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Washing Machine Buyers Guide

With more and more housewives deciding to share the responsibility of earning the family's bread, they have less and less time for basic chores, be it assisting children with their homework, cooking, etc,; laundry takes the worst beating (functionally). While housewives in suburbs may still be able to identify reliable 'dhobhis', the ones in cities find it more and more difficult as time goes by, or may just not like the idea of someone taking your clothes down to thrash them on a rock in some unknown local river. The next best thing that the urban housewife can do is identifying a good washing machine!

How does one decide which one is best for one's needs? There are top loaders and front loaders, single and multi-speed units, washers with and without dryers, space savers, energy conservers, the options are growing by the day.

Since most washers last for many years, it pays to shop wisely for the features and performance you want. But which one to buy?

Key Considerations

While purchasing a washing machine, there are three key factors that play a major role in your decision:

How Much Space Do You Have?

Measure the space available for your new washer; don’t forget to measure the widths of any doorways or halls leading to the location.

How Big a Machine Do You Need?

Choose a washer that suits the amount of laundry you do per load, without having to pack clothes tightly. Match washer and dryer tub capacity to avoid having to divide single wash loads into multiple dryer loads.

What Kinds of Clothes Do You Wash?

Match speeds and cycles to the types of articles you’ll be washing most frequently. For example, muddy jeans require hotter water, faster agitation and longer wash time than delicate lingerie. The more types of clothing you wash, the more speeds and cycles to opt for. Washing machine capacities are measured in cubic feet, ranging from 2.5 cubic feet to 5.5 cubic feet. For a large family, large loads are economical and efficient way to wash.

We assume the typical Indian consumer has a hot water line established and working at the time of running a washing machine. Most washers have two inlets - one for hot water and one for cold - to perform their job efficiently. And remember no single machine could be a perfect tool for every family.

Features to Consider

Let us look at each of the features available with today's washers:

Types of Washers

Most washers load from the top. Some washers load from the front - called horizontal-axis or tumble-action washers - are known as front-loaders. Let us look at both the advantages and disadvantages of each of the types:

In a top-loading washer, the washer tub contains a spindle that works clothes through the water during washing and rinsing. Top-loading washers have a wide variety of models and price ranges. They are also easy to load. The only downside to such models is that they consume a lot of energy

As opposed to a top-loader, the front-loader does not have any agitator. Instead, the tub revolves around a horizontal axis, like a dryer, cleaning by tumbling the load through the water. Front-loaders definitely save on energy and water consumption - they load more clothes than a top-loader! While they are even 'easy' on your clothes during the wash and rinse cycles, they even extract more water from the clothes during the fast spin cycles thus reducing the drying time (an additional saving there!) The design (if the controls are located on the front panel) allow you to install the unit under a kitchen counter. The two major disadvantages in purchasing a front loading unit are that the initial cost of purchase is pretty high and they require specially formulated detergents that are not yet readily available in the market.

Another problem Indian consumers may find cumbersome and avoidable is that the front-loading units tend to tangle clothes (especially Sarees and other lengthy clothes) in the spin cycles.

Speeds and Cycles

Washers come with anywhere between one and four speeds for wash/ spin.

Multiple speeds allow you to choose the speed setting to adjust to specific load combinations. Heavily soiled towels, for instance, may benefit from a gentle/fast setting; this gives you a medium wash speed, allowing thorough cleaning while minimizing damage to the nap, and then a fast spin, to extract the water from this highly absorbent material.

Motor speed affects how fast the agitator (or the rotating tub) spins.

Cycles are the various combinations of water temperature, motor speed and the amount of time the clothes spend agitating. There are three basic cycles: regular, gentle and permanent press. Any additional cycles are variations on those themes; they allow you to choose from a series of combinations too numerous to list here.

The less expensive models have slower spin speeds (about 800 rpm (revolutions per minute)) while the higher end models have faster spin speeds (1600 rpm). The most popular spin speed is about 1000rpm, which is enough for most people's needs. Expensive models with high spin speeds tend to wear out quicker as they have additional features that require the drum to rotate more times per wash than the slower ones.

Regular, Delicate, and Permanent Press are the manufacturer's predetermined combinations of temperature and speeds, to best clean the fabric type indicated.

Heavy Soil, Pre-wash, Presoak and others expand these pre-configured wash options.

Delicates, for example, will most likely be washed in a combination of slower speeds and milder temperatures to protect the fabric.

In addition to the standard wash cycles, some models also carry an additional cycle like the hand wash cycle that agitates clothes gently, prolonging the life of delicate items. This feature might be for you if you hate taking your Wools and silks to the dry cleaner.

Number of Wash/ Rinse Temperatures

The number of wash/ rinse temperature combinations are generally from three to five. Three (hot/ cold, warm/ cold and cold/ cold) are typical. Warm/ warm appears on higher-end models. Top-of-the-line models use heat sensitive switches to control water temperature.

