Woman holding clothing with stain Adobe Stock 482682615

Why severe stain removal is an inappropriate test

The process of removing stains in garments is actually a quite straightforward one. You need a lot of time, water and agitation. With some stains, you also need higher wash temperatures. If you wash for longer with more water and agitation – any washing machine can remove stains. The flawed assumption that Which? makes is that if a machine is good at removing stains – that occur very rarely – then it must be good at handling lightly soiled everyday washing. This assumption is not true. The majority of washing does not contain severe stains and as such requires a different type of washing. As a result, Which? best buys waste huge amounts of electricity, water and release many more microfibers than is actually necessary.

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What should be the test?

Over 90% of our laundry does not contain stains. Testing washing machines on their stain removal – rather than the use for which they are most commonly used – Which? is misleading consumers. A better test would be to see how washing machines perform in terms of 90% of the washing that they encounter routinely. A 60-minute quick wash, with multiple fabrics and colours – then measure the water usage, energy consumption and microfibre release. The most efficient washing machine, that cleans every day washing the most economically with the least environmental impact should be the priority and should score the highest.

The Which? best buy tests only use a 40-degree cotton wash program.

All Which? best buys use a lot of energy to try to remove the stains that Which? test for. We think this is wrong.

Ebac gives you the best options - high efficiency and high performance

With Ebac machines, you get two separate ways to handle laundry. Efficient and thorough cleaning with low running costs for everyday laundry and high-performance settings for stains and grime.

Microfibres

By encouraging consumers to buy washing machines that routinely over wash clothes, Which? are fuelling a microfibre tsunami. Microfibres are tiny fragments of your clothes that are released when you wash. For natural fibres like wool and cotton – it’s not so much of an issue – however, the majority of our clothing contains plastic based compounds like nylon, polyester and spandex. These tiny fragments are washed away in the water and eventually end up in our rivers and oceans. Over-washing also damages your clothes and results in them wearing out more quickly.

Energy costs

In an independent test, Ebac washing machines used up to 60% less water and energy than other brands. Even Which? has acknowledged that our washing machine has the lowest running costs of any that they tested at just £15 per year.

How should you remove stains?

All washing machines find it difficult to remove some stains. We advocate pre-treating the stains with appropriate treatment. Vanish, presoaking in detergent, pre-soaking in cold water – depending on the stain. Oil, fat and water-based stains need to be handled differently. This is far more effective and protects your clothes than expecting a washing machine to remove them just by brute force and using huge amounts of electricity and water. Very few severe stains are completely removed anyway without some kind of pre-treatment.

User1

“Works really well, almost silent. Great build quality and British made. A great long warranty on the product as well. It's top end on price but that is what you get when you pay fair wages and produce a robust product. I'm sure I could have bought one much cheaper made in a foreign sweatshop!”

User2

“I recently purchased a British Ebac washing machine and it's been one of the best decisions I've ever made. It's beautifully designed and quiet and comes with a free 7- years parts & labour warranty from Ebac. I can only speak from my experience with Ebac. So far, it's 10 stars. I now intend to buy my daughter an Ebac washing machine.”

User3

“Well what a machine, had a Bosch which cost a lot of money. But what most white goods makers don’t tell you is that they have sealed drums. So when the bearings fail you can’t get to them to replace. Research Ebac and was sold on the two part drum system so you can replace a bearing. But you get a 7 year parts and labour any how which you just don’t get any where else. At last a machine that is as quite as a mouse and the wash cycle is fantastic too.”

User4

“We purchased an Ebac washing machine after my wife found that the Bosch washing machine never managed to rinse and spin effectively. Well, the Ebac is superb, it does those effectively and quietly! I am so pleased with it as I now get no complaints about the machine. I recommend it, and I don't know and cannot understand why it's not a Which? best buy and it's British made.”

User5

“Been using the machine now for a couple of months & we are very pleased. It's quiet, efficient & well built with a large access door & all the washing features one might need. I find a lot of today's products can be shoddy with built-in obsolescence, which is bad for everyone - thankfully that's NOT the case with Ebac.

User6

“Very happy so far with our Ebac AWM74D2HWH 1400 RPM washing machine. Quiet wash cycles and the run-down timer indication give a clear indication of how much time is left before the wash cycle is completed. Love the large door and selectable spin speeds from 600 - 1400 rpm, also wash temperature from 20c - 90c even has a drum cleaning cycle if needed after extended use to clean and sanitise internally.”

E-Care 8kg Cold Fill

Ebac E-care 8kg White COLD FILL

  • Clean white design
  • Jet propelled cleaning
  • Up 45 items of laundry in one load
  • Ideal for medium size families
  • Very quiet operation
  • Low energy
  • 28 min quick wash
  • Easy iron setting
  • Time saver on all programs

£629

 Inc. VAT
E-Care 9kg Cold Fill

Ebac E-care 9kg White COLD FILL

  • Clean white design
  • Jet propelled cleaning
  • Up 50 items of laundry in one load
  • Ample washing capacity for larger families
  • Very quiet operation
  • Low energy
  • 28 min quick wash
  • Easy iron setting
  • Time saver on all programs

£729

 Inc. VAT
E-Care 10kg Cold Fill

Ebac E-care 10kg White COLD FILL

  • Clean white design
  • Jet propelled cleaning
  • Up 60 items of laundry in one load
  • Large washing capacity for the biggest of families
  • Very quiet operation
  • Low energy
  • 28 min quick wash
  • Easy iron setting
  • Time saver on all programs

£779

 Inc. VAT

60 day money back guarantee

If you are not completely happy with your Ebac washing machines in the first 60 days, we will give you 100% of your money back no questions asked. We will even cover the shipping fees.

Lowest running costs of any brand

In a recent study by Which?, Ebac washing machines were recognised as having the lowest running costs at just £15 per year.

Speak to our UK based experts

Not sure? Have further questions? Speak to one of our expert UK advisors who can answer any questions. We have helped thousands of customers choose the right washing machines for their homes. We love talking to customers and will be delighted to help.

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