Choosing a washing machine can be difficult, especially with so many different options to choose from. A front-loading washer will cost more but use less water and electricity than a top-loading one. The efficiency of an appliance makes it worth the investment because you’ll end up saving money in the long run. So how do you decide which washing machine is best for your needs? Start by reading this blog post!
The washing machine is an electronic device used as home appliances. It is also known as laundry machine or clothes washer.
It is used to wash clothes in the machine by pouring or sometimes there is no need to pour water in it, and the user needs to pour the laundry detergent, and the need set the type of washing cycle according to the fabric, the material of the clothes, or the dirt intensity of the clothes.
Factors that needs consideration while choosing a Washing machine:
- Fully-Automatic vs Semi-Automatic Washing Machine
- Top Load Vs Front Load
- Wash Functions
- Build quality of the Drum
- The Capacity of the Motor
- Availability of Water
1. Fully-Automatic vs Semi-Automatic Washing Machine
On the basis of Washing Functions, Washing machines are of two types, One is Fully automatic and another type, Semi-Automatic. The difference between them depends on how much manual intervention you want to do in your own wash cycle. But each has its pros and cons which we’ll explore below!
Semi-Automatic Washing Machines
Many households have been using semi-automatic washing machines. These units are easy to use with separate tubs for cleaning clothes in the washer and for drying them after a wash cycle is complete. These type of washing machines also come without a drier. But it’s recommended to choose a washing machine that has both functions because they’re so inexpensive these days!
A semi-automatic washing machine cannot do all the works automatically; someone needs to intervene in the machine manually for some tasks.
To use this type of washing machine the user needs to add water to the tub before washing and then drain the water, when washing is over. This machine has two tubs one for washing and the other is for drying the clothes, and after the washing process is completed the user has to transfer the clothes from the washing tub to drying tub manually.
So in that case the user has to do a lot of work manually, but it also has some advantages, like it does not need a constant water supply as the user needs to add the water, through which a lot of water could be saved. And also these machines are more popular in India as they are cheaper.
Key Benefits
- Semi-automatic washing machines are a great way to save time and money on your household chores.
- There is no need for you to manually wash the clothes, as these machines do it all for you. The machine uses water and detergent that mixes with the clothes in order to clean them. Once the cycle is complete, your clothes will be washed just like they would have been if you had done it yourself!
- Semi-automatic washing machines can handle up to 15 pounds of laundry at one time so that there’s less work for you.
- You’ll also spend less time doing this chore because these units only take about 28 minutes per load which is much faster than handwashing.
Advantages
- Save your time and money, Time consumption for washing is less.
- Less water consumption saves a large amount of water
- You can select the type of washing – delicate, normal, heavy-duty
- Semi-Automatic Washing Machine is more energy efficient
- These Washing machine helps to keep clothes looking new for longer
- Semi-Automatic washing machines are cheaper than Fully automatic ones
- These machines use less water and electricity
- This type of washing machines can be installed anywhere in the house
- Doesn’t require a continuous water supply.
Disadvantages
- It needs user’s manual interventions for washing and drying clothes
- You need to shift clothes from the washer to the drier manually
- No Cold or Hot settings available
- The downfall of a semi-automatic washing machine is that it does not have as many features as a Fully automatic washing Machine
- Everything is not automatic.
- Washing performance is less efficient.
- Chances of electric shock are there.
Fully-Automatic Washing Machines
These are the fully automated machines, which do not require any manually intervene apart from a few tasks.
Fully automated machines had different modes and programs, the user needs to choose the mode for the convenient function. So, the user only needs to press the convenient mode and the machine does the rest by itself.
This machine not only does its task automatically, but it also emphasizes on efficient cleaning.
This also has a built-in-heating function for a hot washing cycle.
These machines perform these 3 basic functions
- Washing
- Rinsing
- and drying
Fully automatic Washing Machines offer many washing functions and they differ from brand to brand. Some of the popular and common functions are
- Prewash
- Heavy wash
- Hot water wash
- Quick wash
- Normal wash
Advantages
- It is fully automated.
- It requires no manual intervention or work
- Advanced Washing functions
- Provide efficient cleaning.
- Occupies less space.
- Less time spent washing clothes
- No more back pain from bending over the sink or standing for hours
Disadvantages
- Expensive Than Semi-Automatic Washing Machines
- Consume a large amount of power supply.
- Water consumption is more.
- Require direct and continuous Water supply
2. Top Load vs Front Load Washing Machines
Based on the way of loading clothes into the washing machines, they are primarily of two types-
- Top-loading machine- This is a vertical axis cloth washer. This design places the garments during a vertically placed bore through the basket that’s contained within a water-retaining tub, with a finned water-pumping agitator within the rock bottom of the basket.
- Front-loading machine- This is often a horizontal axis cloth washer. This layout organizes the inner basket and outer tub horizontally and placed through a door at the front of the machine. The window at the door is not always transparent.
Top Loading Washing Machines
Modern washing machines are a lot easier to work with, and not just because they don’t make your clothes dirty. Some allow you the freedom of adding more clothes even after it’s started spinning too!
Advantages
- These units also vibrate less than older models so that means shorter wash cycles for those busy people who can never seem to find time in their day.
- The control panels are simple enough and anyone could use them without any problems.
- Easier for people who aren’t good at reading instructions or following step by step directions
- People with back problems will find these washing machines easier to use because you don’t have to stoop down.
- You can also add clothes while the machine is running, so there’s never a time when your laundry lacks freshness!
- These units are less tiring than others and they vibrate very little.
