The washing machine has long been an important part of the modern household. There are many models of such equipment on the market today. It is necessary to be able to accurately select the required apparatus, which would have a normal price and at the same time perform all the necessary functions for removing dirt from the fabric and subsequent processing of clothing.
Content
External parameters
When answering the question of which washing machine to choose, external indicators are taken into account. They allow you to properly place it in a limited space. The most important of these are dimensions. It is necessary to select sizes based on the area of \u200b\u200bthe bathroom. In this case, it must be taken into account that the distance between the wall and the rear wall of the device must be at least 3 cm.
Depth and loading
Popular washing machines are divided into 2 categories depending on the type of loading - top-loading and front-loading. In the first case, the laundry is placed in the machine through the drum hatch located at the top. In the second, the hatch for loading laundry is located on the front panel. Frontal washing machines are also subdivided:
- to normal (standard);
- narrow;
- oversized.
For a normal washing machine, the depth varies from 40 to 45 cm. The load is 4-7 kg, more accurate figures depend on the dimensions of the drum. In such a device, you can also wash bulky items, for example, winter clothes or bedding sets. Such machines are most common among buyers. They allow you to wash a large number of clothes at once and do not take up much space.
Narrow washing machines include models whose depth is less than 40 cm. The maximum load in such devices does not exceed 4 kg. In some cases, manufacturers make the diameter of the drum larger so that the maximum possible amount of laundry can be increased to 5 kg. The depth of the machine does not change. Narrow cars are characterized by a number of disadvantages, in particular:
- weak stability and powerful vibration during the spin cycle;
- increased wear of spare parts and parts and short service life due to increased vibration;
- the impossibility of normal circulation of the detergent, which adversely affects the quality of washing;
- high noise level.
The main positive feature of such models is their compact dimensions. Thanks to them, the machine does not take up much space in the bathroom.
For full-sized models, the depth varies from 45 to 60 cm.Such devices are in low demand due to their large size. But such machines have a number of advantages:
- stable position during spin;
- the ability to load up to 10 kg of laundry;
- normal circulation of water and detergent through the fabrics, thanks to which it is possible to achieve a high quality of washing.
Top or front loading
To choose the right washing machine with front or top loading, you need to decide where the machine will be located. If it is meant to be embedded between pieces of furniture, then accurate measurements will be required. At the same time, the following points must be taken into account:
- whether it is necessary to put laundry in the washing machine during the washing process;
- whether the top of the machine will be used as a work surface or shelf;
- whether an inspection hatch is required through which you can observe the washing process.
In small apartments, it is rarely possible to properly place front-mounted cars. They do not fit because of the width, they do not have enough space to open the door. In this case, it is recommended to give preference to models with vertical loading. As built-in appliances, it is better to use front-facing devices.
In terms of safety, top-loading machines are more preferable. From such devices, water will not be able to pour out on its own, in contrast to the frontal models of washing machines, the door of which can be depressurized. In the event of a breakdown of the frontal machine, it will not be possible to pull out things from it until the master arrives from the service, while from a vertical model that has become unusable, you can easily remove the clothes remaining there.
The advantage of front-loading appliances is their low cost. They have a more comfortable size and design. 85% of the market in Russia is occupied by such models. Vertical machines are expensive.
Technical specifications
All washing machines have special technical characteristics. They must be considered before purchasing the device.
Efficiency classes
The main indicator from this category is the washing class. The higher it is, the better the device washes dirt from clothes. This class is assigned to different models after they have been tested under the same conditions. This is due to the fact that the quality of washing is affected not only by the machine itself, but also by other indicators, for example:
- the quality of the washing powder;
- the origin of the dirt;
- type of fabric, etc.
Machine tests are carried out by washing the same fabrics with the same dirt with the same powder. The test lasts for an hour, the water is heated up to +60 ºС. Based on the test results, the model is assigned an efficiency class. It is expressed as a letter from A to G, where A is the highest and G is the lowest.
