This guide examines the nuances of the design, installation and operation of household automatic machines and gives basic answers to the question of how to choose a washing machine. And in the final part of the review, brief recommendations are presented that will help extend the service life of your equipment.

Types of washing machines

All designs of modern washing units are reduced to two varieties — semi-automatic and automatic machines. Since semi-automatic machines with a limited set of functions have manual filling and removal of water, and the quality of washing leaves much to be desired, despite the low cost and compact size, they are bought for certain purposes when there is no point in buying a conventional washing machine. Semi-automatic machines justify themselves only in country houses and dachas, where it happens to be only on weekends, and such an express unit for quick washing will be quite appropriate. But for permanent use in the household, it is better to use a full-fledged washing machine.

An important criterion for classifying machines is the capacity of the loading drum, which determines the amount of dry laundry that can be washed in 1 cycle. For a family of 1-2 people, a device with a minimum volume of 3-5 kg will be enough, an automatic machine with a 7 kg drum will satisfy the needs of a family of 3-4 people, and for a large family of 5+, an aggregate with a laundry capacity of over 8 kg will be required. But it is worth considering that these data in washing machines are very conditional, because the weight of dry laundry is indicated in the standard washing mode — cotton. For washing, for example, flax, an 8 kg machine and a 5 kg machine can have the same load of 3 kg.

Each washing machine with an automatic cycle has a spin function, but the degree of spin depends on the class of the machine and is determined by the speed of rotation of the drum. The higher the spin speed, the less time you will spend on drying the laundry. Current devices have a minimum spin speed of 800 rpm, and high-end models are able to perform spin at speeds up to 1600 rpm, allowing you to get almost dry laundry out of the machine. High-speed spin without fear should be used only for cotton underwear.

The presence of a drying mode in the machine it is not a fleeting function, but rather says that the washing unit belongs to a special class of products of a high price category and combines 2 devices. Drying things directly in the drum with the help of a stream of warm air accelerates and simplifies the final stage of washing, without requiring additional space for hanging laundry in the house or on the balcony. Note that in the laundry drying mode, the drum should be filled only half in order to provide better access for air circulation. For things that are subject to mandatory ironing, this mode is not so important, and if you just want to put dry laundry on the shelf, then it will be useful. Note that the drying mode in the washing machine is a simplified alternative to a stand-alone dryer, which does this job many times better. And if there are funds to buy a drying unit and a place where it can be placed, then such a machine is very justified.

Washing machines with dryer

Type, dimensions and installation method of the washing machine

Choosing the type and size of the automatic machine, you should start from the free space in the room where you plan to place the washing machine. If finding a place is not a problem, then you can safely take the front model, and if there is a shortage of space, it is better to stop at the device with vertical loading. This choice is explained by the fact that the opening door for loading laundry "eats up" additional space near the washing machine. And this is especially important for front models, where the door opens sideways, and less important for vertical machines, the hatch cover of which is tilted up.


The type of device does not affect the quality of washing and pressing in any way, but in addition to the features of loading laundry, it has differences in the dimensions of the models. If vertical machines have standard dimensions of 85x40x60 cm, then there is a dimensional classification for front models:

  • full—size (HxWxD) — 85x60x52-60 cm;
  • narrow — with a depth of less than 40 cm;
  • compact — characterized by ultra-small dimensions and limited loading, not exceeding 4 kg;

Another important difference separating washing equipment with frontal and vertical loading is the maximum capacity of the drum or the weight of dry laundry that the machine can wash in one cycle. A maximum of 7 kg of dirty laundry is placed in the drum of the vertical model, and advanced front-loading devices can handle washing up to 12 kg of dry cotton laundry.

Narrow washing machines (up to 40 cm)

Mounting method and type of motor drive

There are two installation options: as a freestanding washing machine, or as part of the technical equipment built into the furniture set. You should know that to place a furniture cabinet in a niche, it is better to buy built-in models of washing machines that are more expensive than conventional appliances, but are better adapted for installation in a closed niche thanks to a special height adjustment system of the legs. However, it is not uncommon for ordinary devices to be built into the furniture wall or under the countertop.


