Talk:Washing machine

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[edit] Considering factors

A propos the top- vs. front-loading washing machines, I have yet to see two factors considered in any of the glowing reports about front loaders. 1.) the dirty water does not drain as well as it does in the top-loaders ("if we can go to the moon....."), and, 2.) using the front-loaders is heck on one's back. I can only conclude that it is still mostly women who do the laundry and men who design the machines! Mary Kennedy —Preceding unsigned comment added by 205.188.208.140 (talk • contribs) 00:39, 25 April 2003

[edit] "Tub" and "drum" machines

Maybe one should speak of "tub" and "drum" washing machines, since at least in germany exist "drum" type washing maschines that are toploaders. They have a flap at the circumference of the drum were you could put in the wash. Klaus Leiss —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.99.214.134 (talk • contribs) 13:42, 28 August 2003

[edit] Cut and paste move to Washing machine (apparatus)

This article had been cut-n-pasted to Washing machine (apparatus) without changing incoming links. I reverted the change and made the new page redirect here. See also note at Talk:Washing Machine. --PrologFan 22:24, 11 July 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Disambiguation

There is no need for a disambiguation page here; policy is clear on these matters. Where one definition "is clearly predominant, it remains at the general title. The top of the article provides a link to the other meanings." Wikipedia:Disambiguation This article is clearly the predominant definition; a single line disambiguation at the top of the page is in order. There is no need and no precedent for a disambiguation page. -- Essjay · Talk 18:36, July 12, 2005 (UTC)

I agree, there is also no need for disambiguation as there is no name conflict due to capitalization. The album is Washing Machine (proper noun), the device is washing machine (common noun). --DropDeadGorgias (talk) 19:34, July 12, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] High-efficiency?

HOw about some info on high-efficiency top loaders and high-efficiency detergents? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.99.37.194 (talk • contribs) 07:17, 31 July 2005

[edit] Machines without a spin cycle

The "history" section describes a modern machine. I remember machines that did not have a spin cycle - just a mangle at the top. You would squeeze out the clothes in the mangle, put them in a separate tub to rinse them, and squeeze them out again. In older machines, the mangle was operated by a crank. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.10.231.229 (talk • contribs) 04:37, 10 August 2005

Another kind of no-spin was made by Bendix around 1950. It was a top loader. The steel tub had a rubber boot lining it and the lid was capable of an airtight seal. To extract water from the clothes a vacuum pump was used to evacuate the tub. The rubber boot collapsed inward, under air pressure from outside, and squeezed the water out of the laundry. In a comprehensive article about washing machines this one should be treated. Jm546 16:51, 15 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Connectivity?!

More is needed in the connectivity section. I haven't the slightest clue what a washing machine would use the Internet for. —Preceding unsigned comment added by AThing (talk • contribs) 05:51, 9 January 2006

[edit] What about Josephine Cochran/e?

The article does not mention Josephine Cochrane who is credited with inventing the auto washing machine by many authorities. Even our Wikipedia article about her, here, says so. For an example of a university authority on the matter, see here. Moriori 20:33, 15 January 2006 (UTC)

So WP:BB edit it already! Graham 21:47, 28 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Future of washing machines

I think articles like this should be mentioned to demonstrate the direction where washing machines may be headed. Beowulph 19:28, 28 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Technical Details

This background I have put out of an IEEE spectrum (MIT research result who compared a thumbler with the new invetion in Japan - a detergent free washing machine).

The best washing results you will get if the clothes moving absorbes the maximum of energy. That is when the slow rotating needs its maximum energy per round. Fuzzy Logic controlled washing machines do this well.

Another thing is that I found out that many people using washing machines in loundries not correctly. Therefore all detergent (liquid filled into box/hole of pre wash and main wash) runs into the "pre wash", only there used and pumped out. That is a big waste of detergent and unnecessary environmental pollution. It would be nice if somebody could write for this a subsection. It is a neccessary education task. I hope nobody feels offended.

English is not my native language. It would be kind if you correct a bug you had found.

--138.89.56.7 14:52, 12 May 2006 (UTC) Dieter

[edit] New direction in washing/drying/ironing

Nifty http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/4712446.stm

Should it be included? 71.222.149.170 10:40, 23 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Whites/Colours

There is nothing on here about separate cycle times or heats for whites and colours. Anyone? Jameshfisher 11:49, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] washing machines

What happened after they were invented? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 139.168.127.202 (talk) 20:39, 20 March 2007 (UTC).

[edit] A problem

Since I have looked all over the Internet and My searching was fruitless I am going to ask on here even though this has nothing to do with the article. My washing machine died on me today as I was putting a load of laundry on. After the machine was done filling with water I pulled the start knob and nothing happened no agitating no nothing so I am just wondering if Anybody knows whats wrong. Here's the information from the tag.

Manufacturer Kenmore
Model 110.4040092
Type 111
Serial CB2302282
 10    60     120   
Amps   Hz    Volts


Please do not delete this as I would like to know whats wrong and if I can fix it Myself or if I have to call a repairman. 216.211.102.175 07:35, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

Nospamtodd 00:15, 7 May 2007 (UTC) You should post your question on the newsgroup alt.home.repair. There are lots of people there (including me) who can answer your question.

