The washing machine has long been an important part of the modern household. In the market today there are many models of such equipment. It is necessary to be able to accurately select the desired unit, which would have a normal price and at the same time would perform all the necessary functions for the removal of dirt from the fabric and the subsequent treatment of clothes.
Contents
External parameters
When answering the question of which automatic washing machine to choose, external parameters are taken into account. They allow you to properly place it in a limited space. The most important of them are the dimensions. It is necessary to select the dimensions based on the area of the bathroom. It should be taken into account that the distance between the wall and the back of the appliance should be at least 3 cm.
Depth and loading
Popular washing machines are divided into 2 categories depending on the type of loading - with vertical and front loading. In the first case, the laundry is placed into the machine through the drum hatch located at the top. In the second - the hatch for loading the laundry is located on the front panel. Front washing machines are also subdivided:
- to normal (standard);
- narrow;
- large-sized.
In a normal washing machine depth ranges from 40 to 45 cm. Loading is 4-7 kg, more precise figures depend on the dimensions of the drum. In such a machine can be washed and voluminous things, for example, winter clothes or sets of bed linen. Such machines are the 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 such models, the depth of which is less than 40 cm. The maximum load in such machines does not exceed 4 kg. In some cases, manufacturers make a larger drum diameter so that it is possible to increase the maximum possible volume of laundry up to 5 kg. The depth of the machine in this case does not change. Narrow machines are characterized by a number of disadvantages, in particular:
- weak stability and powerful vibration during spinning;
- Increased wear of parts and components and short life time because of the increased vibration;
- impossibility of normal circulation of detergent, which negatively affects the quality of washing;
- high noise level.
The main positive feature of such models is the compact size. Thanks to them, the machine does not take up much space in the bathroom.
In full-sized models, the depth ranges from 45 to 60 cm. Such devices are in weak demand because of their large size. But such machines have a number of advantages:
- stable position during spinning;
- the possibility of loading up to 10 kg of laundry;
- normal circulation of water and detergent through the fabrics, which allows you to achieve high quality washing.
Vertical or front loading
To correctly choose a washing machine with front or vertical loading, it is necessary to decide where the unit will be located. If you intend to embed it between pieces of furniture, then you will need accurate measurements. At the same time it is necessary to take into account the following nuances:
- Whether or not laundry will have to be placed in the machine during washing;
- Whether the top of the machine will be used as a work surface or a shelf;
- Whether it will be necessary to have a viewing hatch, through which you can watch the washing process.
In small apartments it is rarely possible to place front-loading machines properly. 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 a built-in appliances, it is better to use front-loading machines.
In the matter of safety, machines with vertical loading are preferable. Of these devices water will not be able to pour out on its own, in contrast to the front-loading models of washing machines, the door of which can depressurize. In the case of a breakage of the front-loading machine, it will be impossible to remove things from it until the arrival of the master from the service, whereas it is easy to extract the clothes that are left there from a vertical model, which has become in disrepair.
The advantage of devices with front-loading is the low cost. They have more convenient dimensions and design. 85% of the market in Russia is occupied by such models. Vertical machines are expensive.
Technical parameters
All washing machines have special technical characteristics. They should be taken into account before purchasing the device.
Performance classes
The main indicator of this category is the washing class. The higher it is, the better the appliance removes dirt from clothes. This class is assigned to different models after testing them under the same conditions. This is due to the fact that the quality of washing is influenced not only by the machine itself, but also other indicators, such as:
- The quality of the detergent;
- the origin of dirt;
- type of fabric, etc.
The machine tests are carried out by washing identical fabrics with the same soiling with the same powder. The test lasts for one hour and the water is heated to +60ºC. According to the results of the test, the model is assigned an efficiency class. It is expressed by the letter from A to G, where A is the highest index and G is the lowest.
Spin class is determined by determining the percentage of moisture remaining in the fabric after washing. According to this indicator, all models also range in classes from A to G. It should be borne in mind that too powerful spin makes the clothes more twisted, which is fraught with damage. If more often the machine will have to wash products from dense materials, it is recommended to choose devices from classes A - C. For cashmere, wool, silk fabrics it is better to buy a model of class D.
