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How to Buy Washing Machines

Basic washing machine technology hasn't changed much in decades, but materials and controls have gradually improved reliability and performance. Almost all machines are top-loaders but front loaders are enjoying a resurgence of popularity driven by their space-saving and water conservation features. Your choice can be guided by capacity, features, and price.
 

Washing Machine Features

Capacity: In general, capacity ranges from 2.5 cubic feet to 5.5 cubic feet. For the heavy user, large loads are the most economical and efficient way to wash.

Number of Speeds: Most washers have between one and four speeds for wash/spin. Multiple speeds (Normal/Fast, Normal/Slow, Gentle/Fast, and Gentle/Slow) may allow you to fine tune the wash/spin to certain load combinations. Heavily soiled towels, for instance, may benefit from a Gentle/Fast setting; this gives you a medium wash speed, allowing thorough cleaning while minimizing damage to the nap, and then a fast spin, to extract the water from this highly absorbent material.

Number of Wash/Rinse Temperatures: The number of wash/rinse temperature combinations is generally from three to five. Three (hot/cold,warm/cold and cold/cold) are typical. Warm/warm appears on higher-end models. Top-of-the-line models use heat sensitive switches to control water temperature.

Number of Wash Cycles: Regular, Delicate, and Permanent Press are the manufacturer's predetermined combinations of temperature and speed to best clean the fabric type indicated. Heavy Soil, Prewash, Presoak and others, expand these preconfigured wash options. Delicates, for example, will most likely be washed in a combination of slower speeds and milder temperatures to protect the fabric.

Number of Water Levels: A choice of water levels allows you to fill the tub to a level to match your load and avoid water waste. Some high-end models offer infinitely variable control of water level.

Dispensers: Allow automatic dispensing of bleach and/or fabric softener at the appropriate time during the wash cycle. If you regularly use bleach and/or softener, this feature is a near essential convenience.
 


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