The washing machine is an indispensable assistant in everyday life. Every family needs it, especially if there are many children. Before purchasing, you need to carefully study all the characteristics in order to make the right choice and ultimately get good and high-quality equipment. How to determine whether it will last a long time, what you need to consider when choosing an automatic machine for your home, advice from our experts.
Washing by hand has long ceased to be commonplace. Almost every home has a washing machine. In order for the process of getting rid of dirty stains on things to be effective and comfortable, you need to choose a technique taking into account not only your own preferences, but also the characteristics that are inherent in different models.
Washing machine type
A washing machine is a device that consists of a body, a panel, a tank and a drum, an engine, an electric heater, a water intake and drainage system, a balancing system, etc. Depending on the type, the functions of the models may differ, for example, one can set the water temperature, while the other cannot.
Automatic
An automatic machine is a classic technique with a built-in mechanism that does not require human intervention. The device operates according to a given program, performing all three cycles - washing, rinsing and spinning (new models also have a drying or steaming function). It is enough to set the necessary parameters and return for clean laundry after a set period of time.
Semi-automatic
Unlike the automatic one, this option requires additional actions on the part of a person - you need to manually fill in water and then drain it (the device does not connect to the water supply). If a spin is needed, then things are also manually transferred to the compartment with a centrifuge.
Activator
In addition to the lack of water connection, it does not support rinse and spin functions. However, if we compare the cleaning efficiency indicator, then for equipment of this type it is higher - 65%, while for washing machines with drums - 50%. This is due to the fact that the main component of an activator machine is the activator itself (a rotating element in the form of a screw), which creates a non-uniform whirlpool and evenly distributes the laundry.
Two reels
The least popular type of washing machine due to its high cost, but quite promising. A model with two drums means simultaneous washing in two different compartments. That is, you can wash whites in one department and colored ones in another. This method allows you to load a larger volume of things, reduce machine operating time and reduce water consumption.
With water tank
This washing machine is mainly used in populated areas where there are problems with water supply. The unit comes complete with a tank, which is the only source of water. This option saves water and electricity well, but takes up more space and requires control over the amount of liquid in the tank.
The indicator of how effectively a washing machine copes with its tasks is determined by the washing and spin class. You will not be able to find out this parameter on your own, since testing is carried out by the manufacturer using two different washing machines (from the manufacturer and the reference one - with special Wascator equipment, which was created to determine the washing and spin class). In this case, the consumer can only study the documentation of the device.
Based on the results of such tests, manufacturers have compiled a classification of the quality of washing and spinning.
To prevent the sound of the washing machine from distracting you from other tasks, when choosing a unit you should give preference to equipment with a low noise level. This parameter is positively affected by:
inverter motor (smooth transition from one mode to another, no jerks);
direct drive (reduces the number of rubbing parts in the device);
full-size dimensions (this technique is more stable than narrow machines);
front loading (better balancing).
In addition, before purchasing, you can check with the seller whether the machine has vibration and noise reduction devices.
More and more modern washing machines are equipped with additional functions to make life easier. These include drying, steaming, drum cleaning and automatic weighing.
Drying
A unit with this function saves a lot of time - you don't have to wait until the laundry is washed before hanging and drying it. As soon as the washing program is completed, you can take out the already dry items and put them in the closet.
However, you need to be prepared for the fact that equipment with such a function will consume more electricity, and the purchase will be more expensive.
Steam treatment
The steam function in the washing machine is designed to clean dirty clothes more efficiently and gently. In addition, this treatment allows you to get rid of bacteria, which means it is especially useful for washing children's clothes. The advantages of steam treatment also include the absence of creases on clothes after washing.
Cleaning the drum
For long-term equipment service and easier maintenance, the drum cleaning function can be useful. Any washing machine needs regular cleaning to prevent mold, bacteria from growing, soap deposits from drying out and ultimately breaking down.
Cleaning includes several stages - pre-wash "idle", main wash, double rinse and spin.
Automatic weighing
In order not to overload the machine and correctly calculate the amount of powder per weight of laundry, the automatic weighing function is especially useful.
The counting works as follows: after closing the door, the machine filled with laundry takes in water and spins it until it is completely wet. Meanwhile, a special device controls the volume of incoming water and analyzes the data, displaying the result on the display. The slower the water fills, the more things are in the drum.
The peculiarity of such units is that if the weight of the laundry exceeds the norm, the washing process will not begin.