Often the small size of modern apartments does not allow you to install a front-facing washing machine of standard sizes. In this case, non-standard models come to the rescue, which, although not in great demand, but firmly occupy their niche in the consumer market.
Types of cars
Washing machine under the sink can be activator or drum type. Activator, in turn, are divided into models with and without a centrifuge for wringing. Let's take a closer look at each of these options.
Activator without centrifuge
A bright representative of this class is the "Baby" washing machine. It has been familiar to Russians since Soviet times. The device is a plastic container with an activator (a disc with blades that alternately rotates clockwise and counterclockwise), a timer and a drain hose. Water is poured into the tank manually, the powder is poured and the timer is turned on. After washing is completed, the soap solution must be drained and a fresh portion of water should be poured.
For rinsing in such models is not providedseparate program, in order to start it, you must turn on the washing mode and fill in fresh water. Such a machine will easily fit under the sink due to its small size, but a large number of manual operations makes it unattractive for the consumer. Washing machine "Baby" is inexpensive, but it fits no more than 2 kg of laundry. It is mainly bought by poor citizens or summer residents.
Activator with centrifuge
The washing machine under the sink with a centrifuge is larger in size, since the compartment in which the spin cycle is attached to the tank in which the washing takes place. The inconvenience for the consumer lies in the fact that wet laundry has to be transferred to a centrifuge. Such models can wash up to 6 kg of clothes, as a rule, they have several modes, such as gentle, enhanced or regular washing. Water is also poured manually.
Much more interest among buyers is caused by small washing machines under the drum-type sink. They are no different from standard frontal models in terms of functions and indicators. Similarly, these appliances vary in wash class, spin speed and energy consumption.
Control type
Very often the washing machine (automatic) under the sink has a mechanical type of control. This is confirmed by many models, for example, Candy Aquamatic 1D835-07. The mechanics is considered more reliable, but it does not differ in the variety of programs.
Washing modes are strictly regulated and fixed in time.
The washing machine under the sink with an electronic programmer is much more convenient to use. You can set different washing modes depending on the type of fabric, delay the start for several hours, and see on the electronic timer how much time is left until the end of the program. The model itself will adjust the required amount of water and select the optimal drum rotation mode.
Financial side of the issue
How much do compact washing machines cost? Prices vary. Simple models such as "Baby" or the modern "Fairy" will cost a couple of thousand rubles. For units with spinning, the price increases by a factor of two, but still remains quite low. Drum washing machines have a completely different cost. Prices for such models are twice as high as standard units with the same functions.
Characteristics of drum machines
First of all, buyers are interested in how much space the washing machine takes under the sink. Photos that can be found on the net give only a glimpse of the dimensions of various models. Typically, sinks are located at a height of 85 cm, the container itself will be 20 centimeters deep, and it will also take the place of draining into the sewer. It turns out that the washing machine under the sink, ideally, should not be higher than 50-60 cm.
Unfortunately, these models are not available for sale. Those options that manufacturers offer are 60-70 cm in height. And this means that the washingthe machine of the indicated dimensions will not enter under the sink at all or will partially protrude - this should also be taken into account. As an option, first buy the model you like, and only then install the sink above it, slightly raising it relative to the standard height.
Small height is not the only advantage of compact machines. They are also smaller than standard front models in height and depth. And this means that they can be installed in a small niche, between the sink and the bathroom or the wall and the toilet. In situations where only a few centimeters are not enough to install a standard automatic machine, compact models will help out.
Loading
The maximum possible load of the machine is closely related to its dimensions. If in conventional frontal models the capacity of the drum can be increased by increasing its diameter, then in compact models you can’t do this anymore. All components there are located so tightly to each other that there is practically no room for maneuver for manufacturers. Increasing the load by increasing the depth is also not an option - then the washing machine will no longer be compact, and it will no longer fit under the sink.
Depending on the model, compact units can fit from 3 to 4 kg of laundry. In principle, this is not so little. The approximate weight of a duvet cover is 1 kg, sheets - 800 grams, pillowcases - 400 grams. Accordingly, one set of bed linen will enter such an automatic machine without any problems. Of course, some kind ofa large item - a blanket, pillow, winter down jacket or jacket, but T-shirts, dresses, underwear in such devices can be washed without problems.
Wash class
The effectiveness of washing depends on three factors: mechanical, chemical and temporary. Simply put, the longer the laundry is washed, the more effective the powder used in the work, the more often things are turned over, the more intense the solution passes through the layers of the fabric, the better the result will be. In small devices, it is quite difficult to ensure the movement of laundry and the circulation of the solution, especially at maximum load. Therefore, compact washing machines often have a lower washing class. Of course, not all of them, but among them the percentage of class B models is much higher than that of standard front-end units.
Number of revolutions and spin class
Compact activator models with a centrifuge do not squeeze much. The spin class is not defined for them, often manufacturers do not write the number of revolutions at all in the characteristics. With regard to automatic machines, the situation is somewhat different. They are necessarily assigned a spin class, the technical specifications indicate the number of revolutions. As a rule, this figure is from 800 to 1300 (quite enough to get semi-dry laundry out of the machine). The spin class ranges between B and D. According to these indicators, compact devices differ little from standard automatic machines.
Energy class
If we are talking about machines of the activator type,then for them the class of electricity is not defined. As practice shows, these models consume little, because the main expense goes to heating water, and in such units it is poured manually from the tap already at the temperature required by the owner.
Compact drum-type models are no different from standard counterparts. In the same way, class A and A + automatic machines predominate among them. In addition, since their load is small, they take little water. This means that little electricity is spent on heating it.
Functions
Since the range of compact models is not very large, in the store the buyer has to choose between 2-3 cars. You should pay attention to the number of programs, the ability to adjust the spin speed and temperature.
An additional wash or soak function will not be superfluous, which will help to cope with heavily soiled laundry. Recently, an option called "delayed start" has been in demand among buyers. It allows you to delay the start of the washing machine for several hours. With this feature, owners do not have to wait for the grace period at night. You can delay the launch for a couple of hours and calmly go to bed at 10 pm.
Reviews
Surely buyers are concerned about the question of how such a washing machine behaves in operation. Reviews indicate that most owners are satisfied with their purchase. If it's aboutdrum-type models, they are no worse than their standard counterparts. Some complaints relate to the high level of noise and vibration, which is due to the low weight and low stability of such models.
