STACK #203 Sep 2021

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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THE LAUNDRY LOAD

While most of us can tell the difference between a top loader and a front- loading washing machine, when faced with a shop full of washers and dryers, where to start can be a little intimidating. It always pays to do your independent research in advance, but the following laundry considerations have been handpicked to offer a wide scope of needs across a broad range of budgets.

Today’s clean machines bend the rules when it comes to colours, and this is the case with the LG WV9, finished in eye-catching black steel. AI tech in this washer will detect the type of fabric in the load and set the right wash accordingly. A direct-drive motor dispenses with a belt and offers six varied ways to wash your clothes. Washes can be timed with the option of a 3–19-hour delay start, and the machine can finish half a load in just 39 minutes. Throw in smart support through the ThinQ app and you can monitor the wash, watch your energy use, and even set an alert when the wash is completed. Clean Details Model number: LG WV9-1409B

The perfect companion to the LG washer is the LG heat pump dryer. It rates as a whopping 9 stars for energy consumption, so you won’t have to wait until midnight or the weekend to do your laundry. An allergy care cycle will help alleviate 99.9 per cent of live dust mites, making it a good option for allergy sufferers. A built-in sensor will control the drying time and prevent clothes from over-heating. If space is an issue, the tumble dryer can be stacked on top of the washer and a reversible hinge will enable the door to be fitted on either side of the dryer. The ThinQ app adds all the monitoring smarts, and a smart pairing feature will link up the washer and dryer so by the time the washing is finished, the dryer will automatically set the

required drying cycle. Clean Details

Capacity: 9kg Energy Rating: Water Rating: Spin Speed: 1400 Dimensions: H 85cm – W 60cm – D 60.5cm

Model number: LG DVH9-09B Type: Heat Pump Condenser

Capacity: 9kg Energy Rating: Dimensions: H 85cm – W 60cm – D 69cm

The beauty of heat pump technology, as used in this Fisher & Paykel DH9060P1, is that it reduces the amount of heat needed to dry clothes and thus preserves your precious threads. This one has 13 cycles to choose from including a setting for bulky items like jackets and doonas, and a low heat specifically designed for garments that need a little extra care in the dryer. It even comes with a specially designed rack that fits inside the drum and can be used for drying runners. Clean Details Model number: Fisher & Paykel DH9060P1 Type: Heat Pump Condenser

Silence is golden, and that’s the case with Fisher & Paykel’s jumbo 11kg direct-drive washer; it’s a quiet operator. Auto-dosing manages the amount of detergent required for each wash, and 14 fabric cycles ensure all laundry requirements are catered for, including a swift 15-minute one. Do you hate the ironing board? Then the steam refresh cycle is for you. Perfect for lightly soiled clothing, the 20-minute cycle gently cleans and refreshes without the wear and tear of a full wash and will de-wrinkle garments. There’s

smart support through an app for control and monitoring, and it can even be controlled through Alexa and Google voice assistants. Clean Details Model number: Fisher & Paykel WH1160S1 Capacity: 11kg Energy Rating: Water Rating: Spin Speed: 1400 Dimensions: H 85cm – W 60cm – D 67.5cm

Capacity: 9kg Energy Rating: Dimensions: H 85cm – W 60cm – D 67cm

Wash ‘n’ Roll The humble washboard was designed to aid in the laborious task of washing clothes manually but still presented its user with a task about as enviable as running a marathon with pneumonia. However, it did have another more creative application – as a musical instrument. Originating in the American South, it was – and still is – used by jazz musicians, jug and skiffle bands. Players use thimbles on their fingers and run them across the ribbed surface to create the sound and rhythm.

58 SEPTEMBER 2021

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