From top-load to front-load and semi-automatic to fully-automatic, washing machines have occupied their spaces in every home. With the increasing demand for washing machines, big brands are manufacturing smart washers with the latest technologies.
Are you confused about which smart technology to choose in the washing machine? Do not worry. This article will help you with everything you need.
In this write-up, we have enlisted the latest technologies and their various benefits. We did all the research for you so that you can spend that time on something more important. Read this article to the end to make an informed decision and choose the right appliance perfect for your washing needs.
Let us get started with the discussion.
1. 6 Motion DD and WaveMotion Technology
Washing machine brands have been exploring different wash motions and develop technologies to use these motions depending on different fabrics.
LG rolled out its 6 Motion Direct Drive that allows users to choose between 6 different wash motions depending on the fabric. LG has optimized these motions for each fabric providing the perfect care your clothes deserve. The 6 options of wash motions offered by LG are
- Stepping
- Filtration
- Scrubbing
- Tumble
- Rolling
- Swing
Whirlpool’s SoftMove Technology goes a step ahead and automatically uses different movements depending upon the fabric. It uses sensors to identify the material of the cloth and optimizes motion combination to remove the dirt. Below is a list of the drum movements under its SoftMove technology.
- Soft cradle
- Slow-motion
- Power shower
- Energetic wash
IFB uses similar technology in its latest line of washing machines. It offers up to 5 different washing styles,
- Steam wash
- 360° wash
- O2 wash
- Air bubble wash
- Cradle wash
2. Innovative Drum Technology
Brands are continually developing new designs for drums to prevent the fabrics from getting damaged.
Samsung has introduced a Diamond Drum design that reduces the hole size in the drums by at least 25%. Additionally, these drums have diamond-shaped depressions that enclose the holes so that the fabrics do not get stuck in these holes.
Furthermore, it has an embossed washboard that reduces the fabric area exposed to the harmful effects of washing. The water exit hole is also small which eliminates the possibility of clothes getting stuck while the water drains.
Along the same lines, Bosch uses VarioDrum technology in its new machines. When the drum spins in one direction, the flat side of the paddle cleans the fabric. And, when it spins in the other directions, the steep side of the paddle provides intense cleaning.
Much like Bosch, Siemens uses waveDrum technology to clean fabrics with utmost care. It has its own wave pattern design to wash the clothes.
3. Twinwash and Flexwash Technology
Before buying a washing machine, the first thing that you have to decide is whether to go with a front loader or a top loader. Luckily, you don’t have to be ripped apart between the choices anymore.
The Flexwash technology, introduced by Samsung, allows the users to use the machine both as a front-loader and a top-loader.
The Samsung Flexwash washing machine has a 21 kg capacity front loader and a 3.5 kg capacity top loader. You can use the front loader for washing heavy fabrics like curtains and blankets. On the other hand, the miniature top loader can be used to wash small fabrics.
Similarly, LG has also come up with its own dual-load concept with the name of TwinWash. The LG TwinWash washing machine has two drums adjacent to each other. The primary drum has a capacity of 20 Kg complemented by a small drum designed to wash delicate fabrics.
4. EcoBubble and O2 Wash Technology
Samsung’s EcoBubble technology uses bubbles to fight against tough stains and dirt at low temperatures. Indian households typically use cold water for washing purposes, which is not as effective as hot water.
Considering this, Samsung developed this technology to provide effective washing even in cold water. The technology generates bubbles from the detergent which gets inflated and penetrates deep inside the fabrics to remove stubborn dirt.
O2 Wash is IFB’s version of the same technology that generates millions of air bubbles to fight tough stains.
4. BubbleSoak and SuperSoak Technology
Samsung’s BubbleSoak technology soaks fabrics thoroughly in bubbles to remove stubborn dirt. The technique does not affect fabrics as bubbles are generally soft in nature.
Similarly, Whirlpool’s SuperSoak technology uses a thorough soaking and scrubbing mechanism to remove hard stains.
Built-in Heaters
As already stated, washing clothes in cold water is not as effective as washing them in hot water. So washing machines come with temperature controlling sensors to heat the water.
