How to choose a washing machine?
When choosing a washing machine, first of all, you need to think about the future location of its placement. According to what space you have, choose: compact, narrow or standard washing machine. You should also decide which type of washing machine is right for you: front-loading or vertical loading.
Front loading
Front-loading washing machines with a depth and width of 60 cm are traditional on the Russian market.However, not every bathroom or kitchen can accommodate a machine with such dimensions, as a result of which a large number of washing machines with reduced depth and standard width are currently being produced.
Such washing machines can perfectly solve the problem of lack of space. They differ from their full-size "brothers" only in a smaller load of laundry.
Some people choose machines with a front-loading type because of the available opportunity to visually observe the washing process. Such machines are also convenient in that you can use their surface as an additional shelf, for example, you can put detergents on them. Front-mounted machines can easily fit into kitchen furniture. When choosing a place, you should pay attention to whether it will be convenient for you to load the laundry, whether there is enough space for the hatch door to open. It is also necessary to think about the diameter of the hatch, on which the loading of laundry into the drum depends: the larger the diameter of the hatch, the easier it will be to load the laundry, and the easier it will be to get it out after washing.
Vertical loading
Vertical loadingIn the event that the front-loading option does not suit you, take a closer look at such machines that have a top-loading. It is necessary to load the laundry from above, so there is no need to provide additional access space. Top-loaded machines are most often placed in the bathroom, rarely in the kitchen. There is no need to bend down to put in and take out laundry, this is another advantage of the top-loading machine.
Loading volume
Before purchasing, you also need to decide on the load volume of the washing machine. It is clear that for a young couple or for one person, a volume of 3-4 kilograms may be sufficient, but for a family with one or two children, a car with a loading volume of 4.5 to 5 kg is already needed. If your family has more than five people, you need a car with a volume of 6-8 kg.
How to determine weight? You can focus on the fact that five kilograms of cotton is equal to about 3-4 sets of one and a half bed linen. It is worth choosing the optimal load volume, because if this volume is less than the indicators of your washing needs, you will need to start the washing machine more often, waste water and electricity. To wash clothes of the same color, you will have to collect them for a long time. Machines with an increased load volume are necessary for those who have to wash a lot and often, incl. and bulky things: blankets, bedspreads, pillows. In a washing machine with a 5 kg load, you simply cannot fit them.
What does class A + mean
The classification introduced by the European Union has been working for a long time. After carrying out special tests, the washing machine is assigned a performance rating. Appliances are evaluated according to 3 parameters: spin quality, wash quality, energy consumption. For each of them, a corresponding class is assigned: from A to G, where class A means the highest quality indicators. The highest class A + was introduced in 2002 for the energy class.
The grades are awarded based on in-depth testing and are quite trustworthy when choosing an instrument. However, in stores you can also find washing machines that are not rated according to this classification. If there is no sticker indicating the class, this does not mean that these devices are of poor quality, most likely, such washing machines are simply not intended for sale in the European Union.
In modern washing machines, the best energy consumption is mainly achieved by optimizing wash programs. For example, washing heavily soiled laundry at 90 ° C will take a class A machine about 115 minutes and a class C machine 135 minutes. At the same time, you can save not only time, but also electrical energy.
Spinning
Front loadingThe number of revolutions during spinning has a direct relationship with the indicator of residual moisture, which is less, the drier the laundry will be. In most cases, it is 60 percent at a spin speed of 1000 rpm. The lowest residual moisture level today is 43 percent and the highest spin speed is 2,000 rpm.
It is good if the machine has a function of smooth adjustment of the spin speed, thanks to which you can reduce the number of revolutions and avoid strong wrinkling of delicate fabrics. The function by which you can turn off the spin is also extremely useful.
Washing programs
There are four types of washing programs in almost every washing machine: cotton and linen, synthetic, delicate and wool. Based on them, additional programs are created for optimal washing of any clothes. Each manufacturer has its own set of such programs - the choice must be made depending on your own preferences. Someone needs a program for washing clothes for children, and someone in a program "Washing sneakers" or "Jeans". Or maybe you don't want to compromise and want to have a machine with the largest possible software set?
Hand wash programs
One of the most useful programs included with washing machines is the “hand wash” program, which allows you to machine wash items that have a “hand wash only” label. A number of manufacturers have hand wash programs separately for silk and wool. In the washing machine for "hand" washing, the optimal temperature for heating the water (average 30 degrees, maximum - 40 degrees) and a special rhythm of the drum are provided.
Soak
There are some programs for washing heavily soiled laundry. With the “Soak” program, you can leave your laundry in the water for several hours with detergent.
Quick wash programs
Also, one of the most popular programs is the short wash cycle (about 30 minutes), which even the simplest models are equipped with. The name of the program can be different: "Quick wash", "Mini wash", "Quick wash", it is intended for washing lightly soiled laundry and saves up to 30% of time.
Imbalance control system
There is such a system in most washing machines and with its help the rotation of the drum is corrected so that the laundry cannot get confused. In the event that an imbalance does occur, the spinning will be carried out by a control system at a safe speed. Typically, the problem of imbalance occurs in narrow machines when washing bed linen.
Delayed start
Delayed start (delayed start) is a function that is often encountered and with which you can postpone the wash for a certain time. This function is very useful if you have a two-tariff meter installed. Washing can be done at night and save on energy costs.
Adjusting the water level
The water level adjustment function allows your washing machine to control the amount of water according to the amount of laundry that has been loaded. How does the machine determine the amount of laundry? Most models determine the weight of the laundry depending on the rate at which water is absorbed into it, and only in premium-class machines auto-weighing is realized in its pure form. With this function, the optimal water consumption is achieved (which is relevant for people who have water meters).
Foam control system
Such a system is necessary in order to prevent damage to the washing machine in case of an overdose of detergents. In most cases, suppression of foaming occurs using a fairly simple method - the machine includes an additional rinse cycle.
Enjoy the shopping!