How to wash things in a washing machine: how many times in a row to run it, is it possible to process only one item, how to choose the right detergent?

Thanks to the use of automatic washing machines, energy and time are saved, and things are put in order quickly and efficiently.

But even such a familiar household appliance has its own characteristics. In order not to be disappointed with the quality of washing and not to damage the machine itself, you need to know the basic rules.

We will tell you in this article how to properly wash things in a washing machine.

Preparing laundry

Even before starting the washing machine, it is necessary to carry out preparatory measures.

These include:

checking items for damage (holes, poorly sewn buttons, etc.);
checking pockets to ensure that foreign objects do not fall into the drum;
sorting things;
stain removal.

If the clothes that need to be washed have damage, they must be dealt with before washing.

Sorting

The first thing you have to deal with is sorting the laundry that needs to be washed.

All items should be sorted in advance, guided by the following laundry parameters:

Color (dark linen is washed separately, white - separately, colored - also separately).
Material composition (cotton, wool, synthetics, etc.).
The density of things and texture (jackets, underwear, etc.)

Items in contrasting shades should be washed separately. Even if they do not shed, you should not put them in the same load, as this will affect the quality of processing, and even dark items may appear dusty if you put them in the drum along with white laundry.

Sorting all items by type of fabric is necessary due to the fact that different materials require their own washing modes, setting the temperature, choosing a detergent, etc. Also, all items should be separated by type of clothing.

For example, jackets should not be processed together with underwear and shoes , even if they are the same color. Bed linen can be washed separately, shirts can be placed in the same load as T-shirts and tank tops, etc.

If there are too many things of one type, they can be divided into two or more lots.

Removing stains

Heavily soiled clothing with significant stains may not be washed out in the normal wash cycle. It is recommended to treat such contaminants in advance. Not only special stain removers are used for these purposes, but also homemade folk recipes.

They choose a means of dealing with stains based on what caused the marks and what material the item is made of.

How to sort?

Mutual staining and molting are one of the most harmful consequences of violating the rules of operation of the SMA. Before starting the machine, you need to sort the laundry. White is set aside separately from everything. But not only color plays a role. You should know which colors can be washed together and which fabrics are compatible with the washing cycle.

Cotton and wool products cannot be loaded in one batch. This is irrational, and also harmful to the wool. To make cotton clean, you need hotter water and higher speeds. In such conditions, woolen products are deformed. But cotton items cannot be washed in a delicate mode suitable for wool.

When determining which items can be washed together, look at their color, material, as well as care labels - they indicate the optimal temperature, whether bleach can be used, and other details.

Setting up a household appliance

Each automatic washing machine provides the ability to select a program mode and adjust the default indicators, as well as introduce additional settings.

Temperature

Even within one washing mode, Indesit allows you to adjust the water temperature settings.

Each program has an upper limit for water heating . If you are in doubt about what temperature to wash at, it is better to give preference to a lower one. It is necessary to take into account the color of things, their appearance, and the presence of decor.

When processing cotton and linen, it is permissible to select a temperature within the range of up to 95ºС. To wash synthetics, the temperature should not exceed 60ºC. Wool and delicate materials are even more demanding to care for. For them, it is advisable not to set the temperature above 40ºС.

In addition to modes based on the type of material, Indesit washing machines have quick wash programs . It is not possible to set a high temperature on them, since they are designed for regular care of things that are not too dirty. It is also necessary to take into account that washing in cold water may be completely ineffective.

You can find out what temperature is permissible to set from the information on the label for a specific item.

Mode selection

Automatic washing machines TM Indesit provide quite a lot of washing programs. The modes differ in the following parameters:

duration of processing;
water heating temperature;
washing intensity.

You can also set a delay, refuse spinning and draining the water. There are separate programs for washing sports equipment and shoes.

Indesit will tell you about the washing machine modes in a video:

Spin speed – which is better: more or less?

The spin intensity is set by the number of revolutions per minute. The maximum spin speed depends on the machine model.

The higher the spin setting value, the drier the laundry will be at the end of the wash cycle. The choice depends on the type of things. For cotton linen, you can set the maximum possible number of revolutions, for delicate items and wool - the minimum, so as not to damage the products.

