Secrets to Choose a Durable, Stylish, Budget-Friendly Washing Machine (4-5 Million VND)

Washing machines are essential in most households today, with various types and brands. Many find it challenging to choose, especially on a limited budget. Determining the best washing machine can be tricky.

1. Secrets to Choose a Durable, Stylish, Budget-Friendly Washing Machine (4-5 Million VND)

Washing machines are essential in most households today, with various types and brands. Many find it challenging to choose, especially on a limited budget. Determining the best washing machine can be tricky.

With a budget of 5 million VND or less, consider top-loading washing machines, as most front-loading machines are priced above 5 million VND. Brands like LG, Toshiba, Panasonic, Electrolux, and Sanyo offer affordable options.

Even with a lower price, look for machines with additional superior features beyond standard automatic modes and delay timers.

Let me elaborate more on these technologies so you can understand and choose a suitable product:

Agitator plays a significant role in washing, and you should choose machines with agitators featuring multiple raised fins and the ability to rotate in different directions, creating various water flows from left to right and from top to bottom, helping soap easily penetrate deep into the fabric to clean dirt.

In the washing machine market, the motor is also divided into 2 types: Direct Drive and Indirect Drive. The Indirect Drive motor is an older technology, causing the noise of the washing machine. To reduce noise, you should choose a type of washing machine that uses Direct Drive technology. In this case, the motor is directly connected to the washing drum, eliminating noise or vibrations during operation. Additionally, this technology also makes the washing machine more durable and requires less frequent maintenance.

The spin speed also plays an important role in determining how clean your clothes will be. A higher spin speed means drier clothes, reducing drying time. For top-loading washing machines, a spin speed of 600 – 800 revolutions per minute (RPM) and water consumption of about 112 – 140 liters for a 7 kg load is reasonable.

With a budget of 4 – 5 million VND, you will have many options with 5 automatic washing modes such as quick wash for lightly soiled items, pre-wash to save you from handwashing, wash without spin, or specific modes for cotton, wool, fibers, etc., instead of the 3 wash modes in older washing machine generations.

You should also choose a washing machine that applies inverter technology to consume less electricity. Moreover, some affordable washing machine models nowadays integrate superior technologies such as washing with air bubbles, steam, hot air, etc., helping to clean clothes more effectively, brightening whites, and eliminating odor-causing bacteria. You can explore brands like Toshiba, Panasonic, Samsung, LG, which offer these advanced features.

Depending on the number of people in your household and usage needs, you can choose a washing machine with a laundry capacity and power larger than about 20-30% of your usage needs. If your family has 4-5 people, it's recommended to buy a 7 kg machine for occasional washing of blankets and thin bed sheets. Choosing a machine that is too large will consume about 30 liters more water per wash, which is quite wasteful.

Do budget washing machines have lower durability and cleaning efficiency compared to expensive ones of the same brand? In reality, the price difference is mainly due to trendy features and innovations introduced in washing machines. Regarding wash time, wash modes, and machine durability when compared within the same brand, there isn't much of a difference.

The saying 'durability lies with the user' applies to washing machines, but not everyone knows how to use them correctly. To keep your washing machine clean, durable, and energy-efficient, pay attention to the amount of drain water, the quantity of clothes washed in one cycle, and the type of laundry detergent you should use.

A weak water supply can be the reason why clothes remain stained with detergent residue after machine washing. To address this, ensure to increase the water pressure supplied to the machine using a booster pump. Overloading the machine with clothes during a wash can also impact washing efficiency.

Clothes may clump together, unable to agitate or move vigorously in line with the drum's rotation and stains may persist, causing discomfort. Therefore, it's best to accurately measure the amount of laundry for one wash equivalent to the washing machine's weight capacity. Typically, the estimated dry weight put into the machine should be about 4/5 of the drum's height, which is reasonable.

Moreover, avoid using handwashing detergent for machine washing; it's an unhealthy habit. You need to know that machine-specific detergents have a unique formula, produce fewer suds, dissolve better, but have higher cleaning power. This ensures that clothes are rinsed clean quickly, leaving no soap residues and can save water by 1-2 cycles.

Using handwashing detergent for machine washing can impact the machine's operation and durability due to the high foaming formula. Excessive foam can overflow into the washing drum, moistening the internal environment and the motor, making the washing machine prone to damage.

If you have the habit of pre-washing by hand before putting clothes into the machine for washing or squeezing, be cautious to avoid water dripping from clothes onto the control circuit. Also, evenly distribute the laundry in the machine, preventing it from leaning to one side, causing imbalance and resulting in strong jolts and impacts during squeezing and drying.

In the long run, according to the belief of many, 'price is associated with quality.' However, in a vast market with a variety of washing machine models and brands, depending on needs and financial conditions, you can still easily choose a product that suits your family.

Pay attention to products from reputable brands, good warranty policies, and excellent after-sales service. Avoid purchasing from less-known brands that haven't established a strong market presence to minimize risks.