Ten Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Washing Machines

The washing machine is an essential device in millions of households around the world, but most of us know relatively little about how it works. If you fall into this category, then these 10 facts about washing machines may well prove to be surprising.

1. The washing machine is the second largest consumer of water in a house, behind the WC, which takes first place, accounting for a quarter of all domestic water usage.

2. The average drum size for washing machines is 6KG, but reports suggest that most people actually under fill or over fill their machines by up to a kilogram, which means that the machine is not able to operate at maximum efficiency. Miele washing machines, even at half load, can achieve Energy Efficiency A and 20% efficiency with a full load.

3. In Europe, front-loading washing machines account for about 90 per cent of the total market, with top-loading machines being bought by just 10 per cent of consumers. This is at odds with statistics gathered in the US, where 65 per cent of people choose top-loaders, while the remaining 35 per cent prefer front-loading machines.

4. In 2009, L’Ossovatore Romano, the newspaper of the Vatican, announced that the washing machine had more to do with women’s liberation than the birth control pill or their right to work. A University of Montreal study agreed, pointing out that home appliance, including the washing machine, freed women’s time, enabling them to enter the workforce.

5. Average households run around 274 washing cycles in their machines each year and the lifespan of a standard washing machine can be 10 years or more. Higher quality machines have been known to survive for several decades. To ensure that their machines are of the highest quality, Miele put their machines through high-endurance tests to replicate the following usage; 5 washes per week for 20 years, opening and closing the door everyday for 164 years, spinning a bathmat continuously for 25 days and switch tests to ensure that the buttons work as new after 20 years.

6. Consumers are most likely to choose a washing machine that offers a spin speed of 1000rpm. This means that over the average lifetime of a machine, it will spin well over two hundred million times.

7. Although a 1200rpm and a 1400rpm washing machine may differ in price and performance on paper, tests have shown that for drying clothes, the residual dampness levels are only improved by three per cent if you opt for the fastest spin cycle. The greatest difference in performance is observable between an 800rpm and a 1000rpm machine, with a 10 per cent improvement seen when using the faster spin cycle. Miele washing machines can spin at up to 1800rpm, which saves drying time and energy when tumble drying.

8. 96 per cent of households have washing machines whilst fewer than 60 per cent have tumble dryers. Dishwashers are even less common, with less than 40 per cent of people having a machine to do the washing up for them.

9. An average load of washing will be made up of 16 different items of clothing. Some Miele washing machines are cleverly able to work out the weight load so that it can inform users on how much detergent is needed.

10. The first recognised washing machine, designed for small-scale domestic use, was invented in the nineteenth century by an American for his busy wife as a birthday present. However, it was not until 1908 that a washing machine powered by electricity was developed.

Image Credit: Vizzzual.com

5 out of 5 for W562 Prestige Plus 6

At the Review Centre a Guest reviewer has taken the trouble to not just offer a five out of five rating, but also pass on their thoughts on the Miele W562 Prestige Plus 6 washing machine.

Free standing, front loading and spinning at 1300 rpm the W562 is not found wanting, “First wash it was obvious this was top notch. Wife commented on how make up and lipstick traces had disappeared from collars even on 40 deg wash […]. Quality build, all metal drum, no plastic paddles to snap off.”

For the full review head over to the Review Centre.

From spinning speeds to durability – washing machine advice!

There’s a lot to think about when choosing a washing machine, a point proven on The DVD Forums recently – when discussion about the speed of the spin turned into insight into exactly which brand of washing machine is most durable.

Splobber begins the debate, suggesting that “If you want longevity then look at a Miele, or a Siemens which is a bit lower down the scale, which may give you twice the lifespan. But expect to pay at least twice as much for it” – before a heated discussion about the relative merits of Hotpoint dominates the forum.

Jackal792 steps in to suggest “One of the things you also need to appreciate, a washer is designed to last about 5 years in most cases, if you want something to last longer go for a Miele, Siemens”. ROne clearly concurs, suggesting “Mine’s a Bosch. Next will be a Miele.”

Do you agree? Has your Miele kept spinning for a potentially record-breaking length of time? Comment here, or pop over to the DVD forum.