Top Laundry Trends: The Appliances And Tech You Need To Make Life Easier

Trend 1: Time-Saving Features

Conquer your endless piles of laundry with smart laundry tech! For clothes that are lightly soiled or just need a quick freshen up, the Westinghouse 8kg Front Load Washer has short, fast wash cycles. Its fast 15 min cycle is a quarter hour wash that can refresh the urgent items and get them clean in no time. When it comes to dryers, look for auto-sensing technology, which predicts the perfect run time for each load, such as the Westinghouse 5.5kg Vented Clothes Dryer that senses the residual moisture in the clothes and automatically stops when the desired dryness is achieved.

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Westinghouse 8kg Front Load Washer

Get 8kg so you can save time by washing with a fast wash cycle.

Westinghouse 5.5kg Vented Dryer

This dryer automatically stops when the desired dryness is achieved.

Trend 2: Heat Pump Dryers

The experts and leading laundry brands agree on one thing: heat pump dryers are the future. That said, these game-changing models – which draw on refrigerant technology – are available right now, with an extensive selection to choose from. “Heat pump dryers circulate ambient air inside and outside the dryer to cool the system,” explains Andrew Wand, director of home appliances at Samsung Electronics Australia. The upshot? Heat pump dryers are less abrasive on clothing than traditional vented or condenser models and consume up to 50 per cent less energy – a boon for both the environment and your energy bills. In addition, with no vent required they offer complete flexibility of placement, though for optimal performance allow space between the unit and the wall.

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This family-friendly dryer holds the equivalent of eight towels or one queen doona, with 13 different cycles and programs to choose from.

Bosch 8kg Heat Pump Dryer

Contemporary good looks combine with green credentials (namely an impressive 10-star energy rating). WiFi connectivity, gentle garment care and EcoDry technology imbue this modern machine.

Trend 3: Dark Appliances

No longer just a utilitarian zone to be hidden out of sight and out of mind, the laundry is now a hotbed for bold design statements. Cue dark appliances, from deep grey washing machines to black stainless-steel dryers, each blending functionality and form. “There’s an inherent sophistication in a black appliance – we’ve seen them become a major trend in the kitchen, so it makes sense that they’re moving into laundries too,” says Peter Simic, The Good Guys Buyer - Laundry. Dark appliances are a thoroughly modern alternative to standard white and work best in rooms with good natural light – find more tips and products here.

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Samsung 8.5kg Front Load Washer

With a futuristic facade, this washer has a 4.5 star WELS rating and twenty washing programs.

Haier 10kg Front Load Washer

A front loader with 14 wash cycles, and a UV Protect modifier to kill nearly 100 per cent of germs.

LG 9kg Heat Pump Dryer

This intuitive machine can be started and monitored remotely, with sensors to prevent over-drying.

LG WashTower 17kg-10kg Combo Washer Dryer

An award-winning all-in-one design with a 10-star energy rating.

Trend 4: Fabric-Loving Features

Can the right washer and dryer make your clothes last longer? In short, yes, says Shannon Tweedie. “Some appliances will shrink clothing and fade colours, and the heat from dryers can be damaging to fabrics if used incorrectly. Customisable and intelligent technology is key,” she explains. Auto-dosing, for example, intuitively dispenses the right amount of detergent to keep your clothes clean and soft (too much can be damaging and leave a residue; too little won’t shift stains). Then there are the aforementioned heat pump dryers, the gold standard in fabric care. These models utilise lower temperatures to prevent over-drying and, in turn, reduce shrinkage and crustiness.

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Haier 10kg Front Loader Washer

This machine features a stainless-steel pillow drum, designed to treat fabrics with extra care.

LG Styler Clothing Care System

This innovative heat pump dryer uses steam technology and moving hangers to refresh and dewrinkle clothes.

Miele 9kg Front Load Washer

The CapDosing function automatically releases the optimal amount of detergent, so your garments will stand the test of time.

Trend 5: Energy Efficiency

These days we want gadgets that are not only high-performing and good-looking, but that also tread lightly on the earth. By nature, laundry appliances consume a lot of power, so it pays to invest in clean and green tech. “Always check the star energy rating and the WELS water consumption rating,” says Peter Simic. “The more stars on the label, the more efficient that machine is – though you should only compare star ratings on models with a similar capacity.”

Trend 6: Functional Design

Make everyday life a little easier with streamlined design and sleek accessories: the supporting act to your hard-working laundry appliances. “Add a hanging rail for delicates that require gentle drying,” suggests interior designer Jane Thomson. “There are a plethora of materials out there to choose from: black, chrome, timber, brass and powder-coated colours.” Laundry chutes are enjoying a resurgence, while inbuilt or pull-out hampers – concealed behind cabinetry – let you reclaim precious floor space. If space comes at a premium, try a wall-mounted, fold-down ironing board – just be sure to position power points accordingly.

An efficient washer and dryer are essential building blocks when creating a laundry you’ll love. View our full range of appliances in-store or online today, and for more inspiration, check out our laundry design ideas.