Portable Washing Machines
November 6, 2008
The present generation is witnessing what you call as the boom in the field of innovation and technology. Be it home appliances or business systems, manufacturers are churning out newer products and techniques to satisfy the ever-growing needs of the customers. Today, such a lot of electronic gadgets are available in the market that can literally do anything. One such technological marvel is the portable washing machine. This has born out of the fact that washing machines are an inevitable part of the day-to-day life.
When you are on a holiday, camping out or living in a small apartment where space is of utmost priority, the best option at hand would be to go in for a portable washing machine that occupies minimal space and does your job also. Though these machines lack the features of a normal washing machine, they prove to be very useful when you have space constraint. Such machines are perfect for college students living in crammed dormitories and as mentioned earlier, for camping and caravanning, etc.
Quite a few brands are available in the markets; some come with twin tubs while others have a single tub. A twin tub washer can easily wash a dry load of 1.5 kg. It can conveniently wash and spin clothes and that too in an economical way. Portawash is a twin tub washer that comes with dimensions of 56 x 56.5 x 35.5 cm. It has standard and gentle wash cycles ranging from 3 to 15 minutes. Its strong agitating action prevents clothes from tangling. It incorporates a safety feature wherein the spin operation would automatically stop, in case the lid opens. The moulded handles enable easy lifting and portability. Another brand called Pyramid Portawash has a 10 litre capacity.
Cyclone Home Pride is the world’s smallest washing machine. It is no bigger than an oversized water bucket. It just takes 4 litres of water and 15 minutes to wash a set of clothes. You can set the timer from 1 to 15 minutes. It is ideal for pre-treating stained clothes and also for washing delicates. This machine measures 18 x 10 x 12 inches. The product includes canister, lid and a base motor unit, which can be kept inside when not in use. With the integrated super quite motor, you can do your washing without disturbing your neighbours. In one wash cycle you can wash shorts, a shirt, slacks and a pair of socks. Just grab the handle and take it anywhere you want. These machines save you space and on your electricity bill too.
Now Clothes Get Spa Treatment
October 26, 2008
Technology has made our life so simple that doing household chores does not seem to be a gruelling task anymore. Instead, it has become a joyful experience. We have to simply switch on the button and machines do the majority of the work for us. Washing machines top the list of home appliances. Today, a wide variety of washing machines are available in the market. Each new machine comes with something innovative and highly useful for the consumers. One such technology incorporated in the contemporary washing machine is the use of steam.
The steam technology claims to bring dry cleaning to your home. LG, the world renowned home appliance company, has launched the world’s first steam powered washing machine. In this machine, once the normal wash and rinse cycle is over, the machine’s dual spray system sprays hot steam onto the clothes for about 40 minutes. This system is supposed to reduce water consumption by 35% and energy usage by 21%, as compared to the conventional machines. Steam enables to remove allergens, mites and residual detergent, which cause respiratory and skin problems. The new LG Steam Direct Drive Washing Machine is available in the UK stores in colours ranging from Rose, White, Aqua Blue, Cherry and Black.
Another company which has used this steam technology in their washing machines is Whirlpool. Whirlpool Aquasteam Washing Machine combines the natural power of steam and vitality of water to clean your fabrics in a fresh and natural way. Steam wash is good for babies and people with sensitive skin. Steam effectively removes stubborn stains like that of cosmetics, chocolates, oils, butter, baby foods, ice cream, sun tan lotions and perspirations.
We all have been hearing about iPhone killers. Here is something different ‘an iron killer’. Now, what does this so called ‘iron killer’ does? Washing machines using steam technology reduces creases and thereby reduces the work of ironing. You can take out clothes from the machine and directly wear it.
Clothes are one of the greatest passions of human beings. Clothes reflect our personality and a lot of time and effort is invested in what we wear. So, go ahead and give your clothes a Spa treatment with this steam technology.
Top Loading vs Front Loading Washing Machines
October 3, 2008
Gone are the days when clothes were washed by hand, beaten on stones and rinsed in running water. The modern trend is towards washing machines, which come in a wide array of brands and makes. For convenience and catering to various requirements of different consumers, these machines are manufactured in a variety of models, like top loading, front loading, integrated etc. The top loading and front loading are the most commonly used ones.
Top Loading Washing Machines are vertically mounted and basket-fitted with a water tub. It has an agitator at the centre of the bottom. All the dirty clothes are loaded from the top of the machine. It consists of a perforated tub, which is filled with water. The water level should match the level of the clothes. Once the machine is set in motion, the agitator pulls the clothes towards the agitator paddles. The clothes are then tossed up and down the sides of the machine. Whereas in Front loading machines, they have their wash tub placed horizontally. Clothes can be loaded by a door, which is provided in the front part of the machine. The agitator uses a back and forth motion. The clothes are lifted by the paddle fitted inside and then dropped into the machine.
Front Loading Washing Machines require water only for moistening the clothes. These machines use less water and detergent. These machines are mechanically simple to use as the motor is connected to the drum by a pully belt and a pully wheel. The front loading machine has a door, which will be sealed once the machine is set in motion, otherwise water could seep out from the machine. It is designed in such a way that it prevents small clothes from falling in the gap of the machine and jamming the rotation process of the machine. These machines have electrical heating elements.
Top loaders have an advantage that their doors can be opened at any stage of washing, thereby clothes added or removed. These machines need a gearbox, clutch and crank to perform its function. They use more water and consume more electricity, when compared to front loading machines. These machines have more wash capacity. The front-load washers rank high on energy efficiency. They have a faster spin speed than the conventional washing machines, giving out much drier clothes. The major drawback with these machines is their cost and availability of lesser models. Top loading and front loading machines have their own benefits and limitations. However, today the front loaders are in demand than the top loaders.
