Pre-washing in a washing machine - not everyone knows what it is and what the mode is used for. Almost all modern technology models are equipped with this function. In this article we will look at what it is, as well as all its advantages and disadvantages, so that you can decide whether it is worth using.
Washing technology in SMA
Simply rinsing your laundry in water will not make it cleaner. Washing is a technological process that includes:
- Stages. The laundry needs to be soaked. Leave it in the water for a while, adding detergent to it. Before the advent of washing machines, not a single serious wash could be done without soaking. While dirty items lie in water with powder or soap, the fabric fibers soften - this allows detergent particles to penetrate into the spaces between them and more actively dissolve grease and dust contaminants. In SMA, the process has changed, but its goal is the same - to prepare soiled laundry for the main stage. The soaking function in the washing machine is reduced to a mode that involves slowly rotating items in lukewarm water.
- Conditions. The amount of water, the ratio of water and laundry, and the temperature change. In washing machines, the rotation speed of the drum is set - it is measured in revolutions per minute. The temperature is set according to the selected program, and the user loads the drum based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. In certain modes, the drum is loaded at 50% or less.
- Facilities. Depending on the type of fabric and the degree of contamination, a detergent is selected - a regular powder for SMA, with bio-enzymes, or a gel-like product.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pre-washing in a washing machine is a delicate process; it does not harm even capricious fabrics. Any item that can be washed in a machine can be subjected to this procedure.
- The advantage of using the program is efficiency.
Any laundry that is first washed in cool and then in hot water will be cleaner than with normal washing. Using this mode in the machine, you will be sure that all the dirt will go down the drain and you will not have to rewash things.
- The disadvantage is the inability to save resources.
When using the additional function, the washing machine uses more electricity and water than with the standard program. It is for this reason that many housewives prefer to wash things by hand.
There is one more parameter - time, which can be written down as both pros and cons. On the one hand, a machine with the function turned on takes longer to wash. On the other hand, he does the manual work for you. You can do something else while doing laundry.
When to turn it on?
How do you know when you can't do without pre-washing? If things are heavily soiled, persistent, numerous, or old, you are unlikely to get by with a regular program. The mode can be launched before all the main programs - “Cotton”, “Jeans”, “Synthetics”, “Dark items”. Turn it on before gentle, manual and intensive mode. Pre-washing is a delicate process; it will not harm even the most capricious fabrics.
Today, many people wash their clothes almost every day - why save up dirty laundry if there is a machine that can quickly freshen up any item. For this purpose, express mode is launched. No soaking is required before fast programs.
Subtleties of use
All information about the modes can be found in the instructions for the machine. There are certain subtleties in using each.
Here's what it says about prewash:
- It is carried out only with dry powder. If you open the instructions for using the automatic machine, you will find information that the main compartment cannot be filled with gel while this function is turned on. The fact is that the liquid product smoothly slides down the tube. When it comes to the main cycle, the compartment is already empty.
- The function is not compatible with express modes. If it doesn't want to turn on, then most likely you chose an express wash. The manufacturers decided that it was not needed here. It is logical that if you need to wash things quickly, it means that the laundry is not so dirty and does not require pre-washing.
- Manufacturers prohibit pouring anything other than washing powder into the pre-wash compartment.
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Algorithm of actions
If there are useless or unnecessary modes or programs in some washing machine models, it is definitely not pre-washing - it is just as important as rinsing or spinning. What the user must do:
- Before turning on the SMA, fill the powder compartment. An additional portion is poured into the second compartment - it is located in the container marked with the number “I”.
- Press the corresponding button on the control panel.
After this, the machine starts working. What's going on in it? Algorithm:
- The machine fills the tank with a lot of water. The heating element heats it up to 30 °C.
- Water is collected, powder is consumed from tray “I”, and remains in tray “II”.
- The drum rotates slowly - the powder gradually dissolves, and the laundry is washed. How long does the process take? The exact time depends on the model and manufacturer of the SMA, on average - two hours.
- The machine drains dirty water and fills it with clean water.
- The drum begins to rotate fully. The powder from the second tray is consumed. Then the program that the user selects is launched - “Cotton”, “Synthetics” or any other.
- Then - rinse, spin. You can run an additional rinse.
Temperature
Now let's figure out how many degrees are required for the preliminary mode in the washing machine. It always occurs at 300 C. This is sufficient for thorough and long soaking. In addition, high temperatures can cause some types of stains to be absorbed even deeper into the structure of the fabric. For example, traces of blood or juice.
After the prewash is completed, the temperature is set, which is provided by the main program or set manually. For cotton and linen, set from 40 to 90 degrees, 30-60 degrees for synthetic fabrics.
Control panel icons
To find out what a particular icon on the control panel means, you can look at the instructions. Manufacturers often write the name of the mode - then no questions arise.
