It was a good year for cleaning appliances in 2011, but 2012 is set to be even bigger. With new technological advances being developed all the time, it’s hard to know which ones are going to make it big. We’ve rounded up a couple of the best to give you an idea of what’s going to be the talk of 2012.

As a brand who’re always looking to the future, Siemens know a thing or two about how to make your life much easier in the coming years. Their innovative i-Dos technology is set to make big waves this year. 

A first for the washing machine market, i-Dos is a precision dosing system which guarantees the right dose of detergent for every wash, no matter how big or small the load is. There’ll be no need to rely on guesswork – this system determines exactly how much water and detergent are needed to make up the right wash solution concentration for that specific load. By leaving all the hard work up to i-Dos, you can end up saving 7,062 litres of water a year, not to mention 11 litres of detergent and an average of 14 minutes off each cycle. Not bad at all. You can find Siemens' i-Dos technology on the 8kg, A+++ rated IQ-700 WM14S890GB washing machine.

Another trend to look out for is washing machines with steam cycles. By reaching higher temperatures, steam can penetrate deeper into fabrics, making it a much more effective way to get your stained clothes spotless. It uses less water too, which means it does its bit for Mother Nature while cutting down on your bills. Keep an eye out for LG’s TrueSteam™ technology, which you’ll find on the F1479FDS6. TrueSteam™ can reduce water consumption by 19% and energy usage by 21% compared to standard LG washing machines. Clean with steam and you won’t look back, trust me.

Ever heard of a self-cleaning condenser tumble dryer? Well, you have now. Self-cleaning condenser systems automatically flush away lint and fluff from the condenser after every cycle, leaving you with nothing to clean. By using the condensed water extracted during the drying cycle, it helps to save a little extra water too. Clever stuff. If you like the sound of that, take a peek at the Bosch Logixx WTW84360GB condenser model.

A self-dosing washing machine, a washer with steam on its side and a self-cleaning tumble dryer – what will they think of next? Keep your ear to the ground and you’ll soon find out what else will set the bar high in 2012.

No doubt by now you’ve landed yourself a bargain in the January sales, whether it’s a flat screen telly, a corner sofa or a whole new wardrobe. I don’t blame you for braving the crowds either – January is typically the month for counting the copper, so it’s always good to find a solid gold deal or two. 

If you came back from shopping with bags heaving with new clothes, the last thing you want to do is let them go to pot within a few weeks of wearing them. This can happen if your washing machine or tumble dryer isn’t equipped to take extra care of those different fabrics. So, with that in mind, let’s have a gander at what to look out for when you’re washing and drying those new outfits.

First things first, check the clothes care labels. It makes sense to treat delicate items... delicately. If you keep putting your brand spanking new jumper on a red hot wash with a high spin speed, you’re going to end up ruining the poor thing. Make sure you pick a Wool/Handwash cycle for your woollens and silks. If your washing machine doesn’t have this or you’re in the market for a new model, take a look at the range of washing machines here that do. One in particular caught my eye – the Hotpoint AQ113D697I. This one’s Wool cycle is endorsed by Woolmark themselves, and it even comes with specialised programmes for coloured, white and dark clothes.

If you’ve recently invested in a load of gym or sportswear, look out for special sports cycles like the Sports Wear programme on LG’s F1281TD washing machine. These cycles are designed to take extra care of breathable fabrics, while giving a deep, efficient clean.

Last but certainly not least – tumble drying. There’s nothing worse than taking new clothes out of the dryer to find them creased and crinkled to within an inch of their lives. So, it’d be a good idea to take advantage of sensor drying. By using special sensors in the drum, models with this technology stop automatically once the right dryness level has been reached, making sure your new load of clothes are never over-dried. Don’t forget anti-crease and easy iron programmes too – these can help to prevent tangling and deep creases. You can find these lovely features on the Beko DCU8230.

These little tips may seem insignificant, but they can make a big difference when it comes to looking after your glad rags.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love went on Appliances Online and they saved themselves a packet. On the second day of Christmas, my true love went on Appliances Online again and they saved themselves a packet. On the third day of Christmas... Well, you get the idea. This version doesn’t quite have the same ring, but wait until you hear what gifts we have for you in our hefty sack this Christmas.

We’ve not one, not two, not three, but 12 chances to save on everything from washing machines to range cookers. In true Appliances Online form, there really is something for everyone here and no turkeys in sight. As we’re into day four already, there’s plenty of time to check out our very best prices on a range of kitchen appliances. But be quick mind – these savings are here for 12 days only, so you’d better snap them up while you can. 

If you’ve been good this year, you might fancy a brand spanking new washing machine to give your kitchen a bit of a boost in 2012. On the first day of our 12 Day Extravaganza, we gave you the chance to save a whopping £100 on the Indesit WIXXE127 washing machine. With a 7kg drum and an A energy rating, it’s the perfect chance for families to save a little extra after splashing out over Christmas. 


Speaking of savings, on the second day we offered the chance to pick up the Beko WMB81241LW washing machine for just £240. As it’s rated A+ for energy efficiency, it can save 10% more energy than A-rated models. I don’t know about you, but I’d have either one of these over a partridge in a pear tree and two turtle doves any day.

What about if you’re in the market for a new fridge freezer? On the third day of Christmas, we slashed the price of the Samsung RL39THCSW. Spacious and brimming with modern charm, this model has an understated white finish and a 283 litre capacity – plenty of room for those three French hens.

No matter what you’re after, there’s nothing worse than missing out on the January sales. So, make sure you come back here each day to see if you can make the new year that little bit happier.

We all know that some things don’t last as long as we’d like them to – the colours of our clothes being one example. Hotpoint know this all too well, which is why they’ve developed the innovative hydrothermal technology for their top of the range Aqualtis models.

This technology comprises an insulated hydrothermal fibreglass tub, which surrounds the titanium alloy drum and ensures a constant temperature throughout. Sound a bit technical? Don’t worry, all you have to remember is this – with this technology inside, Aqualtis washing machines are guaranteed to keep your colours bright for longer.

No one likes to fade into the background and the AQ113D697E is certainly no exception. This beauty features tailored colour care programmes for treating whites, darks and colours to a gentle, effective clean. It also has the seal of approval for your woollens – the Platinum Star Wool Cycle, no less. This programme, coupled with Hotpoint’s soft wave drum paddles, literally massages the delicate fibres in your woollens, so there’ll be no more bobbly jumpers or stretched cardies.

Did I mention its huge drum? Well, it is. It’s huge – 11kg to be exact. With all this room, you’ll have plenty of space to cram in the big family weekend wash, a set of curtains or a King size duvet. Bigger is better as far as the AQ113D697E is concerned.

As well as saving your woollens and colours from the brink, this model can cut down the cost of household bills. Its A+++ energy rating makes sure you save money with every single wash. That’s put a bit of colour in your cheeks, eh?