Washing machines also differ in the type of torque transfer from the engine to the drum. In most models, it is carried out using a belt drive, but there are also direct-drive devices that have a rigid connection of the motor shaft to the drum shaft. Such designs, due to the absence of an intermediate transmission mechanism, are more reliable and have a reduced noise level. The main supplier of the market of direct-drive washing appliances is LG, which was the pioneer of this technology.

Direct drive washing machines

Classes of automatic machines: washing, spin and energy consumption

The classification of models of automatic machines by the quality of washing and pressing for simplicity is displayed as a designation of one of the letters of the Latin alphabet, decreasing as the class deteriorates:

  • A+++/A++ highest quality;
  • A+/A – excellent quality;
  • B – very good quality;
  • C – good quality.

If everything is more or less clear with the quality of washing, then the spin class characterizes the residual humidity of the laundry. Moreover, the lower it is, the wetter the laundry will be after pressing. It makes no sense to consider lower washing/spin classes, because they no longer meet modern requirements.


Similarly, the situation is with the power consumption of models. You can learn more about the classification of energy consumption of washing machines in our article"From A+++ to G: energy efficiency classes of household appliances".

Tank material and leak protection

The inner tank in which the drum rotates can be made of heat-resistant polymers (plastic) or stainless steel. Of course, cars with a plastic tank weigh less, but they are more prone to leaks than metal ones. Despite the increased durability, the steel tank also brings a negative moment to the design of the machine — such an aggregate will have a higher noise level than a device with a plastic tank. An important aspect of preventing neighbors from flooding is the built-in leak protection elements. This applies to the design features of hose connections, including double tubes and solenoid valves, as well as protection against leakage of the housing using a float mechanism. Current models can be made with partial or full leak protection, which allows you to start washing with a delayed start or remotely, without personal supervision of the process.

Built-in functions, programs and laundry management

The basic features that are available in all washing machines of new generations suggest a variety of options for washing clothes from various fabrics, as well as the presence of a spin function. The number of washing and spin programs can vary significantly and include either a minimum set of 8-10 preset modes in inexpensive models, or a full hardware of dozens of automatic cycles in expensive devices. Regardless of the richness of the software equipment, all machines have the ability to wash products from the main types of fabrics:

  • made of cotton and linen (temperature up to 90 °C);
  • made of synthetic materials (temperature up to 60 °C);
  • made of wool (temperature up to 40 °C);
  • delicate fabrics (temperature up to 40 °C).

You should pay attention to the presence of such a "bonus" mode as "quick wash", which is necessary not so much to remove dirt as to make the underwear fresh, as well as the "half load" mode, which helps out a lot when there are not enough things accumulated for a full load of the drum. However, you should not chase an excess of programs, most of which are unlikely to be in demand. So, for example, the washing mode of children's clothes, popular in young families, is absolutely not necessary for a lonely bachelor who prefers washing jeans.


The vast majority of washing machines today are equipped with an electronic control system, which in fact can vary significantly in the convenience of settings. It can be a simplified system with rotary programme selection selectors and LED indicators, or a more advanced device with a large digital display and touch buttons. The most "fancy" devices are equipped with intelligent FuzzyLogic control systems that control most of the operating parameters of the machine. Smart electronics effortlessly adjusts the operation of the unit in the best way, weighs the laundry, selects the optimal temperature and duration of washing, sets the rinsing and spin modes, monitors the excess of foaming and balances the drum with uneven distribution of laundry.

