Review of children's washing machines: a toy for the little helper

Every child dreams of growing up quickly, always copies mom and dad, and tries to help in everything. To make this process more fun and safe, adults came up with toys that imitate household appliances. One of these simple inventions was the children's washing machine.

It is difficult for parents who played with pots and clothespins to imagine that manufacturers came up with toy washing machines with water and a spinning drum. Nevertheless, such toys develop imagination and fine motor skills, accustom them to household duties and simply delight and amuse the child. You can, of course, make something similar “with your own hands” from cardboard, but such a machine will not make sounds, but will only resemble a real one from afar.

Washing machine shock absorbers: how to remove, change and repair it yourself

Shock absorbers (dampers) are devices included in the design of a washing machine, designed to dampen (dampen) vibrations that occur during washing. If the washing machine has strong vibrations or uncharacteristic knocking noises, then most likely the shock-absorbing devices have failed. Shock absorbers were used in old car models, but modern cars use dampers, they are similar to each other, their only difference is the absence of return springs. Dampers are located at the bottom of the unit under the tank, and springs are installed at the top of the housing to suspend the tank.

How to choose?

These days, an automatic washing machine is no longer a curiosity. These modern examples of household appliances have become an integral part of the equipment of the vast majority of houses and apartments. At the same time, manufacturers’ model ranges are actively expanding. In such conditions, many potential buyers sometimes have problems choosing the most suitable model.

When selecting a washing machine, you first need to determine the location for its installation. The size range of future purchases will depend on this.

Key selection criteria include:

• download type;
• drum volume (maximum weight of laundry loaded at one time);
• washing, spinning and energy consumption classes, designated by letters from A to G;
• number of programs and the presence of additional functions (in particular, we can talk about models with drying);
• characteristics of the drum and the material from which it is made (stainless steel or plastic);
• spin parameters and efficiency;
• control of functions and presence of a display;
• noise level during washing and spinning;
• features of connection to communications;
• door or hatch opening mechanism, as well as their dimensions;
• Availability of foam control and automatic drum balancing systems.

In addition to all of the above, you should pay attention to the leakage and child protection systems

The device of shock absorbers and dampers of the washing machine

The friction shock absorber (1) is designed for centrifugal drum washing machines. The shock absorber contains a housing (2) and a movable pusher (4) installed in it parallel to its longitudinal axis (2a) and removed from the housing (2); at its end, located in the housing (2), a friction lining is movably installed. The friction lining (8) or the body carrying the friction lining (8) is equipped with an installation socket (22) for receiving a spacer (23). The friction lining (8) is movably mounted on the pusher (4), the guide element (20) is pre-tensioned between the friction lining (8) and the guide surface or sliding surface (21) matched with it, and a spacer (23) is provided. to establish a frictionally effective geometric parameter (24) and/or to tension the friction lining (8) to influence the frictional force between the friction lining and the matched sliding surface. The spacer (23) is made in the form of a fixing or fastening element of the guide element (20) matched with the friction lining (8). 2 n. and 21 salary f-ly, 9 ill.

Each damper operates due to the resistance that arises during the mutual movement of its components. Most shock absorbers have a classic configuration and consist of a fixed body, a cylinder and a movable rod (piston) that runs in the cylinder.

Various polymer and rubber gaskets (O-rings) lubricated with a special lubricant are installed on the rod or inside the body, ensuring tight interaction of the surfaces. The damper body is attached to the bottom of the machine through a special silent block (rubber-metal hinge), and the rod is connected to the tank of the machine. To ensure longitudinal movement, both parts are secured using sliding metal pins, and the pin itself is secured against axial displacement with keys of various types.

Shock absorbers in different models of washing machines may differ:

• Dimensions (length, width);
• Material (plastic, metal);
• Shape and type of fastening.

For example, dampers for the Candy washing machine have a rather specific housing mount. It is fastened with rivets to the bottom of the unit, and the rod is attached to the tank through a bushing using a bolt.

Dampers for Bosch washing machines have a durable plastic body and a cylinder with a metal base. They are attached to the drum with a bolt through a metal rubberized bushing, and to the body through a polymer bushing with a plastic pin.

Rating of the best laundry capsules

When selecting nominees for this TOP of the best laundry capsules, we took into account their safety, effectiveness, ease of use, versatility, and affordability.

