General Question

bhec10's avatar

How could washing machines be further improved?

Asked by bhec10 (6458points) March 22nd, 2010
24 responses
“Great Question” (2points)

What are their biggest flaws, from your experience using them?

What would you improve on it and why?

Are there any major developments in the “washing machine business”? The only thing I’m aware of is that the University of Leeds has found a way to use only 280ml of water in a wash. Source. Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance!

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Answers

gailcalled's avatar

They could have a “dry” and “iron” cycle.

Seek's avatar

Can they sort the laundry, fold it, and put it in my dresser?

lucillelucillelucille's avatar

Howie Long could be doing it for me;)

mrentropy's avatar

It could update my Facebook so everyone will know when my laundry is finished. And ask a question on Fluther to ask how to get rid of particularly pesky stains.

JLeslie's avatar

I have a front load now, and although I love how the gentle cycle really is gentle, I HATE that mold easily grows at the bottom of the rubber part at the opening of the drum. From what I understand this happens in all of them. Somehow they need to figure out how to make the water that sits there drain off better. I dry the area off every time after I do a wash now, but it is annoying, and not perfect. I still do a hot bleach cycle every month to combat the problem.

Next time I will go top load again I guess.

@gailcalled There are washer/dryers all in one.

JLeslie's avatar

Oh, and my front load takes forever to get through a normal cycle, close to an hour.

Just_Justine's avatar

They should suck up the clothes, sort them then wash them. And not make a sound.

Seek's avatar

@JLeslie

That’s the big problem right there. The cycles take just long enough that I completely forget that I was doing laundry.

JLeslie's avatar

@Seek_Kolinahr I know. I do have a “speed cycle” that I sometimes use. It takes about 30 minutes. I am not sure where the time is being cut from though? And, if it is sweaty gym clothes I figure I need to do the regular cycle?

bellusfemina's avatar

Self-loading. LOL

Dr_C's avatar

iron-folding cycle ftw

JeffVader's avatar

Yes, they could be powered by a V12 Lamborghini engine…. that’d liven things up abit!

ucme's avatar

Play music,maybe classical, rinsemycorsetoff would be nice.Drown out the awful din.

LuckyGuy's avatar

I’d like to see an ultra-ultra fast spin cycle so the clothes come out almost dry. In order to do that the drum has to be perfectly balanced.
The unit would self balance by pumping a liquid into a sectioned bladder that goes around the outside of the drum. It would sense which side of the drum is heaviest and then pump the ballast to the opposite side. With perfect balance the unit would be much quieter, last a long time, and use less energy.
Make sure to give me credit.

CMaz's avatar

A seat on top would be nice.

erichw1504's avatar

Dry, fold, use practically no water, super quiet, clean up after dinner, and read me a bed time story every night.

erichw1504's avatar

@ChazMaz I see where you’re going with that!

Seek's avatar

I’m with @worriedguy too, as I’m currently on my third 90-minute dryer cycle, and still don’t have a dry towel in the house.

JLeslie's avatar

My washer has an ultra fast spin cycle, it is too fast for items that wrinkle easily. even cotton t-shirts sometime it doesn’t get the wrinkles out enough in the dryer. I only use it for heavy towels.

YARNLADY's avatar

I would prefer a washing machine that sits on a table or stand so I don’t have to stand on my head to load it, be very energy efficient and cost around $200 – $300.

JLeslie's avatar

@YARNLADY The LG front loads have stands you can buy. I think it even has a drawer for storage if I remember correctly.

YARNLADY's avatar

@JLeslie Thanks for the info. The ones I have seen are well over $500.

JLeslie's avatar

@YARNLADY I don’t know the price of the stands. The washer and dryer are expensive.

AZPaul's avatar

Put a notch in the top to hold your beer.

Actually, three things come to mind:
Improve balance in the drum to eliminate vibration
Add a heater to increase water temp to improve cleaning
Update the controls to allow customization of the cycle

Some of these have been done, but not for the mid to low cost units

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