The washing machine came into our world as one of the most wonderful inventions. It has made our life so much easier, and now you can’t even believe that half a century ago, owning a washing machine was something special. Today it is an integral part of any home and I want such an assistant to please for many years with its performance. In the modern world, choosing a model of a washing machine is not easy. We want everything at once: a wide variety of programs and functions, capacity, washing class, easy loading and beautiful design.
It would also be nice if such a miracle car cost a penny, and worked from morning to night, for twenty years, or even more! But, having come to the store, you understand that you need to choose. And it is difficult to choose a washing machine among a huge number of models that differ in parameters, type of loading, dimensions, capacity, functionality and energy consumption. To get the assistant of your dreams, you need to be well versed in the world of household appliances and know how to choose the right washing machine.
What is a washing machine
Laundry machines are offered three varieties:
- Machine.
Management is carried out programmatically.In conventional models, the desired mode and parameters are set, while more innovative ones themselves calculate the amount of water they need, temperature and speed. spin.
- semi-automatic.
These are activator-type washing machines that stood many years ago in almost every apartment. Now you can meet "Baby", "Fairy" and "Lily" of domestic production. There are brands Saturn, UNIT, Wellton. These washing machines are good because they have a small weight.
- Ultrasonic devices.
The effect of such a washing machine is equal to the usual soaking of laundry. No more.
Nowadays, choosing a good washing machine is not a problem. The market is huge.
Front or vertical?
What load of the washing machine to choose? Everything is simple here. There are only 2 types:
Frontal. The most popular type with a huge number of models from different manufacturers. The functionality of this technology is at a high level. They are cheaper than top-loading washing machines and repair will cost less. The pluses include the fact that the installation of a transparent hatch allows you to observe the washing process. When spinning, the noise is not so big. But there are some minor downsides as well. For example, with front loading, there is no way to add or remove laundry during the wash process. And such a washing machine requires more free space to open the hatch. In general, these washing machines are laborious and can wash up to 10 kg of laundry at a time.
Vertical. Great option for small spaces. Of course, these models are not equipped with a lot of features and are not so popular. There are some peculiarities.For example, their control panel is located on top, which provides some protection from children, but it will not be possible to use the top cover instead of a shelf or it is impossible to build it somewhere, which is undoubtedly a minus, but you can throw laundry in the washing process.
Washing machine dimensions
The size of the washing machine is affected by the type of load and capacity. Frontal washing equipment of a standard size is classified into:
- full-size - 85 (90) x60x60;
- narrow, characterized by a smaller depth (35-40 cm);
- ultra-narrow, 32-35 cm deep;
- compact - 68 (70) x43 (45) x47 (50) cm.
- Other top-loading washing machines have parameters: 40 (45) x85x60 cm.
The best option is a full-fledged washing machine, but with a limited area, it is optimal to choose a narrow washing machine.
Capacity
The capacity of the drum of the washing machine is selected based on the number of people living in the family and the expected volume of washing. A small family (2-3 people) can safely choose a washing machine model with a small load of 3-5 kg. For more people, a washing machine with a load of 5-7 kg will be required. With a washing machine depth of 32 cm, the capacity is usually 3.5 kg; at a depth of 40 cm - 4.5 kg; and 60 cm can hold 5-7 kg.
When choosing, you must take into account the minimum load, someone may need to wash one T-shirt or a pair of socks. If the washing machine sets the minimum load, then violation of this requirement will result in malfunctions technology.
Characteristics of the tank and drum
The quality of washing can depend not only on detergent, but also on the material from which the tank and drum of washing machines are made. These are two different parts and they can also be made of different materials. Tanks are made from three materials:
Plastic. It can be polyplex, carbon or polynox. An excellent option if the issue of money is important. Silent operation and low vibration are undoubtedly a plus of the technique. The plastic is resistant to chemicals and corrosion. With such a tank, you can save on electricity, though not as much as we would like. The shortcoming in service life, which is 25 years, although the term is clearly not 
small.- enamelled steel. I received a lot of negative feedback from both users and professionals. Therefore, now it is almost never found. But the first washing machines were made from it.
Stainless steel. Huge service life - up to 80 years. Resistant to scale formation. The disadvantages are increased noise level, rapid cooling of water and high cost.
A positive point is the presence of a hilly rear wall in the tank. This affects the quality of washing, as there is a more effective interaction of linen with detergent.
Everything is simple here, as they are made drums only in stainless steel.
When choosing a washing machine, each future owner relies not only on characteristics, but also on material capabilities. When selling, the tanks of the washing machine are checked for integrity, because there is a manufacturing defect, especially often when purchasing cheap equipment.
Connection type
There are two types of connecting the washing machine to the water supply:
- To cold water. In this case, energy consumption increases, but the quality of washing also increases, because the washing machine itself controls water heating to the desired temperature.
- For cold and hot water. With this type of connection, the quality of washing suffers, because often there is a problem with unstable temperatures, which is especially common in rural areas.
