Modern household appliances are equipped with a large number of programs and additional functionality. Proper use of the washing machine's capabilities allows you to keep your clothes clean and fresh. To combat complex stains, the designers added a pre-wash option.
- What is the “pre-wash” mode in SMA
- How to use this option
- Nuances by brand
- Recommendations for use
- Catalog of washing machines with characteristics
Washing technology in SMA
Simply rinsing your laundry in water will not make it cleaner. Washing is a technological process that includes:
- Stages. The laundry needs to be soaked. Leave it in the water for a while, adding detergent to it. Before the advent of washing machines, not a single serious wash could be done without soaking. While dirty items lie in water with powder or soap, the fabric fibers soften - this allows detergent particles to penetrate into the spaces between them and more actively dissolve grease and dust contaminants. In SMA, the process has changed, but its goal is the same - to prepare soiled laundry for the main stage. The soaking function in the washing machine is reduced to a mode that involves slowly rotating items in lukewarm water.
- Conditions. The amount of water, the ratio of water and laundry, and the temperature change. In washing machines, the rotation speed of the drum is set - it is measured in revolutions per minute. The temperature is set according to the selected program, and the user loads the drum based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. In certain modes, the drum is loaded at 50% or less.
- Facilities. Depending on the type of fabric and the degree of contamination, a detergent is selected - a regular powder for SMA, with bio-enzymes, or a gel-like product.
Why is this function needed?
Pre-washing plays a very important role. Without it, the quality of clean linen will at times be unsatisfactory. In terms of its importance, pre-washing is compared to spinning and rinsing. To better understand the principle of operation of this function, you need to imagine soaking dirty things in a basin.
If you soak dirty clothes in a basin of water in which washing powder has been dissolved in advance and wait a few hours, and then wash it by hand or in a machine, they will wash much better than without soaking.
The pre-wash function is based on this principle. However, in a washing machine all this is done automatically, without human intervention. The owner of the washing machine only needs to first pour the product into the cell, and then start the appropriate mode.
The powder compartment is marked with the number I.
Then the following processes occur in the washing machine:
- A large amount of water is drawn into the washing machine. Then the water is heated.
- When water is drawn from the preliminary cell, the powder is washed out. But the powder in the cell for the main process remains.
- Then the washing machine drum begins to rotate at low speeds. At this moment, the powder dissolves and there is a slight mechanical effect on the soaked items.
- This process takes quite a long time. Until the washing machine drains the water.
- Next, another portion of water is added to the drum. The remaining powder dissolves and a full wash starts in accordance with the program selected by the user.
Next, the standard actions take place: washing, rinsing and spinning. You can also use the extra rinse function. It is used for children's or difficult to rinse clothes.
The pre-wash function can be used before the following main programmes:
- Manual (gentle) mode,
- Jeans,
- Synthetics,
- Intensive mode
- Baby clothes,
- Cotton,
- Dark things.
It is important to note that the prewash function is not compatible with quick programs.
So this is a function that simulates soaking. However, this is a high-tech soaking that is performed automatically with little mechanical impact on the clothes.
When to turn it on?
How do you know when you can't do without pre-washing? If things are heavily soiled, persistent, numerous, or old, you are unlikely to get by with a regular program. The mode can be launched before all the main programs - “Cotton”, “Jeans”, “Synthetics”, “Dark items”. Turn it on before gentle, manual and intensive mode. Pre-washing is a delicate process; it will not harm even the most capricious fabrics.
Today, many people wash their clothes almost every day - why save up dirty laundry if there is a machine that can quickly freshen up any item. For this purpose, express mode is launched. No soaking is required before fast programs.
Temperature
Now let's figure out how many degrees are required for the preliminary mode in the washing machine. It always occurs at 300 C. This is sufficient for thorough and long soaking. In addition, high temperatures can cause some types of stains to be absorbed even deeper into the structure of the fabric. For example, traces of blood or juice.
After the prewash is completed, the temperature is set, which is provided by the main program or set manually. For cotton and linen, set from 40 to 90 degrees, 30-60 degrees for synthetic fabrics.
Algorithm of actions
If there are useless or unnecessary modes or programs in some washing machine models, it is definitely not pre-washing - it is just as important as rinsing or spinning. What the user must do:
- Before turning on the SMA, fill the powder compartment. An additional portion is poured into the second compartment - it is located in the container marked with the number “I”.
- Press the corresponding button on the control panel.
After this, the machine starts working. What's going on in it? Algorithm:
- The machine fills the tank with a lot of water. The heating element heats it up to 30 °C.
- Water is collected, powder is consumed from tray “I”, and remains in tray “II”.
- The drum rotates slowly - the powder gradually dissolves, and the laundry is washed. How long does the process take? The exact time depends on the model and manufacturer of the SMA, on average - two hours.
- The machine drains dirty water and fills it with clean water.
- The drum begins to rotate fully. The powder from the second tray is consumed. Then the program that the user selects is launched - “Cotton”, “Synthetics” or any other.
- Then - rinse, spin. You can run an additional rinse.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pre-washing in a washing machine is a delicate process; it does not harm even capricious fabrics. Any item that can be washed in a machine can be subjected to this procedure.
- The advantage of using the program is efficiency.
Any laundry that is first washed in cool and then in hot water will be cleaner than with normal washing. Using this mode in the machine, you will be sure that all the dirt will go down the drain and you will not have to rewash things.
- The disadvantage is the inability to save resources.
When using the additional function, the washing machine uses more electricity and water than with the standard program. It is for this reason that many housewives prefer to wash things by hand.
