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serious crayons:
Well, that's weird, Chrissi. Because the machines here are mostly top-loaders, but in width they look more like the front-loader picture.
Why would German and American washing machines be so different, I wonder? ???
Penthesilea:
--- Quote from: ineedcrayons on September 01, 2007, 05:49:42 pm ---Well, that's weird, Chrissi. Because the machines here are mostly top-loaders, but in width they look more like the front-loader picture.
Why would German and American washing machines be so different, I wonder? ???
--- End quote ---
I don't know why they are so different, but they they look different because of the positioning of the inner basket (where you put your laundry in).
In Europe, the inner basket spins horizontally, in the US it spins vertically (like a centrifuge).
Funny thing is, in Europe the inner basket of top loaders also spins horizontally, but is positioned 90° different than in front-loaders. Therefore top-loaders have less width, but more depth.
I'm sure we all can safe much money with our new knowledge about washing machines ;) :laugh:
fritzkep:
Chrissi, I have no personal experience with them, but I've always been told by my coworkers that German washing machines use much hotter water than ours do, close to boiling, and that the machine itself heats the hot water up to near the boiling point. That would certainly be another difference. Perhaps the cover helps insulate the machine so that the water does not cool down too much during the washing cycle? Or to be able to put items on top of the machine so that they won't get too hot themselves?
Kerry:
--- Quote from: Penthesilea on September 01, 2007, 05:37:55 pm ---But I still don't see why it should make any difference in regard to the detergent?
--- End quote ---
The top loader powder is more concentrated and produces more suds. That's why the manufacturer does not recommend it for front loader machines, because too many suds in a front loader can stuff-up the works.
Because front and top loader powders come in the same size box and are the same price, and because the top loader powder is more concentrated than the front loader powder, by using the top loader powder in a front loader machine, you can get away with using only half the recommended powder and, therefore, getting double the amount of washes from the same amount of powder.
And Fritz makes a very valid point about water temperature. I recommend using a bona fide cold wash powder, with all the savings that attracts. I have been using cold water wash for years and my wash is always very clean.
Unless you work in coal mine, it is most likely that your clothes do not need the longest, most powerful wash your washing machine provides. I always use the briefest wash cycle (I'm an office worker - my clothes never really get "dirty" as such) with all the associated savings that attracts.
Kelda:
In the UK you very rarely get a top loader washing machine.. reason is space - cos my washing maching for example sits in my kitchen - if it was top loader I couldn't have workspace above it - with a side loader it can. I'd say most family kitchens in the US are a hella lot bigger than the Euro counterparts - s this allows them to have toploaders without too much of a problem - also a lot of US homes have utility rooms for their washer and dryers - which is something that a lot of homes here don't - I certainly don't.
so there is not different washing powder sold in shops here - simply cos there is no need to.
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