Here's what else was taken into account when including the funds considered here in the rating:

• Purpose – washing colored and/or light-colored items;
• Possibility of use for the care of children's clothing;
• Type – powder or gel in capsules;
• Recommended method of use - automatic, machine, or manual;
• The amount of foam generated in the process;
• Dissolution rate;
• Type of packaging – bag and/or box;
• Smell and size;
• Quantity per package and cost-effectiveness of consumption;
• Type - ordinary or with the functions of bleach and stain remover;
• Composition and percentage of surfactants in it.

Also, when studying market offers and comparing selected products, we took into account the requirements for pre-soaking laundry before loading it into the machine, the ease of rinsing clothes after cleansing, and the absence of allergies to contact with clean things.

Causes and symptoms of malfunction

Malfunctions in the operation of washing machine dampers occur for the following reasons:

1. Wear of mating elements (o-rings);
2. Long-term loads and vibrations;
3. Drying of the lubricant inside the cylinder and violation of operating rules. Branded shock absorbers in Samsung, LG, Siemens, AEG, or Ariston washing machines usually last 5-7 years without any visible disturbances in their operation.

With constant overload of the washing drum, especially in spin modes, the service life of the damping elements decreases. You can determine that the shock absorber is faulty based on several signs:

• strong vibration of the washing machine body, especially at high speeds; characteristic knocking sound when washing;
• The engine drive belt constantly weakens and falls off;

Due to the beating of the drum, its sealed connection with the rubber cuff is broken (for washing machines with horizontal loading) leading to water leaks.

There are several ways to check dampers for working condition:

• Remove the top cover of the washing machine. After removing the cover, press firmly on the washing tank, it should smoothly return to its place, but if the tank returns jerkily, this means that the devices are not working properly and require replacement.

How to remove and check shock absorbers from a washing machine

All damping elements are protected by the body and lining; in order to get to the damper mounts for different models of washing machines, different disassembly approaches are required.

When replacing dampers on a washing machine, there is no need to completely disassemble it. For example, to provide access to shock absorbers on Bosch washing machines, simply remove the front cover. In these models, the dampers have a classic single-bolt mount, located at the bottom of the unit. The upper part of the attachment to the tank is held on by latches that are part of it.

In order to remove the shock absorber from the tank, the connection is drilled with a long drill with a diameter of 13 mm, then you need to remove the part through the front of the machine.

On some LG models, you do not need to remove any covers to remove the damper. To do this, just put the unit on its side, having previously disconnected it from the power supply, water supply and sewerage. The shock absorber is secured on both sides with plastic pins with locking latches. By pressing the latch, you can easily remove your finger from the hole, freeing it from the fastening. If the finger is very difficult to remove, you can use a special tool such as a car VD shk.

In Samsung washing machines, bolts of size M8 or M10 are most often used to secure dampers. They are unscrewed using spanners or socket heads, 12-13 mm in size. Bolt-on mounting is used on models from Miele, AEG and many other manufacturers. In Wirhpool models, the shock absorbers on both sides are fastened with special latches; by pressing them, you can freely remove the damping elements.

Regardless of the mounting method, removal must be done carefully, without using impact tools that could damage the plastic tank or other elements of the device. Checking the damper is carried out by simply pressing the rod and pulling it out of the body. In this case, there should be noticeable resistance to pressing by hand. If the rod fits in freely, or in some cases simply falls out of the body, the shock absorber requires replacement. In some dampers, a special sealing lubricant is placed in the internal cavity of the housing.

If the rod extends freely and there is no lubrication, and traces of rust are visible inside, we can talk about wear and tear and unsuitability of the shock-absorbing devices.

How to choose?

When choosing a Gorenje washing machine with a tank, you must first take into account the capacity of this tank. For rural areas, the tank can be quite large, because there are often interruptions in the water supply. The largest tanks should be used where water has to be constantly transported, or in places where it is extracted from wells or wells. But in most cities you can get by with a small tank. It will only insure against accidents on utility networks.

Having dealt with this, you need to think about the size of the washing machine. They must be such that the device sits quietly in its intended place. Having chosen the point where the washing unit will be installed, you will have to measure it with a tape measure.

You also need to remember that an opening door in some cases can become a strong obstacle when moving around the house.

