Washing machines

Washing machines load from the top or the front. By how much they do on their own:

• Fully automatic: one setting controls the water, temperature, wash cycle and rinses.
• Semi-automatic (usually two tubs): the operator must fill and drain the rinse water.
• Manual: the operator does half the work or more.

An automatic washer fills water, controls its level and temperature, washes, rinses, and extracts (removes) the water.

Washing works by keeping fabric moving through the soapy water. Three ways:

• Agitation: blades rotate or swing to and fro (top loaders).
• Pulsation: a pulsator moves up and down rapidly (top loaders).
• Tumbling: a drum with holes, lying on its side, lifts and drops the clothes (front loaders).

Rinsing must be thorough; otherwise clothes look grey and dull, and feel harsh.

Water is extracted by spinning (centrifugal force), by draining from the bottom, or both together (best, because it removes heavy and floating dirt). Spinning clothes until they are nearly dry causes wrinkles that are hard to remove, so a medium spin speed is best. Move the fabric through water; rinse well; spin, but not too dry.