Average Use of your Washing Machine

Whenever anyone looks at the averages, the top and bottom scores are rejected, as their requirements would fall into a minority category.  Manufacturers aim their products at the median areas of our societies.  This goes for all products in the main, not just washing machines.

Average Washing Machine use in the UK

Based on information that has already been collated across many markets, the following average figures may be of interest to you:

• The average household consists of 2.3 people
• Based on approximately 27 million homes in the UK, the vast majority will have a washing machine
• They have worked out that the average number of washes per household per year is 270
• Based on this figure, this will give us a figure of roughly 117 washes per person per year
• A typical family of 2 adults and 2 children would lead to almost double the average number of washes, totalling about 468 wash cycles per year

There are obviously other factors to be taken into account with any calculation of this type, such as people’s habits and specific requirements such as:

• Families who use cotton nappies for their infants, requiring several more washes per year
• Bedding is another big factor to take into account.  The average household changes bedding once a week, but there are circumstances that would have a big impact on this figure, generated by medical issues such as skin conditions for example, that would require bedding to be changed more often.

In order for you to work out what type of machine you will need to purchase, it may help you to understand where your household may fit in on the usage scale:

• Low use – normally a single person would have lower than average use.  This means they would not need to change their washing machine so frequently and, regardless of purchase price, would be looking at an average of an 8-10 year life for their machine
• Average use – normally a two person household.  Obviously slightly higher use than for a single person, but number of uses could be affected if one of the people is a child.  Any time a child is involved, the number of washes will increase.  Again, for average use, if you purchase a mid-high price point machine, you should be looking at a reasonable number of years of use for your purchase.
• Above Average to Heavy use – this is for a household of 3-4 people and, if that figure includes children, the use of the washing machine will go up incrementally.  It is considered that it would be far more economical for this type of household to purchase a machine at the higher end of the price range.  Although you pay more at the outset, this type of machine will last for a considerable time, as against a lower priced machine which would only last 2-3 years.

It is a very complicated subject, but trust that this will help you to work out your usage and direct you towards a washing machine that will last you for a long time, and give you the results you require.