How to choose the right washing machine?

The most important data on the washing machine are printed on a special energy label, which is compulsory in Europe, and shows three classes of the machine: economy class, washing class, and spin class. The grades assess the effectiveness of the processes, assigning a Latin letter for each from G worst performance to A best performance . Evaluated by a special independent laboratory.

VERTICAL OR HORIZONTAL

Front-loading machines are easy to place under the countertop and just the lid can be used , can be placed in a column with a drying unit. It is important that the machines of this type are simply more on sale, respectively, it is easier to choose the best option for yourself. As for the size of the fronts, the standard or full-size machines are considered to be 85 cm high, with a width and depth of 60 cm.

More compact machines have, as a rule, reduced depth: a little less than the standard 50-55 cm, narrow 39-49 cm, super narrow 33-37 cm. But it can be reduced and the width and height, but there are such options are less common, for example, machines Candy Aquamatis with dimensions 51h44h70cm WxHxV or Zanussi FCS 825 C with dimensions 51h51h67 cm. In addition, there are proposals with larger dimensions, designed for country houses with large laundry rooms. Machine width can be around 80 cm, depth 70-80 cm, height 90-97 cm.

Machines with vertical loads are chosen for lack of space, they are more compact – with a width of 40 or 45 cm in depth of 60 cm, height – 85 or 90 cm. Since access to the machine is from the top, you can install the device not only the short side to the wall, but also the long, thereby choosing the optimal position in the bathroom in the kitchen verticals usually do not put . Minus verticals – more limited number of proposals, in addition, they do not develop paired drying units of similar design.

LOADING

Until recently, it was the most important selection criterion, but just a few years ago, the load of the machines began to grow, and now most of them are designed for the amount of laundry that not every family can collect in a week. Let’s stipulate that the load is the amount of laundry by weight that is washed in the main program of washing cotton. In other programs this amount is always less which is specified by the instruction , for instance, with a load of 6 kilos in the short wash 3 kilos are washed, in the program synthetics – 2.5 kilos, in silk 2 kilos, and wool – 1.5 kilos.

Full-size machines for a cycle wash 7-8, less often 6 kilograms of laundry, there are devices with a loading of 9 and even 12 pounds. Models with larger dimensions are designed for 9 – 11 kg of things. There is quite a lot of variation amongst the compact machines. In the group of super narrow there are offers for 3.5 – 4 kg, but there are also models capable of washing up to 5 kg.

Among the narrow ones the most common are 5 – 6 kg, but there are machines for 7 kg for example, Zanussi ZWH 2121 . Machines of reduced depth 50-55 cm wash and 5,5, and 6-7, and 8 kg for example LG F-1273TD , which does not differ much from full-sized. As you can see, small families can consider buying a compact machine with a load more suited to their needs.

Machines with a vertical load are designed for 6-7 kg of laundry. We wrote about the vertical loaders in detail in the last issue of “BT”.

ECONOMY CLASS

Economy class shows how economically the machine is able to use electricity and water. To assess the so-called standard cycle the main, that is, the longest washing program for cotton, 60 ° C is determined by the amount of water for it and the number of kilowatts. Both values are also printed on the sticker.

It has to be said that nowadays the competition among manufacturers goes beyond the established EU scale as even the simplest machines have the highest class A even class B is already rare and the advanced developments have made the machines more economical. That is why the new designs appeared: A+ the machine is 10% more economic than a device of class A , A++ by 20-30% , And +++ by 50 % . It is these signs that you should pay attention to.

OPTIMIZATION SYSTEM

Any modern automatic machine works thanks to the optimization system, the system can be called FuzzyLogic or have brand names EcoNavi Panasonic, UseLogic Gorenje, EasyLogic Ardo, EcoLogic Vestel, “The Sixth Sense” Whirlpool .Nowadays a somewhat primitive term is used more and more often – auto-weighing. The optimization system provides a flexible approach to each load of laundry, and thanks to it, we can avoid using weights when we throw laundry in the machine.

The system evaluates by itself the amount of things, but their weight does not matter for it – much more important is the type of fabric, or rather, the amount of water that this fabric can absorb. The machine pours the water gradually, estimating the amount of free water which is not absorbed by the things. This amount must correspond exactly to the amount entered into the algorithm of each program.

So it is possible to dose the water flow without exceeding it and, based on this, the machine can determine more accurately correct from the basic setting how long the washing phase will last given the type of program, the inclusion of options, for example, reinforced washing . That’s how you conserve resources.

WASHING CLASS

This is the second indicator of the label. Washing class is a quality characteristic obtained by testing the machine in an independent laboratory. The machine is tested with the standard program at maximum load. In the lab, a test flap is made of white cotton, to which other flaps are attached with standard soiling, and a special, of course, standard detergent is used for washing.

Then, after drying, the color of the stains is evaluated according to a specific scale. The vast majority of today’s machines have the highest wash class A. In other words, the class is no longer an evaluation category and by and large does not mean much. And first of all, because the evaluation is conducted only by one program – the most intensive, longest one, and the washing is done in hot water. And you will be using other programs, including short ones, and the water temperature can often not exceed 40 ° C a requirement for most modern garments . And how these programs are thought out, it is simply impossible to know in advance.

WILDING THE WOOLF

That is why it is worth with interest to become the trend of recent years – voluntary certification. It only affects one program, the wool wash. But this program is one of the most complex, and to assess its features without using the machine is impossible.

Voluntary certification by the European Woolmark Institute. Certification confirms not only the effectiveness of the program wool, unlike cotton, is easily and quickly washed , but the careful treatment of woolen clothes. The Woolmark is the most important positive factor for owners of natural yarn knitwear.

WASHING WITH IDEAS

Various company designs improve the quality of the wash. Their task is to increase the amount of penetration of detergent water + powder through the fabric, to help it act on the fibers and dissolve dirt. The most common option is the filing of the detergent from above, for this purpose are offered grippers in the form of bailers, shower systems that supply liquid under pressure, bubbles. These easy-to-understand tools really make washing more efficient.

The second option is to amplify the mechanical. This is done again with the help of grips for example, in the form of octahedrons or with different sides – more gentle and sloping , protrusions for example, in the form of droplets in Bosch, Siemens . In the same vein, the inclined drum works – it contributes to turning over the laundry and its better rinsing.

Schulthess machines have an optimization system which evaluates the degree of contamination liquid through the light and, based on it, prolongs or shortens the wash.

SPIN CLASS

More informative. It depends on the amount of moisture in the laundry cotton after spinning at maximum speed here again, standard washing is not an exception . Directly related to several factors at once: spin speed but not necessarily linearly , spin optimization and technical features of the machine.

The most common spin classes are C and B. Class A is characteristic of premium machines with high spin speed.

Although the spin class says a lot about the process, only those who plan to use a tumble dryer after the wash should rely on it. For laundry hung on a line, 15-20 or 30 minutes to complete drying is often not of fundamental importance, but for the device this is important, because the difference in the percentage turns into higher energy costs.

SPIN SPEED

On this basis, consumers should take a calmer view of the new spin speed trend. Until recently, the highest speeds were 1400 and 1600 rpm. Now this boundary has been crossed, the machines, capable of developing speed of 1800 and 2000 rpm, are on sale. From a practical point of view, the choice in favor of such machines is not quite reasonable for the buyer unless this point is the 5th or 10th after the other pluses of the machine .

The thing is that after the speed of 1400 rpm and above, the amount of moisture in the laundry decreases not so noticeably, which is not even fundamental for the dryer unit, let alone the hostess. In other words, it is not rational to overpay for these technical features.

In addition, it is worth remembering that the maximum spin speed is available only in the cotton washing programs, in all other programs it is lower by default. The spindle is the gentlest in the delicates, wool and silk care programmes, as well as in the anti-crush modes.

SPIN OPTIMISATION

An obligatory attribute of any automatic machine – imbalance control system. This system in the process of spin evaluates how evenly the clothes are distributed on the drum. If this does not happen, it tries to change the position of the laundry by shaking, pauses. As a result, the actual drum speed may be lower than the enabled, as automation selects the highest of the safe spin speed of course, no higher than the user selected or come by default .

PROGRAMS

A set of washing machine programs always contains a peculiar gentleman’s set:

– Washing program for light cotton with a choice of water temperature up to 90 ° C.

– Washing programs for colored fabrics made of cotton at temperatures up to 60°C.

– Synthetic care program, temperature up to 60 °C.

– Delicates, silk, hand wash together or separately , cold water – 40 ° C.

– Wool – 40 ° C.

The machine necessarily has the option of increasing the intensity of the basic programs for cotton light and colored . Either special programs or options button on can be offered. For items soiled in soil or sand, a prewash is available. It is a very short counterpart of the complete. Once the prewash is complete, the machine goes to the main program automatically.

Instead of, or together with, a prewash, it is increasingly offering a soak cycle – a cycle that helps remove tough stains and stubborn dirt. American housewives like soaking more than prewash.

One of the current trends is the stain removal modes, often designed for a certain type of dirt, they really help to cope with the stains, but most machines with modern chemistry can do it in the main cycle.

It is now considered a good fashion to have a program or mode within a program to help save money, it involves setting a lower temperature, and the desired level of washing is achieved by lengthening the washing stage.

Short programs are an indispensable attribute of a modern machine. They are designed for lightly-worn items mostly those which are worn only once , with no heavy dirt or stains. The programs last from 15 minutes. Designed to quickly return clothes to wear.

Often offer a program that has an average performance and allows you to wash together cotton and synthetic items this is the answer to growing loads that have to save up for a long time . It can be called “mix”, “mixed”.

In addition, manufacturers often create special programs, some of which every family needs: washing baby intensive program, intensive rinse , washing shirts increased water level to facilitate ironing or without it , washing down jackets as well as pillows and blankets, gentle but effective washing and spinning , jeans, sports items for microfiber clothing , shoes only sports sneakers and sneakers .

