Class of washing machines. How to choose a washing machine

As a rule, buyers choose the choice of a washing machine with all responsibility. Indeed, this is not a cheap teapot, which can be changed annually, not yogurtnitsa And not a pancake, which will be delivered from the cabinet once a quarter. The washing machine is used daily, and in a large family or in a family with a baby - several times a day. Especially since this technique is taken for several years ahead, it should please its owners all this period.

Where to begin?

It is possible that some buyers make their choice, focusing solely on the appearance of models, but more prudent citizens necessarily pay attention to the washing class of washing machines, the class of washing and the available functions.

There are three whales - three main parameters by which you can characterize the work of this household appliance: the washing machine washing class, energy efficiency class and washing class.

Class of washing

This indicator is indicated by the English letters A, B, C, D, F, G. The letter indicating the class of washing will be received by the machine after a series of test tests, during which a piece of a specified cloth with contamination is laid in it. After that powder is poured into it (the same brand for all tested units) and the chi is launched Normal washing at 60 degrees. The remaining contamination is assessed by comparison with the performance of the reference machine. If this model removes stains better than the standard, it gets a class of washing A - the best, the most effective. If same - B. If worse, then C, D, F, G, depending on the amount of remaining contaminants. The problem is that the standard was installed in 1995, and for the past 10 years, the quality requirements for washing have increased. Of course, the manufacturers do not stand still. If in 2000 there were still cars F, G, then now they are not available for sale. 99% of the models sold belong to class A. However, there are machines with lower parameters. For example, Candy CR 81 is the only car of its kind that has class D. Several DEU models belong to category C. Before choosing a washing machine, we recommend you to make sure that it has a washing class A.

Spin class

The class of spinning in washing machines is also of great importance. In fact, anyone who likes to constantly get wet clothes from the drum, from which water flows, and then wait for two days until it dries. The class of efficiency of washing machines washing is the same as the class of washing, denoted by English letters A, B, C, D, F, G. A - the most effective, the model with this marking squeezes best, B - slightly worse, C - worse . The class of efficiency of washing machines, in contrast to the class of washing, is determined not by comparison with any standard, but depending on the residual moisture of the laundry. The minimum is 40%, the maximum is 90%. For example, the spin-off class C gets the model if the residual moisture content is 55%, class F - if it does not exceed 80%.

When choosing the effectiveness of washing everything is clear: it is desirable to take a car category A, it will remove the spots best. But with the class of squeezing everything is not so unambiguous. First, the effectiveness of A is not so often. Secondly, a high class of pressing washing machines significantly increases the cost of equipment. Thirdly, not every fabric can be wrung out to dryness, for example, wool and silk such manipulations can damage. There is a logical question: is it worth overpaying for this indicator, if the fabric can simply be dried on a battery or rope? There is no single answer. For most of the spin class C Is sufficient. The laundry, taken from such a machine, feels wet to the touch, but the water does not flow from it, and it dries in a few hours.

Of course, manufacturers are trying to improve the characteristics of technology, but, nevertheless, the buyer has a risk to purchase a model that has a low class of spinning. Which is better, each customer decides for himself, but it's not worth taking a low category. By the way, many mistakenly believe that the class of pressing washing machines completely depends on the number of revolutions. The relationship is certainly there, and the model, which has a maximum of 500 revolutions, will not leave the humidity of the laundry at 40%. But the aggregates that squeeze out 1000 revolutions may well be of both class B and C.

Energy efficiency class

This is another important characteristic of the washing machine, especially in modern realities, when tariffs grow by leaps and bounds. Initially, the models were assigned categories A, B, C, D, F, G, depending on how many kilowatts the unit was spending in order to wash a kilogram of laundry at 60 degrees. But over time, the profligate categories F and G went into oblivion, and all producers refused them. But there were new energy efficiency classes: A +, A ++ and even A +++. It is not ruled out that models with four pluses may soon appear. However, before buying, one should take into account the fact that with each washing machine A +++ in comparison with the A ++ unit can save only a few cents. At the same time, its original cost is higher by thousands of rubles. Therefore, not always the savings on washing pay for the money spent to buy a more economical option.

