Home Cleaning and Housekeeping Laundry What to Look for in Smart Washers and Dryers Secrets to the best game-changing features. By Marisa Spyker Marisa Spyker Marisa Spyker is the Senior Writer at Southern Living, where she enjoys dabbling in stories throughout the magazine, from gorgeous home features to profiles of the South's creatives. Prior to joining the team in 2019, Marisa was an editor at Coastal Living, coastalliving.com, and Luxe Interiors + Design. Her career spans nearly 15 years, much of which has been spent staring at photos of pretty homes and gleaning inspiration for her next beach vacation.While born and raised in South Florida and a proud University of Florida alum (Go Gators!), she currently lives with her husband and two daughters in Santa Cruz, California. She can often be found schooling West Coasters on the joys of Southern charm and Key Lime Pie. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on January 10, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Laundry can be polarizing. There are some who love to throw a load in and know they are getting fresh clothes out soon and there are those who put off doing laundry until they absolutely MUST have clean clothes. Whether you're a spend all day type of person or a little bit throughout the week, there are a few key features you can look for in a new washer and dryer to help make you a laundry pro. Photo: Marta Xochilt Perez; Design: Sarah Bartholomew; Styling: Page Mullins Front Load Compared to top-load washers, these powerhouses use less water and energy and are more efficient at removing stains. Plus, stackability means small-space bliss. For more small space laundry room ideas, check out our tips here. Soil Sensor Take all the guesswork out of cycle selection: Smart washing machines can weigh your load and even detect the fabric texture to choose the ideal setting. Energy Cred An energy certification might increase your machine's price, but according to Energy Star, you'll use 33% less water and save nearly $370 in electricity costs over time. Steam Setting Hang up the ironing board! Not only does steam nix wrinkles in a flash, but it can also help eliminate common allergens—from dust mites to pet dander. Moisture Sensor Overdrying through timed cycles can wreak havoc on your clothes (and energy bill). This feature automatically stops the machine once moisture is eliminated. Wrinkle Hero Not ready to fold yet? Keep your clothes fresh and crease free with a setting that generates quick tumbles that kick in at regular intervals after the laundry is dry. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit