Whose Washing is BETTER: How to Choose a Washing Machine? Advice from the specialists

I am often approached with the question: “What washing machine to buy?”I’m always a little at a loss: ‘What kind of iron do you need??”The answers are usually not very specific, or they surprise with some strange criteria, such as the tank material or assembly features. I decided to ask the manufacturers what you should not pay attention to when choosing a machine and what really matters.

Interviewed by Galina SIZIKOVA.

How to choose a washing machine? Tips from the specialists

Maria Vlasenko, Product Manager for ELECTROLUX washing machines

Vladimir KIRAKOSYAN, Senior Manager Indesit, Hotpoint, Whirlpool

Alexander KRYUCHENKOv, CANDY Marketing Specialist.HOOVER GROUP

Ilya TOLSTIKOV, HANSA training manager

Yulia SEMENOVA, trainer, MIELE training department

SIZE MATTERS

“BT”: What is the most important feature for a washing machine?

. M VLASENKO, ELECTROLUX: Probably the most important feature is the format of the washing machine. Most consumers when choosing, first of all, determine where the machine will be installed, how much space there is for it. To save space, consumers can choose a narrow washer, that is, a front-loading washer with a standard width and height but a reduced depth, a compact washer reduced height, width and depth to fit under the sink, a vertical washer with a standard height and depth but only 40 cm wide and requiring no space to open the hatch, or a washer-dryer to solve the problem of drying laundry in a hanging state at once.

And. KRYUCHENKOV, CANDY: The first place for Americans is the size of the model. Depending on the living conditions everyone can choose the most suitable option. If there is enough space, we recommend to choose from standard-sized models, because they give more opportunities in terms of functionality. Pay attention to the loading volume of laundry. It also depends on your needs and capabilities. If your family is big and you need to do laundry regularly, then you need to choose a model with a good set of functions and capacity. The bigger the drum, the better the rinsing of the powder from the laundry, which is especially important when there are small children.

And in our opinion it is important to have a dryer. Today more and more people choose machines with a drying function, as it makes household chores a lot easier and doesn’t require extra space. In addition, drying in the machine is more hygienic than in the open space. You can even find a narrow washer in this segment, like in our range.

. SEMENOVA, MIELE: When choosing a washing machine, it is very important to consider the stability of its construction and weight, since an unstable machine may bounce when wringing and washing.

And. TOLSTIKOV, HANSA: The most important features are the load and the number of washing programs. You can also add the size of the washing machine, as many people prefer the narrow models due to the limited space in our apartments.

In. KIRAKOSYAN, WHIRLPOOL: Usually they choose the load size and spin speed. And this is right, of course. But the most important thing for Americans is the size. Choose something that fits in the bathroom or kitchen. The energy efficiency class is much less important in our market.

LESS, MORE, EQUAL

“BT: Programs – the more the better or the less the better? Which ones are important and which ones are optional? How much do the different programs differ from each other not “Cotton” and “Wool” but, for example, “Cotton” and “Color” ??

And. KRYUCHENKOV, CANDY: If you work in an office every day, you need shorter programs to freshen up blouses, shirts. For example, the washing program in 59 minutes. This is a fast program that washes with the result as a normal washing program. And the time is saved, and the result is excellent. And if there are children at home, or any member of the family suffering from allergies, then we need the washing functions for people with sensitive skin, where the detergent can cause irritation or allergies. The washing process takes place with an increased water level and more rinses also with an increased water level.

As for the differences between programs, then for colored fabrics use a different temperature mode and intensity of washing, because here it is important not only to wash stains, but also to preserve color. Company engineers specially create such programs that are suitable for a particular case – in time, temperature, energy and water savings.

In. KIRAKOSYAN, WHIRLPOOL: When choosing a machine for our companions it is important to have more programs – the more the better. Another thing is that the consumer usually does not use 75% of the suggested. But there are also infrequently offered modes that are popular with many. For example, programs for washing athletic shoes are very popular. The real trend is to have a machine with short modes, and several with different times. The 30 minute program is very popular. Shirts and blouses can be washed and freshened up in these programs, and the garments won’t wear out fast and will retain their appearance longer. The shortest program in our range of machines – 9 minutes.

The washing programs for white cotton and colored cotton differ not only in terms of their duration but also in terms of their temperature.

And. TOLSTIKOV, HANSA: It all depends on the needs of the end user. The basic and most frequently used programs are: “Baby items”, “Cotton 60”, short programs from 30 minutes to 1 hour . Of course, the algorithm of all programs is different, but they are all based on the most basic program – “Cotton”.

