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The maximum amount of dry laundry at which the washing machine provides normal washing quality and does not experience overload. For two people, a machine with a capacity of up to 5 kg is enough, for more — accordingly, more. The optimal value for families are models for 6 and 7 kg. For large families, washing machines for 8 kg, 9 kg and even 10+ kg will be appropriate. For small apartments, it is worth noting narrow washing machines that have a depth of up to 40 cm, but at the same time capacity like in full-size machines.

Note that for different work programmes the allowable capacity can also be different. For example, for a quick wash, this number is most often noticeably less than the maximum stated in the specifications. These details should be specified in the instructions for the unit.

The internal volume of the drum of the washing machine.

A larger drum can accommodate more laundry, but there is no rigid dependence here: models with the same volume may differ in maximum capacity. It is because to process a large mass of laundry you need not only a capacious drum but also an engine of appropriate power. At the same time, it should be noted that in a larger drum, the same mass of laundry will be washed and dried more efficiently than in a small one. On the other hand, a volumetric drum takes up more space — the size of the device is largely determined by the size of the drum.

Maximum drum rotation speed in spin mode. The higher it is, the more intense the spin. However, note that not all types of fabric normally tolerate high speeds — a speed of 1000 rpm or more should be used only for especially durable fabrics, and delicate ones need to be wrung out at low speeds, so the best choice is a machine that allows you to choose the spin speed.

The maximum spin speed ( 1200 rpm, 1400 rpm), in particular, determines its efficiency (see Spin class), but this parameter is not decisive — the duration of the spin cycle and the diameter of the drum also play an important role. Therefore, for machines with the same spin speed, their efficiency class may differ.

The volume of water used by the washing machine during a standard wash cycle. It is measured while washing the maximum amount of cotton underwear for this model with a normal programme and a temperature of 60 degrees.

When evaluating efficiency, one should consider not only the actual water consumption but also the maximum load. So, for example, a model with a load of 7 kg and a consumption of 49 litres per kilogram of laundry will be more economical than a model of 5 kg with a consumption of 40 litres: the first consumes 49/7 = 7 litres per 1 kg of laundry, the second 40/5 = 8 litres per kilogram. This moment is important, first of all, if a large amount of washing is expected.

Many modern automatic washing machines are equipped with intelligent systems that can adjust the water consumption to the actual load and avoid overspending.

Washing machine with an inverter electric motor.

Such motors are also called brushless because they do not have commutator brushes. Thanks to this feature, the noise level, heating and wear are significantly reduced, which has a positive impact on efficiency, reliability and durability. In addition, the accuracy of rotation speed control is increased. The reverse side of the coin is the rather high price of such machines.

When selecting a washing machine based on the number of programs, it's important to keep in mind that having 12 to 16 modes is typically sufficient. More programs, such as 25 or more, may simply offer variations of the same standard programs with different settings for duration, temperature, spin speed, etc. This may not necessarily provide a wider variety of programs. Additionally, machines with the same number of modes may have different specific sets of programs. While more modes increase the possibilities for selecting an optimal mode, it also significantly increases the cost.

It is worth noting that the cotton, synthetics, wool, rinse, drain and spin programmes are mandatory for almost any washing machine, and there is no need to specifically specify their presence. Therefore, only more rare and specific modes are indicated here: custom programme, quick wash, delicate, hygiene (baby care), sportswear, dark garmentjeans, shirts, outerwear, down clothes, bedding, blankets, refresh (no washing), night wash and self clean, etc. Here is a description of these and some other popular modes:

— Custom programme. A programme, all the parameters of which can be configured manually: set the temperature, duration, spin speed, additional processing features, etc. at your discretion. It significantly expands the possibilities for working with the machine and allows you to select the optimal modes for special cases when the list of ready programmes is not enough. In the simplest models, a "custom programme" is created ba...sed on one of the standard modes, in which the user makes his changes. For the next use of such a programme, it is enough to select it on the control panel without setting the settings again. In more advanced units, it is possible to store several unique programmes in memory at once.

— Quick wash. The quick wash programme is especially useful for lightly soiled items that do not require thorough treatment (for example, casual clothes after a hot day). In addition to time, such a programme also allows you to significantly save water and electricity. Well, of course, it can be real salvation if the time for washing is limited, but you can’t do without it. Often, the design provides more than one quick wash mode — for example, for 15 and 30 minutes. It allows you to choose the option that is optimal in terms of speed/economy and thoroughness.

— Delicate wash. A programme designed for sensitive materials — fine silk, cambric, lace fabrics, some types of nylon and polyester, etc. Usually, washing in this mode occurs with an increased amount of water and the permissible load does not exceed 2 kg — all this reduces the friction of items among themselves, and large volumes of water also allow you to effectively rinse the fabric. Spinning is usually carried out at low speeds or skipped altogether. And in some models, other options for delicate washing may be provided; they should be specified separately. However, if you plan to wash things that require especially careful handling, you cannot do without this programme.