Front or vertical loading

Before choosing a washing machine, pay attention to the type of loading: front or vertical. The former have become more widespread, they are cheaper, differ in the variety of options, but open only in one position. The vertical ones are somewhat more expensive, they are characterized mainly by the European assembly, but they can be opened in two positions: from the side and Front. Therefore, these models are popular in those cases when the machine must be squeezed into a narrow space.

Loading and Dimensions

Often it is these factors that determine the choice of the machine. Typically, most buyers are limited to the available space in the kitchen or in the bathroom and can place in the available opening a model of strictly defined sizes. There are narrow automatic machines with a width of 32-35 cm, loading 3-4 kg. Linen in such models is not much, usually one bed kit. A major thing in the drum of this machine is not put, so blankets, down jackets, blankets have to be washed by hand. Models larger, with a width of 40-45 cm, contain in themselves 5-6 kg. In such an assembly, you can already wash already a large object or several sets of laundry immediately. A car of 40 cm is perfect for a family of 3-4 people. Models with a larger load make sense to take if the bathroom or kitchen has unlimited free space. They are perfect for a large family, in which it is common to wash large things regularly.

Drying

This function is not widely used, but some consumers enjoy it with great pleasure. In fact, not everyone likes stretched across the room Ropes, and the balcony is not in all apartments. The drying function allows you to get the laundry out of the drum and immediately put it on the hanger. The disadvantages of these models are several. First, a high price, since this option adds a minimum of 20% to the cost of the machine. Secondly, a limited choice: models without drying are ten times larger than models with drying. Thirdly, there is a high risk of getting overdried clothes, which will be difficult to smooth out.

Quick wash

This mode is used if you need a little freshening of clothes, for example, remove from it dust, sweat, stains from easily washable liquids. In most models, a quick wash lasts for 30 minutes. In this period of time is actually washing at 30 degrees, two rinses and spin. In modern models, you can find the program "Fast washing 15 minutes", which refreshes the laundry in just a quarter of an hour. Of course, for worn, dirty things with spots from grass or markers this program does not work.

Delayed start

Such a characteristic of a washing machine as an energy consumption class does not depend on the availability of a delayed start, since it does not affect the cost of electricity, but takes into account only the kilowatts spent during washing. But the consumer If this function is used, it will help to reduce the cost of the machine's operation in half, of course, provided that it has a two-rate counter. Delay start can be of 2 types: fixed and hourly. Fixed meets in budget models: as a rule, the machine defers the start of the wash cycle for 3, 6 or 9 hours. The hourly can be set more precisely: from one hour to 24 hours. The owner can postpone the start for 3 hours and go to bed at 10. The machine will start at one o'clock in the morning, during the minimum cost of electricity.

Prewash

Very useful function if you need to wash heavily soiled laundry. When this option is run, the machine first expels things at 30 degrees, then merges the water and starts on the main cycle. It should be noted that sometimes the function "prewash" is displayed as a separate button, and sometimes it is included in one of the programs, for example, "Prewash + cotton at 60 degrees". The first option is much more convenient, since the button is not tied to a specific temperature or fabric type, that is, if you want, you can turn on the preliminary washing with the program "synthetics 30 degrees", and when it is already "assigned" to one of the modes, .

Bio-washing or washing heavily soiled laundry.

This option is called differently for different models, but the essence is always the same. The machine does not heat water for a while, but it survives it in the limit of 30 to 40 degrees. During this time, the enzymes that are present in modern powders, have time to act and dissolve biological contamination.

Protection from leaks

There are several types. The simplest is a pallet with a float. If it hits the bottom of the water due to a leak, the float rises and blocks the water supply. Complete protection from leaks occurs in more expensive models and in addition to a float it assumes the presence of a double hose. In the case of penetration of the inner layer, a hygroscopic substance located between the layers at the inlet swells and blocks the water supply.