Laundry Room Revamp: Add a Touch of Convenience to Laundry Day with Updated Appliances

By Keith Loria

RISMEDIA, Monday, January 16, 2012— Anyone who has recently gone through the process of getting their home ready for sale can attest to the fact that there is no shortage of things to be done before putting a home on the market. If you’re planning on taking advantage of the spring selling season and listing your home within the coming months, be sure to add the laundry room to your list of projects that can’t be overlooked.

For sellers who really want to make a statement with their laundry room, adding new, energy-efficient washers and dryers can go a long way toward attracting prospective buyers. Thanks to new washer and dryer technologies, today’s models will not only save time and energy, they may even make laundry feel like less of a chore.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, installing machines with the ENERGY STAR label will cut water costs by up to 50 percent. There are also machines that automatically adjust the water temperature and the amount of water used for each load to prevent excess and waste.

Many new models are available in a variety of designer finishes and bright colors that give the look of stainless steel without the stainless steel price tag, which can really make a bold statement.

If you’re planning to add a new washer to your laundry room, the first thing you need to decide is whether to go with a front- or top-loading machine. While a top-loading machine requires enough water to cover all the clothes in its drum, a front-loading washer needs only a third of that amount because its drum is set horizontally in the machine. One downside to front-loading washers: cost. In addition to being more expensive, there’s also a better chance for front-loading washers to develop mold since they don’t empty dirty water as efficiently as a top-loading machine.

When it comes to dryers, sensors are the thing to look for. Consumer Reports revealed that dryers with a moisture sensor tend to recognize when laundry is dry more quickly than machines that use a traditional thermostat. Because they don't subject clothing to unnecessary heat, moisture-sensor models are easier on fabrics. And since they shut themselves off when the laundry is dry, they use less energy.

The use of steam washers and dryers for greater energy and water efficiency is also a rising trend. Steam machines offer enhanced clothing care options such as short, steam-only cycles that help to reduce wrinkles and remove odors from clothing.

Laundry rooms used to be relegated to the basement, but today, people are finding space for washers and dryers in more convenient areas of the house such as the kitchen or near bedrooms. Housing experts agree that installing a laundry nook will not only raise the value of a home, it will also make laundry day much more convenient.

For more information about revamping your laundry room, contact our office today.