Much attention is now given to people with sensitive skin, for them specially created modes that help flush out allergens, disinfect tissues. Programs are suitable for infants and the elderly, allergy sufferers. Most machines allow at least one extra rinse for more reliable rinsing of the powder. At Asko, such cycles can be up to 7.

Noise levels of modern machines are lower. But still the splash of water and rumble of the motor when wringing can disturb your sleep. That is why there are programs which allow one to do the laundry at night without waking the housemates. They can have the spin mode disabled, this step is turned on by the hostess when it is convenient for her.

CONTROL

All modern machines are controlled electronically. Only the panels differ: with the simpler ones with mechanical elements or selectors and touch buttons the true buttons always remain recessed when switching on , indicators and displays. Control panels are always quite informative, regardless of the presence or absence of display. But the machines equipped with text display can have self-diagnostic function, which helps to quickly detect and, most importantly, identify malfunctions, which is very convenient. Electronic panels are equipped with a child safety switch.

Timers are increasingly being put on machines, their purpose is also to help us save money. With their help, we can transfer the washing not only to the most convenient time, but to choose for it the night when energy rates are lower.

OPTIONS

Serves to correct ready-made program settings. It is always possible to change the temperature and spin speed settings, in addition to these you can enhance “intensive” option or reduce “accelerated” option the process. As already mentioned, add a rinse. Turn the spin off for delicates .

In addition, the option of light ironing has become almost mandatory. It increases the amount of water during spinning and optimizes the spin so that the clothes have as few creases as possible ideally, the laundry is light, as if fluffy, if dried properly, democratic items can not be ironed at all .

FOAM CONTROL

Serves to protect the electronic block of the machine from the possible ingress of foam. Also important for owners of sensitive skin, as it promotes complete washout of powder during rinsing. Monitors the level of foam, if it is exceeded, drains some water and takes a new portion.

LEAKAGE PROTECTION

A distinction is made between full or partial. Partial protection is the most common, it comes in two types:

– The cabinet protection, which prevents water leakage from the machine itself, uses a sealed tray, electronic sensors react to moisture or floats, when the internal water level rises, they cut off the flow of water.

– Hose protection, a less popular option. Its scope of interest is damage to the hose, and in the case of a leak, it shuts off the water supply.

Partial protection makes the machine more vulnerable. The more expensive machines middle-price segment and above use full protection, which includes both components. The companies that give their machines a lifetime guarantee against leaks could be of interest to the buyers.

CONSTRUCTION

Design features are always a key selection factor. But when evaluating, it’s worth bearing in mind that truly effective innovations rarely stay within the confines of a single brand only if they are inexpensive and not protected by a patent, like, say, the QuattroAsko design or the Miele cellular drum , they start to be aired by other companies, too. For me, the most valuable thing is the very balanced attitude of middle and northern Europeans, who are less prone to flashy marketing gimmicks. Therefore it is worth a skeptical approach to any new proposal, seeking to discuss it with consultants in the store, read reviews on forums, ask your friends.

Among the innovations that “went to the people” – inverter control, brushless motor. Another innovation – steam. The studies showed different results: Korean companies use steam for washing, while European ones use it only for straightening laundry making ironing easier . There are also a number of technologies that make it easier to dissolve the powder. Several companies offer automatic dispenser systems for washing gel, which take the required amount of detergent and use it sparingly.

For machines with vertical loading is always created a system of smooth opening of the flaps and auto-parking the drum stops only with the flaps upwards .

BACK AND BARRABAN

Automatic washing is done in a drum it rotates , the drum is placed in the tank, which is fixed. The drum is always made of stainless steel, other options do not exist, because this element must withstand quite high loads. The perforation of the drum and its surface is one of the common. What kind of solutions do not offer the companies! The easiest way to check if the drum is well made is to run a lady’s stocking over it – the stocking should not be damaged.

The drums and therefore the tanks have now increased, as evidenced by the increase in machine loads. The loading hatches have gotten bigger, too. The tendency to make them more accessible higher, with a larger opening angle is fully welcomed by buyers. It really is more convenient, in addition, the machine looks more impressive. housewives will surely appreciate the possibility of adding laundry to the machine while washing. You used to have to drain the water to do it. The water level is now low, plus the size of the drum has changed, as a result, the water remains untouched, just for a while the machine unlocks.

The tank, on the other hand, can be made of several types of materials, the choice in their favor depends on the inherent resource of the technique. The most reliable, almost eternal, but expensive are stainless steel tanks. More popular now tanks made of polymers including with a steel back wall . Polymers are easier, cheaper, they are fairly reliable and hold heat better than steel water in the machine is heated only at the beginning of the wash, no thermostats are not used here, with very few exceptions . The simplest are enameled tanks, their disadvantage is a tendency to corrosion.

Thus, the choice must be made by evaluating the appliances in the price category that is suitable for you, separating the mandatory for the modern level and new, practical functions and innovations.