I'm also doubtful about the water pressure levels. Still, I'm open to suggestion or at least learning new things
How high is your water tank from the floor where the machine will be used?
I hear people using their washing machines using more than 10 years and it sounds very magical to me.
Those are older models. Bought before 2010 or earlier. The main factor that determines how long a machine will last is water hardness and care. More important with front loaders than top loaders. There are also duty cycles that a machine can handle before it breaks down. Typically around the 2k mark. Meaning 2k washes. You might get more, it's just an approximation from how long people typically get ie. 5-7 years.
If you wash every other day then expected life will be closer to ten years. If you wash every day the machine will be done in 5 years. Wear and tear.
Duty cycles was higher in the past as the components used were of better quality. The thing with the appliance industry you have to understand is people expect to pay the same price for whatever new appliance that they paid 5 or ten years back. This ignores inflation. So companies are constantly looking for ways to cut costs and this inevitably leads to a reduction in duty cycles. Whereas you might have got more than 5k cycles a decade ago the figure is likely half these days keeping in mind maintenance and proper care of the machine.
There will be things you need to fix in the meantime. It will not be entirely fault-free. Electricals mostly. When you have mechanical problems that's when you will have to look at replacements.
I have few needs which I think washing machine should cover. Kindly suggest or correct me. We are family of 3-4 people and we usually wash frequently with lighter load rather than big load few times a week. Water is soft and electricity is good. Budget is ~30k. Some of my requirements might sound primitive but understand what ordeal my current machine has given me.
- I was thinking to go with 6.5 or 7kg models in front loading wrt to my requirements. I think 8kg will be an overkill. Our current top loading machine is 5.5kg only and it's fine for us. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Here you need to keep in mind wash tub volumes. As the kg rating changes so does the volume. That isn't the whole story. kg ratings can change but the drum volumes remains the same because they used a more powerful motor. kg does not matter. Volume is everything.
Use the mixie rule. Don't load more than 60-65% for a full load. This will ensure proper washing as well as avoid overloading. Get an idea of what your wash load is in terms of volume. Life imposes change, what you think is adequate today might not be a few years from now. So add some more headroom say 20% on top and then choose the volume of tub you need. If you ensure you never load beyond 65% volume there will be less load on your machine and you might eke out a couple of years more life from it. Applies to front as well as top loaders.
8kg if you are looking at Korean machines is what I would recommend as it gives you a 55litre drum. Minimum size even if its just for one person as you can get more washed in one go. The 6.5/7kg models use a 43 litre drum which is too small and will lead to over loading. The only reason to consider that size is if you can't get the machine through the door or you are limited for space. These machines have a depth of 45cm. You want a depth of 55cm and no less.
- Please, it needs to be reliable. I want to be a part of the elite club of people who have fully working washing machine even after 10 years. I'm okay with regular maintenance and some occasional part change but spare/service should be available.
Can't get more than 10 years. With touch panels on LG's those give trouble is less than 5 requiring opening the panel and replacing pads. Course they will tell you to change the whole panel which if you read earlier posts isn't necessary.
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Saw this company getting recommended by one
youtuber. They take care of repairs. But they only offer a max of 4 years. So manufacturer+4 is 5 years.
I'm in my 6th year with zero problems. I would like to get an extended warranty now
Bet, they won't sell me one
I don't recommend extended warranties because they don't cover you when you really need them. In any case you said you have good electricity and soft water. Take care of the machine and you will be fine. That touch screen though
- No need for fancy stuff like wifi, smart, ai, 55 different recipes for washing clothes.
- Should haves>
- Longer soaking time. My current machine can soak for only 5 minutes. It's useless.
- Should be able to clean thoroughly. It can take longer but it should be able to clean dirty jeans like clothes. Currently we have to soak the clothes in a bucket and hand wash them before putting them into machine.
- Should have water heater.
- Should have option to use fabric conditioner.
- Should have various options available to use as detergent, conditioner from the market. Meaning there shouldn't be any mendation to use detergent made by washing machine company only.
1. You can soak as long as you want but it requires intervention. So once you load up the machine, select the pre-wash modifier, let the water fill and soap mix. Halfway through the prewash cycle or 2.5 mins later, switch it off at the mains. Simulate a power cut. Now soak as long as you want and then resume the power. The machine will detect it is full and resume at the start of the pre-wash cycle, complete 5 mins later and then move to the main wash cycle. I don't know if newer front loaders offer a soak feature. Mine does not so this is how I've improvised.
