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Consumer Reports' tests of more than one hundred appliances show you can get your clothes clean and your dishes sparkling without spending a fortune.
Kim Kleman says the trick is to avoid paying for features you don't need.
Take those new dishwasher cycles with names like "turbo zone" and "power scour." That means special nozzles in the back for tough jobs.
While they do a good job, they're not essential. "We find many dishwashers using just the regular setting do a great job cleaning our very tough challenge: baked-on brownie mix," Kleman said.
You'll also save money if, instead of a dishwasher with a stainless steel tub, you get one with a plastic tub.
"People love the stainless steel look, but how many people are looking inside your dishwasher?" said Kleman. "The plastic tub should hold up just fine."
Many of today's washing machines also come loaded with lots of extra features. There are even special cycles for "bedding" and "active wear" and "sanitizing."
"Stick with the regular heavy duty, normal, delicate, and white cycles," Kleman said. "That's really all you really need."
If you're buying a dryer, don't be wowed by capacity claims like "extra large capacity," "super capacity," and "king size capacity."
"We find most dryers hold plenty, whether it says super capacity or not," Kleman said.
While matching washers and dryers can look great, realize that can cost you more, too.
And if you're buying your washer and dryer together, Consumer Reports says spend your money on the best performing, efficient washer - one that extracts the most water from clothes. Consumer Reports recommends the Frigidaire Gallery GLTF2940F, a Best Buy at $650.
With dryers, be sure to get one with a moisture sensor.
As for a good dishwasher, the Sears Kenmore 1374 is a Best Buy as well at $650.
(Copyright © 2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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