. M VLASENKO, ELECTROLUX: Most consumers get by with a set of four programs, but this set varies from consumer to consumer. The programs for washing cotton and synthetics are always used, but the special programs such as down jackets, sportswear or gentle washing of underwear depend on the closet and the attitude of the consumer to his clothes. In principle, the down jacket can also be washed with a program for washing synthetics, but for a more gentle wash and better rinse detergent special program is better suited. Also a set of programs usually includes special cycles such as rinse, separate spin or separate drain, which can be useful in non-standard situations when, for example, a separate thing only needs to be rinsed and squeezed before drying.

Special programs for wool and silk fabrics are very different from those for cotton and synthetics. Wool and silk should always be washed separately, using specific detergents formulated for these fabrics and with specific programmes, otherwise these fabrics will be irreparably damaged.

Yu. SEMENOVA, MIELE: The number of programs depends on what kind of laundry you are going to wash in the washing machine and what you are going to dry-clean. Special programs differ significantly from one another in cyclograms the amount of water, variations in drum rotation, etc. . . .

SPIN THE BALL BLUE

“BT”: Squeezing – is high rpm so important?

Yu. SEMENOVA, MIELE: The higher the drum speed, the better the spinning action. High spin speed of the drum helps to save energy during the spin cycle.

M. VLASENKO, ELECTROLUX: It is desirable for a washer-dryer to spin at least 1000 rpm, at this speed the laundry is perceived as dry enough. The higher the spin speed, the less residual moisture. Although the difference may seem insignificant to the touch, the improvement in spin quality with higher speeds has a significant impact on machine drying time and energy consumption. That’s why washer-dryers and machines used in conjunction with dryer drums should ideally have a spin of 1400-1600 rpm.

. KRYUCHENKOV, CANDY: In choosing the speed you should always consider the quality of your clothes and the fabric it’s made of. Higher spin speed isn’t always a good thing – it can sometimes damage the fabric. The “golden mean” is 1,000-1,200 revolutions. If the fabric is delicate or it is wool, the speed is reduced to 600. Ideally, the machine should have a step of 100-200 revolutions, then you can easily adjust the quality of spinning.

And. HANSA: It is important to have the right load and speed ratio. For example, 1400 rpm for 7-8 kg, 1200 rpm for 5-6 kg, from 1000 rpm and below for 3 kg. However, high speeds are convenient for washing blankets, bedspreads and bulky items.

IN. KIRAKOSYAN, WHIRLPOOL: The optimal speed for achieving a quality result is 1000-1200 rpm. Although, of course, for delicate fabrics, you should use the 600 or even the 400. In our range there are machines with spin speed 1400-1600 rpm, this speed can be chosen when washing towels or bed linen.

DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR DIFFERENT US

“BT: Options – important and unnecessary?

Yu. SEMENOVA, MIELE: Most of the options are very important for proper washing.

. Vlasenko, ELECTROLUX: With regard to washing machine control, important options are: the ability to postpone the start of the wash, if necessary, reduce or increase the washing time, add an extra rinse, if the family has small children or allergic persons.

As for design features, it is convenient if the machine is equipped with liquid detergents, which are becoming increasingly popular, as well as if the machine is equipped with an instant shutoff of the hatch, so that when you press the “Pause” button the laundry can be immediately put into the machine or take it out immediately at the end of the washing program. Automatic drum stop with the flaps facing up is a convenient option for machines with vertical loading.

Regarding unnecessary options: Some consumers may not need the childproof lock, but the machine is not bought for one year and family circumstances may change.

And. TOLSTIKOV, HANSA: In addition to the basic programs, programs such as delayed start can be useful to increase washing efficiency, for example, to run the washing machine at night in power-saving hours . Or the presence of an extra rinse when you need to rinse baby items or items for people with hypersensitivity more thoroughly. Or having motors such as Logic Drive or Inverter for quiet operation.

In. KIRAKOSYAN, WHIRLPOOL: Among the important ones are extra rinsing – especially in families with small children – and easy ironing, which helps clothes wrinkle less. In vertical-loading machines it’s “auto-parking” of the drum and of course the SoftOpen option, when the drum flaps don’t “shoot up” but open very smoothly.

And. KRYUCHENKOV, CANDY: No matter how many options a washing machine has, Candy has combined them all by creating the Smart Touch line of washing machines, based on wireless communication technology NFC .

THIN AND THICK

“BT”: Is it true that the narrower thinner the machine is, the faster it breaks down?? Which model depth is best for space constraints??

Yu. SEMENOVA, MIELE: A washer with front loading should be full-sized, that is, a minimum depth of 58 cm.

AND. TOLSTIKOV, HANSA: No, not true. The depth of the product does not affect its performance and reliability. The highest quality materials are used in the manufacture of washing machines of any size. The most popular depths in America are from 42 to 47 cm, that is, narrow washing machines. Such a washing machine is ideal for installation in a small-sized bathroom or kitchen.

