New technology is created every year and although most of us reap the benefits of these amazing machines, we rarely take the time to discover how they work. Do you know how a refrigerator works, for example? What about a television? Could you explain how an e-mail might travel from my inbox to yours? Although most adults have enjoyed the speedy cleaning process offered by modern laundry equipment, very few could tell you anything about the mechanics inside of the machine. However, if you want to purchase commercial laundry equipment for a laundromat or on-site laundry room, you would undoubtedly benefit from learning how washing machines work . . .
How Washing Machines Work
First, let’s discuss the basic steps involved in a washing machine’s cycle.
After you add your load of clothes, drop in some detergent, and make your machine selections (hot vs. cold, small load vs. large load), the machine fills the tub with water and agitates the clothes (i.e., moves them around). Then, the water is drained and the clothes are spun to remove excess water. After that, the machine refills the tub with water and the agitation, drain, and spin processes are repeated.
To complete a washing cycle, the machine relies on several different components, including the following:
Agitator (or similar): The agitator is a device or mechanism that shakes and/or stirs the laundry. Some machines use wheels, plates, or discs to juggle and spin the laundry instead of an agitator, to prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
Inner and Outer Tubs: The inner tub holds your clothes and detergent. It contains an agitator, and the sides are perforated so that water can exit through the holes. The outer tub, which is bolted to the washing machine’s body, holds the inner tub and water.
Suspension System: Since washing machines need to shake and jostle the clothes inside a lot, suspension systems are used to allow the inner pieces of the machine to move while the outer portion remains stable. This reduces the machine’s noise level and keeps it under control.
Plumbing: The plumbing hooks up to your building’s hot and cold water lines. Those water lines are connected to the body of the washing machine with a solenoid valve. The plumbing fills the machine with water, circulates the water, and pumps the water out the drain.
Motor: The motor drives the agitator, the pump, and the inner tub. Most machines also use a clutch, which absorbs some of the force generated by the motor.
We could go into more detail, but today we’ll leave you with the basic parts and process. If you’re having trouble understanding your commercial laundry equipment, just give your provider a call. As time goes by, you’ll be able to better understand how your machines work, why certain problems arise, and what to do about it.
Are you on the hunt for high-quality commercial laundry equipment? If so, be sure to check out Laundry Solutions Company, a full-service provider of premium vended, on-premises, and multi-housing commercial laundry equipment. Since 1976, we have been providing exceptional sales support, laundry design services, commercial laundry equipment (and leasing options), and laundry equipment service and parts. Although headquartered in Springfield, MO, we also operate out of Tulsa, Kansas City, and St. Louis, and we’re proud to be the sole authorized distributor for Speed Queen equipment in the states of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. To learn more about our products and services, please give us a call at 800-383-9274 or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you!