The quality of spinning depends on how many revolutions the machine makes. The optimal indicator is 1000-1200 revolutions per minute. At such power, clothes can be wrung out normally, after which it is enough for a short drying on a rope.
According to the power consumption class, all machines were originally also subdivided into classes A to G, where A means the power consumption equal to 0.17-0.19 kWh/kg, and G - from 0,39 kWkWh/kg and higher. Since 2002, the super-efficient A+ has been added to this classification, with a power consumption of less than 0.17 kWh/kg.
The energy class is determined by testing the models. 1 kg of cotton fabric is placed in the machines and washed in water heated to +60ºC for one hour. After that, the electricity consumed is determined and, on this basis, the class of the appliance is set.
Washing programs
The main programs on the machines are:
- Cotton. The most common mode in which clothes and cotton linens are washed. The water temperature reaches 95 ºC, and the spinning takes place at the highest possible speeds.
- Wool. Woollens are washed gently in this mode. The temperature does not exceed 40 ºC, and the drum rotates slowly.
- Synthetics. This program is suitable for washing unnatural fabrics. Depending on the model of the appliance, the temperature varies from 40ºC to 60ºC.
- Children's clothes. The temperature can be high because children's clothes are the most dirty. This mode implies a long rinse, which removes all detergent residues from the fabrics.
Manufacturer
There are different brands of washing machines. Some of them are famous all over the world, while others are not so popular. Before you make a choice in favor of one or another brand, you should familiarize yourself with the most popular firms for the production of this equipment:
- LG;
- Beko;
- Samsung;
- Miele;
- Electrolux;
- Indesit;
- Zanussi;
- Bosch;
- Siemens;
- Asko;
- Candy;
- AEG.
Before you decide which company is better to choose a washing machine, you should consider that the price of the device largely depends on the manufacturer. Common brands, the names of which are well-known, are more expensive. In this case, their quality may not be high enough. When buying a device, you should not pay attention only to its name and popularity.
Additional features
Modern washing machines are often equipped with additional features. The main ones are:
- Partial load. The function is important in cases where you need to wash few clothes. When setting the partial load mode, the washing will go with all cycles, but its speed will be higher.
- Ironing. This function implies switching off the additional spin. The clothes will be rinsed with large volumes of water.
- Control of the water level. Devices with this function can independently weigh the weight of the laundry. On the basis of these data, the device itself takes the necessary volume of water for washing.
- Additional rinse. This mode rinses clothes when there is an overabundance of detergent.
Price
When choosing a washing machine, most people make a comparison on 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 between 8 and 30 thousand rubles. Cheaper models in most cases are sold by former owners. There are also more expensive devices costing 40-50 thousand rubles and higher.
Mechanical or electronic control
On washing machines with mechanical control, you have to turn on all washing modes manually. There is a special button for each function. On most models, there are special tips in the form of icons. The same icons give information about which function is currently activated. The mechanical control is simpler for some, but not as functional.
Electronic control implies that the machine itself performs all the necessary functions. The machine itself activates the required washing mode, drum rotation speed, etc. The negative properties of such models are high cost, as well as problems when working under voltages other than 220 volts. In such conditions, the machine can burn out.
Rating of machines on quality and reliability
It is best to compare washing machines according to their reliability and quality. Of these indicators, the cost of the machine is most often made up. The list of the highest quality machines includes the following machines:
- Siemens WS 12T440.
- Samsung WW80K62E07S.
- AEG L 6FBI48 S.
- Gorenje W 72ZY2/R.
- Vestfrost VFWM 1241 W.
- Hotpoint-Ariston RSM 601 W.
- ATLANT 60C107.
- Candy CS4 1061D1/2.
- Electrolux EWT 1064 ILW.
- Weissgauff WMI 6148D.
It should be taken into account that the top-best models consist of expensive units. There are many cheaper versions of washing machines.
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