For years, washing clothes has been conducted in the same way. The process of loading and unloading a washing machine is a mundane job that will probably continue for many years to come. However, what a lot of people do not know is that the way in which the clothes get washed inside has advanced over time. Not only with the invention of different forms of various washing detergents, but the washing machines have themselves changed.
Filling the drum up with water to wash clothes could become a thing of the past. Whirlpool and LG are 2 manufacturers who have been pioneering steam washing. Not only are the results superb, but these are also proven to be more cost efficient too. Less water is used with the steam technology in comparison with conventional washing machines, and as a result, requires less energy to heat up and to circulate. Washing results can be considered to be of slightly higher quality too, as steam is able to reach higher temperatures than water, guaranteeing extermination of bugs and stains. Over the course of a year, these steam based machines will be able to save as much as 1 month’s water and energy. Whirlpool’s machine also uses their revolutionary 6 th Sense technology. This employs sensors to detect the level of soiling and load size to adjust the water and washing time automatically.
Samsung have also been innovating in the washing machine market. Their AIR Refresh machine allows people to simply revitalise their clothes without washing them. It does this by taking in air, heating it up before passing it through garments thoroughly. By doing so, this can remove odours like smoke in a short space of time without having to run them through a complete wash. This is also particularly useful for garments that need to be dry cleaned. The cost of dry cleaning can be extremely expensive, so this is an ideal solution.
Drum sizes have also increased to allow for larger and heavier washing loads. Modern day life demands a lot of people, including increased amounts of laundry. The durability of appliances has also increased as more sophisticated designs have made them more robust. Miele appliances are renowned for their toughness, and their coin test shows that they are very scratch resistant. Not only this, but Miele washing machines are not made with concrete inside like most others, but instead use cast iron, preventing any cracking and increasing longevity.
Washing clothes is an unavoidable chore, but today’s appliances make things much easier. Hygiene is no longer an issue with some of the technologies available, and there are many different cycle programmes to match different fabrics. Though the principle remains the same, the methods in which it is achieved have evolved over the years to provide us with some of the best washing machines ever.