The next step is to choose between a built-in and a stand-alone model. People most often try to install a washing machine in kitchens and small bathrooms. But in our country such models are not in great demand.

It is advisable to give preference to inverter motors, which are less noisy than traditional drives.

There is no point in chasing high spin speeds. Yes, it speeds up work and saves time. But at the same time:

• the linen itself suffers more;
• the resource of the drum, motor and other moving parts is rapidly consumed;
• There is quite a lot of noise, despite all the efforts of the engineers.

How to repair washing machine shock absorbers

New vibration dampers for modern cars cost from 500 to 3,000 rubles per pair, depending on the model. Although this amount is not critical, in some cases it is possible to restore the old shock absorber. Owners of washing machines simply remove the remaining sealing elements from the body. Using the selection method, homemade parts from cut rubber pipes, leather belts or pieces of linoleum are installed in their place.

The main thing with such a restoration is to achieve a high-quality seal of the connection of the rod in the body. The cut parts are fixed in the body; for smoother operation, the connection is lubricated with technical or other grease. This type of repair can hardly be called reliable. In the best case, such a damper will last several dozen washing cycles, and malfunctioning or jamming will lead to breakage of other parts.

With modern repairs, the faulty damper element assembly is replaced with a new one, and both shock absorbers must be replaced, even if one of them is in perfect condition!

How to change shock absorbers in a washing machine

The ideal option when repairing shock absorbers is to replace them with an original spare part with the same characteristics. It happens that the necessary original spare parts are not on sale, or they need to be ordered and wait a long time. In this case, you can select dampers with similar characteristics. First of all, the following parameters are taken into account:

• Resistance created during operation. In most cases, this parameter is marked on the element body in the form of a digital designation in newtons. Most often it is in the range from 80 to 120 N;
• The distance between the mounting axes in a fully folded and compressed state;
• Mounting type. If there are no special latches on the shock absorbers, then it is secured either with bolts or plastic pins. Typically, silent block bushings have a hole for an M10 or M8 bolt.

The video is not really about replacing shock absorbers, but more about the description and subtleties when choosing and selecting!

Having selected an analogue that is similar or similar in characteristics and remade the mount, it is easy to install it in place. Dampers are replaced in the reverse order of disassembly.

Replacing suspension springs

Another shock-absorbing element is steel springs, with the help of which the drum is suspended inside the housing. They are located in the upper part of the machine body. These are quite reliable elements, the replacement of which is required extremely rarely. Sometimes the spring hooks pop out of the eye holes due to vibration; to easily install them in place, just lift the drum.

Not only the quiet operation of the washing machine, but also protection from vibration loads of other elements depends on the reliable operation of the dampers. If shock absorbers break down, it is best to replace them in a service center with a warranty.

Source

Recommendations

Using laundry capsules will be more successful if you follow these tips:

1. 
   The pads should not be used to soak things - they are not intended for that.

2. If the items placed in the drum are heavily soiled, 2 capsules can be used at once. But in this case, it is advisable to set the “extra rinse” option.
3. Capsules that are bright in color and have an original design should be kept away from children. An undeniable advantage of child-resistant packaging.
4. The pads must not be opened - the shell must dissolve directly during the washing process.
5. If you need to use 2 capsules at once, you should not use products from different manufacturers, as they have different compositions.

Washing pads have hermetically sealed packaging, which prevents substance particles from entering the respiratory tract when storing capsules and when preparing for washing.

You will find a lot of important and useful information about laundry capsules in this section.

Replacing shock absorbers in a washing machine

During operation of a washing machine of any type (vertical or frontal), the drum rotates inside the tank. Water is poured into the tank, and the drum rotates in different directions, which allows you to wash your clothes efficiently, simulating the process of hand washing. Like any mechanical device in which this kind of rotation occurs, the tank of the machine is attached to the body using springs (top) and shock absorbers (bottom). This allows you to absorb vibration as much as possible and not transmit it to the room or furniture if the machine has a built-in form factor.

The best capsules for white and light-colored fabrics

Such products must necessarily contain bleach and stain remover. With their help, it is possible to lighten white and other not very bright things, as well as remove dirt of various origins. For this purpose, the 3 options considered in this rating category do an excellent job.

