|
If you have decided to buy a washing machine, then you would face a serious problem of making a choice. Famous world producers represent a broad family of washing machines with automatic pouring, heating and discharging of water, with programmed switches between operations and switching off in the end of work.
Loading type: frontal or vertical
At first you should decide with loading type. Washing machines with vertical load are usually placed in the distant corners, it is more reliable and handy (first of all because you don’t have to leave space to open the lid). Besides you can always put in a forgotten thing or pull it out during the washing. When you buy a machine with frontal load, you should make a choice considering the free space in your flat. A machine with a hatch, opening on 180 degrees is more comfortable. The quality of washing in frontal machines is also very high and they are easily built in. There are low machines that can be put even under the sink.
Machine sizes and capacity
Standard sizes of a washing machine are height 85cm, width 60 cm and depth 58 cm. But you can find a lot of other models, the depth of which will be from 35 to 60 cm. Narrow machines (32cm) will suit small rooms, especially if you are going to put it in the corridor. Unfortunately, a struggle for compactness leads to reduction of useful capacity of the drum, thus reducing the maximum loading. Narrow washing machines contain up to 3,5 kg of washing, small 40 cm machines can wash up to 4,5 kg at a time, and full size one can wash about 5-7 kg. For a big family consisting over 4 person, it would be reasonable to buy a full size machine, if the room allows.
Washing machine tank and drum
It is important to know the material of the washing machine tank (a vessel, where the drum is). The drum is always made of non-rusting material, but the material for tank can be a composite, stainless or enameled steel. Stainless steel is still considered to be more reliable and long-lasting material, though it is noisier in work. Composite materials (carboran, polinocs, polyplecs and others) are less qualitative, but are characterized by high wear resistance and are less noisy because of damping. Besides they have a high heat insulation value.
To improve the quality of washing the drum is made with special claws, that constantly lift the washing liquid, thus mixing it. Moreover, the back side of the drum is made “hilly” to increase the contact of linen with washing liquid.
Class of washing, extraction and power consumption of the washing machine
“A” class machines are considered to be the best ones. They wash carefully and economize electric power. European community has adopted the scale of washing effectiveness from “A” to “G”, where “F” and “G” are the lowest level, “C”, “D” and “E” middle ones, and letters “A” and “B” tell us about careful washing.
These letters are also used to define classes of extraction. As to the number of rotations during the extraction, there are such variants: from practically dry linen at 1600 rotations/minute to damp at 400 rotations. Most of the washing machines have a switch of extraction rotation, that’s why you should remember that extraction with high rotation is effective only for terry-cloth (towels, bathrobes), and for delicate cloth it is better to choose the minimal rotation.
Power consumption class shows the level of economy of the model from low “A” to high “G”. “A” class means usage of electric power less then 1 kWt/hour while washing on 60 °C.
Washing programs
Modern washing machines have several standard programs for washing of different types of linen (wool, silk, synthetic materials, cotton and flax). They also have a number of additional programs, which depend on the producer:
«Quick wash» - for freshening of not very dirty things;
«Soak», «Stain removal», «Intensive wash» - for dirty things;
«Additional rinse» - for highly allergic individuals and families with small children;
«Half load» - to limit the quantity of water at incomplete load;
«Economic wash» - to economize electric power with low temperature;
Anti mashing.
Many modern washing machines have an electronic system «Fuzzy Logic» that controls the quantity of washing powder, sets the type of wash and temperature. Besides, the quantity of water necessary for this type of wash is poured automatically. The system counts the duration of the wash, rinse, extraction and drying, taking into account the time of water heating to the set temperature. This system allows to economize water, electricity and the most important – time. Though the machines with «Fuzzy Logic» system are more expensive, the purchase is justified, due to more comfortable and economic work.
Connection of the washing machine
One of the key moments is the connection of the washing machine. There are two variants. A connection to cold and hot water allows to economize electric power, but the quality of the hot water is very low. Besides its temperature is unstable, and in the automatic machine the water will be heated to the set temperature. Connection only to the cold water is more practical, but nevertheless it needs additional powders for water softening.
The attention should also be paid on the hoses, connecting washing machine to the water-supply. Rigid pipe is not suitable for such connection. Vibrations can damage it. It would be better if there will be flexible pipes as a unit (single or double-layer). Double layer pipes are more expensive, but they are more reliable, due to the external protective layer.
Built-in drying
Every producer has made a model with a built-in drying. Automatic machines are able to dry all types of clothes, you just have to choose a suitable program or adjust the setting manually. It reduces the quantity of house work and economizes your time. But there is a number of disadvantages: at first, if you wash 4 kg of linen, then you can dry only a half of it, so you’ll have to pull out some things; secondly, drying leads to quick wearing out. It is also recommended to under-dry a bit, because automatic machine rumples things, but you still have to iron it.
Assembling quality
In the end, we’d like to say about the assembling quality. In Turkey all the production is made by automata, so you shouldn’t wait for a long life of our machine (in average 4 years). Austria and Sweden assemble machines that can work up to 20 years. And also it should be pointed out that German assembling is designed to work up to 15 years, Italian and Korean – up to 8 years.
According to these characteristics, you should choose the most suitable machine. Happy purchase! |