If you completely refuse spinning, items will be removed from the washing machine wet after washing.

Extra rinse

The extra rinse function allows you to very effectively wash away detergent residues from the fibers of the material. But at the same time, the washing time is extended by several minutes.

It is advisable to use this mode when processing things of this type:

allergy sufferers;
children.

Also, the “Extra Rinse” mode will be useful in cases where the detergent has a very strong aroma or for some reason too much powder was added.

Easy ironing

This function can be configured additionally . In this case, an additional cycle of drum rotation is set at low speeds, allowing the wet laundry to be slightly straightened.

Understanding the washing machine modes

Set the washing mode on the control panel. Or it can be installed using a knob that needs to be turned and fixed to the desired program. For example, there is such a regulator if you use a Bosch washing machine.

Popular modes: “Cotton”, “Synthetics”, “Bulky items”, “Delicate”, “Baby clothes”, etc. I.e. By choosing any mode, you do not need to manually adjust the temperature, spin and washing time. Many housewives prefer quick wash, this is a mode in which things are washed in half an hour.

After selecting the program, all you have to do is start the washing machine. Let's take a closer look at some universal modes.

"Delicate"

Based on the name, it is clear that you need to use a washing machine with this mode for special things: thin, light fabrics. This mode simulates hand washing; the drum swings easily, with little impact on the fabric.

"Fast 30"

This mode is suitable if you need to refresh things or remove light dirt. Washing time is usually 30 minutes. At the same time you save energy, powder and water.

In total, features of the mode:

Choose it for rinsing things.
Suitable for both colored and black clothes.
Saves resources.

"Prewash"

Or the same as soaking the laundry. Choose this mode when things are very dirty and stains are difficult to remove.

"Intensive mode"

It is correct to use a washing machine with this mode if there is a stain on your clothes that cannot be washed off by hand.

There are 3 features:

It is necessary to treat the stain in advance before washing.
Manually set it to 40 degrees.
And in the second washing stage, go to 90 degrees and select a long cycle.

Before using the automatic washing machine, take a look at the instructions again; it contains a complete list of programs and their decoding. This information will help you start the machine correctly and not spoil your favorite things.

Bookmark norms

The maximum permissible volume of items specified by the equipment manufacturer is determined by their dry weight. But it should be borne in mind that some products are light in weight but large in volume, while others, on the contrary, are heavy but compact.

Bulky items such as jackets or pillows should be washed one at a time. This will improve the quality of processing and will not create additional stress on the mechanisms of the device.

The best option for storing laundry is to leave some space on top of the clothes in the drum. This approach will allow you to remove dirt more efficiently and rinse the detergent thoroughly.

When loading the drum, it is recommended to adhere to the following standards:

For synthetics, it is enough to put things in ½ volume.
For delicate products – by 1/3.
For linen and cotton, it is possible to fill almost the entire volume, but it would be better to fill it to ¾.

In cases where the batch of items for washing has not yet been assembled, sometimes it is tempting to throw just one small item into the drum, for example, a T-shirt. At the same time, during the washing and spinning process, the work may freeze due to the inability of the washing machine to evenly distribute the laundry.

Is it possible to wash one item? If only one thing needs washing, then it is better to find a “company” to load it into the automatic machine. This could even be a clean towel, for example.

How to wash white and colored items?

There are special powders for white things. They cannot be used for colored people - over time they will begin to lose color. For whites, bleaching agents are also recommended, preferably oxygen ones.

Colored clothes are washed with powders containing special crystals that preserve the richness of the colors. There are anti-shedding agents - if you use them, you can simultaneously put products of different colors into the machine: blue, green, red. The dosage is determined in advance - read the instructions for use on the packaging and follow them. Also take into account the hardness of the water and the degree of contamination - detergents usually indicate doses for different situations.

Choosing a detergent

Only household chemicals marked “automatic” are suitable for washing in an automatic machine . These products do not form abundant foam, unlike those designed for manual processing.

Powders

The product is produced in cardboard packs and bags of various sizes. The powder is measured using a measuring cup and poured into the powder receiver compartment on the body of the machine. The product is selected taking into account the color of things and the type of material.

More information about powders here.

Gels

The detergent is produced in liquid form.