There is one more parameter - time, which can be written down as both pros and cons. On the one hand, a machine with the function turned on takes longer to wash. On the other hand, he does the manual work for you. You can do something else while doing laundry.
Control panel icons
To find out what a particular icon on the control panel means, you can look at the instructions. Manufacturers often write the name of the mode - then no questions arise.
Most models have the same icon indicating pre-washing - W-shaped. This is the icon used in models from Samsung, LG, and Bosch.
Subtleties of use
All information about the modes can be found in the instructions for the machine. There are certain subtleties in using each.
Here's what it says about prewash:
- It is carried out only with dry powder. If you open the instructions for using the automatic machine, you will find information that the main compartment cannot be filled with gel while this function is turned on. The fact is that the liquid product smoothly slides down the tube. When it comes to the main cycle, the compartment is already empty.
- The function is not compatible with express modes. If it doesn't want to turn on, then most likely you chose an express wash. The manufacturers decided that it was not needed here. It is logical that if you need to wash things quickly, it means that the laundry is not so dirty and does not require pre-washing.
- Manufacturers prohibit pouring anything other than washing powder into the pre-wash compartment.
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Does she always help?
If things are covered with stains that are difficult to remove, then even “soaking” in SMA will not help remove them. Often the users themselves are to blame for this. How to avoid problems:
- Do not stack laundry with different levels of soiling together. Dirtier products will stain the “neighbors.” Colored laundry may fade due to close contact and high humidity.
- Do your laundry weekly—don't hoard dirty laundry.
- Treat items with stains. Remove dirt. If this is not done, then the stains after contact with heated water will become even stronger in the fabric fibers.
Preparing for washing
There are times when even using the pre-wash function it is not possible to get rid of difficult stains on clothes. This usually occurs due to the fault of the owner of the washing machine who did not properly prepare the items. It would seem that no difficulties should arise here: put the laundry in the drum of the machine and start the machine.
However, during the preparation process there are nuances that should be taken into account:
- All things need to be sorted according to the degree of contamination into several piles. This must be done, first of all, so that things do not contaminate each other. Also, fading colored items can stain white ones when left in the same basket for a long time.
- Do not accumulate or store soiled laundry for too long. It is advisable to wash things at least once a week.
- Items containing obviously difficult stains are treated with special means. If this is not done, the stains will stick to the material even more strongly.
- Don't forget that pillowcases and duvet covers must be turned inside out. In this case, there may be tufts of crumpled lint in the corners. They need to be removed.
- Clothing should not have loose decorations or buttons. Poorly fastened buttons need to be sewn on, otherwise they may come off and fall into the tank of the machine. And this can lead to a blockage.
- It is also necessary to sort all the items that need to be washed. They need to be divided according to the degree of soiling, type of fabric and color.
- Sneakers and other shoes should be washed in a special bag designed for washing shoes. It is important to remember that any shoes should always be washed separately from other items.
- Powder, as well as fabric conditioner, should be selected in advance. After all, things should not only be clean, but also smell nice and soft.
- You should check your clothing pockets before loading. They may contain important documents or money. There may also be foreign objects in the pockets (for example, a pin), which can cause damage to the washing equipment.
Preparing things is very important. Don't neglect her. By following the above rules, you can avoid many unpleasant situations.
Launch Features
Starting a pre-wash cycle is not much different from turning on the washing machine as standard. The main difference is that you have to pour the powder into two compartments at once and press the button marked with the icon. It activates the function. The algorithm of actions will be as follows:
- put things in the drum;
- pour the powder into section “1”. It can also be denoted by the Roman numeral I or the letter A;
- add detergent to the main wash compartment. You can also add a stain-fighting mixture or oxygen bleach here (it is important that it is dry);
- set the desired cleaning program;
- turn on the pre-wash. On the electronic panel of Bosch machines there is either a corresponding inscription or a “basin with a stick” icon;
- wait until the machine finishes working;
- remove the laundry from the drum.
If you are worried that your appliance will “eat” the powder from both compartments during the pre-wash, check this. Stop the cycle after 20 minutes and see if the product is still in the cuvette.
An experiment will help you verify the effectiveness of the additional washing step. “Scroll” one batch of laundry on the standard mode, the second – by connecting pre-treatment. Judging by the reviews of housewives, things washed with the activated function are cleaned much better.
Environmental Protection, Notice of Compliance, Applications
Page 19
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- Text
Applications
Environmental protection
• This product is made from recyclable materials.
If you decide to dispose of the product at the end of its useful life,
please follow local waste disposal regulations. Cut the power cord so that the product cannot be connected to AC power. Remove the door to prevent pets and children from becoming trapped inside the product.
• Do not put more detergent into the machine than
recommended in the detergent manufacturer's instructions.
• Use stain removers and bleaches before the wash cycle.
only when absolutely necessary.
• Save water and energy by loading a full load when washing.
machine (the exact load depends on the wash program used).
Notice of Compliance
This product complies with the European safety standards, directive
93/68 of the European Community and EN 60335.
SAMSUNG Washing Machine User Manual 17
Similar to regular soaking
Housewives often equate this function to soaking. In reality this is a different procedure. Pre-washing replaces hand-washing clothes .
The mode should be started if the laundry is heavily soiled or there are complex stains on the fabric. For example, activating the option will be justified if the drum is loaded with a work uniform, a tablecloth soiled during a feast, or the pants of a child who fell into a puddle.
The purpose of prewash is not to remove stubborn stains, but to soften them so that the dirt can be washed away during the main cycle.
In fact, there is an effect from the regime, and it is very noticeable. Let's figure out how the machine works during the pre-wash.