Another way is to soak in a bucket with vanish. Rinse out twice by hand and then dry. Next wash put the dry item in the regular wash. Drying is important here as if you put a soaking item into the machine it will assume a heavier load and pick a longer time to wash. A workaround is to use the daily wash cycle that has a fixed duration regardless of load.
2. Clean thoroughly is a question of the stain and appropriate pre-treatment. All the machine does is agitate clothes. It's not a miracle worker. You need an understanding of the kind of stain, its chemistry (see attached) and then use appropriate pre-treatment if necessary so it comes out clean. Enzymes are already present in Ariel & Surf which is why they caution not to use them with woollens. Enzymes will eat natural fibres like wool. But it's important to wash at a minimum of 40 degrees so enzymes can be fully activated. Oxidising is what Vanish does depending on the stain. Builders also are present and will take care of mud stains or particulate. Greasy stains are also handled by the detergent.
Given the nature of the stain, one attempt might not be adequate. It might take more washes. Meaning you have to wash two or even three times with pre-treatment. Typically if clothes are soiled I soak them in Vanish for half hour. Then wash as normal. As described in 1) for the reasons you mentioned.
3. Agreed. Wash all clothes in a minimum of 40 degrees which allows the detergents to activate completely and give you the best wash. With a top loader, this can become expensive as the water has to be heated. If you have a solar heater with a thermostatic mixer that can deliver water at that temperature you are good even with a top loader. otherwise, a front loader is the preferred choice.
4. I always discourage the use of fabric conditioners because it just leads to smell problems later. All models have a compartment to use and it typically is dispensed during the last rinse cycle. Make your own with citric acid crystals. 20% concentration with water in a bottle. Shake well so it is completely dissolved. Use 10ml per wash.
5. There is no requirement to use specific products by the manufacturer but it's always recommended to use washing detergent by either Unilever or P&g. Typically this means either Surf or Ariel, powder and not liquid, designed for front loaders if that is the machine you use. Stick to powders and avoid liquid or gel tabs and you will have minimal headaches to deal with. You will still have to do maintenance as I've detailed in another
thread but it will be easier.
- Preferences>
- Wouldn't prefer touch screen as we live at ground floor and humidity can remain super high during heavy monsoon. We are otherwise relatively dry throughout the year (I'm in Pune). I have also found that appliances with touch screen break more often.
- Can pay extra for 1200+ RPM. I think 1400 RPM machines are available only in 8kg or more.
- Would prefer if it can dry the clothes 100%. No idea if such washing machines exist.
- No need for super silent. It can be as loud as it wants as long as it does the job.
- We don't have rodent problem nowadays, but would prefer to not have any gap at the bottom. I saw some images on Amazon and some machines look like they are sitting directly on the floor without legs. I have leveled flooring for washing machine.
Suggest me good brand/model. If you think I'm missing on some crucial feature that I might need then let me know that as well. I'm planning to get one in the upcoming prime day sale. I'll also dump current machine in the exchange.
1. You will have to shop around for this. The latest LG's all come with touch screens these days.
2. Use 400rpm if humidity is less than 60% and 800 rpm above. Skip the higher speeds as that just increases wear and tear on the bearings. Higher rpms are useful if you are going to put the clothes into a dryer which you will not do anyway. See
here for more
3. Requires a separate dryer of which there are a few
kinds. A washer dryer is more
hassle than it's worth and takes several hours to dry clothes. Still there are people who prefer them like this
lady.
5. Machines usually come with rat screens these days. It's just a piece of plastic that covers the base. LG has one. This became a requirement since people started sticking their machines on stands creating a gap with the ground for rats to enter. It's not advisable to use any stand. Properly level the machine instead. This is something to watch for as if it is not level then it will start dancing around. The proper way to level it is to use a spirit level which none of the installation or demo guys will have. Get your own 2-foot-long spirit level from the market in advance and when they install it you guide them. Online purchase is not advisable for this item. You have to check the level is true and the only to do that is in a shop after you asked them to give you 5 and you test all and keep the best.
If you don't want to do that, download this
app. Select spirit level. Attach your phone provided it has a flat back to 2-foot long plane. And use the app to balance the machine. Two feet long will be more sensitive to incline than one foot. Remember to rotate the phone 180 degrees to double check, If they don't match the problem is with the plane. Find another as it is not level. This is also how you check if a real spirit level is true.
The machines that usually get recommended here are LG 8kg. So 55 litre drum. No sealed drum as far as we know (unlike other brands) this means bearings change possible in the future. Good ASS if you live in a tier 1 or 2 city.
There are several
models you can look at depending on the features you want or not. Make sure the depth is 55cm.