The spin class is determined by determining the percentage of moisture that remains in the fabric after washing. According to this indicator, all models also vary in classes from A to G. It should be noted that too powerful spinning makes the clothes curl more, which is fraught with damage. If you most often have to wash items made of dense materials on a typewriter, it is recommended to choose devices from classes A - C. For cashmere, woolen, silk fabrics, it is better to buy a class D model.
The quality of the spin depends on how many revolutions the machine makes. The optimal indicator is 1000-1200 rpm.At this power, clothes can be squeezed out normally, after which a short drying time on a rope is enough for it.
According to the energy consumption class, all machines were also initially divided into classes A to G, where A meant electricity consumption equal to 0.17-0.19 kWh / kg, and G - from 0.39 kWh/kg and above. Since 2002, this classification has been supplemented with the ultra-economical indicator A+, whose electricity consumption is below 0.17 kWh/kg.
Determination of the energy class is carried out by testing models. 1 kg of cotton fabric is placed in the machines and washed in water heated to +60 ºС for an hour. After that, the consumed electricity is determined and, based on this, the class of the device is set.
Washing programs
The main programs on the machines are:
- Cotton. The most common mode in which clothes and cotton bedding are washed. The water temperature reaches 95 ºС, and the extraction takes place at the maximum possible speed.
- Wool. In this mode, woolen items are carefully washed. The temperature does not exceed 40 ºС, and the drum rotates slowly.
- Synthetics. This program is suitable for washing non-natural fabrics. Depending on the model of the device, the temperature varies from 40 ºС to 60 ºС.
- Baby clothes. The temperature is high because children's things are the most contaminated. This mode involves a long rinse, in which all detergent residues are removed from the fabrics.
Manufacturer
There are various brands of washing machines. Some of them are famous all over the world, while others are not so popular. Before making a choice in favor of a particular brand, you should familiarize yourself with the most popular companies for the production of this equipment:
- LG;
- beco;
- Samsung;
- miele;
- Electrolux;
- Indesit;
- Zanussi;
- Bosch;
- Siemens;
- Asko;
- candy;
- AEG.
Before deciding which company is better to choose a washing machine, it should be noted that the price of the device largely depends on the manufacturer. Common brands, whose names are well-known, are more expensive. However, their quality may not be high enough. When buying a device, you should not pay attention only to its name and popularity.
Additional functions
Modern washing machines are often equipped with additional features. The main ones are:
- Partial loading. The function is important in cases where you need to wash few clothes. When setting the partial load mode, the wash will go with all cycles, but its speed will be higher.
- Ironing. This function means turning off the extra spin. Clothes will be rinsed with large volumes of water.
- Water level control. Devices with this function can independently weigh the mass of laundry. Based on the data received, the machine itself takes the required amount of water for washing.
- Extra rinse. This mode rinses out clothes when there is too much detergent.
Price
When choosing a washing machine, most people compare the cost of models. The price of these devices depends on the brand, size, maximum load, availability of basic and additional functions. Most devices cost from 8 to 30 thousand rubles. Cheaper models are in most cases sold by former owners. There are also more expensive devices costing 40-50 thousand rubles and more.
Mechanical or electronic control
On mechanically controlled washing machines, you have to turn on all washing modes manually. There is a dedicated button for each function. On most models there are special tips in the form of pictograms. The same icons provide information about which function is currently activated. Mechanical control is easier for some, but not as functional.
Electronic control implies the independent performance of all necessary functions by the device. The machine itself activates the necessary washing mode, drum rotation speed, etc. The negative properties of such models are high cost, as well as problems when working under voltage other than 220 volts. Under such conditions, the machine may burn out.
Rating of cars in terms of quality and reliability
It is best to compare washing machines by their reliability and quality. Most often, these indicators add up to the cost of the device. The list of the highest quality devices includes the following devices:
- Siemens WS 12T440.
- Samsung WW80K62E07S.
- AEG L 6FBI48S.
- Gorenje W 72ZY2/R.
- Vestfrost VFWM 1241W.
- Hotpoint-Ariston RSM 601 W.
- ATLANT 60С107.
- Candy CS4 1061D1/2.
- Electrolux EWT 1064 ILW.
- Weissgauff WMI 6148D.
It should be noted that the top best models consist of expensive devices. There are many cheaper options for washing machines.
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