- Top loaders have a larger capacity than front-loading machines
- They use less water and energy
- They are quieter because the clothes tumbling around don’t make as much noise as they do in front of loaders
- The door opens from the top, so it’s easier to fill them up with dirty laundry
- There is no need for an agitator which can be difficult to clean or repair
- You can wash more sheets at once because of the increased space inside
Disadvantages
- Use more water and detergent
- Wear and Tear of clothes is more
Front Loading Washing Machines
By using a front-loading washing machine, you can get your laundry done in half the time!
Advantages
- They are the best fit If you are limited on space in your laundry room
- They can accommodate bulkier items and have a larger capacity than top-loading models.
- Front-loaders also tend to use less water and energy which makes them more environmentally friendly than their counterparts.
- These washers offer an excellent opportunity for adding steam during cycle completion!
- Steam offers many benefits including removing stains from stubborn clothes like sweatpants or jeans with tough spots such as patches or paint splatters without damaging fabric fibers while providing extra protection against bacteria growth
Disadvantages
Front loading Washing Machines require routine cleaning to prevent mold from building up around the seal.
3. Wash Functions
With the changing seasons and living in different climates, there’s a need for multiple wash programs. This is an important consideration when buying your next washing machine.
These functions can be:
- Cotton and synthetics
- Wool, delicates, and handwash
- Sports
- Quick Wash
- Half Load
- Easy Iron and Anti-Crease
- Anti-allergy
- Extra Rinse
- Economy mode
- Rinse Hold Facility
4. Build quality of the Drum
Clothes should be inspected for the quality of drum they are to go into. The clothes need a strong, durable drum made from high tensile strength stainless steel that can withstand higher spin speeds.
5. The Capacity of the Motor
The power of the motor decides how your clothes are washed. A high-quality, capacity water pump is a must for getting your laundry clean and dry as fast as possible!
6. Availability of Water
If you want the best clean of your clothes, it’s worth investing in a water-saving machine. What many people don’t realize is that washing machines require an adequate amount of water to function effectively and thoroughly wash all their garments.
If there isn’t enough or any available for the selected cycle on hand, then no matter how effective your washer may be, it can only do so much!
If you’re short on water in your area or don’t have a steady supply, it’s best to invest in a front-loading washing machine. They use less water than top loading machines because gravity does most of the work for them and they rely heavily on motion instead of pressure like traditional washers do.
Apart from these main 6 points there are few more considerations which need attention when you choose a washing machine.
5 Best Glucometer in India for 2021
Other Important Factors
Space: The size of your kitchen or bathroom will determine which washing machine model you choose.
Budget: It also depends on your budget. How much are you willing to spend on your new appliance?
Energy Efficiency: The energy-efficient machines save your electricity bills and the overall cost of cleaning clothes. You can check for the BEE rating on a washing machine also which says the no of units it consumes each year. For example, a 5 star rated appliance will use less power than one with 4 stars or 3 stars would – this means more money saved in addition to being environmentally friendly!
Child locks: It is always to choose a washing machine with child lock in it because it safer for your kids.
How To Use a Washing Machine(User Guide)
Using a Semi Automatic Washing Machine
These are the steps of how to use a semi-automatic washing machine. They are as follows-
- Add the clothes to the washing tub- The user should make sure that the tub is not overfilled and also it’s the washing tub.
- Add water and laundry detergent- The user should check the instructions for the correct limit of water and the detergent.
- Select the duration of the wash- The user needs to choose the duration of the wash more carefully according to the instructions given as per the cloth materials for the wash cycle.
- Drain out the water from the tub and re-add water for the rinse cycle.
- Drain out the water once again when the rinse cycle is completed.
- Take out the clothes from the washing tub and pour those on the drying tub, and if it is a single tub system, then turn on the spinner mode to dry the clothes
- Take out the clothes when the drying cycle is completed and hung the clothes for further drying.
Using a Fully Automatic Washing Machine
There are two types of fully automated machines-
• Top-loading machine, and
• Front loading machine.
Both of them have different steps to use. So we will be discussing the steps for both the machines respectively as declared above.
Steps for using a Top-loading machine.
- Adding laundry detergent- The user should choose laundry detergent precisely for the cloth’s material and then add it in the empty tub, or if there is any laundry dispenser drawer the pour into that.
- Add clothes to the empty tub, and make sure that it’s not fully filled with clothes; means there should be some empty spaces.
- Selection of the washing cycle- The user must choose the mode of the washing cycle according to the respective quality of clothes, and try to follow the instruction manual of the washing cycle provided with the washing machine.
- When every cycle is completed efficiently, take out the loads from the machine immediately, to keep the laundry fresh.
Top 5 Best Pulse Oximeters in India 2020
Top 10 Best Car Bluetooth Devices in India 2020
Steps for Using a front-loading machine
Front-loading machines are a bit confusing to use, there are more options and modes for the wash.
- Adding laundry detergent- The user should follow the instructions of the dosage of the detergent provided on the user manual, precisely for the user’s loads.
- Load the laundry tub with clothes, and make sure it’s leaving some empty spaces.
- Choose the correct temperature on the machine- The user should choose the temperature more precisely according to the fabric of the clothes.
- Selection of the right spin cycle- The user must follow the instruction manual carefully, the spin cycle is very important, as this is the most prime phase of the cleaning, and also if the spin cycle is not appropriate it may cause damages to the clothes.
- Close the machine door and press the go button, the rest will be done by the machine itself.
- Take out the clothes from the tub immediately after every cycle is completed efficiently.