Remember, since rinsing is merely a dilution process, cold water works as well as warm and can save energy costs.

Water Levels and Temperature Settings

A choice of water levels allows you to fill the tub to a level to match your load and avoid wastage of water. Water usage on each water level is an important factor in saving energy. Instead of comparing washers that seem to have the same size tub, look for a washer with little space between the inner and outer tub. This ensures more usable water for the load and less overall water consumption.

Most washers also offer three to four temperature settings, allowing for water temperatures ranging from cold to hot, depending on the type of fabric being washed. Some high-end clothes washers offer infinite water-level control and as many as seven temperature settings.

Remember, while washers offer options for cold, warm, and hot cycles, the temperature of the water actually depends on your water heater setting. Your water heater should be set between 120 degrees F (49 degrees C) and 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) for best wash results.

Inline Heater

Boosts temperature of incoming household hot water up to 170^°F. Hotter water cleans durable fabrics - especially whites - more effectively.

Dispenser

This feature allows automatic dispensing of bleach or fabric softener at the appropriate time during the wash cycle. If you regularly use bleach or softener, this feature is an essential convenience.

End-of-cycle Alarm

The alarm sounds when washing is done, prompting you to hang permanent press clothing immediately to avoid ironing.

Timer

Lets you know at a glance how many minutes are left in the wash cycle, so you can judge whether or not you can tackle another chore or errand before the washer finishes.

Powder, Liquid or Tablet

Soap manufacturers across the world are working on the best form of soap for your various laundry needs. Each form works performs in the same manner and does not outdo the other in any respect - so just relax and don't worry about buying powder, liquid or tablet. Use what you find is convenient or is cheapest. If you are using powder, the only consideration is the water inlet pressure - it should be good enough to flush the powder out of the dispenser and dissolve it.

Water Softening Agents

If you live in a soft water area, you are lucky. If not, consider the calcium deposit spread over about eight to ten years. The main part that is affected is the in-line heater (if your unit has one). Heater elements usually do not need replacement less than ten years - whatever scale is deposited on them.

Noise Level

This is one factor you would want to consider before purchasing a washer - especially if you are going to use the unit in a place that is in close proximity to someone's (if not yours!) living quarters. Check with the dealer or someone who is already using a similar model about the noise factor - visit the installation if permissible to evaluate the sound level yourself. Faster machine spins generate higher noise levels.

Weight

A heavy washing machine has a purpose behind it - stabilizing the unit during wash and spin actions! Manufacturers add weight to your machine: it could either be a concrete or a steel weight. Without a solid weight in your washer, a large item or a few items of clothing bunch together into a ball and cause the machine to become unbalanced. Reloading the machine will cure your washer. Some machines give an occasional lurch as the motor adjusts to the load of the washing - a small lurch is acceptable and is not a problem.

Pump

Make sure your washer pump resists the effects of water, detergent, bleach, and other laundry additives. A pump with a polypropylene housing, a positive pressure water seal, and a stainless steel shaft is virtually indestructible.

Platform

Corrosion protection is a must as we are dealing with a unit that could sit in water continuously. Settle of a simple but efficient platform that would keep the unit isolated from the water on the floor. Most washers have leveling legs that allow adjustments during the life of the washer. Legs that have a locking nut and rubber pad may help secure the washer in place to minimize vibration and protect against marks on the floor.

Warranty

Buy from a reputable dealer with a history of satisfied customers. An in-store service department, or arrangements with an outside firm to handle service, may also be important.

Carefully study the manufacturer's warranty to determine how long the complete appliance is covered. Certain parts may be covered by an extended warranty. It may be desirable to have a warranty that moves with you in the event of a household move. A one- to two-year warranty on parts and service is standard, and almost always sufficient.

Problems Encountered During Washing

One most serious consideration Indian consumers should consider while washing clothes is the hooks on ladies' dresses. It seems that these hooks are designed to hold your dhobis account open no matter how many washing machines you change. Why? The hooks, during the wash, rinse or spin cycle, tend to get stuck in the little holes, while the cloth beats around in the drum and somehow manages to reach the spindle and wrap around it. That is when the washer action is brought to a standstill until you undo the damage!

This problem can be solved by grouping such dresses in netted bags that hold the cloth in a confined area even if the hooks decide to stick on to a hole in the tub.

Another problem is that small clothes like socks tend to get stuck in the gaps - especially when the loads tend to be larger than acceptable; make sure the loads are moderate and well within recommended levels. Have smaller clothes loaded first.

And above all, it would be worth the effort to have pockets of all clothes checked for tiny things like pencils, erasers, coins, chocolate, screws (of course!). Paper contents are OK [like a One hundred or a five hundred rupee note! :-)]