— Hygiene (baby care). The mode implies increased thoroughness of processing. It is designed to remove dirt, pathogenic bacteria, etc. from the processed items as much as possible. Such effective processing is especially important for clothes intended for young children Therefore, most often this programme is just called “baby care”. This mode has two main features. Firstly, by default, washing is carried out at an elevated temperature — this ensures the effective removal of contaminants and the destruction of germs. Secondly, rinsing after washing is done with great care — so that even in the most hard-to-reach folds there are no traces of detergent left. In some machines, other nuances are also provided; they should be specified separately.

— Sportswear. Special programme for processing sportswear between workouts. Such clothes are usually soaked with sweat but there are not so many other contaminants on them. It is sufficiently resistant to mechanical stress but does not always allow high temperatures. Workouts can take place daily, so spending a lot of time on washing can be a luxury — after all, things must also dry. This is taken into account in this mode: “sportswear” washing usually involves a small load and low temperature, and reduced spin speeds may also be provided. However, the specific features of this programme, again, do not hurt to clarify separately.

— Dark garment. A key feature of dark fabrics is that even minimal detergent residues are clearly visible on them. Therefore, a mandatory feature of the programme for dark clothes is thorough rinsing. In addition, this mode often provides gentle processing in general — so that things retain their original colour longer and do not form wrinkles on them.

- Denim clothes. Despite the overall strength and reliability, denim is quite sensitive to intensive washing. Therefore, in washing machines for such things, a special gentle mode with a lower temperature and a reduced speed of rotation of the drum can be provided. This mode is also well suited for thin shirts, which is why in some models it is called accordingly - for example, "shirts / jeans".

- Shirts. Special program for delicate washing of shirts and other business style clothes. The key feature of this mode can be called a small load at low speeds and a short spin time, in order to avoid the formation of wrinkles on the fabric.

- Down jackets (down things). Natural fluff easily accumulates water and is very reluctant to "return" it. Therefore, one of the features of this program is usually long pauses in the rotation of the drum - so that the water that has accumulated in the product has time to drain effectively.

- Outerwear. A special program for washing demi-season and winter jackets with an emphasis on respect for the filler of the upper wardrobe. The mode involves the use of low temperature, low rotational speed of the drum and gentle spin. This program also helps outerwear fabrics retain their waterproof properties.

- Bed sheets. Program adapted for the gentle washing of sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases. For best results, it is suggested to load the same type of bed linen into the washer drum. The program is usually aimed at work with a small load (2-4 kg).

— Blankets. Care mode for duvets and bedspreads of various types. As a rule, this program is designed for washing voluminous bed linen in the manner of duvets. One of its features is usually long pauses in the rotation of the drum - so that the water that has accumulated in the product has time to drain effectively. This program is also suitable for washing lined and downy items.

— Refresh (no washing). A special mode for processing things that do not require a full wash but need cleaning. A typical example of such things is clothes that have been “idle” for a long time, accumulating dust and unpleasant odours, or things that have been worn once and not for long. In the refresh mode, the machine does not use water but other methods of processing fabrics. One of the most popular options is an intense stream of hot steam: it removes or destroys substances responsible for an unpleasant smell, blows out dust from fabrics that could accumulate there, and also facilitates the removal of wrinkles on fabrics, which are smoothed out when dry. bad. Another option for refresh is blowing with active oxygen. This method does not remove dust as effectively, but it perfectly eliminates unpleasant odours. Anyway, when refreshing, detergents are not used, and clothes are not wetted with water, and in extreme cases, slightly moistened. Often things can be used almost immediately after being removed from the drum.

— Self clean. A utility programme for cleaning the insides of the machine from various contaminants that may accumulate during operation. In this mode, things are not loaded, and the drum is intensively washed with hot water, which allows you to effectively clean it and destroy pathogenic bacteria. However, it is worth noting that in many models this programme practically does not differ from ordinary washing at a high temperature (about 90 °C). So even in the absence of a special self-cleaning mode, similar results can be achieved by running a high-temperature wash with an empty drum without spinning.

- Night wash. Low noise program designed for washing machine at night and similar conditions. In this mode, the machine works as silently as possible: with smooth movements of the drum, low spin speed and turning off the sound signals of the equipment. The rest of the washing parameters are usually set manually.

An automatic safety system that controls the integrity of the system for supplying and draining water to the washing machine and stops the water supply in the event of a leak. The protection can be installed on the hoses, on the body, or both (full protection).

Leak-proof hoses are equipped with special sensors and solenoid valves at both ends that shut off the water supply in the event of a breach in the hose. They can be used for both sampling and draining water. It is worth noting that for most washing machines, leak-proof hoses can be purchased separately, even if they are not included in the original package.

Protection of the body of the washing machine is carried out using sensors installed on the bottom of the device isolated from water. When water enters the bottom, its supply to the machine is turned off. The presence of leak protection allows you to avoid troubles like a short circuit or a flood in the house. However, leak-proof machines are more expensive than conventional machines, all other things being equal.

The child lock allows you to lock the control panel so that a child cannot change the operating mode of the washing machine — stop the programme prematurely, start the machine without loading, etc.