A modern home cannot be imagined without an automatic washing machine. This household appliance has long become an indispensable assistant to any housewife. No matter how carefully you treat your washing machine, it will still someday run out of its resource and will have to be replaced with a new one.
Even if you’re a big fan of front-loading machines, you’ve probably wondered what’s the point of top-loading machines? After all, someone also buys and uses them.
We tell you why top-loading washing machines without a stirrer are better than the usual front-facing machines.+
8 Pros of Buying a Top-Loading Stirless Washing Machine
To begin with, let’s clarify: what is the difference between machines with a stirrer and without it? Stirrer – a device in the form of a circle with a variety of protrusions and blades made of durable plastic, which mixes the laundry in the tub of the machine, helping to wash it. The agitator is usually attached to the bottom of the drum. Why do many people prefer to choose washing machines without this useful option?
The most obvious plus is that the absence of a stirrer helps to remove clothes from the tank faster since decorative details on things often cling to the stirrer protrusions, which is annoying. And the second point – machines without a stirrer are easier to service.
When choosing a model of a washing machine, first of all, focus not on the presence of a stirrer, but on the load volume and the number of revolutions of the unit. It is these indicators that are of decisive importance. The quality of washing in machines with and without a stirrer is the same, with the right choice of washing mode.
Consider what benefits you will get if you purchase a top-loading washing machine without a stirrer.
The machine takes care of your clothes
A stirrerless washing machine extends the life of your clothes. You get out of it things clean and without the slightest damage. Thin shoulder straps, laces and zippers do not stretch or tangle during washing. Delicate fabrics completely retain their appearance, without deforming even after several months of washing.
Large items such as curtains, bedspreads and tablecloths with decor, sequins or rhinestones remain intact after washing.
The washing unit does not need tedious maintenance
No stirrer, no hassle! It really is. You do not have to constantly clean the surface and ribs of the agitator from adhering powder, lint from clothes and accumulated dirt. You do not need to disassemble the mixer and wash it from the inside, pulling out hair, and wool stuck on the bottom and cleaning out the plaque. After washing, it is enough to wipe the laundry tub dry and clean the filters of the machine from time to time.
Noticeable resource savings
In the absence of a stirrer in the machine, the volume of the tank is slightly larger, but it spends less electricity and water for washing. On average, a machine without a stirrer uses 40% less electricity than models with a stirrer. This fact cannot but please the owners who care about the environment and the family budget.
If you want to save water when washing, soak very dirty items in advance so that the stains are washed off faster. This will allow you not to run a second wash, as well as reduce its time.
The size of the machine is suitable for any home
Washing machines without agitators are smaller in size than front-loading machines. Therefore, they are easy to install both in a spacious laundry room in a large house and in a small bathroom in an apartment. In addition, top loading is ergonomic in itself and saves space when operating the machine.
Washing and spinning speed increases
In many modern models of machines without agitators, the speed of rotation of the drum is higher than in models with agitators. This is due to the fact that with fast rotation, you do not have to worry that the clothes will wrap around the agitator and break it. Thanks to centrifugal force and fast rotation, the clothes are perfectly washed in the machine without a stirrer.
Can load more laundry
Although the agitator is almost a flat disc, it still takes up a certain amount of space in the tank. In units without a stirrer, more kilograms of laundry is placed than in models with a stirrer. This point has several advantages:
- You can quickly wash a large amount of laundry.
- Easy to wash large items that usually do not fit well in the washing machine: drapes, large bedspreads, blankets and outerwear.
- Quick wash saves you time, which you can spend on more pleasant things.
Small objects and things will not get stuck in the machine
How often do we have to unravel shoelaces, ties and thin straps on clothes after washing, or look for missing small toys in the inside of the washing machine. In a washing machine without a stirrer, there is no such problem. All small details of clothes and toys will remain safe and sound. You don’t have to spend a lot of time unravelling things caught on the ribs of the agitator.
The impeller makes things cleaner
Washing machines without a stirrer have an impeller – a cone-shaped device that creates powerful streams of water that contribute to a better wash. The pressure of water in a rotating drum literally knocks out dirt from the fabric. This is why a machine without a stirrer can wash more porous and loose fabrics better.
Cons of a washing machine without a stirrer
Like any other household appliances, washing machines without a stirrer have their drawbacks. They are not so significant as to motivate the refusal to purchase such a model, however, we consider it necessary to talk about them.
Although top-loading units are very simple, nevertheless, manufacturers recommend not ignoring the tips for use. Simply loading your laundry and turning on the machine may not be enough. Each machine is a unique engineering structure, and in order for it to work perfectly, the operating rules must be followed.
If you do not follow all the necessary steps and choose the wrong washing mode, the washing result may be unpredictable, and things may not be as clean as you would like.
The impeller can confuse delicate things
Of course, all washing machines put on the market are tested, so modern machines do not spoil or tear clothes. However, the cone-shaped impeller creates strong, swirling water currents that tangle thin, delicate fabrics.
If your clothes have a lot of decorative laces and long, thin elements, it is better to wash them in special bags so that after washing you do not waste time unravelling the tangle of things.
Impeller models may be more expensive
This applies to the latest models, which have many useful features. Because of this, the cost of the unit increases and some models of machines without agitators are more expensive than traditional ones. However, you can always choose a reliable model from the middle price category, without expensive additional options.
Repair costs are on the rise
Of course, if the washing unit is from a reliable manufacturer, then the build quality will please you for more than one year without problems. However, in the event of a breakdown, some parts of impeller machines can be more expensive and will also cost more on average to replace than conventional machines.
Increased wash time
If you have dirty items made of delicate fabrics that cannot be washed at high speeds, the washing time will increase. The fact is that the mixer in the car, in addition to mixing things, can act on them with a pulsation, which helps to get rid of stains more quickly. In a unit without a stirrer, stains are washed off only by the water flows that the impeller creates.
Requires special detergent
Special detergents for washing machines are now produced by many manufacturers. Do not use cheap powders that are not as effective against dirt and stains as more expensive products. The more enzymes, surfactants and optical brighteners in it, the better it will wash clothes.
It is undesirable to wash too rigid fabrics in them.
Thick PVC fabrics, canvas, tough denim, and similar items may not be washed in a single wash in a no-stirrer machine. Although the impeller creates strong streams of water, its power is still not enough to wash rough and thick fabrics.
Fat can accumulate inside the machine from things
Although you do not have to clean and rinse the agitator after every wash, grease and oil from work clothes can accumulate on the impeller and tank walls. Therefore, when washing oiled items, remove dirt immediately after washing. So you will avoid the accumulation of plaque and a specific smell.