Most models have the same icon indicating pre-washing - W-shaped. This is the icon used in models from Samsung, LG, and Bosch.
What does a washing machine cycle consist of?
During operation, the automatic machine goes through several stages. The cycle consists of:
- washing,
- rinsing,
- spin
Often during washing this cycle is carried out not 1, but 2 or 3 times. This will depend on the mode and program selected.
In addition to the main 3 stages, there are also additional ones, which also determine how long the automatic washing machine takes to wash: pre-wash and additional rinsing. Some programs have these steps, others skip them. It will also take time to heat the water, drain it and fill it. There are many such additional factors, so it is worth dwelling on them in more detail.
Does she always help?
If things are covered with stains that are difficult to remove, then even “soaking” in SMA will not help remove them. Often the users themselves are to blame for this. How to avoid problems:
- Do not stack laundry with different levels of soiling together. Dirtier products will stain the “neighbors.” Colored laundry may fade due to close contact and high humidity.
- Do your laundry weekly—don't hoard dirty laundry.
- Treat items with stains. Remove dirt. If this is not done, then the stains after contact with heated water will become even stronger in the fabric fibers.
Recommendations for use
When activating the prewash function, keep the following general guidelines in mind:
- Sort your laundry by color and fabric composition.
- Turn things inside out and empty your pockets.
- For clothes with decorative elements, use a special mesh bag.
- Do not overload the drum.
- Do not put off washing heavily soiled items for too long.
For pre-soak operation, use powder. The liquid gel will simply flow out of the main cycle compartment before it starts, so all the detergent will be used up in the first stage.
The useful pre-wash option, which manufacturers have equipped their devices with, frees housewives from manual labor and improves the quality of cleaning things. With this function, there is no need for soaking in a basin. A modern washing machine takes care of the cleanliness of laundry with minimal human intervention.
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Similar to regular soaking
Housewives often equate this function to soaking. In reality this is a different procedure. Pre-washing replaces hand-washing clothes .
The mode should be started if the laundry is heavily soiled or there are complex stains on the fabric. For example, activating the option will be justified if the drum is loaded with a work uniform, a tablecloth soiled during a feast, or the pants of a child who fell into a puddle.
The purpose of prewash is not to remove stubborn stains, but to soften them so that the dirt can be washed away during the main cycle.
In fact, there is an effect from the regime, and it is very noticeable. Let's figure out how the machine works during the pre-wash.
Features of the Bosch SMA
There are brand names that do not need advertising. Among them is the oldest German company Bosch, which has been producing household appliances for the last hundred years. In order for washing machines to safely exhaust their service life, you need to use them correctly.
- Long service life. The quality of the assembly practically does not depend on the country of origin - the company, valuing its reputation, vigilantly monitors production facilities organized in other countries.
- Economical use of resources. Bosch models have an energy efficiency class of at least A+ and A++.
- Automatic weighing. The device itself calculates the optimal consumption of water and powder.
- The VarioSoft drum ensures gentle washing of delicate fabrics.
Among the disadvantages of Bosch, experts and users note:
- noisy spin operation;
- higher cost compared to analogues.
Breaking
All modern washing machines are equipped with a self-diagnosis option. If any malfunction occurs, the device notifies the owner about it. Many users are interested in: “What should I do if the indicator light is blinking and the washing process itself does not start?” In this case, the first step is to check whether the hatch door is closed. To do this, you need to open it and press it against the body again - a characteristic click should sound. Also, sometimes owners accidentally press the Pause key. If the device has a screen, then when it is activated, a special icon appears. Having ruled out these two options, you will need to completely disconnect the washing machine (even from the power supply). Leave it in this position for approximately 20 minutes. Then start the cycle again.
Water temperature
The water temperature during prewash is set by default and is 30 degrees.
With these values, it will be possible to remove complex stains from the fabric, for example, stains from:
- cosmetics,
- guilt,
- blood,
- berries,
- fruit juices and more.
However, this does not mean that the user does not need to independently set the temperature he needs. The parameters set at the initial stage will be applied during the main wash stage. If they are not adjusted, the water temperature will be the one provided for the selected function by default.
For example, for the “Cotton: intensive wash” mode – 60 degrees, and for the “Synthetics: gentle wash” mode – 40 degrees. However, during the pre-wash phase it is always 30 degrees.
What to do if there is a failure?
If a program malfunction occurs during operation of the washing machine, the error must be reset. Procedure:
- set the programmer to the “Off” position;
- press the “Start” button, then turn the controller one notch back (counterclockwise);
- release the pressed key, turn the selector again to the “Off” value.
This algorithm will help you reset the error on Bosch Serie series machines. The procedure may vary on other models. If there are no instructions for resetting the error, you can simply reboot the device by leaving it turned off for 15 minutes.
