LinkTastic Online Shopping - Buyers Guide For Home Laundry
Most people will be looking to buy a fully automatic washing machine. However there are still high quality top loaders available. The web offers a fantastic range of washing machines, tumble dryers and washer dryers. But with so many available how do you know which one to choose?
HOME LAUNDRY - WASHING MACHINES
Washing Machine Installation
A washing machine will need to be installed close to an electrical socket, with access to hot and cold water. It also requires an outlet, usually a standpipe. The washing machine must also be placed on a level surface. Some washing machines have adjustable feet whereas others just have wheels, which improve mobility but hamper the levelling-out process.
How Does a Washing Machine Work?
The basic requirements for washing clothes are generally water, heat, detergent, time and mechanical action. For this all washing machines need a tub with heating element and something to put the fabrics in, the drum. Once the water and detergent are added, mechanical action is required to soak and agitate the clothes. Some washing machines use fuzzy logic - intelligent electronics - to improve the wash performance whilst reducing the water, electric and detergent consumption.
Washing Machine Sizes
Most washing machines take a 5Kg load, though there are some 6Kg washing machines available. There also compact washing machines that take around 3.5Kg.
Washing Machine Fuzzy Logic
This helps the washing machine "think for itself". There is no one standard for fuzzy logic, which means that fuzzy logic washing machines will all do different things to different degrees. Fuzzy logic is quite prevalent in the washing machine sector. It works by continually monitoring varying conditions inside the washing machine, and adjusting itself accordingly to ensure the optimum performance using minimum water and energy. A typical "fuzzy logic" washing machine will control the main wash, the water intake, water temperature, wash time, rinse performance and spin speed. More sophisticated washing machines can even measure the load size; assess material type and water hardness and whether the detergent is powder or liquid.
Washing Performance
Washing machine programmes dictate the temperature, water level, wash rhythm, wash speed and spin speed according to the type of clothes being washed. The starting point for all core programmes is the textile-care labels. These labels tell you whether or not a garment is machine-washable. If it is it will indicate the temperature at which it should be washed and the spin and agitation speeds that would be most suitable. It will also indicate whether it can be tumble-dried.
Energy Labels
This allows you to compare the energy rating and wash performance of all washing machines, tumble dryers and washer dryers before you buy one. It also allows you to work out the annual water and electricity costs of running the washing machine.
Washing Machine Spin Speed / Drying Efficiency
The amount of water extracted from the wash load is not only dependent on the spin speed. It also depends on the drum size, the number of holes in the drum and the length of spin. Looking at the Energy Labels will allow you to compare this between washing machines.
HOME LAUNDRY - WASHING MACHINES - ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMES
Hand Wash Programmes
These allow users to wash "hand wash only" garments such as silk and wool in the washing machine.
Economy / Energy Saving Programme / Half Load
These programmes save water and detergent by reducing wash time and cutting out the rinse or reducing the temperature and increasing the wash time. Some washing machines will have an automatic load adjustment so will not need the half load button.
Pre Wash
This programme can be used to loosen dirt and water-soluble stains before the main wash.
Quick Wash
Ideal for lightly soiled clothes, this function reduces the washing time to around 30 minutes or less.
Bio Wash Phases
The enzymes in modern detergents are most effective at removing protein-based stains at lower temperatures - between 30 and 50 degrees Celsius. During a Bio phase the ideal temperature is maintained long enough to allow optimum utilisation of the enzymes. This ensures the best wash results possible.
HOME LAUNDRY - WASHING MACHINE FEATURES
The features on a washing machine will be dependent upon the make and model that you purchase.
Noise Reduction
The quietest washing machines available have a noise level as low as 46dB, quieter than a kettle boiling.
Skin Care
People with sensitive skin will benefit with washing machines that will offer super rinsing facilities. This will be achieved by an extra rinse cycle or by incorporating fuzzy logic to adjust the amount of rinse water to achieve the best rinse results.
Anti Crease
There are various anti-crease systems on washing machines that result in less ironing. Rinse hold is the most common method, where the clothes are suspended in the last rinse water until you advance the programme. This allows you to remove the clothes straight after the spin thus reducing creasing.
Spin Only
This facility is available on the majority of washing machines and is useful for spinning off clothes that have been hand-washed. This is very beneficial if your washing machine does not have a hand wash programme.
Child Lock
Many washing machines are now being produced with child resistant locks and controls.
Start/Finish Timers
This washing machine feature allows you to take advantage of cheaper nighttime electricity.
Detergent Loss System
This feature prevents the loss of and eventual build-up of detergent in the washing machine.
HOME LAUNDRY - WASHER DRYERS
Washer dryers comprise a washing machine and tumble dryer in one unit. Ideal for space saving. Washer dryers normally wash a 5kg load, but most will only dry 2.5kg.
Washer dryers condense the steam created from drying damp clothes, back into water and pump it through the drain hose. You may now buy a washer dryer that has an inbuilt sensor to detect when the clothes are completely dry to prevent over drying which will crease the materials.
Some washer dryers allow you to wash and dry straight through as long as the load is small enough.
HOME LAUNDRY - TUMBLE DRYERS
There are two types of tumble dryer available:
- Vented Tumble Dryers:- these tumble dryers require venting or plumbing.
- Condenser Tumble Dryers:- these tumble dryers do not require plumbing and so can be placed anywhere near to an electric socket. These tumble dryers work by cooling the moisture from damp clothes and changing back into water, which is then stored in a container.
HOME LAUNDRY - TUMBLE DRYER FEATURES
The features on a tumble dryer will be dependent upon the make and model that you purchase.
Timed Drying
Most tumble dryers have a 120 minute timer that allows more than enough time to dry clothes spun even as low as 800rpm.
Heat Settings
Most tumble dryers offer two heat settings - a high for cottons and linens and a low for acrylics and synthetics.
Sensor Drying
Sensor drying requires you to set the degree of dryness that you want and the tumble dryer will then sense this and stop automatically at the correct level.
Reverse Tumble
Reverse tumble loosens the clothes as they dry. If the washing is not removed immediately the cycle ends, some tumble dryers offer a cooling phase where the clothes are re-tumbled to keep them as crease free as possible.
Fluff Filter
Tumble dryer fluff filters need to be cleaned frequently. Some tumble dryers have an indicator light to alert you when to clean the filter. Easy access to the filter is an important feature of a tumble dryer.
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