To choose a washing machine, you need to take into account not only how well it washes, but many other characteristics: the washing efficiency class, the spin speed, the price, the number of programs, and so on.
This walkthrough will help you get ready to go to the store / visit an online store, understand the difference between the features of different models and make the best choice.
Step 1. Determine the type of washing machine
First of all, it’s worth solving the simplest question - what type of machine do you need: built-in, stationary or vertical with top loading?
- The built-in machine is designed for full integration into any furniture, for example, in a kitchen set that is still being designed. To do this, it provides a notch for the baseboard, hinges on the front panel (for hanging the door) and a removable cover. At the same time, there are no decorative side walls. It turns out that such a SM can be hidden by making the interior as orderly as possible. Particularly relevant embedded machine when placed in the kitchen.
See also the material: All about placing the washing machine in the kitchen.
- The stationary model is suitable if the room is already furnished with furniture and you just need a new assistant. By the way, an ordinary washing machine can also be partially built in - under the countertop, under the sink (low model) or in a closet with a door. If necessary, the top case cover can be removed (almost all models).
- The washer-dryer is almost an ideal washing machine, because it gives out not only clean, but also practically dry and even ironed clothes, which you can immediately put on or fold into the closet. This result is achieved due to additional heating elements and forcing warm air into the drum. The disadvantages of SM with drying are: high price (from 30 tr.), A larger unit size, greater power consumption.
- A top-loaded vertical washing machine is suitable if the space reserved for it is not large.
What type of washing machine is better - front-loading or top-loading?
Habitual models with front hatch are good with the possibility of partial / full embedding, the ability to see what is happening inside the drum during washing (if the machine has collected water, at what stage is the process, etc.), the ability to store things on the top of the CM, as on the shelf. In addition, the choice of models in this category is the widest and varied for any request and wallet. Of the minuses can only be called a larger size (besides you need a reserve space for the hatch), as well as the need to bend over to load things.
Vertical car with the upper hatch is good primarily for its compactness. Other bonuses - the ability to reload things after launch and do it standing, and not in the slope.Cons vertical CM: a higher price, a smaller selection of models, no possibility of embedding.
Step 2. We make measurements
Before going to the store you need to decide where the washing machine will stand, and how much space you can allocate for it.
- Ordinary cars with front loading have a standard height (85 cm) and width (60 cm), but their depth may vary. The narrowest cars have a depth of 35-40 cm, medium - 45-50 cm, full-size - 50-60 cm.
- For those who want to save as much space as possible, we advise you to pay attention to compact models that are only 70 cm tall, 50 cm wide and deep. Most often such machines are installed under the sink as shown in the photo below.
- Vertical washing machines have a width of 40-45 cm and a depth of 60 cm, but the height can vary from 85 to 90 cm.
Tips
- In addition to the size of the case, you should pay attention to the diameter of the hatch, which can vary from 20 to 50 cm. The larger the hatch, the more convenient it is to get and load the linen. True, wide hatches in the hinged form require more space.
- When buying a washing machine for installation under the tabletop, keep in mind that if necessary you can remove the top covers and thereby lower the height of the CM by a couple of centimeters.
Step 3. Deciding what capacity of the washing machine we need
Washing machines have different capacities. Some models can hold only 3.5 kg, while others - all 14 kg. The following "rules" will help you not to be mistaken:
- For 1-2 persons the car with a capacity of 4-5 kg will approach;
- For a family of 3 people it is worth choosing a washing machine for 5-6 kg;
- For a family of more than 6 people it is worth taking a big car with a capacity of 9 kg or more.
hint
In an effort to save space in the bathroom / kitchen or, conversely, buy a car with a reserve capacity, do not overdo it. Too small a car can hardly contain even a set of baby bedding. Too large a machine, even with a minimum load of 1-1.5 kg, will waste a lot of water and electricity.
Step 4. Consider the classes of washing, energy efficiency and spin
A color sticker is always attached to each CM model, indicating the wash classes, energy efficiency and spin efficiency. Before you choose a washing machine, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with this "encoded" in letters and numbers information.
