STACK #238 August 2024

CLEAN MACHINES

TECH FEATURE

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Front loader Front-loading washing machines superficially resemble a tumble dryer and work in a similar way, using gravity to gently wash your clothes. They're cost effective to run and come in a range of different drum capacities to suit all household sizes. If you’re short on space, a front loader can easily slot into a cavity beneath a laundry or kitchen benchtop, or a dryer can be stacked on top, making them ideal for small laundries and apartment living. Front loaders generally connect to a cold tap only, because they have an internal water heater, and can therefore reach hotter wash temperatures than a top-loading machine. They also use less detergent and water than a top loader, but have longer wash cycles. However, many models also feature a quick wash program and can have faster spin cycles to extract more water and reduce drying time. Finally, finding a stray sock after the door has closed and the wash cycle begins has long been the bane of front loader users, but the good news is that some modern machines now have an inbuilt slot for adding any forgotten items.

Top loader Top loaders are bigger and taller than front loading machines, more affordable, and a good option for big families as they have a large drum capacity. The horizontal drum has a paddled agitator in the centre to slosh the water about, although some models can use directed jets of water and an impeller to tumble the clothes for a gentler wash. Top loaders connect to both hot and cold taps for a warm or hot wash, and have a faster wash cycle than front loaders, but use more water as the load remains fully immersed during the wash cycle. And, best of all, the hinged lid on top allows you to throw in that stray sock or pull tissues from pockets after washing commences.

Washer dryer combo The best of both worlds, you get a front-loading washer and a condenser dryer in the one appliance. Perfect for small laundries and apartments, a combo is a time and space saver with all the general programs and settings you’d find on an individual washer and dryer – and similar energy consumption to using two separate appliances. Plus, there’s no unloading to move damp clothes to a separate dryer. Available in a variety of drum capacities, a combo machine can wash and dry independently, or be set to start drying once a wash cycle is complete.

40 AUGUST 2024

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