When looking at a modern, front loading clothes washer here are some key feature types and what they can mean to improving the ergonomics of your laundry work.  These features are definitely worth considering before you buy a clothes washer.

Temperature Control

The fancier the machine the more control you have over water temperature.  It is not uncommon to have cold, cool, warm, hot and extra hot.  You may also have a temperature sensor for the water itself so that the valve adjusts as needed.

  This gives you more control for better cleaning, especially for troublesome fabrics.  So if your wardrobe has a lot of specialty fabrics (knits, wools, silks, cashmeres, etc.) then temperature control can keep your clothes looking good and lasting longer.

Spin Speed

Some machines allow you to adjust the speed the drum spins during a spin cycle.  This is useful in two main ways and can improve the overall efficiency of your laundry task greatly.  

First is that the drum in a modern front load clothes washer often spins faster than an old style clothes washer.  So on its fastest setting you can spin more water out of your clothes so that it takes a lot less time to finish drying them.  This can be especially handy for tough fabrics (like jeans) and water absorbent items (like towels).

Second is that the spin speed can usually be set to a much slower rotation.  This will leave your clothes with more water still in them but can be a godsend for delicate fabrics and knitted items (like your favorite sweater that you’ve had for 20 years).

  Usually such things would require hand washing or fear of rips, tears and snags in your prized garment.  But a delicate wash cycle combined with a slow drum spin speed will allow the machine to wash them without concern.  A slow spin cycle is also good for washing stuffed animals, shoes and other oddly shaped and heavy items without wording about messing them up or damaging your washing machine.

Time Adjustment

Being able to adjust the length of your wash is an option available on almost every washing machine, even antiques.  However, some manufacturers try to make their machine too smart and build in an automatic setting for everything they think you’ll need.  This may result in them not giving you the ability to control the length of a generic wash cycle.  You won’t need this option often, but when you do need it you will NEED it.  SO make sure you retain the ability to control the time with your new washer.

Automatic Detergent Addition

Old style washing machines had you add your detergent and laundry boosters in with the clothes.  Then at the right time you were supposed to add the fabric softener.  When you can lift open the top and drop it in it is not a problem.  But for front loaders it is.  That’s why they incorporate a small pull out drawer where you add you detergent, fabric softener and bleach before you start washing the load of clothes.  The correct chemical is then added to the wash at the correct time without you having to worry about it.

Most of these do not have a separate spot for a laundry booster, but you can usually mix it in with the detergent.  And you may find that a High Efficiency (HE) machine doesn’t need the boost.  

Your job is to make sure that the chemical storage area is easy to access, easy to fill and easy to close without spillage.  You will be accessing this area with every load so make sure you like how it works.

Soil Level

Some modern washers let you select how dirty your clothes are, or soil level.  This is just another way to set the washer for a ‘heavy” load or an “extra wash” cycle.  It does break the laundry task down to a more understandable level.  With this option even a laundry neophyte should be able to set the washer to clean the clothes they just put in there adequately.  

Just keep in mind that the “soil” option is just another way to lengthen the wash cycle, not necessarily a new option.  However, the fancier machines do incorporate the soil level into the way they agitate the clothes as well as for how long they wash and rinse them.  So it can be a nice enhancer to the overall cleaning cycle depending on how advanced the model you are looking at is.

After Cycle Tumbling

One nice feature that is showing up more and more is an after cycle tumble.  When the washer is done the clothes sit there until you take them out.  If you have a tubing option then the washer will ruble them for a few second every so often (like every 10-15 minutes) to keep the clothes from forming into a damp wad.  This keeps the fabrics from wrinkling as much and can keep wet clothes from starting to smell for a little while.  

You might find a machine that will do this for an hour after the wash is finished (provided the door isn't opened) or you might find one that will do this for a day and a half.  This can be especially useful if you tend to run the wash at night.  The clothes will still be reasonably fresh in the morning and you can throw them in the dryer then.

Pre-Soak

Some washing machines might give you an option to add a pre-soak to a given wash cycle.  This can come in handy when trying to wash out particularly troublesome stains.  On an old-style washer you would usually start the cycle by filling it with water.  Then you’d lift the lid to pause the cycle and let the clothes soak for a while.  Then you’d come back and close the lid and let the wash cycle complete.  Now you press a button.  That’s a handy ergonomic option.

Steam

One of the best options available on some modern clothes washers is steam.  Steam is a powerful cleaning agent.  The steam in the washer has the same benefits of a steam mop when cleaning.  It can help scrub out tough stains.  It can remove persistent odors.  And furthermore it can not only clean but sanitize your clothes.  Some of you may be thinking that this is overkill.  But then you don’t have any kids yet.  

A steam setting, or boost, can transform your clothes washer into a disinfecting machine.  And that’s worth the money in my book.  

From a strictly ergonomic perspective it can increase your efficiency by shortening how much you need to wash something.  Some pesky stains might take two or more washings with a series of pre-treatments before they come clean.  Steam might be able to get rid of it the first time through.  And with the ability to sanitize items you’ve just increased the capability of your laundry buddy so now you can do more with the same amount.