. Vlasenko, ELECTROLUX: The narrower thinner the machine, the smaller is its footprint and harder to ensure its stability when spinning large items, which are difficult to spread evenly on the walls of the drum. . For the optimum balance between size and stability it is best to choose machines with a depth of at least 38 cm or vertically loaded machines with a footprint of 40×60 cm.

AND. KRYUCHENKOV, CANDY: That’s not true. Today’s technology makes it possible to create different-sized products without losing their quality. For example, at the moment in the line of our company there are 44 cm models with 8 kg load. And, of course, the bestseller – these super narrow machines with a depth of only 34 cm and a load of 6 kg. Moreover, Candy offers washer-dryers in just 44 cm with a load capacity of 8 kg for washing and 5 kg for drying. These models not only save space in the bathroom or kitchen, but also free you from the need to hang laundry on the balcony or in the room.

In. KIRAKOSYAN, WHIRLPOOL: 80% of the American market of washing machines is represented by narrow models, 42 to 49 cm in depth. In terms of reliability, it does not matter whether the machine is 42 or 45 cm deep. This is one market segment. And the larger load allows for easier loading and unloading of laundry. No need to be afraid to buy a large load in narrow machines.

LET’S HIT THE STEAM AND OZONE

“BT: Steam, ozone, etc. . – Whether you should choose a model with extra features?

And. TOLSTIKOV, HANSA: Why not? It can be a welcome addition to the existing range.

And. KURCHENKOV, CANDY: And why not??! Extra features can be superfluous. Today you may not need to ozone your clothes, but tomorrow you will have a baby and want extra treatment. Or if someone in the family suffers from allergies, these features can also be useful.

. M VLASENKO, ELECTROLUX: The steam option in the washing machine is very useful for smoothing out creases or to freshen up clothes that are not even meant to be washed. Steam cleans jams and odors. Steam cleaning can significantly reduce the need for dry cleaning.

Yu. SEMENOVA, MIELE: Smoothing the laundry with steam at the end of the wash reduces creasing by up to 50%, which makes subsequent ironing easier.

In. KIRAKOSYAN, WHIRLPOOL: Under the Hotpoint brand we put quite a lot of emphasis on the steam function, removal of 99.99% of bacteria. It can be used in the wash cycle, or as a standalone feature, to freshen up clothes that have been sitting in the cupboard for so long.

COLD WATER WON’T HURT

“BT: Lower-temperature powder dissolving technologies affect wash quality or are simply meant to waste less energy heating water?

In. KIRAKOSYAN, WHIRLPOOL: It has an effect on washing quality and saves electricity. Our Direct Injection technology turns the powder into a mousse, whose active ingredients work already at 20°, accordingly, you get high quality washing with less energy. And you can mix your laundry at the same time.

. M VLASENKO, ELECTROLUX: It allows you to achieve better washing quality with less water temperature, which naturally allows to reduce electricity consumption for water heating, as well as to take care of laundry more gently. Washing at a lower temperature allows clothes to retain their new look longer. In addition, the effectiveness of pre-dissolving laundry conditioner in water has been proven. Pre-dissolving conditioner treats fabric fibres more evenly and protects fabric from external influences.

And. Kriuchenkov, CANDY: A number of our machines use the Mix Power System+, which mixes water and detergent into a homogeneous, highly concentrated solution at the beginning of the cycle. The appliance then injects it into the drum at high pressure, so that the solution penetrates deep into the fabric fibers. As a result, in just 59 minutes of washing with the Mix Power System+, you get results that are just as effective as a long term standard high temperature program. And the Mix Power System+ Perfect 20° programme at only 20°C has the same effect as a normal washing machine at 40°C. In addition, this system provides 15% less water and electricity consumption.

Yu. SEMENOVA, MIELE: These technologies are designed to use less energy to heat water.

OF WHAT, OF WHAT, OF WHAT?

“BT”: Are the tank materials and drum design that important??

And. KRYUCHENKOV, CANDY: Very important! The quality of components determines 100% how the washing machine will work. The tank of Candy washing machines is made of Silitech composite material without bolts. This material creates additional noise insulation and saves energy, since it does not have to be heated up with the water as a stainless tank, and during the washing process, it better retains the heat of the heated water.

Candy engineers created a drop-shaped tank that makes it possible to load 5 and 7 kilos of laundry in a 33 and 40 cm deep machine. It also moved the door opening upward, making loading easier, since you now have to bend over less to load or retrieve the laundry.

And. TOLSTIKOV, NANSA: 98% of today’s manufacturers use polymer tanks, which have proven to be ultra-reliable for household use. As for the drum, it is the shape rather than the material that counts.

