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Zetty's Washing Academy

Washing Machine Wiki

Using a washing machine has been ingrained into our lives that we often don’t think twice about it. Here’s a handy guide to understand more about your common household appliance.

Washing machine types

  • Top loader – the drum is vertically aligned where garments and other items are loaded and unloaded via the door on the top. With a larger drum capacity, the agitator (pole in the centre of the drum) rotates back and forth to wash clothing.
  • Front loader – the drum works by tumbling your washing continuously in the soapy water, loaded and unloaded by a front door. It’s gentler on clothes compared to a top loader and offers higher spin cycles.
  • Washer dryer – this combination features a washing machine and dryer in one, great for those with limited space. The convenience of having a single unit means you don’t have to unload wet clothing into a separate dryer.

Washing machine features

  • Efficiency – It is required by the Australian law that washing machines are displayed with an energy label rating. This label features a star rating which shows the energy consumption used in a year (usually in kilowatts). Another label to look out for is the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) which shows the star rating on how water efficient the machine is by measuring the average amount of litres per wash.
  • Capacity – this refers to the amount of dry laundry that the machine can wash in one load, usually specified in kilograms. Sizes can vary from 5kg and up to 14kg to cater for different household sizes.
  • Controls and programs – many washers are equipped with a variety of settings which tailor the wash to the types of fabrics or items to be washed for maximum results. The pre-set programs have already determined spin cycle speed, temperature and load size, however, these can be adjusted if required. Some common settings include:
  • Normal/cotton
  • Easy care/permanent press
  • Bedding/heavy duty
  • Colour care/dark wash
  • Delicate/hand wash
  • Fast speed/quick wash
  • Outdoor/sports wash
  • Wool
  • Always check the washing machine manual to find out more details of each washing setting.

Cleaning your washing machine

We often only focus on getting our laundry clean that we forget that our washing machine also needs a clean every now and then. Read below for more tips to looking after your washer:

  • Washing drum – there are various brands that will offer washing machine cleaners which will clean the inside of your machine. Alternatively, there are home recipes using bicarbonate soda and white vinegar to maintain and clean. Always check your washing machine product guide to find the recommended cleaning method for your drum. Leave the door open after a laundry load to allow air flow to stop mildew and grime.
  • Detergent drawer – at times, laundry detergents may build up in the drawer which can leave a lingering odour. If the drawer can be removed, soak it in warm water and use a soft brush or cloth to remove any stains or residue. Dry completely before putting it back on the washer. Leave the drawer open after each wash for air flow to prevent odours.
  • Seals – for front-loading machines, maintain and clean door seals with vinegar or an anti-bacterial detergent. This helps prevent excess lint and unpleasant smells from occurring.
  • Filters – the filter can often be neglected for maintenance which may cause clogging and build-up of residue over time. Follow the product guide to see how to access the filter and the recommended action for cleaning.
  • Machine exterior – using a cloth make sure to give it a quick wash every month to prevent dust settling.

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