Need some advice on purchasing Washing Machine

[Tejas01]

This will be my first washing machine and I am truly clueless what should I look for. Need your help with some pointers. Following are some details if they help.

1. Top load machine for a family of two.
2. Weight- between 6-7 kg. I mean I don't know. Will 7 kg be too much for 2 people. We will be primarily using it for washing heavy clothes like bedsheets, curtains, recron pillows. I was thinking of getting 6.5 kgs if in case there is extra load. 7 kg just to be extra safe.
3. Which brand to look for? No idea. LG seems fine. Any brand which has a better service record. I have had bad experiences with big brands like Sony, Hitachi, IFB. So will be avoiding them. Samsung, LG have been good for me. My 2002 Samsung refrigerator still going strong.
4. Most important- I live in an area where the issue of corrosion is significant. So any company which offers durable electronics will be preferred.(Seems LG already got a head start here with corrosion proof and inverter tech.)
5. Availability of spare parts.
6. I live on 4th floor and the main water tank is on the 8th floor(terrace). So I am assuming there shouldn't be any issue with water pressure. In summers it may create some problem when water supply is reduced.
7. Budget 15,000-18,000.
8. Can i get a heater in top load models? From what I searched for, didn't find any.
What are the other things I need to look for? Do I need to get a wheel tray? I mean I am looking at a possibility that I might have to move the machine during summers when water supply and pressure is low.
What are the demerits of not having the required water pressure?

 

[ch@ndlerbing]

@Sushubh if I don't select any mode and only select spin then it won't be taking it any water right? And also at what rpm should I dry the clothes?

 

[Sushubh]

spin is for drying. so you do not need water for that.

for wifi models, the default downloadable cycle setting on the dial is for rinse and spin. i assume non-wifi models should have an option for rinse and spin as well. would need to check the manuals.

for spinning, i stick to 800. my machine becomes unstable at 1200 because of lack of grip at the bottom. 1200 would take out a bit more water from the cloths, but it's not worth the hassle at least on my machine. if your machine is stable at 1200(+) rpm settings, i guess it should be fine to spin it at top speed in winters. and stick to lower rpms in summers.

rinse and spin seems to be there on non-wifi models as a fixed option.

 

[ch@ndlerbing]

@Sushubh thanks. With so many modes and all it is really confusing on fully automatic machines. It took me 2-3 days just to find out how to change the temperature,rpm. I was thinking it is fixed as per mode selected.

 

[Sushubh]

i think a lot of information is shared in this thread itself.

i have given up learning more... i have a basic routine. for few cloths, quick wash, 40c, 800rpm. for a full bucket, cotton, 40c, 800rpm, turbowash enabled. mom sticks to sports or quick wash because she does not like setting temperature etc. manually.

cotton cycle is the most customizable i think.

 

[ch@ndlerbing]

Does the washing detergent make huge difference for front load machines? Currently we are using the same old surf Excel quick wash which we used with semi automatic one. But since front load detergents are costlier. Is it worth the cost?

 

[Tejas01]

In plain words, Yes!!
Both have different mechanism to remove dirt and hence the quantity used will differ from FL to TL.
TL and semi machines rely on excess foam to remove dirt, hence the quantity used is more.
FL relies on surfactants and hence the quantity used is very less. It also calls for being very fine powder which also leads to increase in prices.

Using semi powder in FL machine will damage it as excessive deposits will cause the drum, Spyder to rust and deteriorate quickly. Also, try to wash in warm water 30-40C to ensure the build up is minimal.
Further, do regular cleanup of your drum when using Tub Clean mode with washing soda or white vinegar.

 

[Chip]

@ch@ndlerbing, @Tejas01 has explained it well.

In short, if you value your WM only use front load detergents. I use only liquid detergents now (Ariel or Surf) as powders leave a residue which then requires more frequent cleaning. The WM is disinfected and descaled every 6 months using the Bosch descaling powder from Amazon. Luckily I don't have a hard water problem in my colony but this powder disinfects very well without risk to the machine. Remember to take care of the door gasket, clean it up properly especially in the folds after each wash. Dont let muck accumalate there.

 

[igloo]

@ch@ndlerbing search for low cost matic options like tide matic / rin matic etc
or every grocery shopping app offers their own brand of matic powder.

 

[ch@ndlerbing]

@Tejas01 @Chip @igloo thanks for the detailed explanation. I bought the Ariel FL matic detergent today. I guess the quantity that needs to be used for washing would be also lesser compared to normal washing powders.

@Chip We do have hardwater issue at our home. LG descaling powder seems to be out of stock on Amazon. Can Bosch one be used for LG machines? What should be the frequency of tubclean mode in our case? 1.5 months?

 

[Chip]

What was it you bought? Liquid or powder? If your clothes arent too soiled then use just 30 ml or half scoop of the powder otherwise 60 ml or 1 scoop for normal washes and heavier clothing like jeans, jackets etc. Also, 1 litre of liquid = 1 Kg of the same powder.

It's best you follow LG's recommendations though each manufacturer believes in selling its own product. Depending on how hard the water is in your area then you would need to descale more frequently. I think it would be about every 6 months on an average. But check the instructions.