Additional useful features of washing machines

The presence of such additions, usually, indicates that you are looking at an expensive model of a vending machine with advanced functionality:

  • Steam wash function. Steam supplied to the drum instead of water improves the cleaning of fabric fibers from dirt and eliminates bacteria. This function is an effective complement to some washing modes. So, it is often present in the washing mode of children's underwear, cleaning it at the final stage of the cycle from dirt residues and disinfecting things;
  • Air bubble washing function. Saturation of water with air bubbles improves the quality of washing. The technology is very demanding on the indicators of water hardness, because the air "bubbles" better in soft water;
  • Jet rinse function. The laundry is rinsed with water jets, which are sprayed under pressure from special nozzles. Compared to conventional rinsing, this process is more performant and takes less time.
  • Direct injection function. It consists in the dosed supply of the detergent solution directly into the washing drum through the nozzle located in its upper part. Allows you to save on the consumption of water and detergents, while improving the quality of washing;
  • Timer for the end of washing. Most washing machines are equipped with a washing start timer, which does not allow you to predict the end time of the cycle. Machines with a timer for the end of washing as a starting point take exactly the estimated time of completion of work and automatically determine the start time of the programme, which finishes at the time you set;
  • Inverter motor. Progressive design of a brushless electric motor with increased efficiency and reduced noise level. And also more durable than a conventional engine;
  • Automatic dosing of detergent. The automatic detergent dosing system works on the basis of an electronic analysis of sensor readings that determine the type of fabric, the weight of the loaded laundry, the degree of contamination, the level of water hardness and many other washing parameters. Most of these systems are not designed for the use of washing powder and are "sharpened" to work with liquid detergents.
  • Laundry loading hatch. Additional door for laying laundry during the washing cycle. You can supplement the drum with things that you forgot to put in, as well as laundry that did not need pre-washing. Additional loading can be done by setting the washing programme to pause, and then continue the work cycle;
  • Remote control. In the first case, control from a smartphone via Bluetooth allows you to turn a mobile device into a remote control, and the installed application provides better customization options than the standard control panel. Also, using the Wi-Fi module, you can control the washing processes via the Internet, gaining access to remote control of the machine.

Useful additions bring a new level of comfort to working with the machine and provide a higher quality of washing. Therefore, it is natural that the presence of such functions significantly increases the cost of the washing unit. But whether they are really necessary to overpay for them is up to you.

Steam wash machines

Operating recommendations

The purchase of a model of a world-famous brand is not a guarantee of long-term and trouble-free operation of the device. Often, without knowing it, we shorten the "life" of home appliances by rash actions. In order for the washing machine to last longer, it is necessary to adhere to simple operating rules:


  • Take the trouble to separate coloured underwear from white and make it a rule to wash them separately. You will be surprised how the quality of washing will change;
  • Do not overload the drum with things. Otherwise, at least, you should not count on high-quality washing, and in the worst case, you can disable the machine;
  • Check the pockets of clothes and remove all items from there. Small change, lighter, keys, etc. can damage the moving drive elements through the holes in the drum;
  • Fasten buttons and zippers on clothes. At a high speed of rotation of the drum during spinning, metal fittings can cause damage to the machine; Do not "mix" large and small things in one bookmark. Such loading can lead to unbalancing of the drum; Do not use hand-washing products in automatic machines. Such powders and detergents are prone to increased foam formation, which will have a bad effect on the quality of washing;
  • If the water in the water supply is too hard, use softeners. This will help to improve the quality of washing and prevent the appearance of limescale on important elements of the machine;
  • Perform regular cleaning of the retractable detergent dispenser from detergent residues. The exact amount and completeness of the dissolution of the detergent largely depends on the quality of washing;
  • After washing, wipe the rubber cuff of the hatch dry and leave the door open. This will help to avoid a musty smell in the "suffocated" drum and prevent the spread of fungus there.;
  • Do not hesitate to take another look at the operating instructions if something is not clear to you. This will save you from errors that can lead to a breakdown of the device.

Conclusions

Now that you know a little more about washing machines, it will be much easier to choose the "same" model that is needed for the house. And by asking the right questions, you will understand that a modern washing machine is not necessarily an expensive machine. It may well be a high-quality model from a popular brand without unnecessary functions, for which there is no point in overpaying. It remains only to clarify the dimensions of the device so that it fits optimally in the place assigned to it.