[edit] Pricing

The article states, and shows in a table, that front-loaders typically twice the price of top loaders. If the US prices in the table ($400USD to $1100USD) are correct then these are comparable to the prices of front-loaders in the UK (£180-£500, typically) and top-loaders (rarely seen) are more expensive. Presumably popular types are cheaper due to economies of scale and whilst front-loaders are more expensive than top loaders in the US they are not inherently more expensive at all. I will update the article accordingly.

Ros0709 15:33, 13 April 2007 (UTC)

I would like to know where people are finding front-loading washers in the US for less than $600. Practically every single front-loader starts at or above this price. Some documentation of prices below $500 would be nice because I certainly cannot find machines like this.
In general top-loaders own the US market because they cost less than front-loaders, and American consumers tend to look first at the price before the reliability or efficiency of the actual machine. If front loaders really did sell at or below top-loader prices, the front-loaders would have greater acceptance. As it is a front-loader is more of a luxury item in the US.
DMahalko 11:14, 25 May 2007 (UTC)
Most US manufacturers simply don’t produce less expensive front loaders. Here are two front loaders under $450: http://www.rainbowappliance.com/p-XQG50QF802.htmlXQG50QF802?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=shoppingdotcom, www.amazon.com/dp/B000J6FUZA?smid=A3K3NPATJQ5H75&tag=dealtime-kitchen-20&linkCode=asn. I disagree that the price is the major reason for popularity of top loaders in the USA. Top loaders are much faster. --N Jordan (talk) 23:40, 2 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] The Savage/ Washer and Dryer Manufactured by Savage Arms Corp

Seeking informationon this machine. Anyone having info can contact me at harley94dude@msn.com 71.34.65.188 19:08, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] washingmachine

—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 216.54.48.138 (talk) 17:07, 25 April 2007 (UTC).

[edit] direct drive motors

Nospamtodd 00:15, 7 May 2007 (UTC) The introduction of direct drive machines, such as most Whirlpool/Kenmore top loaders and the Kenmore Oasis platform simply eliminates the belt, but doesn't decrease the complexity of the unit. For example, on the Oasis, the direct drive motor is a highly complex electronic component that must be driven by the main control unit. On the simpler Whirlpool direct drive top load washers (direct drive here is sort of an in-house technical and marketing term), these use a regular motor and a motor coupler instead of a belt. This eliminates some problems, but creates others, as the motor coupler is a highly breakable component.

Direct-drive is a somewhat ambiguous term since it only specifies how a motor of any type is attached to a load, and doesn't describe the motor technology itself. Washers have traditionally been driven by an AC induction motor that runs at a single speed only, and is attached to a gearbox that creates the complex agitator motions.
Computers and electronic motion sensing now allow the use of servomotors that have infinitely variable speed and motion, permitting the use of just a servomotor and its servo-controller to perform the same actions as the old motor and gearbox. Servomotors can also function as an electronic brake, using magnetic fields. This arrangement is mechnically less complex and the servo-controller has no moving parts, though it is not a perfect solution because failures can still occur due to electronics overheating, moisture intrusion and corrosion, and electronic component aging.
DMahalko 16:18, 31 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Hotpoint in See Also, but not in article?

Why is Hotpoint listed as a See Also reference when it is not mentioned anywhere in the article? How can Hotpoint, a relatively obscure washer manufacturer, get listed when Maytag, one of the major washer manufacturers of the past century, doesn't get listed?

I am thinking that either no manufacturer should be listed, or they ALL should be listed, possibly in a new section at the end of the article titled "Wikipedia articles on washer manufacturers", and then try to list as many as possible, such as Whirlpool Corporation, Maytag, Sears, Frigidaire, LG, General Electric, Bosch, and on and on...

DMahalko 16:25, 31 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] History, plumbing and drainage technical terminologies, graywater

This article could be improved by a discussion of how the development of domestic plumbing and sewerage affected the history of the modern washing machine's inclusion in the home. The washing machine article's history section barely touches on the concept of plumbing connections and says nothing about wastewater. A mention of the issue of greywater would also be welcome. Some of the basic technical aspects of a washing machine installation, such as the need for a drain standpipe and hot and cold hose bibbs (aka bibb valves), would be a valuable addition. See this page for the basics I was doing some disambiguation work on the standpipe article and came across this page on washing machines. Pat 18:31, 31 May 2007 (UTC)

my washing does not spin....why??? 24.191.92.139 19:12, 16 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Location in the house

Given the massively detailed (maybe even over-detailed) sections about just how top- and front-loading machines work, I was surprised to see no mention at all of where washing machines "live" in the house. I'm British, and over here they're considered kitchen furniture (as in this Flickr photo - but quite often American friends I mention this to find this odd. 86.132.138.205 04:47, 23 September 2007 (UTC)

Welcome to Wikipedia, the encyclopedia anyone can edit! If you see something that you think needs modification or improvement, by all means step in and fix it. The article will not improve if people just post complaints about the content. DMahalko (talk) 22:17, 26 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Capacity of top-loaders - terms used by manufacturers

A description of the terms used by different manufacturers to describe the capacity of their top-loading clothes washers might be helpful. I was surprised to find that "Extra Large Capacity" is the smallest size generally offered. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Evx (talk • contribs) 15:25, 8 January 2008 (UTC)