Front Loading Washing Machines – A Detailed Review
Front-loading washing machines - an innumerable assortment from various manufacturers in specialized stores pleases today's consumer. They all have different prices and additional features. But why can one model serve its owners for up to 10 years, while others have a washing machine that requires the first repair after just a few uses?
Of course, an important criterion here is the quality of the unit, how the owners use it and the set of technical characteristics. It is difficult to choose a front-loading washing machine, so it is important to navigate the different models available on the home appliance market.
Dimensions
Before purchasing and connecting a washing machine, you should determine its optimal size. Manufacturers have tried to take into account all the wishes of their consumers, and therefore in stores there are narrow, small-sized and standard models of cars to choose from.
It is necessary to navigate these types in order to choose the right amount of clothing and other linen for your family. If there are two or three people in a family, then a machine with a load of 3 kg of laundry will be optimal. For an average family (up to five people), machines with a load of laundry up to 5–6 kg are suitable. But if the machine will be used by seven or more people, you will need a device that can accommodate almost 8 kg of laundry.
Capabilities of front washing machines
How can washing machines of this type please us?
Washing modes
Each front-loading washing machine has its own washing efficiency, which can be determined by special markings. It is designated by simple letters - from “A” to “G”. The elite washing class will ensure the preservation of fabrics even after numerous washes.
Washing process
Traditional washing process. In such washing machines, a powder solution fills the space where the drum with laundry rotates.
AquaSpar. Contact of clothing with the solution occurs not only from the bottom of the drum. During the washing process, it is irrigated from above when water is captured on the top of the drum.
3-DAquaSpar. An ideal modern machine with a three-level water supply process. The fabrics are soaked with a powder solution from several sides of the drum.
3-DAqua-Tronic. It has the capabilities of 3-DAquaSpar and AquaSpar, which is characterized by irrigation of laundry from above and from several sides at the same time.
Activa. In this process of washing machine operation, water is supplied in a powerful flow. In a short period of time, the laundry is subjected to extreme primary processing.
Direct Spray. In this mode, the soap solution continuously enters the machine until the rinsing process thanks to a special pump that drives it through the drum several times.
Combiwash. The system provides complete immersion of laundry or irrigation, depending on which washing mode was selected - delicate or standard.
Wash with air and bubbles. This washing process is highly efficient due to air-enriched water. This allows you to thoroughly and delicately wash clothes from the most difficult dirt stains.
Drying function
Front washing machines with the option of ironing or drying greatly facilitate the work of housewives and save valuable time. After a normal spin cycle, the machine automatically switches on the drying mode at a certain temperature, depending on how much the drum is loaded. Typically, clothes are dried by blowing at a low temperature.
Drying modes
"Under the iron." After washing, the laundry retains a slight degree of moisture, but it can be ironed and it will be ready to be sent to the closet.
"Dry" or "for storage". After washing, clothes can be stored in a closet without using an iron.
"Very dry." This mode is good for washing terry towels and bathrobes, which can be sent to the wardrobe immediately after being removed from the machine. This also applies to oversized work clothes that do not require ironing.
"Accelerated drying" Suitable for highly wear-resistant fabrics, since during the drying process they are exposed to high temperatures in a short period.
"Delicate drying." Ideal for linen made from thin and fragile fabrics, it completely preserves the structure of the linen without harming it.
Front-loading washing machines with dryers have their drawback - clothes wear out much faster if they are constantly dried in the drum.
Spin
The spin class is designated by letters from “A” to “G”. The number of revolutions the drum makes during the spin cycle is also of great importance. For thin synthetic materials you will need only 350 revolutions, and for thin clothes - up to 600 revolutions. If the machine is used for washing coarse, terry or denim fabrics, then the spin mode in it should be at least 1000–1200 rpm.We recommend the highest spin of up to 1800 rpm for processing children's clothes. The higher the spin level, the better it removes remaining powder solution before rinsing.
Additional features in front washing machines
- Lightweight or hand wash (the drum does not rotate, but only oscillates slightly).
- Washing delicate wool (very slow rotation of the drum ensures the safety of thin and soft woolen items).
- Half load (ideal if you have a small amount of clothes that need to be washed).
- Economical washing (ideal for saving powders, controlling water or electricity consumption with minimal wear on the washing machine).
- Quick wash (suitable for lightly soiled fabrics, saving time).
- Pre-wash (pre-soak option for heavily soiled fabrics with several rinses).
- Intensive wash (the mode is necessary to remove old stains on linen at elevated temperatures and with time consumption).
- Removing excess foam (an option in which the drum automatically stops and excess foam is removed from it).
Pay attention to the drum
The quality of washing increases significantly if front-loading washing machines are produced with the drum at an angle. It is better to buy a washing machine where the drum has small, numerous holes. In this case, the consumer has guarantees that the machine will be reliably protected from mechanical impact by small objects.
Metal is the standard material for making drums, but polymers are increasingly replacing them.They have special strength, durability, corrosion resistance and excellent heat retention in the washing machine.
Design features
If the hoses on the washing machine are located on the side, then installation will be much easier. For ease of transportation, it is better to purchase a housing on casters.
It is worth paying attention to the washing machine, which has built-in elastic shock absorbers on the body. They provide a low vibration level during washing and spinning, which significantly extends the life of the washing machine. Maintenance of the washing machine is easier if it has removable panels on the top and front.
What additional elements extend service life:
- Automatic water cooling;
- Self-cleaning filter in the water pump;
- Automatic pump protection against overheating.
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There are so many front-facing washing machines that it’s hard to choose from. I was looking primarily for a dryer, plus I didn’t want one with a small load (we are big fans of huge blankets that become saturated with water and become simply heavy). In the end, I found everything I needed in the Hotpoint washing machine. So far I'm very pleased with her. What I mean is, don’t rush to grab the first thing that catches your eye. Choose wisely.