Buying an automatic washing machine can be challenging. When looking to buy a washing machine, it is important that you lookout for the types of machines out there. There are so many different types of washing machines in the market these days. When you see words or phrases like fully or semi automatic, front loading, or top loading, it can get confusing. So how do you choose the right washing machine for your everyday laundry needs?
To help you get a better understanding of Fully-Automatic and Semi-Automatic Washing Machines, check out the informative article below!
How to choose the best washing machine for your needs
In order to find the right washing machine for you, it’s important to consider a number of different factors.
10 factors to finalizing your washing machine
Space
It's important to determine where you'll be placing your washing machine because it can sometimes dictate the type of washing machine you need to get. Do you have enough space for one in your kitchen, in the bathroom or on a balcony? You should also consider how much space you do have to work with when you make your purchasing decision.
So for example, if I were looking to buy a new washing machine, I might opt for a front-loading model that could be located under my sink unit because I don't have very much room in my kitchen. Alternatively, if I had plenty of floor space and wanted something that was easier to load and unload due to the nature of my house and where I live (I don't want the washing machine taking up valuable real estate in the house), then maybe a top loading model would be better.
Budget
Price of the washing machine is one of the most important factors when deciding on a washing machine. If your budget doesn’t allow for an expensive front loading washing machine, then you have plenty of options in terms of automatic and semi-automatic models.
Machine Load Type
Some washers have the door on the front of the machine, and others open from the top. So you’ll need more space to put a front load washer at home, but not so much more as you might think because they don’t take up that much room in the washing machine compartment because they’re shorter. But top loaders are taller and so will use up a bit more floor space than those on their front!
Fully-automatic or Semi-automatic
Each of these offer a lot of value to consumers, but they do come with different features and functions. Full automatic machines are often times large and take much space at home. They are also said to be great at saving time and rarely have any issues with unwashed or misaligned clothes. Semi-automatic washing machines may require a bit more work in order to get them started, but can handle some stained and dirtier pieces of clothing better than their fully-automatic counterparts.
Capacity
The size of the drum matters. The amount of clothing or other laundry is a factor one should take into consideration when purchasing a washer. If you have a big family, or it’s just you and your partner and don't do much washing, then there’s no need to look at the most expensive machines on the market.
Water conditions
It is always wise to consider how much water you will be using when purchasing a new appliance. Especially if you live in a place that is experiencing water shortage - make sure you are doing your part to conserve water.
Spin speed
A high-end washing machine with a variable spin speed feature will help you wash more delicate clothing items like silk or cashmere, which can come out of the average washing machine literally destroyed.
Child lock
When you have children, it's a good idea to get a new machine with child lock settings included because it's worth the small amount of money!
Auto Restart
Generally, auto restart function in laundry/washing and drying machines is programmed to repeat a wash cycle if the machine fails to operate at the completion of the cycle, or before completion. In other words, the same cycle will be repeated until the clothes are properly washed.
Power Consumption
The rising cost of electricity is a major point of concern. If a washing machine can save you money in the long run, why wouldn't you buy one? These machines use less water and power - that's a lot less hassle for your family too.
What is a fully-automatic washing machine?
Automatic washing machines are the best things for people who do not have time to do all the washing work. It uses the latest technology, and that is one of the reasons people prefer automatic washing machines over hand washers.
Automatic washing machines wash, rinse, spin and drain clothes at a set time. The washing time, water type and temperature, spin speed, and rinse time are fully programmable from the touchpad display.
Inside the washing machine there is a stainless steel tub with an air suspension system which helps gently agitate and rotate clothes, a stainless steel wash basket and stainless steel wash drum. While washing clothes, the wash basket and wash drum rotate together while being washed.
Automatic washing machines may be a little expensive when compared with semi-automatic ones, but the fantastic benefits they provide make up for this extra expense. Automatic washers are generally priced between Rs. 10,000 and 50,000 (sometimes even more), but you'll appreciate this worthwhile expense since automatic washing machines come with a heating system that controls the hot cycle of the wash as well as thoroughly clean your clothes by hand.
Another benefit with the fully-automatic washing machine is that it also delivers a more thorough clean than a semi-automatic washing machine and uses much less detergent than a manual one.
What is a semi-automatic washing machine?
A semi-automatic washing machine is an excellent choice for those who need more flexibility. Semi-automatic machines are more efficient than a traditional machine, so you can save money on your utility bills.
Semi-automatic washers use a system of timers and sensors in the washer to control the washing and drying process, much like a fully automatic machine. You will still have to do your own sorting and presoaking clothes and there is still a need for checking on the wash cycle to make sure everything is going well.
Semi-automatic washing machines use an inbuilt pump for washing. The detachable container is used for draining the water out of the drum. They are comparatively smaller than fully automatic machines. They are available in a wide range of screen sizes.
Different types of fully-automatic washing machines
There are two types of washers on the market: front loaders and top loaders. Top loaders are the most common ones.
Front loading washing machines are washing machines that load from the front, unlike the top loaders which load from the top. Front loaders washers were created as a solution to common issues that owners of top loaders were facing.
Top loading washing machines are the ones that have the agitator in the middle of the tub. It has a very large capacity and is used for washing heavily soiled garments. Even though most of the manufacturers have changed to the front loading machines, there are still a lot of people who prefer the top loading machines for its ease of use and user friendly controls.