- Washing class is one of the most important selection criteria. After all, it shows how effectively the machine washes. This indicator is marked with letters from A to G. At the same time, A is the highest class and G is the lowest. However, the sale can be found machines of a class not lower than B.
hint
A quality washing machine should have a washing quality indicator and energy efficiency not lower than class A. Want an even more efficient machine? Choose the model that has the washing class A +, A ++ or A +++ (the highest possible index).
- The energy efficiency class of modern machines varies from A + to G. We recommend choosing a washing machine of energy efficiency class not lower than A.
- In addition to the class of washing, you should pay attention to the class of drying and spinning, which indicates the residual moisture of the linen after drying / spinning. This indicator also varies from class A to G.
hint
We recommend choosing a washing machine that has a drying and spinning class of at least C. Information for comparison: class A machines squeeze clothes to a moisture level of 40-45%, and class C machines up to 60%. In practice, the difference in the duration of drying laundry, of course, is, but it is not too significant.
Step 5. Pay attention to the spin speed
The higher the spin speed, the drier the washed item will be at the exit. We recommend choosing a washing machine at a speed of at least 800 revolutions per minute. For washing it every day is enough. However, for best results, we recommend choosing a CM with a spin speed of 1200-1400 revolutions per minute.For washing blankets, pillows and outerwear such indicators are best suited.
hint
It is good if the CM will have a vibration absorption system so that the machine does not shake much and makes noise during the spin phase.
Step 6. Evaluate the set and number of programs
The simplest washing machine has at least 10 washing programs, the most “clever” - up to 20 programs. Of course, the more programs a machine has, the more expensive it is.
The standard programs, without which the average user cannot do without, include the following programs: washing cotton, delicate washing, washing wool, washing mixed laundry, intensive, preliminary and quick washing.
Depending on your needs, you can choose a machine with additional programs:
- Wash children's clothes (machine washes with plenty of hot water, keeping the laundry soft);
- Deleting animal hair (if you have a fading pet, this program will be indispensable);
- Super-rinse (relevant for allergies);
- Laundry sportswear;
- Washing shoes (suitable for washing sneakers and shoes);
- Prevent creasing and ironing relief;
- Wash the duvet;
- Laundry organic pollution;
- Washing with the effect of hand washing (washing things that are forbidden to wash in the machine, due to the increased amount of water, low temperature and special movements of the drum).
Step 7. Evaluate additional functions.
Finally, think about additional features.
- Leakage protection - system of intellectual shutdown and water supply at leak detection.
- Child Protection - blocks unwanted shutdown or change settings.
- Intelligent control function - the system remembers individual settings, determines the weight of the linen, doses the amount of detergent and water, adjusts the temperature, spin speed, rinse intensity and other washing parameters depending on the load. Models with such a function are more expensive, but they save energy, water and detergents.
- Fuzzy Logic function (for washing machine with dryer) - Unlike conventional SM with drying, the machine with such a function stops drying not by timer, but by a sensor that detects the residual moisture of the linen and stops the operation of the unit itself. Thus, it prevents both drying out and under drying of things.
The following video story on how to choose the right washing machine will help you to “boot up” even more before buying.
The video comparison of washing machines in the price category of 10-20 thousand rubles will help you decide which company to choose a washing machine.
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Excellent detailed article, all on the shelves) I use a vertical washing machine from Hotpoint-Ariston, and before buying it was very wary of verticals, because I haven’t seen such people in any of our acquaintances, but it wouldn’t fit the size of our bathroom .. I bought, reluctantly, but in the end I was very pleasantly surprised! They erase no worse, the place is really saved, but what else do you need? So if someone, like me before, is afraid of vertical washers - we are in vain, people)
That's what's right, that's right, rarely we girls can read the markings .. The article is useful. I use the washing machine from indizite myself, now I’ll go read the specifications, it became interesting)
We have a washing machine with a Hotpoint dryer, a very convenient function, especially if there is not enough space for drying clothes in the apartment)
It’s hard to come up with a set of programs and options better than my Winterpool with fresh-care. I will not write about any careful washing and washing of heavily polluted things, it goes without saying. I really like all sorts of useful steam options with which you can quickly freshen up any thing or put a costume in order, which I used to just give away in dry cleaning. if after washing it wasn’t possible to immediately hang up the laundry, the machine itself processes it with steam!