Options available to suit different customers' needs
Top-loading
Top-loading models, the most common model in the United States, are fully automatic washing machines. All the washing functions -- soaking, washing, rinsing and spinning -- are done in one place, often with a simple press of a button.
Dirty laundry is deposited through the lid on top of the machine and is stirred around using an agitator. The agitator or pulsator is a propeller-like device, usually a concave disc fixed to the center, that creates the vertical-axis rotating action.
Advantages
- Priced from Rp 1.2 million (US$127) to Rp 5 million, they are quite affordable.
- Ease of use, with no bending or crouching needed to load the machine.
- Laundry can be soaked for a prolonged period.
- Clothes can be added or removed at any time during the machine's cycle.
Disadvantages
- More water is needed to immerse the laundry completely.
- Due to agitator action, it is slightly rougher on clothes compared to the tumbling action of front-loading models.
- Sometimes, the laundry is not completely clean, and they leave more residue than front-loading machines.
- When the machine is overloaded, it will come to a halt.
Front-loading
Front-loading models, which are a more advanced fully automatic washing machine, are common in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe.
Laundry is deposited through the front, freeing the top surface of the machine to be used for other purposes.
The sideways tumbling action of front-loaders is gentler on clothes, extending their usage, and they also clean more thoroughly.
Far less water is needed as clothes do not have to be fully submerged because the tub tumbles on a horizontal-axis, causing clothes to rise above the water before falling back into it.
Advantages
- Cleans clothes better and gentler.
- Uses up to 50 percent less water than similar-sized top- loaders. This also means less use of detergent.
- Easier on clothes because cleaning is done by tumbling rather than pulling clothes through an agitator.
- Has the most advanced features and programs, and also often comes with a built-in water-heater.
- Higher load capacity of up to 30 percent compared to same- size top-loaders, which are bulkier due to the agitators.
- Higher-speed spin cycle, up to 40 percent, extracts water and dries clothes faster.
- Laundry loads cannot be out-of-balance.
- Quietest machines with less clunky sounds.
Disadvantages
- Biggest drawback is the high cost, at between Rp 3 million and Rp 10 million, that makes few households willing to purchase.
- Advanced features and electronics often make them harder to operate.
- Hot wash consumes up to 90 percent more energy and needs more time due to the built-in heater.
- Some users find the bending and crouching needed to load the machine discomforting.
- Unlike top-loaders, laundry cannot be fully soaked.
- Cannot access the compartment while machine is in operation.
- For best-results, need more expensive, low-sudsing detergent.
Semi-automatic
Semi-automatic washing machines, which also load laundry from the top, have two separate tubs. One tub is for soaking, washing and rinsing. Another spins to extract water from the clothes.
It is called semi-automatic because although it does most of the hard work, users must manually transfer the laundry from one tub to the other.
Advantages
- It has all the advantages of a top-loading model, with a lower price tag. Costing between Rp 800,000 and Rp 1.8 million, it is an affordable alternative to hand washing.
- Does not need dedicated water supply.
Disadvantages
- Has all the disadvantages of a top-loading model.
- Manually transferring laundry is an extra burden for user.
- Less features and washing options.
Here are some general guidelines for choosing a washing machine:
Capacity
Select the proper capacity as overloading will wear down the machine, and underloading wastes water and electricity.
Take into consideration how frequently laundry is done, the average load size, and if the machine will be used for bulky items such as sleeping-bags, rugs or comforters. Don't forget to measure the dimensions of the machine to make sure it will fit into the available space at home.
Tub
Stainless-steel tubs are preferable because they last the longest and don't rust. Porcelain tubs can eventually chip. If a plastic tub is the only option, make sure it is of the sanitized type to prevent mildew and bacteria from growing.
Water temperature and pre-programmed cycles
For the cleanest results, try to have at least cold, warm and hot water washing options. Automatic temperature controls, which select the correct temperature for each cycle, are handy.
The basic cycles -- normal, permanent press and delicate -- are the most frequently used ones. Take into account how often extra-cost fancier cycles, such as hand wash and silk, will actually be used.
Extra features
With advancing technology, some machines are now able to select the appropriate washing program after detecting fabric- type, how dirty the clothes are and the load size.
Electronic panels make it easier to see the time remaining, and give an audible alarm when the laundry is done. However, Consumer Reports, a leading reviewer of household appliances in the United States, reports that sleek looking electronic touch pads are prone to failure and are extremely expensive to replace.
On the other hand, even though old-fashioned knobs and dial- controls are sturdier, they are harder to maintain as dirt can easily accumulate in them.
Other extra features are: rat meshes to keep out rodents; child-safety features that locks the door and prevents changes to the machine's operation; and detergent, bleach and fabric- softener dispensers that dilute the solution automatically before introducing them to the laundry being washed at the appropriate time.
Keep in mind that extra features often lead to more complexity in operating the machines, making it difficult to train others in using them. Washing machines with the most basic features are often easier for people to learn.
Warranty
Check the length of the warranty and the manufacturer's reputation. Remember that the normal life-time of a washing machine is up to eight years.
-- The Jakarta Post/002