CECED Magyarország Egyesülés

Things to know about washing machines ... or a housewife’s story

Recently, my washing machine went wrong. I had no choice but to find an alternative solution: washing by hand, taking clothes to a friend, bringing them back wet the next day and drying them at home. That was when I realized that a washing machine was a trustful indispensable companion in life, a fact which we really appreciate only when we have to do without it for some reason.
 
Unfortunately, repairing my old machine would have been very expensive, so I decided to buy a new one. Having been in the major appliance business for almost a year, I decided to do a survey as an expert before choosing the new “member of the family”.

The first question: what does the energy label tell you?

A key criterion for me was to choose a device belonging to energy class A. Unfortunately, it is often said even today (last time I saw it on a washing machine chat forum on the web) that the energy class is not important and these devices are not worth the money. This is simply not true. You buy a washing machine for the long term, 7 years on average, and it is easy to calculate the energy a better device can save you. Compared to a class A machine, a class B machine will consume 17% more and a class C machine 30% more energy. Energy efficiency is determined by calculating the electricity used by a device when washing a 1 kg load using the cotton program at 60oC. However, it is important to note that the value shown on the energy label does not apply to 1 kg but to the maximum load.
 
In addition to energy efficiency, the energy label gives the washing performance. This shows how thoroughly the device can remove dirt from clothes. Washing performance is rated on the basis of sophisticated laboratory tests evaluating the light reflection ability of the washed clothes. “A” means the highest efficiency.
 
Also, the energy label shows water consumption. Some machines need 70-80 liters of water, while others need less than 50 to perfectly clean 5 kg clothes. The latter can save up to 50,000 liter water in 10 years, sufficient to fill up a small private swimming-pool.

Second question: what programs should the washing machine have?

Washing machines with very specific functions are now available on the market (on the internet, I have found a machine specially designed for single men: it has three separate openings for loading, can separate the laundry, and tells you when a compartment is full; also, I was amazed by a freaky machine that sends SMS to the mechanic if it goes wrong). Nevertheless, I decided that until a washing machine that hangs out the clothes to dry by itself becomes available (in this, I would be really interested), I will stay within ordinary parameters and accept that I have to call the mechanic myself if necessary. 

For me, it was important to have a “quick program”. I usually wash clothes that are not heavily soiled. For this, a 30-minute program at a low temperature of 30-40oC will do, especially if you do not have time to run a normal 1.5-2 hour wash cycle.
 
Also, it is essential that in addition to the delicate wool program offered by almost all modern washing machines, the device should have as many special programs as possible.
 
A special program is, for example, the hand wash program. To tell the truth, I did not believe in it at first, but then decided to bravely experiment, and it was well worth it. Unless dry cleaning is expressly prescribed, I can gently wash just about anything with this program in only one hour, and most of the clothes will not even need ironing (some washing machines have an easy-iron option to complete the hand wash program).
 
Also, I like the sports program. If you have a large amount of dirty sports clothes or want to frequently wash trainers by machine, you should probably choose a washing machine that has this option.
 
Some washing machines have a half-load program. This is particularly useful for small families or single persons who would like to wash their clothes sooner that having a full load. This program saves water by reducing the number of rinses or by applying lower water levels in the drum.
 
If you often wash at night, you may want a machine that has a night washing option. The device will work quietly, as this program includes no spinning. However, because of the rinse stop, it uses more water.
 
Start delay may also be useful; you can use this program to run the wash cycle when it is most convenient for you (e.g. when you come home and can start hang out the clothes). Also, you can set this program to wash at night, when electricity is cheaper. 

Third question: spinning efficiency

The spinning program is often pre-set for each program; usually, the speed can be decreased but not increased. Spinning at a very low speed or no spinning is best for delicate fabrics. In general, the humidity remaining in the clothes is 70%, 65%, 58% and 42% at a spin speed of 800, 1000, 1200 and 1800 rpm, respectively. Some believe that speeds above 1000-1200 rpm are harmful to clothes, as they become elongated and tear easily. This is not true; the right choice of program ensures that clothes will not get damaged at the spin speed it uses. It is important to note that if you use a drying machine after spinning, you should spin clothes at min. 1200 rpm to reduce the dryer’s energy consumption.