Different Wash Programmes
September 21, 2008
The evolution of washing machines dates back to 1908, a time when the first electric washing machine was mass produced. There onwards, these machines have undergone tremendous changes with change in time. Today, washing machines are an inevitable part of our daily life. Washing machines are capable of washing loads of clothes within a considerably short period of time. They are a boon to the homemakers. There are different types of washing machines available in the market. Whirlpool, GE, Maytag are some names that have made phenomenal impact in the field of washing machines.
Basically they come with certain standard features. However, with the advancement in technology, these machines are incorporating newer systems in the machine. The prominent feature of a washing machine is its wash programmes. Other things to be considered are size, spin speed, water and power consumption and load capacity of the machine. The number of wash programmes will vary in each machine according to the sophistication of the technology used. Broadly speaking they can be classified into the following:
Cottons
Synthetics
Delicates
Woollens
A fleeting look at the wash programmes
The present generation washing machines incorporate a wide range of wash programmes to meet your different lifestyle requirements. They are no longer dumb machines at the mercy of the humans; rather, they have become intuitive and can think and perform like humans do.
All the washing machines come with standard wash programmes that may include all or some of the following:
- Cottons - This option is used for washing cotton and linen garments that needs thorough cleaning
- Delicates - With this option you can wash fabrics that need delicate handling
- Quick wash - A swift wash programme for lesser load in a very short time, thereby saving you time
- Rinse hold - In this option, the machine retains the water in the drum after the final rinse, in order o reduce creasing
- Auto half load - The machine automatically adjusts water level for smaller loads
- Start delay timer - This feature enables to set a future time for staring the wash programme
- Hand wash - This option is for clothes that needs freshening up, similar to washing with hands
- Wool wash - This is for machine washable woollen clothes and is a cycle with very little agitation
- Variable rinse - Here you can add or delete a rinse
- Time saver feature - This enables you to reduce wash time of some programmes
- Silk programme - For washing delicate silk items
- Anti-crease action - In this option at the end of the wash cycle, the drum rotates intermittently, thereby avoiding creasing of clothes
Some machines also have special wash presets like:
- Denim - This option prevents creasing and streaking discolouration and hence is used to wash denims
- Shirts - This option too prevents creasing
- Dark garments - This option raises the water level and ensures thorough cleaning of clothes leaving no trail of detergents
You can even find additional options like soak option and pre-wash for heavily soiled clothes. When you choose pre wash, the machine gives a short wash to the clothes before the main wash, delivering cleaner and fresher clothes. Most machines also have safety features like water control system, emergency door release, automatic safety door lock, fault diagnosis programme and child lock.
Who knows what the next generation washing machines would be capable of doing? All we can do for now is, just wait with bated breath and take advantage of what the technology offers.
All About Fuzzy Logic
September 14, 2008
A Smart TV adjusts the colour modes and contrast for every new frame. A Smart Air Conditioner adjusts the flow of air according to the room temperature. All these are nothing but miracles of technology. Every day we are witnessing tremendous growth in technology, which thereby affects all the aspects of our life. Nowadays, it is not just the mobile phones and digital cameras that come with latest technology, even washing machines have embraced newer techniques of washing.
The latest range of washing machines integrates state-of-the-art technologies, making the life of a home maker simpler and enjoyable. Washing clothes is no longer a gruelling job; it’s an experience in itself, with features like fuzzy logic, sixth sense, etc. The ‘Fuzzy Logic’ feature is making waves in the washing machine market.
What’s all this fuss about ‘Fuzzy Logic’?
The basic difference between a human being and a machine is that a human can think on its own whereas a machine cannot. This theory no longer holds good and ‘Fuzzy Logic’ is the proof. Fuzzy logic resembles human decision making with an ability to generate precise solutions from certain given information. It follows a set of fuzzy rules, just like the “if…….then” statement in a computer. For instance, ‘if’ the load is more ‘then’ set the water level to ‘high’.
Lotfi A. Zadeh, a professor of UC Berkeley in California observed that a conventional computer was unable to manipulate data representing vague human ideas. This paved the way to the discovery of ‘Fuzzy Logic’. It is a class of Mathematics that helps machines to reach a conclusion based on certain information. It uses the human approach to problem solving, with the only difference that it turns up with a decision much promptly than people do, and resolve problems that cannot be handled using conventional mathematics.
We learn through our experiences in life. Fuzzy logic can also be applied the same way. Japan is the leading country using this technology. They use this technology in everything - from cameras to industrial process control.
A powerful and effective technology
Washing Machines with fuzzy logic employ sensor technology to incessantly monitor varying conditions inside the machine, then accordingly adjust itself to ensure unsurpassed wash results using as little energy and water as possible. There is no universal pattern for fuzzy logic, hence different machines will do different things, but a common fuzzy logic will control the water intake, the main wash, water temperature, wash time, rinse performance and spin speed.
There are sophisticated machines that even weigh the load, advise you on how much detergent to be put in, assess material type and water hardness, and check if the detergent is a powder or a liquid. A few of them also learn from past experience, judiciously memorising programmes and adjusting them to minimise running costs.
Different manufactures might use different terms for this feature. Whatever be the term, Fuzzy Logic is here to give you the optimum cleaning performance using minimum water and energy. Quite a lot of machines with Fuzzy Logic earn ‘AA’ or ‘AAA’ grades for energy efficiency.
