop working.
Don't leave it until Christmas Eve to
discover that your washing machine is limping towards its last ever
wash. Searching early will ensure you can find the best deal and have
your shiny new washing machine delivered in time for Christmas.