Feature | Top Loader | Front Loader |
|---|---|---|
Water consumption | More | Less |
Energy consumption | High | Less |
Auto Programs | Less | More |
Wash quality | Good | Better |
Spin speed | Low | High |
Clothes durability | Low | High |
Low noise interface | Less vibration | High vibration |
Load capacity | Low | High |
Weight | Light | Heavy |
Cost | Lower | Higher |
Wash cycle time | Small | Long |
Space consumption | Less | More |
Mobility | Flexible | Fixed |
Smell & mildew | No | Yes |
How to Use a Washing Machine
Almost all of us know how to operate a washing machine thanks to our parents who might have showed us in the very early stages of our lives. But sometimes, even when we have some guidelines or instructions given by companies themselves, it's not always that easy to understand what we should do.
Washing machines aren't always simple machines to understand. Their control panels are often a veritable maze of lights or buttons, especially with some washing machine models. We know! It can be scary! Don't worry though - we're here to help explain the most important things you need to know about washing machine control panels, from the modern technology that’s shown on most new washers and even some older ones, to the settings and features that are more common across almost every model.
Your washing machine has a range of settings which allow you to select the fabric type and quantity, with different features. You can manage all these settings through the control panel. The settings typically include agitation, wash program, wash length, temperature, time delay, load detection, child lock, etc.
Let’s walk through some of the wash programs of a washing machine:
Washing machine programs
Checking the fabric labels and following the specific washing instructions is best as different garments have different needs when it comes to care. Sort the laundry and use one of the many programs at hand to clean those specific garments that need special attention. Some of the available wash programs in an automatic washing are:
Cotton
This cycle washes your clothes at high temperatures along with a lot of spin to get the water out of the fabric.
Synthetic
This wash program would wash at lower temperatures and use less spin than a cotton wash cycle.
Delicates
This setting is best for woolen/delicate clothes and clothes that needs hand wash. This setting works at lower temperatures and minimal agitation.
Sports
Wearing your workout clothes multiple times over the same few days without being able to wash them, can cause them to retain a certain odour or develop unsightly sweat stains. If you use a sport setting when washing, sweaty microfiber garments will be taken care of, as they are washed at a lower temperature for longer.
Quick wash
This is one of the newest smart machine features that you can use to quickly freshen up a lightly dirty cloth in less than 30 minutes.
Half load
It's worth using the half load setting when it comes to doing your laundry. You may not be able to fit a full load of clothes in the washing machine at once but you'll still need your clothes clean, and you don't want to wait around while they do another cycle before they're ready. A half load setting will save both on water and energy!
Easy iron
The "easy iron" setting can help to prevent wrinkles from appearing by shortening the spin cycle as well lowering the spin speed.
Anti-allergy
The Anti-allergy cycle uses the very high temperatures or steam to remove allergens such as dust mites or bacteria from fabrics.
Extra/smart rinse
This is a secondary rinse that removes any leftover detergent or soap residue to ensure sensitive skin types or an individual with allergies don't experience any discomfort.
Rinse hold facility
This setting works by holding clothes in clean rinse water before spinning so you can be there right away when your garments are dry, and you won’t have to deal with wrinkles.
Air dry function
Air drying function your clothes using warm air technology to evaporate water off materials and fabrics. Think of this function like a kind of fast, easy "air-dry" option that works in minutes so you can hang up your clothes right away rather than waiting for them to get completely dry, which could take ages - especially for heavier materials!
Reload function
The way the feature works is that it lowers the water level in the machine so you can open the door without flooding your kitchen or bathroom. This enables people to add a garment to the wash or take something out without having to fully stop an entire cycle.
Memory wash
If you have a setting that you like on your machine, the memory wash feature helps you save it for later washes so you don't need to keep dialing in the temperature, spin speed and length every time.
How to take care of your washing machine
If you want to keep your washing machine in good working condition, you need to do a few things. First, make sure to clean the lint filter after every use. This will prevent the pump from getting clogged and reduce noise from the motor. Second, check the drain hose for debris and make sure it is not kinked or blocked. Third, be sure to use detergent that is appropriate for an automatic washing machine.
Just like your clothes need to be washed, your washing machine needs cleaning, too. You might think that using all that detergent not only wipes down your clothes, but also the washing machine itself. However, your washing machine can simply be filled with many things, such as dirt, bacteria, mildew and soap residue, which can lead to an unsanitary existence.
7 tips to keep your washing machine clean
- Use a mild detergent and water solution with a cloth or sponge to wipe down the inside of the drum.
- Be sure to rinse off any residue from the detergent before running a full cycle of hot water with your usual laundry soap.
- Run a 40-degree wash cycle on an empty machine to get rid of the odor of residue.
- Open the detergent drawer and clean it in a bowl or sink. Add bleach to the hot water, if you like, if the water is very dirty.
- Wash the faucet and door with a cloth dampened with hot water. Pull back the rubber seal on the shower door to get all of the filth from underneath.
- Engage your hands around the hole that's left of the dispenser drawer.
- Remove the remaining debris from the drawer with a toothbrush before replacing it in the machine.
In conclusion, automatic washing machines are a great way to conserve water and electricity, as well as time. They are also incredibly easy to maintain. The high-tech features can make doing laundry easier than ever.
