Review of Washing Machine Types and Functions

Single-tub washing machine Double-tub washing machine Fully automatic pulsator washing machine Drum-type washing machine

Single-tub washing machine
     
Washing features: Pulsator structure, eliminates the hassle of manual hand washing, inexpensive.
Disadvantages: Time-consuming, power-consuming, water-consuming, no spin-dry function, cannot effectively save labor.
Suitable for washing: bed sheets, quilt covers, curtains, single-layer clothes and pants worn in spring, autumn, and winter, etc.
This type of washing machine has now been phased out.
      
Double-tub washing machine
     
　　Washing features: Added spin-dry function, greatly saves labor. Still much cheaper compared to fully automatic washing machines. A good choice for consumers living alone who want to save costs.
Disadvantages: Time-consuming, power-consuming, noisy, poor water-saving performance.
Suitable for washing: bed sheets, quilt covers, curtains, and daily clothes throughout the year.
Since 1995, the washing machine market has been dominated by single-tub fully automatic washing machines. However, even with the continuous development of washing machine functions and brands, some people still have a special preference for double-tub washing machines. So what is the reason? Some consumers believe fully automatic washing machines are not durable and difficult to repair when broken, while others think fully automatic machines do not clean clothes well. But as a second-generation improved washing machine, although the double-tub washing machine added a spin-dry function, it still cannot save labor — after washing, spin-drying must be done manually, and spin-drying is often incomplete, with frequent spin-dryer malfunctions. In addition, the washing tub space of double-tub machines is limited, making it difficult to wash thick clothes worn in autumn and winter.
      
Here, we want to introduce some precautions when using double-tub washing machines:
1. After washing and before rinsing, it is best to spin-dry for 0.5–1 minute to remove detergent and dirt, improving rinsing effect and reducing water usage.
2. When placing clothes in the spin-dry tub, put thick, highly absorbent clothes at the bottom and thin clothes on top.
3. Do not place clothes off-center to prevent the spin-dry tub from shaking due to imbalance and hitting the tub wall.
4. Spin-dry time should not be too long; each spin-dry should be within 2 minutes.
5. After spin-drying, wait for the tub to stop rotating before opening the outer cover, and do not use excessive force to avoid breaking the cover hinge.
6. For washing machines with spray rinsing function where rinsing and spin-drying occur inside the spin-dry tub, after placing clothes and closing the lid, set the rinsing and spin-dry timer to the required spray rinsing time, then turn on the water tap; after rinsing (usually 3–4 minutes), turn off the water tap, then turn the timer counterclockwise to the spin-dry time to perform spin-drying.
     
Fully automatic pulsator washing machine
     
　　Washing features: Microcomputer controls washing and spin-drying functions, saving time and effort.
Disadvantages: Power-consuming, water-consuming, clothes easily entangle, poor cleaning performance, relatively expensive.
Suitable for washing: all clothes except those requiring special washing.
Compared with the previous two types, the invention of the fully automatic washing machine was a major revolution in washing machine technology. The designed washing programs make this machine more intelligent. It not only greatly saves labor but also expands the range of machine-washable clothes. Down jackets, down quilts, sturdy cotton clothes, etc., can avoid the hassle of hand washing and the cost of dry cleaning. When using a fully automatic washing machine, you can select water flow strength, duration, and water volume on the microcomputer control panel according to the fabric and volume of clothes. Since its introduction, fully automatic washing machines have been favored by consumers.
Additionally, urban consumers' demand for water-saving washing machines is increasingly evident. Therefore, some brands have timely launched water-saving series washing machines, designing water recycling functions from the perspective of fully utilizing water resources.
It should be noted that while focusing on the water-saving efficiency of washing machines, the harmonious development of "cleaning" and "water-saving" should not be overlooked. According to consumer survey data, among the consumer groups intending to purchase washing machines, more than 85% believe that washing machines should return to their primary function, first solving the problem of "cleaning." Some brands of washing machines combine "one-tub clean" water-saving technology, holeless inner tub water-saving technology, three-stage washing water-saving technology, spray rinsing water-saving technology, and concave double-layer S pulsator technology, making the washing machine save 40% more water than ordinary washing machines while improving cleaning efficiency by 35%.
However, since the drum of fully automatic washing machines is still mainly pulsator type, clothes are prone to tangling after spinning, and wool and silk clothes cannot be washed with this type of washing machine. In addition, this type of washing machine causes more wear and tear on clothes than other washing machines.
    
　　Drum Washing Machine
     
　　Washing Features: Microcomputer controls all functions; good cleaning performance, no tangling of clothes.
Disadvantage: Time-consuming, and once the door is closed, it cannot be opened during the washing process.
Suitable for washing clothes: wool, cashmere, as well as silk and pure wool fabrics.
It is said that almost 100% of households in Europe and America use drum washing machines. Compared with the pulsator washing machines favored by Chinese consumers, drum washing machines have a wider washing range, can wash high-end clothes such as wool and silk, the washed clothes do not tangle, and cause less wear and tear on clothes. For example, the wear rate of Chunlan drum washing machine clothes is only 1/30 that of ordinary pulsator washing machines; drum washing machines have a fast rotation speed, up to 1000 revolutions per minute, and can also heat water, resulting in high cleaning efficiency; drum washing machines also use unique shock absorption and balance systems to minimize noise; due to advanced technology and exquisite workmanship, the service life of drum washing machines is twice that of pulsator washing machines.
     
　　Drum washing machines have two major advantages: first, water saving. Pulsator washing machines need to fill the tub with a large amount of water to drive the clothes; drum washing machines make the clothes fall and hit the water, requiring less water. Secondly, drum washing machines cause less wear and tear on clothes. When washing, drum washing machines are similar to southern Chinese people beating clothes with a stick, while pulsator washing machines stir clothes back and forth, so drum washing machines cause less wear and tear on clothes. In addition, drum washing machines are also environmental pioneers, which may be another important reason for their popularity in Europe and America. Drum washing machines not only save more than half of the water but also save a large amount of detergent, reducing the discharge of domestic sewage.
The working principle of drum washing machines is that there is water at the bottom of the washing tub, clothes are lifted to the top of the drum, and fall under gravity to hit the water surface, thereby cleaning the clothes. Pulsator washing machines rely on a turbine at the bottom of the washing tub to drive the water in the tub, which in turn moves the clothes left and right to achieve cleaning.
Whether in terms of cleaning degree, wear and tear on clothes, service life, or energy consumption in various aspects, drum washing machines are superior to pulsator washing machines. The inner tub directly contacts the clothes, and the quality of the inner tub craftsmanship directly affects the cleaning degree of the clothes. The edges of the inner tub holes should be smooth, and the raised outer surface of the inner tub must be rounded without sharp edges to avoid damaging or snagging clothes; in addition, the more holes in the inner tub, the faster the water passes through, and the cleaner the rinsing.