Whirlpool is the only brand in India to develop top-loading washing machines equipped with heaters. It can heat water to a temperature of up to 60°C and remove hard stains on clothes.
Samsung uses the same technology, but only for front loaders. The technology named Eco Drum Cleaning is aimed at cleaning the drum so that it is free from allergens. This technology uses ceramic heaters and jet streams to remove any residue left over after washing.
5. VRT+ and AntiVibration Technology
For a long time, washing machines were considered as lousy machines due to their effects of vibration. Brands are trying to address this and produce wash machines that run smoothly.
Samsung’s introduction of VRT+ (Vibration Reduction Technology Plus) was a game-changer in this segment. It is an upgraded version of the VRT. The VRT+ keeps the noise level to a bare minimum and reduces the vibration as well.
Bosch’s washing machines come with AntiVibration technology that counteracts the vibrations occurring when the machine runs. It uses sensors that monitor the vibrations and automatically adjust the drum motion.
Dealing with Hard Water
Hard water is one of the most common problems that prevail in various regions in India. When used in washing machines, it causes white sedimentations on the machine as well in the fabrics. To tackle this, brands have come forth with various technologies.
Aqua Energie is one such technology, developed by IFB, to make the hard water soft. This technology uses water filters that break down complex bicarbonates into simple crystals. These crystals are smaller in size and are washed along with the water, thus preventing scale formation on the machines.
Whirlpool’s machines come with a Hard Water option that produces a better cleaning effect even when hard water is used. The option is most commonly found in its latest line of semi-automatic machines such as Ace.
Likewise, Maytag has an option in its latest front loaders to optimize its cleaning effect for hard water.
6. Auto Dispenser Technology
We often end up pouring too much detergent or too little into the washing machine. Both have their own demerits. To help users, brands have come up with auto-dispensing technologies to sense the right amount of detergent needed basing on the load.
Whirlpool’s front load washing machines use Auto Detergent Dosage technology to determine the amount of detergent needed based on the load and the level of dirt in the fabrics.
iDOS is a similar technology found in Bosch’s Series 6 and 8 washing machines. It considers the hardness of water and the level of dirt in fabrics to determine the amount of detergent needed for a perfect wash.
7. Digital Inverter and Direct Drive Technology
Washing machine manufacturers are working hard in increasing the efficiency of their machines. They have adopted digital inverter and direct-drive technologies to achieve this.
The conventional washing machine runs at fixed speeds, attaining its full speed for peak loads. With the inverter technology, the washing machine can run at variable speeds in accordance with the load. This leads to better energy optimization.
Samsung’s premium line of front loaders come equipped with digital inverter technology. They optimize their speed depending on the amount of load. Furthermore, their brushless motors generate less heat when rotating.
The conventional washing machines use numerous moving parts which result in a loss of energy due to friction. To overcome this, brands have adopted the Direct Drive technology, wherein the motor is directly attached to the drum. Hence, these washing machines consume less electricity and are very efficient.
LG has incorporated both these technologies into its high-end washing machines. They are very efficient, make less noise, and last longer.
Siemens has further upgraded the Direct Drive technology by introducing frictionless magnetic iQDrive motors. The company claims that these motors save 33% more energy than the other motors. They run faster, quieter, and save more energy.
8. Smart Control Technology
Every electrical appliance has become smarter by the introduction of innovative technologies. The smart control technology allows you to control your washing machine remotely using a smart device.
LG’s smart washing machines come with Near-Field Communication (NFC) tags. LG has also launched an app named Smart Diagnosis for monitoring the washing machine. The smartphone will assess tone transmission and detect if there are any problems with the machine. It will also suggest the respective troubleshooting steps to be followed.
Likewise, Samsung washing machines can be connected to Wi-Fi and controlled using the app Smart Control. It too assesses the condition of the machine and suggests appropriate measures.
Conclusion
With the emergence of new technologies, washing machines are becoming more reliable, robust, and have higher efficiency. Additionally, it offers a lot of convenience to its owners. The days are not long where washing machines become completely autonomous and all you have to do is put your clothes inside them and turn them on.
If you feel we have missed out on any new innovative washing machine technologies, let us know in the comments section and we will add them.