Before starting the cycle, the gel is measured using the measuring cap of the bottle and poured into the powder compartment. Gels come in different types:

for black things
white,
for wool, etc.

Liquid detergent dissolves in water and rinses better than powder.

Capsules

Detergent pads are a relatively new product and are only suitable for automatic machines. They are not used for hand washing. The capsules contain a carefully selected composition of components, which allows you to do without other drugs (conditioner, stain remover).

The pads are used very simply: even before putting things in, one piece is placed in the drum, and the laundry is placed on top. Each capsule is designed for one wash. In the case of very dirty things, you can use two of them.

Even more information here.

Air conditioner

Using conditioner allows you to remove static tension from your laundry, soften the fabric and give things a pleasant aroma. Before washing, the product is poured into a special compartment of the washing machine, which is located near the powder receptacle.

Bleach, stain remover

Preparations intended for additional processing of things - removing stains and bleaching are loaded into a special compartment of the cuvette, which is intended for pre-treatment of textiles.

Brief information about Whirlpool devices

The main advantage is considered to be the fairly large functionality of the machine in comparison with the low pricing policy. A standard washing machine has about eighteen modes. It provides protection against child intervention, control of water and foam levels, and the possibility of self-diagnosis. Also, the advantage of devices of this brand is the economical consumption of electricity. Some models provide an express mode that allows you to wash clothes in fifteen minutes. Repeated rinsing, adjustable spin speed, and temperature control are also advantages of models from this brand. The downside is that it is noisy when wrung out. However, this problem can be solved with the help of special mats and proper installation of the machine on the floor surface. For long-term use, you must follow the instructions for using the Whirlpool washing machine.

Non-stop operation of the washing machine: dangerous or not?

The service life of a washing machine largely depends on the intensity of its use and compliance with the rules.

There is no clear answer to how often you can start the machine. But there is a connection between the load on the equipment and the service life .

How many times in a row can you run the wash? The optimal launch frequency is 3-4 times a week. If you need to wash a large volume of clothes - once a day.

More intensive use can lead to a shorter service life of the equipment.

Caring for the machine

In order for equipment to serve for a long time and work properly, it needs care. There are a few simple rules to remember:

There should be no foreign objects in the drum, so before washing, be sure to check the pockets and remove coins, buttons, etc. from them. Otherwise, foreign bodies may damage the washer.
If you need to turn off the machine during washing, press the “Pause” button. Do not unplug the power cord from the outlet to avoid damaging the electronics.
It is recommended to clean the drain filter at least once a month, where small debris accumulates.
Once every few months, descale your washer using citric acid, soda ash or vinegar.

Now you know how to use the washing machine correctly. You no longer need to think about which washing program to choose for a particular fabric and what detergents to use. Feel free to start the machine.

Drying

The drying mode is not available in all models . This is an additional option that allows you to process things by drying them. After such exposure, the laundry comes out of the machine almost dry.

In machines without drying, things remain damp even with very intense spinning. The presence of a drying mode in the device significantly increases the cost of the washing machine.

Read this article for tips on how to dry your laundry.

Installation Rules

Proper washing begins with the correct installation of the machine. A machine placed on an imperfectly flat surface will make noise and vibrate. You can't put it anywhere. The device is placed on a hard and level surface, using a building level. The legs are firmly fixed with locknuts. It is imperative to place a rubber mat on the tiles so that the machine does not move during operation.

Recommendations

you perform a quality wash :

Things should be placed loosely in the machine, not in a pile.
If you have doubts about loading laundry into the drum, it is better to leave it a little short than to shift it.
It is advisable to wash items with complex decor in a special mesh bag. Moreover, even if some element comes off during processing, it will remain in the mesh and will not be able to damage the washing machine.
It is advisable to put underwear and other items made of delicate materials into the washing machine in special bags.

You will find maximum useful information about washing clothes and various fabric products here.

Cleaning the inlet pump and drain

If you use your washing machine for a long time, it will definitely need cleaning. The first signs indicating the need to clean the drain or inlet pump are interruptions in water supply. Hoses can become clogged with dirt, debris, individual items of clothing (buttons, hair, threads), etc.

Depending on the brand of washing machine (LG, Samsung), the cleaning process may differ. To be sure of the correctness of your actions, you should always use the instruction manual.