Washing class - how important is it?
When buying a washing machine, consumers, as a rule, are guided by the following criteria: size, type of load, quality of washing, spin, and also energy consumption. The division of washing machines into energy classes, washing, spinning allows the buyer to choose the right brand and model. Over the years, special stickers have been developed in different countries of the world to help inform consumers in the store how effective the device is. These labels indicate the washing class as well as the energy class.
to contents ↑Labeling value
To unify the values in 1992, the European Community directive 92/75 / EEC obliged European manufacturers to label the product with a special sticker of a single sample.
Different colors and letters on the label indicated the washing class of the washing machine, its energy consumption and spin - from “A” (maximum) to “G” (minimum). Such a system resembles grading and grading at school, only on a 7-point system:
- “A” is excellent.
- “B” is very good.
- “C” is good.
- “D” is normal.
- “E” is satisfactory.
- “F” is bad.
- “G” is really bad.
to contents ↑Important! The higher the washing class, the better the machine erases, but its cost will also be higher.
Usually the last classes are not found, and what manufacturer will allow you to produce products marked with such signs, but if you find such machines, then do not risk buying them. It is very simple to determine the class of the model of household appliances: the sticker is located directly on the case.
How to determine the washing class of the washing machine?
Important! Have you ever wondered what the letters and symbols mean in the name of washing machines? In our separate review you will find out decryption of washing machines LG.
Each type of pollution on the same machine is washed in different ways. The origin of the stains, as well as the detergent and type of fabric used, affect the quality of the wash, so the class of washing models is assigned after passing tests by washing machines under the same conditions.
Important! The quality of the wash must comply with EN-60456-A11.
Testing takes place as follows.
Preparatory stage
First, 5 kg of cotton linen (sheets, pillowcases, waffle towels) are washed in clean water and dried in a special chamber at high temperature and relative humidity of 65%.
After - linen is directly tested. To determine the quality of washing, a detergent is used, consisting of 77% powder, 20% enzymes and 3% bleach.
Important! This product is not upgraded, it is impossible to buy it in stores, there are no fragrances in the product and the product is supplied only to manufacturers of washing machines. In addition, all ingredients must be stored separately in sealed containers prior to testing, and mixed immediately prior to testing.
Wash
5 kg of laundry is placed in the washing machine in a certain way and special pieces of fabric are sewn together in one strip and have “reference” contaminants (fat, mineral oils, cocoa, red wine, graphite, pork blood). It is such pollution that is most often found in everyday life.
Important! Test pieces of fabric to determine the washing class of the washing machine are produced in Germany, Switzerland and sold to manufacturers of household appliances.
The whole process takes about 3 days. The laundry is washed 5 times at a temperature of 60 C, and the average value is excluded from the sum of the experiments (excluding the first experiment, since the result of washing at this stage will be better than others). After 5 washes, the pieces of fabric with dirt become almost white.
Quality control
To analyze the quality of washing, there are about 20 parameters. One of the main is the percentage of light reflection. By reflecting light from different pieces of fabric, a certain value is calculated, which is then compared with the same patch washed in the reference machine.
The highest washing class - “A”, is assigned to a machine for which this value exceeds the reference by more than 3%, and the lowest - to a model in which this value is lower than the reference by 12%.
A washing machine with a washing class “A” should wash the laundry 1.03 times better than the reference machine. The difference between classes A ”and“ B ”will be noticeable when it comes to white shirts or bedding.
Important! The reference machine is located in the research and life testing department of the Federal State Institution “Rostest-Moscow”. Such a machine is the only one in Russia.
What else is worth paying attention to when choosing a car?
The washing machine's washing class is far from the only labeling parameter that you should pay attention to when choosing the model that suits you. There are some nuances that will allow you to more accurately understand all the features of a particular unit. Which ones - see below.
Woolmark Sign
Most modern machines have the highest washing class “A”. Therefore, this criterion has ceased to be the main evaluation category in some cases.
The main reason for this is that the assessment is carried out according to only one program - the longest, most intense, and with hot water. But you will use other programs, including short ones, and when washing delicate things, the water temperature should not exceed 40 C. Therefore, it is impossible to know in advance how these programs will behave in your chosen model.
Take interest in voluntary certification that has become relevant in recent years. This assessment applies only to one program - washing wool. And since this is one of the most complex programs, it is impossible to evaluate its features without using a machine.
Important! Manufacturers pass voluntary certification at the European Woolmark Institute of Wool. The certificate obtained confirms not so much the effectiveness of the program (unlike cotton, wool is washed easier and faster), but takes into account the careful, sparing attitude to woolen products. The “Woolmark” mark is the most positive factor for owners of knitwear made from natural yarns. Every family has such clothes, and it will not be superfluous to find out how to wash knitwear.
Mechanical reinforcement
The quality of washing can improve the various development companies. Most of them are aimed at better penetration of the detergent composition into the fabric in order to help the product dissolve contaminants by acting on the fibers.
The most common option is to supply detergent from above. For this, manufacturers have developed various grips in the form of scoops, as well as shower systems that supply pressure and bubbles. Such simple developments really make washing much more efficient.
Important! The inclined drum also works in the same vein, which contributes to shoveling of linen for its better spreading.
Optimization system
Many machine models use an optimization system that evaluates the degree of contamination and, based on the problem, extends or shortens the wash.
The optimization system in various models of automatic machines can be called:
- “Sixth Sense” Whirlpool.
- EcoNavi Panasonic.
- FuzzyLogic.
- UseLogic Gorenje.
- EcoLogic Vestel.
- EasyLogic Ardo.
Important! We described the Sixth Sense optimization system in more detail in a separate publication “Top-loading washing machine Virpul”.
In modern machines, auto-weighing is also increasingly being used, which provides a flexible approach to each load of laundry. Thanks to the optimization system, you can not use the scales when throwing laundry in the car. The system will automatically evaluate the number of things and the type of fabric in order to determine the amount of water that this fabric can absorb.
Important! The washing machine fills the water gradually and estimates the amount of free water not absorbed by the products. This amount should exactly correspond to the indicator entered in the algorithm of each program. Thus, thanks to the optimization system, it is possible to meter the consumption of water, electricity and detergent, as the machine itself will adjust how long the washing phase will last and how much it needs resources.
Useful Tips
According to experts, many consumers, choosing between class “A” and “B” equipment, make their choice in favor of cheaper. The reason for this lies in the fact that the efficiency and quality of washing is influenced not only by the class, but also by the quality of the powder plus the additional functionality of the unit.
It happens that the price of “A” class household appliances of a less popular manufacturer is much lower than the price of a “B” class car manufactured by a more publicized company.
to contents ↑Stock footage
We hope that the information received will help you choose the right model for the washing machine. When choosing a machine, we advise you to pay attention not only to the washing class, but also to other criteria. Then you definitely will not have to doubt the correctness of your choice, and the washing machine will cope with all tasks for a long time.
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