Persil Duo-Caps Fresh from Vernel

Persil Duo-Caps Fresh from Vernel is one of the best in terms of effectiveness and safety. The capsules cope even with difficult stains thanks to the content of an active stain remover and special components for the shine of linen. The composition includes enzymes, surfactants, soap, phosphonates, a preservative, dye, fragrance, but their share is insignificant and does not pose a threat to human health or the condition of the machine.

These capsules are officially designed for automatic washing, but can also be used for manual washing. They have a pleasant aroma that lasts on clothes for a long time. The liquid released from them can be rinsed out without any problems and operates at completely different water temperatures. After removing the residue, there are no streaks left on the fabrics and the linen becomes pleasant to the body.

Advantages

• Several volumes are available for sale - 14, 21 and 28 pcs.;
• Dissolve quickly;
• Do not settle to the bottom;
• Penetrate deep into tissues;
• Have a natural color;
• They are a concentrate.

Flaws

• Not transparent box.

In the ranking of the best laundry capsules, Persil Duo-Caps Vernel stands out for its efficiency of use in automatic mode, that is, in a machine. If you plan to do it manually, then it is recommended to soak things for a certain time.

Paclan Brileo White

...Testing has shown that Paclan Brileo White gently washes white and light-colored clothes, working especially well with shirts, T-shirts, dresses...

Expert opinion

First of all, these capsules are bought because of their low price compared to similar options in the rating. Despite this, they cope with their tasks with dignity - they refresh clothes, give them a pleasant smell, and remove stains of various origins, including old ones. With their help, it is possible to return light-colored items to their snow-white color without pre-soaking. But this product is effective only at water temperatures from 30 to 90 degrees.

Since it is a concentrate, the consumption of Paclan Brileo White is small. This was made possible due to the content of highly active substances - oxygen, enzymes, bleach. Thanks to the latter, things can be lightened by 1-2 tones. Due to the absence of dangerous dyes and surfactants in the composition, as well as due to hypoallergenicity, the product is suitable for caring even for children's underwear.

Advantages

• Effectively wash clothes made from both natural and synthetic fabrics;
• Do not violate the structure of the material;
• Do not cause skin irritation upon contact with clean things;
• Begin to act upon contact with water;
• The original color of the laundry is not washed out.

Flaws

• Sold in a bag, not in a box.

Touching Nature

Touching Nature highly concentrated capsules for washing light-colored, including white, laundry are sold in packs of 6 pieces. packaged. However, their size is larger than other funds in this rating, and therefore the consumption is quite economical. They are used for loading into a washing machine, in which, due to the thin shell, they dissolve quite quickly.

Touching Nature produces little foam, but this does not affect the effectiveness of tissue cleansing. Thanks to this, the composition is easily washed out of fabrics and does not cause skin irritation. The product works even at low temperatures, but to remove difficult stains it is better to wash at high temperatures. There is no need to soak your clothes before doing this.

Advantages

• Relevant for both natural and synthetic fabrics;
• They have a delicate effect on things;
• The liquid penetrates deep into the tissue;
• Shelf life – 36 months;
• They smell nice.

Flaws

• Do not place cars in the tray;
• Not recommended for use in quick wash mode.

Reviews show that Touching Nature effectively deals with both fresh and old stains.

Symptoms of failure

The most common symptom of shock absorber failure is vibration, which cannot be eliminated by leveling the machine. The longer it works in this state, the stronger the vibration becomes and the machine can even “dance” around the bathroom or laundry room. In this case, it is necessary to carry out repairs - replace the worn shock absorbers. Some mechanics prefer to replace a worn damper seal or replace only one shock absorber. But we recommend changing the pair immediately, because... this will cause significantly fewer problems in future operation. If you replace only 1 shock absorber, the second one will fail faster and another repair will be required, which takes extra time and leads to additional expenses.

Replacing shock absorbers is a rather serious procedure that should be entrusted to specialists, because... Cars from different manufacturers are disassembled differently, have different mounts and brands of shock absorbers. Also, you cannot “randomly” change them for similar models of the same brand - shock absorbers are selected according to the permissible loading weight of the tank.

If you nevertheless decide to replace the tank yourself, then you need to collect a rather impressive list of tools: a set of screwdrivers and wrenches, a bolt organizer, aerosol lubricant.

