Technical characteristics of the Malutka washing machine

Despite the abundance of automatic washing machines, "Malutka" washing machines continue to be popular with some homeowners due to their compact size, the ability to operate without running water, their lightweight design, and their comparatively low cost. What technical characteristics of the Malutka washing machine have made this machine so popular?

Model Malutka 2

So, the official name of this model is the SM-1 "Malutka-2." It allows you to wash and rinse clothes at home like any other washing machine. It's very easy to store and operate, doesn't require a lot of water, and performs its functions efficiently.

Main parameters of the model:

drum load capacity is 1 kg, while the weight of the machine itself does not exceed 10 kg;
tank volume no more than 28 liters;
consumes no more than 5 W of power;
average number of activator revolutions per minute – 1360;
maximum dimensions - 570x450x420 mm;
Average energy consumption is 0.05 kilowatt-hour per kilogram of laundry.

Important! The Malutka-2 supports two main operating modes: a wash cycle, which lasts no more than 5 minutes, and a rinse cycle, which lasts just over 4 minutes. The pause between wash and rinse cycles should be at least 3 minutes.

Normal operation of the unit is ensured by a voltage of approximately 220V AC with a frequency of 50 Hz.

Almost all of the Malutka's main components, with the exception of the electronics, are made of plastic: the tank, lid, and casing—a housing for the electrical equipment and motor. The activator housing is attached to a threaded flange (where the seal is also located) contained within the casing, and the activator itself is screwed onto the motor shaft. The on/off button for the machine is a switch on the casing marked "1/0" or "on/off."

Some later-model machines are equipped with latches that hold the lid in place during the wash cycle. However, on earlier models, the lids, without latches, fit easily into the top of the drum.

Baby 425/465

The parameters of these models are essentially the same as those of the “second Little One”, but there are still some differences.

The nominal tank load is 1 kg.
Lack of spin.
Washing time ranges from 1 to 6 minutes.
Power consumption no more than 250 W.
The tank capacity is 27 liters.

The machines are controlled mechanically using a timer relay. The SM-425 allows you to adjust the wash duration. The wash cycle ends automatically. Water from the drum drains into the drain hole through the included drain hose. The dimensions of the 425 and 465 models differ. The 425's HxWxD is 380 x 430 x 430 mm, while the 465's HxWxD is 472 x 406 x 476 mm.

Consolidated consumer analysis

So, the key advantages of the Malutka series models are ease of use, which will be discussed below, compact size (especially relevant for apartments with minimal square footage), low price, and low energy and water consumption. As for washing quality, it is generally high, although it can depend on the chosen detergent, water quality, and even the final wash time. The laundry is washed gently, and the 225 and 425 models even have a reverse function, that is, changing the direction of the disc movement. As a result, clothes are less likely to wrinkle and wear out during the washing process.

How to operate activator-type machines?

Pour water of the desired temperature into the container.
Add detergent, stir and dissolve.
Place the laundry in the drum and cover with a lid.
Turn the relay or activation knob.
Once the cycle is complete, you can either drain the water or use a powder solution to wash darker items to save money.

Please note: Model 465 differs from its "brothers" in that its activator is located on the bottom rather than the side, allowing the drum to be partially loaded, thus saving on water and detergent consumption.

As for rinsing, you can rinse clothes in as many batches as you like, but you'll need to add clean water to the drum each time. Therefore, it's recommended to use a soap solution for washing children's clothes, as it's easier to rinse out of the fibers. Finally, a significant drawback of all Malutok machines is the lack of any protection against water leaks, but experience shows that this is offset by other advantages.