When it comes to keeping your clothes clean, the age-old debate of “which one is better: hand-washing or machine-washing?” always comes up. There are many Filipinos who still prefer washing clothes by hand, citing its economical and ecological benefits. On the other hand, those who prefer to use a washing machine usually say that convenience is the major factor behind their choice.
The fact of the matter, however, is that using a washing machine is actually the better option for doing your laundry. Why? Below are just a few reasons:
It Conserves Water
As earlier mentioned, many of those who prefer washing machines love the convenience they provide. With semi-automatic washing machines, all you need is to do is put the clothes into the drum, add water to the corresponding level based on the load, and then pour the right amount of detergent. After this, just press a button or twist a dial and you’re all set to wash.
Fully automatic washing machines are even more convenient. They have sensors that determine the correct amount of water to be used, based on the laundry load and the wash setting you choose. All you need to measure is the amount of detergent and fabric conditioner (if you prefer using it).
This means that you only use the exact amount of water you need to wash and rinse your clothes. This is not only a good thing for your water bill, it’s also helpful to the environment.
It Conserves Energy
Thanks to technology, modern washing machines are more energy-efficient than ever. Fully automatic washing machines, in particular, use less electricity than semi-automatic models.
To save even more energy, you can pre-soak clothes with heavy stains; if you can, soak them overnight. This way, you don’t have to use a more powerful setting in your washing machine. Pre-soaking also reduces the time you need to run the washing machine.
Finally, you should switch from using hot or warm water to cold water for washing your clothes. Not only will this increase your energy savings, it’s also more fabric friendly. This means that your clothes will maintain bright colors and fabric thickness for longer.
It Minimizes Clean-Ups
Unlike handwashing, there’s minimal clean-up after doing your laundry using a washing machine. In fact, if you have a fully automatic washing machine, there’s no need to wipe or mop your floors afterwards. As long as there are no leaks in the hoses, you can wash your clothes without spilling any water (which means further savings).
Even semi-automatic washing machines require less clean-up than handwashing. At most, you only have to deal with some drips of water when you transfer your laundry from the wash tub to the spin dryer.
It Gives You More Time
Handwashing your laundry a time-consuming endeavor. Even a small batch of laundry can take a couple of hours to complete, and this doesn’t include the time you need to clean up. In short, a full load of laundry can easily take half the day. Hand-washing is also time-consuming in the sense that you need to focus on it.
On the other hand, you can essentially “forget” your washing machine once you pick the right setting. It will tumble and wash your clothes on its own, which allows you to perform other tasks. You can cook, for example, or even give your floors a quick sweep. If you want, you can also throw your feet up and rest or perhaps engage in some of your hobbies.
You also don’t have to wait too long for your clothes to dry when you use a washing machine. For semi-automatic models, the spin dryer can substantially shorten the drying time. For fully automatic models, your clothes will be ready to wear once the drying cycle is finished!
It Allows You to Relax
One big downside of handwashing is that it takes a lot of effort. It’s exhausting to scrub and wring clothes for hours! By the time you’re finished, you probably don’t have a lot of energy left to do other things.
When you use a washing machine, you don’t have to exert yourself too much. The most “tiring” part you have to do is to put your laundry in the drum of your fully automatic washing machine. If you’re using a semi-automatic washing machine, the only extra work you need to do is transfer the clothes from the wash tub to the spin tub.
All of this doesn’t mean that handwashing isn’t entirely helpful, of course. For example, if you only need to wash a couple of t-shirts, it’s better to just do it by hand. Still, when you consider all other factors, it’s easy to see how using a washing machine is ultimately the better choice.
If you don’t have a washing machine yet, consider getting one today. Spring for a fully automatic washing machine if you have the budget. Your home life will definitely change for the better!