Replacing shock absorbers without removing the tank

In the first option, shock absorbers can be replaced without removing the tank. To do this, you need to disconnect the machine from the power supply and water supply system. After this, you need to put the device “on its butt,” remove the front part of the body (if possible) and, using aerosol lubricant, screwdrivers and wrenches, remove the old shock absorbers. After you have removed the old components, you should contact either an official spare parts dealer or a specialized store. Ideally, write down the complete model and serial number of the machine, take the removed parts with you, and speak with the seller in person, who can select the necessary replacement parts. The final phase is to assemble the machine, connect it to water and electricity, and then proceed to test its functionality. Moreover, it is important not only to check the machine with an empty tank, but also to carry out an additional wash cycle with the tank loaded to find out how well the shock absorbers cope with their task.

Leaking pipe

The Gorenje washing machine has another specific problem related to the pipe. The most vulnerable place of a seemingly durable part is in the double bend (knee). What causes deformities?

• Low quality material.
• Factory defect leading to cracking.
• Puncture by a foreign body that has entered the drain system - a sharp object forgotten in a clothing pocket.
• Using overly aggressive products in the hope of clearing systems of scale, blockages, etc. Sometimes the use of such compositions is advisable, but one must remember that vinegar, citric acid and other reagents not only remove scale and mold, but also accelerate the wear of “delicate” parts .

It is difficult to understand at first that the problem lies in the pipe. If a leak has formed, it wouldn’t hurt to first check the drain hose and rubber seal, and then proceed to disassemble the housing. How to disassemble the housing is written a little higher - they make their way to the pipe in the same way as to the pump.

All that remains to be done is to remove the original and install the analogue. To pull off the pipe, release it from the clamps. Do not try to patch the part - this is a temporary measure and the leak will resume as soon as the results of your efforts wear off.

Replacing shock absorbers with removing the tank

The second option requires almost complete disassembly of the entire washing machine. To do this, it is necessary to remove all protective covers and the upper part of the housing, and then remove the powder tray. If there is a top part of the control panel, you need to remove it too. After this, you need to remove the springs and disconnect all the terminals from the tank. After this, you need to remove the tank and replace it according to the repair manual for the specific washing machine.

It is worth noting that such repairs require quite a lot of physical strength and good skills in handling equipment. If this is your first time repairing a washing machine, then it is best to refrain from this endeavor and carry out easier repairs in the future. In a situation where the tank is removed, you need to contact a specialist or even buy a new car, because... such repairs can cost up to 80% of its cost.

What happens if you don't take out your socks?

Getting foreign objects inside the washer does not bode well. The minimum that can cause a stuck sock is to ruin the color of the laundry. If the paint is unstable, be prepared for the washed items to have streaks. But that's not so bad. It is much worse if the product clogs the drain and thereby causes a flood.

In addition, socks can get wrapped around moving parts: the shaft or pump. As a result, the operation of the washing machine will slow down, or even become blocked. The ingress of foreign objects onto the heating element also does not bode well, as it can cause damage to it.

Therefore, there should be no doubt whether it is necessary to retrieve the lost property. This is a must-do if you don’t want to part with your equipment or pay your neighbors for repairs.

Quality of components

We should also talk about the quality of components that will be used to repair the washing machine. Unfortunately, most manufacturers supply original spare parts at a very high price, which significantly increases the cost of repairs. Most craftsmen use low-quality fakes, passing them off as original products, thereby earning more money from their services.

We strongly do not recommend installing such shock absorbers, because... they can quickly fail and damage the bearing block, which in turn will result in even more expensive repairs. If a master wants to install Russian or Chinese shock absorbers, you need to study reviews about them on the Internet and install them at your own peril and risk. High-quality repairs can only be achieved using original components.

Washing machines from the Gorenje brand

Instead of repairing an outdated washing machine that will inevitably break down in the future, you should consider buying a new machine from the famous Slovenian brand Gorenje. Devices from Gorenje compare favorably with other brands by their low consumption of water and electricity. Such machines are low noise and have an increased level of reliability. The new machine will not only work for a long time, but will also improve the quality of washing due to the presence of a modern electronic control module that carefully controls all processes. Our catalog offers models in various stylistic solutions that will satisfy even the most demanding customers.