Control method
Management can be:
Mechanical. More reliable control with buttons or rotary knobs, but with less control. When choosing the classic option, before buying, you need to check whether the buttons respond well to pressing.
Electronic or touch. Modern automatic washing machines are often found with such controls, but touch displays still often fail. But such management greatly affects the price of washing machines and no wonder.
Electronic control allows the user to select the preferred program with temperature, spin speed and then start it with the push of a button. If you choose a washing machine with a touch screen, then check whether the menu language is clear and if everything is clear.
Main technical characteristics
Three main parameters, denoted by letters from A to G. The higher the class, the better the characteristics of the vehicle.
Energy consumption. Washing machine can be 9 classes of consumption. The most economical - A ++.- Wash.
- Spin. During the spin cycle, centrifugal force removes soap and water residues from the drum. The higher the speed, the drier the laundry. It is believed that spinning at speeds from 800 to 1200 per minute is the best option.An increase in this indicator increases the price of washing machines. Spin classes are marked in Latin letters, each of which means the percentage of moisture remaining in the clothes. Grade A contains less than 45%, and Grade G contains more than 90%.
Which washing machine is better to choose
There are many manufacturers of washing machines. Each differs in quality, reliability, price, etc. The most popular brands in 2017:
- Miele, AEG the most expensive luxury representatives of washing equipment. They are assembled in Germany, which already speaks of the level of quality and price. The guarantee for such washing machines is given for more than 20 years, but service centers in Russia are not very common;
Siemens, Bosch, Electrolux, Zanussi, Whirlpool - brands with a good price-quality ratio. The class is lower than previous models. Assembly can be in Turkey, China, Poland, Spain and Germany. Bosch and Siemens have been working without problems for 10 years, and then the performance depends on the care of the washing machine;
Samsung, Beko, Indesit, LG, Ariston, Ardo representatives of the low class - inexpensive, but high-quality;
Vyatka, Atlant, Malyutka domestic producers at a small price.
All of these manufacturers produce reliable and high-quality equipment with good assembly and a long service life, so which brand of washing machine to choose, be guided by other indicators. More budget models are often chosen for summer cottages.
Additional functions
Usually this:
- synthetics,
- cotton,
- wool,
- colored fabrics,
- quick wash.
This is enough for the average user.But, many manufacturers are launching washing machines with more functionality and a higher price on the home appliance market.
When studying the functionality of washing machines, it seems that everything is needed, for example, drying clothes. Yes, on the one hand, this is a convenient program, but on the other hand, it is used very rarely, because drying the washed laundry is impossible at a time, it has to be divided. The process looks like this - you need to pull out wet things, divide and only then turn on the drying.
What programs are really needed?
- Intensive wash. This function allows you to remove stains from clothes.
- Aquastop. An important program that protects against leaks.
- Delayed start. A handy feature if the laundry needs to be washed by a certain time.
- Child protection.
bubble wash.
Allows you to remove stains even when washed cold, thanks to the formation of bubbles that effectively dissolve the powder.
Fuzzy Logic.
A smart function that independently determines the most economical type of washing, depending on the amount and type of items loaded in the drum.
direct drive. Rather, a design feature of the washing machine, which uses a direct drive instead of a belt drive, making the operation of the washing machine silent.
Imbalance control.
Controlling the amount of foam.
Noise level. Noise up to 50 dB is considered optimal.
Additional loading of linen.
Easy ironing. Things are washed in a large amount of water with the possibility of adjusting the spin. The result is a minimum number of folds, which greatly facilitates ironing.
LC system. Regulates water and energy consumption.
Aqua Sensor. Saves water by independently choosing the number of rinses, reacting to the transparency of the water.
To make it easier to choose a washing machine, ask yourself questions and find answers:
- Where will the washing machine be located?
- How many clothes will you wash?
- How much are you willing to buy an assistant?
Enjoy the shopping!
Friends advised me to buy a hotpoint brand washing machine, I did not regret at all that I took this particular brand. Nice washing machine with basic features!
We are also thinking of getting a Hotpoint washing machine, which seems to be a good option in terms of price / quality ratio. Can you tell me how long have you been using it?
Whirlpool is just the smartest thing for me! She herself looks at how many resources she spends on washing, depending on how much I put laundry into her.
It is true that indesit, although inexpensive, is of high quality, I judge from my own experience.
Karina, that experience is clear, also wanted to take native indesit, but thought to try something new at random. But as you can see, lately you can’t tell where the fake is and where the build quality is, so I won’t reinvent the wheel
I agree about the hotpoint. My mother took a washing machine, she is constantly washing something, although there seem to be few things. she also does not like it when there are too many unnecessary bells and whistles. And this understandable, reliable, in short, pleased my mother
Here for the house it is worth considering only an automatic machine, the rest of the options are somehow frivolous. And from the manufacturers, well, we have a hotpoint, and it's inexpensive and copes with washing with a bang.