There was a time when washing your garments on the "gentle cycle" equated to beating them on smoother rocks, and a "clothes dryer" consisted of a laundry line, a stiff breeze and the sweltering sun. Today, labour-saving washers and dryers have grown so complex, about the only thing they can't do is sort the darks from the lights.

Washing Machines
Top-loading machines have a lid on top and usually clean clothes by swishing them around with an agitator. Front-loading machines have a door on the front and use fins to pick clothes up and deposit them back into the soapy water. Because they don't use an agitator, front-loaders clean clothes more gently and quietly and deal with unbalanced loads better than most top-loaders. They also use less water and are more energy efficient.

Dryers
Dryers are either gas or electric-powered. You'll need to buy the kind your laundry room if outfitted for. Dryer capacities typically range from 3.5 cubic feet for compact models (which are always electric) to up to 7 cubic feet for full-size models. Larger drums handle larger loads and produce fewer wrinkles.

There are basically two ways to dry clothes. You can dry them for a specified period of time, or by relying on sensors and thermostats to tell you when your garments have reached the desired degree of dryness. (Moisture-sensors add up to $50). Some dryers allow you to adjust the degree of heat and may offer a cool-down feature that cools clothes before they stop tumbling, helping to prevent wrinkles. Manufacturers are also at work on models that will dry your clothes in nearly have the time it takes now. Drum lights, which illuminate the inside of the unit, and buzzers, which signal when the dryer has stopped, are also useful. If you like to dry tennis shoes or other heavy items, consider a dryer with a removable stationery rack.