Fourth question: size is important...

In Hungary, the average flat area is small (because of the large number of system-built flats), so top loading machines are more widely used than in other European countries where front loading machines are preferred. Top loading machines are narrower and need less space. From the point of view of usage, the main difference between the two types is that top loading machines can wash up to 4.5-5 kg of clothes, while front-loading can take up to 6-7 kg (remember to check the maximum load data); in this way, energy can be saved. According to statistical data, there is no difference between the two types in respect of malfunctioning and defects.
 
Dear Reader, as I come tot he end of my tale, you probably want me to tell you which brand and type I finally chose, but I cannot. However, believe me: if you look around the market and have a look at the line of washing machines on exhibit in a big specialist store, you will find the machine that is best for you; the choice is enormous.

 Short history of washing machines

	According to certain sources, the first washing machines appeared in the second half of the 19th century, but washing machines became a household appliance after the industrial revolution. They only became wide-spread in the mid-20th century.   There are three basic types of washing machine: rotating disk, agitator, and rotating drum.
	Rotating disc type washing machines appeared in Europe after the war, and were first sold in Hungary in the early 1970’s. This type is only suitable for washing, has no heating or automatic functions. It has the advantage of being inexpensive, but the disadvantage of processing them heavily. It has a small capacity; only 1.5 kg clothes can be washed per cycle. Also, it requires lots of water: 20 liters per 1 kg load.
	Agitator washers have a large capacity taking 5-10 kg of clothes. Their water, energy and detergent needs are average (water consumption: 15 liters per 1 kg load). They are gentle on clothes. They are not much used in Hungary. These machines are popular in America, Great Britain and Japan.
	In Europe and Hungary, rotating drum machines are the most wide-spread. They imitate the ancient washing technique of beating (in old times, women in the country used a wooden rod to beat dirty clothes until they were clean). The ribs in the drum that rotates relatively slowly back and forth lift the clothes and drop them again and again into the water with detergent, which is also kept in motion. So the clothes in the machine are subject to a relatively strong mechanical impact which, compared to other washing methods, is still considered gentle. This type has the most favorable energy and water consumption parameters (only 8-10 liter of water per 1 kg load).

Important terms

semi-automatic washing machine: this type generally runs the same sequence of operations as automatic washers, but does not heat the water

automatic washing machine: carries out all operations by itself, heats water, washes and spins 

automatic washer: unlike automatic washing machines, these devices have no spinning function

direct spray: this means a special system for spraying water from above to speed up the wetting of clothes

rinse stop: this can be an independent program or part of a (e.g. nighttime) program; clothes are left in the last rinse without spinning them
 

Some statistics^[1]...

[1] A felmérést az Electrolux készíttette 300 háztartás megkérdezésével
[2] Alap: 1797 háztartás, a % azt mutatja, hogy ebből mennyien használják

Szárítás

A gyártók általában egy-két elöltöltős típust szárítógéppel kombinálnak, egy készüléken belül. Az ilyen kombinált mosó- és szárítógépek előnye, hogy helytakarékosak, nem kell külön teregetnünk, ami kis lakások esetében fontos szempont lehet. Természetesen, mint általában a kombi készülékeknek, a kényelmességnek megvan az ára. Például mindig csak a töltőmennyiség felét képesek megszárítani. Egy névlegesen 5 kg kapacitású gépben tehát 5 kg ruhát lehet mosni, de csak 2,5 kg-ot szárítani. Ez annyit jelent, hogy a mosás végén a fél ruhamennyiséget ki kell venni a gépből, majd az első adag szárítása után lehet csak a második adagot megszárítani. Megoldható a folyamatos mosás-szárítás, ha a mosó-szárító automatát a szárító kapacitásának megfelelően, 2,5 kg ruhával töltjük meg. Egy másik fontos szempont, hogy ezek a berendezések a szárításhoz legalább 100 liter vizet használnak, hiszen kondenzációval szárítanak.

Energiahatékonyabbak a külön szárítógépek.

De ne felejtse, a legtakarékosabb megoldás a szabad levegőn terítve szárítani a ruhákat, a Nap semmi mással nem pótolhatóan teszi illatossá a ruhát, ágyneműt…