In. KIRAKOSYAN, WHIRLPOOL: Drum material is important in high capacity machines where the drum is big and the water capacity is impressive. In our premium models, titanium is added to the alloy to make the drum as strong as possible, as evidenced by the engraving on the inside.

. Vlasenko, ELECTROLUX: The tank material should have good thermal insulation properties and withstand a high mechanical load. The tanks of Electrolux washing machines are made of a patented composite material, Carboran, which fully meets these requirements.

New technological solutions in the design of the drum are primarily related to improving the quality of gentle washing of delicate fabrics, we use an innovative design of Protex drum in Electrolux washing machines. The holes in the drum are reduced and deepened, so during the spinning the Jacuzzi effect appears and the laundry is washed gently and effectively.

SAVE OR SPEND?

“BT”: Energy Efficiency Classes – how quickly does it pay off to buy a more economic machine, or is the initial price difference high and not really saving money??

Yu. SEMENOVA, MIELE: The higher the energy efficiency class, the better the performance of the washing machine, and therefore the better the quality of the equipment.

. KRYUCHENKOv, SANDY: According to European standards, there are several classes: A, A+, A++, A+++. In our reality, only class A is officially recognized in America.

Payback time depends on how often you do the laundry. If you wash four or more times a week, your purchase will pay for itself after an average of four years which is a pretty short time in the general criteria of a washing machine’s life span .

In. KIRAKOSYAN, WHIRLPOOL: As a rule, the difference in price is not much related to the difference in class, if we are talking about class A and A+, for example. It is formed at the expense of other characteristics loading, revolutions, functions . Another thing is that the better the performance of the machine, the higher will be its energy efficiency class. In terms of payback, the difference in energy costs when operating a class A and A+ machines three times a week is only about 120 Dollars per year. Of course, if we’re talking about class A and A+++ machines, the energy savings will be tangible.

. M VLASENKO, ELECTROLUX: Washing machine is a technique for long-term use. If you calculate the payback period of a more economical machine at current rates, the benefit is not very obvious, but electricity rates are constantly going up, and with the increase of the rate the difference will pay off faster. In addition, the more energy-efficient machines generally have higher technical equipment. That is, a machine with a high energy efficiency class will have high technical specifications, and vice versa, a machine with high technical specifications will have a high energy efficiency class. These parameters are correlated.

And. TOLSTIKOV, HANSA: A higher energy efficiency class can be achieved by washing at night, when the rates are more favorable.

IF YOU CAN’T PRAISE YOURSELF, NO ONE CAN

“BT”: The main competitive advantage of your company’s washing machines? Why choose them?

Yu. SEMENOVA, MIELE: Miele has been manufacturing washing machines for 115 years. The main technical features are: a loading capacity of up to 9kg automatic detergent dosing a patented honeycomb drum for gentle laundry care and to avoid lint and lint formation first class materials such as stainless steel tank and proper drum design guarantee excellent quality and long life.

. KRYUCHENKOV, CANDY: Today we offer the widest range of washing machines: from the most compact ones, that fit under the sink, to multifunctional combined models. In addition, the company has recently introduced SimplyFi series models on the American market, with built-in Wi-Fi receiver, which allows you to control appliances from any distance, as well as Smart Touch appliances, based on short-range wireless high-frequency communication NFC technology. This technology makes it possible to communicate between the washing machine and the mobile device that is brought close to the machine.

In. KIRAKOSYAN, WHIRLPOOL: Our three brands are targeting different audiences and in general we can offer a washing machine for every taste and budget. Indesit washing machines are designed for busy modern city dwellers, who need to wash quickly, without thinking particularly about programs, temperature and other nuances. These machines use the most popular programmes and functions and have a minimum number of button operations.

Hotpoint – for those who want to participate in the process. There are more options you can use, settings you can change, and there are steam machines that you can plug in during the wash. The machines are distinguished by their modern European design.

Whirlpool with its “6th sense” technology, inverter motors suits people who prefer the most technologically advanced and advanced products and can afford it.

. M VLASENKO, ELECTROLUX: Electrolux washing machines are highly reliable and feature great technical characteristics. The breadth of the range makes it possible to choose machines in any format – from super-slim front-loading machines with an overall depth of just 34 cm, narrow machines with an overall depth of 38, 45 or 48 cm, compact machines, usually under the sink, machines with vertical loading capacity of just 40 cm and washer-dryers to full-size machines of standard European size 60×60 cm and loading capacity of 10 kg of dry laundry. At the same time, choosing a compact-sized machine is not a compromise in terms of technology and product quality. In all our appliances we use our extensive experience in the production of professional laundry care appliances, washing machines for professional laundries.

And. TOLSTIKOV, NANSA: The main advantage of our washing machines is the brand, whose reliability and quality is trusted for decades.