Washing Machine-How did we buy Siemens WM-12E160IN. Review on Front Loading Vs. Top Loading Washing Machines

Me and my wife were looking for buying new washing machine but our maid used to be very regular and punctual. Ours is family of 3 and relative used to visit often. But we thought no need to waste money, power and water in washing machine as it will be same as paying maid. Also maid was doing her job satisfactorily. Washing Machine was not needed at all. Since her changing attitude(absense) made my wify to frequently wash clothes after soaking and waiting of 2 days, I made up my mind to buy a washing machine in our house.

Suggestion from my better half:*

1. In our house(2BHK) - Where we would like to install WM? Just to make sure we are putting in dry and accessible area, power plug (5Amp/15Amp), water(hot or cold) and drainage connection easily available. Noise from WM, coming in hall and bedrooms should be minimum. (Select WM with its noise you can leave with.)

   
   




2. How much maximum wash load we want to put in it? As we are 3 persons in house and washing can be done on alternate 2-3 days, we can have 5.5Kg. But if we can afford 7Kg then alright as it will never overloaded in odd days when relatives are with us.

   
   




3. We want fully automatic WM only - remaining part, Top loader or Front loader, decision was left to me.

   
   

Gathering information:*

We started gathering information about various WM, available in Indian Market and also what our relatives, neighbours were using.

Market: We found out there are at least aprroximately 10 brands selling WM in India. Still it was confusing because Dealer's don't know our requirements, they look at Customers pocket and sell accordingly.

word of mouth: Most of the people were happy with automatic Top Loader Machine. All machine are serving trouble free for last 5-7 years. Front loader are also trouble free but costly. So our confusion continued.

Online survey: Details of various Brands, Customer Service of different brands and customer reports.

Making homework:*

Top loaders:**  Laundry is loaded in WM from top. Drum (tub) opening is from top. Spin motion is horizontal-semicircular, reverse and forward. These are using time tested method (agitator and pulsator) for washing.

Agitator:  Agitator means rodlike vertical mounted thing in middle of wash tub. Wash tub and agitator rotate in opposite direction of each other giving rubbing to clothes. Detergent mixed water is filled in wash tub which itself installed inside outer bigger tub. This same water is sprayed from topside on clothes.

Pulsator:  This is disklike thing in center tub's bottom which works as same above. This creates pulses in detergent mixed water and throws clothes against tub walls. Cloths fell down and again rethrown. Remaining function remains same.

  Pro and cons for top loader:

1. Somewhat more aggressive in stain removal. (but still some people say overall not so good wash quality comapred to Front Loaders, I don't know why?)

   
   




2. It it not good for delicate laundry (who washes it in WM?)

   
   




3. Require more water. Extra energy is consumed in pumping, spraying, rotating and draining all this extra water. Otherwise, there is nearly same power required by main motor of all WM.(Top/front loader)

   
   




4. Can not put anything over this as this has top as opening door.

   
   




5. You have to look for noise levels.

   
   




6. Maintainace cost is almost nil / low as very few servisible part are involved. But due to complex mechanism repairing is costly.

   
   




7. WM is light in weight and no extra precaution required while shifting from one place to another. e.g. No drum fixing is required while shifting home.*

   
   

Front loaders:*

Laundry is loaded from front side door of machine. These are using latest technology and tumble wash method. Wash tub is installed horizontal, one end has been closed with connection to Main shaft while other end is open towards front door. Door is closed while washing and required water is filled at bottom of tub. This is rotated making clothes to tumbles(fell) into detergent water. This is some what similar to traditional method of washing by hitting against rock, but very balanced and gentle here.

Pro and cons for front loader:

1. Good wash quality as well care for delicate clothes.

   
   




2. Require less water and hence less detergent used.

   
   




3. No spraying of extra water, pumping/heating and power efficient.

   
   




4. There is nearly same power required by main motor of all WM (Top/front loader).

   
   




5. You can put upto some household goods upto 60Kg over top of this WM depending  upon build quality.

   
   




6. Less noise levels.

   
   




7. Long wash time hence not a power saver, (only power efficient).

   
   




8. Maintenance cost is there as serviceable parts are involved. Generally  door rubber gasket/water seals and Main shaft bearing need to be changed time to time. This depends upon build quality and usage. But due to simple mechanism repairing is simple but cost of spare parts more. Same time good brands have long life (upto 20 years or 3000 wash cycles) in normal use.

   
   




9. WM is heavy in weight and extra precaution required while shifting from one place to another. e.g. Drum fixing is required while shifting household goods. Otherwise it may go out of balance and void warranty.

   
   

*Budget vs/ Techology:

*   Top Loader Semi automatic (5-7kg) - from Rs 5000 to Rs 9000

Top Loader full Automatic (5-7Kg) - from Rs 7000 to Rs 14000

Front Loader Full automatic (5-6Kg) - from Rs 14000 to Rs 21000

Front Loader Full automatic (7Kg) - from Rs 18000 to Rs 32000

Now you will ask why is price difference in each of above type?Let me explain.

It is because of added features and basic build quality of each brand of WM remaining same in provided range. I am talking about material quality, thickness of plastic/fibre, metal, sheet metal, overall fit and finish, efficiency and good looks.

Required Features in WM:

Must required:

1. It should have better washing quality in the price range.

   
   




2. Solid build quality and not only good looks.

   
   




3. On power or WM failure, you should able to remove soap water and clothes for manual washing and drying.

   
   




4. While spinning, it should not do rock dance in home. It should be stable on its feet at one place.

   
   




5. On power failure, it should restart from the left position. (memory of wash cycle)

   
   

*Optional:

*1. Noise should be minimum.

1. Water heater if you need it. (I see, we wash our clothes mostly in normal cold tap water)

   
   




2. Water softner or connector for area having hard water.

   
   




3. Delayed wash (timer for starting at specific time, but for safety never start these kind of home appliances in your absence)

   
   




4. Adjustable volume for alarm sound.

   
   




5. Child lock for front loaders.

   
   

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