Front-Loading Washing Machines – A Detailed Review

Front-loading washing machines—the endless selection from various manufacturers in specialty stores delights today's consumers. They all have different prices and additional features. But why can one model last up to 10 years, while others require their first repair after just a few uses?

Of course, the important criteria here are the quality of the machine's manufacture, how the owners use it, and its technical specifications. Choosing a front-loading washing machine can be difficult, so it's important to understand the variety of models available on the home appliance market.

Dimensions

Before purchasing and connecting a washing machine, you should determine its optimal dimensions. Manufacturers have tried to take into account all the wishes of their consumers, and therefore stores offer a choice of narrow, compact, and standard-sized models of cars.

It's important to understand these types to choose the right load capacity for your family. If your family has two or three people, a machine with a 3 kg load capacity is ideal. For a medium-sized family (up to five people), a machine with a 5-6 kg load capacity is suitable. However, if the machine will be used by seven or more people, a machine with a capacity of almost 8 kg of laundry will be needed.

Features of front-loading washing machines

What can washing machines of this type offer us?

Washing modes

Each front-loading washing machine has its own washing efficiency rating, which can be identified by a special marking. It's designated by simple letters, from "A" to "G." The Elite washing class will ensure that your fabrics are preserved even after numerous washes.

The washing process

The traditional washing process. In these washing machines, a powder solution is placed in the space where the drum containing the laundry rotates.

AquaSpar. Clothes come into contact with the solution not only from the bottom of the drum. During the wash cycle, it is sprayed from above, as water is drawn into the upper part of the drum.

3-DAquaSpar. An ideal modern machine with a three-stage water supply process. Fabrics are soaked with a powder solution from several sides of the drum.

3-DAqua-Tronic. Combines the features of 3-DAquaSpar and AquaSpar, which features watering from above and from multiple sides simultaneously.

Activa. This washing machine process uses a powerful jet of water, which quickly subjects the laundry to intense pre-treatment.

Direct Spray. In this mode, soap solution is continuously supplied to the machine until the rinse cycle begins, thanks to a special pump that circulates it through the drum several times.

Combiwash. The system provides full immersion or spraying of laundry depending on the selected wash cycle—delicate or standard.

Washing with air and bubbles. This washing process is highly effective thanks to the air-enriched water. This allows for thorough and gentle removal of even the most stubborn stains.

Drying function

Front-loading washing machines with ironing and drying options significantly simplify homemaking and save valuable time. After a standard spin cycle, the machine automatically switches to a drying mode at a preset temperature depending on the drum's load. Clothes are typically dried using a low-temperature fan.

Drying modes

Iron-on. After washing, the laundry will retain a slight degree of moisture, but it can be ironed and will be ready to hang in the closet.

"Dry" or "storage." After washing, clothes can be folded in the closet without ironing.

"Extra Dry." This setting is ideal for washing terry towels and robes, which can be stored in the closet immediately after removal from the machine. This also applies to bulky work clothes that don't require ironing.

"Accelerated Drying." Suitable for highly wear-resistant fabrics, as they are exposed to high temperatures for a short period of time during the drying process.

"Delicate Drying" is ideal for delicate and fragile fabrics, preserving their structure without damaging them.

Front-loading washer-dryers have one drawback: clothes wear out much faster if they are constantly dried in the drum.

Spin

The spin class is designated by letters from “A” to “G”. The number of revolutions the drum makes during the spin cycle is also important. Delicate synthetics require only 350 revolutions, while delicate clothing requires up to 600 revolutions. If the machine is used to wash coarse, terry, or denim fabrics, the spin cycle should be at least 1000–1200 revolutions. The highest spin cycle of up to 1800 revolutions is recommended for washing children's items. The higher the spin cycle, the better it removes residual detergent solution before rinsing.

Additional features in front-loading washing machines

• Light or hand wash (the drum does not rotate, but only oscillates slightly).
• Washing delicate wool (very slow drum rotation ensures the safety of thin and soft woolen items).
• Half load (ideal if you have a small amount of clothes that need to be washed).
• Economy wash (ideal for saving detergents, controlling water or energy consumption with minimal wear and tear on your washing machine).
• Quick wash (suitable for lightly soiled fabrics, saving time).
• Pre-wash (pre-soak option for heavily soiled fabrics with multiple rinses).
• Intensive wash (this mode is necessary for washing out old stains on laundry at a higher temperature and with time expenditure).
• Removing excess foam (an option that automatically stops the drum and removes excess foam from it).

Pay attention to the drum

Washing quality is significantly improved if front-loading washing machines are manufactured with an angled drum. It's best to purchase a washing machine with a drum with numerous small holes. This ensures that the machine is reliably protected from mechanical impacts from small objects.

Metal is the standard material for drums, but polymers are increasingly replacing it. They offer exceptional strength, durability, corrosion resistance, and excellent heat retention in the washing machine.

Design features

If the washing machine's hoses are located on the side, installation will be much easier. For ease of transport, it's best to purchase a unit with casters.

Consider a washing machine with built-in elastic shock absorbers. These ensure low vibration levels during both the wash and spin cycles, significantly extending the life of the washing machine. Maintenance is easier if the washing machine has removable panels on the top and front.

What additional elements extend the service life:

1. Automatic water cooling;
2. Self-cleaning filter in the water pump;
3. Automatic pump overheating protection.

1 reader comment

1. March 26, 2018 at 3:42 PM

   Angelina:

   There are so many front-loading washing machines, it's hard to choose. I was primarily looking for one with a dryer, and I didn't want one with a small load capacity (we're big fans of huge blankets, which get soaked with water and become downright heavy). In the end, I found everything I needed in the Hotpoint washing machine. I'm still very happy with it. My point is: don't rush to grab the first thing that catches your eye. Choose wisely.

   Answer