The Wet, Wild Ways of the Washing Machine

By Dave Donovan

Being agitated is normally not a good thing. Unless, of course, you're a filthy pair of jeans or a stained t-shirt. For them, agitation is the primary means to getting clean.

It wasn't always that way. In old days, you would have to walk your piles of clothes down to the creek to smash them against the rocks. If you were sliding your clothes up and down a washboard, you were living the good life. Thankfully, in 1908, the Hurley Machine Company of Chicago introduced the first electric powered washing machine. I, for one, couldn't be happier! I simply don't have the ambition or desire to bang clothes on rocks or crush them against washboards. Having to do that would leave me, well, agitated!

Today, what used to be a luxury is a staple in most homes across the nation. The laundry business is a billion dollar industry with detergents, bleaches, softeners, dryer sheets and other fabric related products. Visiting an appliance store is akin to browsing at a car dealership nowadays. There are basic washers, and there are top-of-the-line, all-the-options-included washers. They come in a multitude of colors so you can find the one that best matches your interior design. There are standard and extended warranties available, and they can even be financed in most places. It would be a fair bet to say that washing machine commercials are almost in as heavy rotation as the “Automotive Clearance Event Going on Now” spots.

You may do laundry day in and day out and never stop to think, "How does this machine clean my clothes?" If you have thought that very same thing, then you'll want to read on to find out how your washer works.

First off, on the inside of the lids of most washing machines, there is usually a detailed explanation on how to properly use your machine to ensure you're getting optimum performance from it. Some machines may say to load the clothes in first, while others say to begin filling with water first. Be sure to read the information, especially when upgrading to a new machine.

Now, we'll take this from the perspective of doing a load of laundry. You first set the settings - water temperature, length of wash cycle, agitation type, etc. Then you turn the washer on and it begins to fill with water. You add the laundry detergent and then pile in the clothes. You proceed to shut the lid and head off to do something more enjoyable. Let's take a closer look at exactly how this marvel of machinery does the job.

The timer is the brain of the washer. Every part of the wash process is controlled by it. As the timer slowly turns, it hits a series of switches that start or stop the various functions. Basically, it’s what sends the electricity to the various parts at the right time for everything to function properly.

When you pull the knob to fill the washer, you are in actuality opening up solenoids that control the water valves. If you are washing in hot water, only the solenoid for the hot water opens. With the solenoid open, the tub will fill with water. To ensure the water doesn't overflow, washers are equipped with a pressure switch that tells the solenoid to close when it reaches a specific pressure. A hose connects directly to the water level switch for it to read the pressure. Once the water has reached the correct level, the pressure switch closes the solenoid and sends a signal to the motor to start agitation.

If the timer is the brain, then the motor and gearbox are the guts of the washing machine. The motor and gearbox are connected by a belt and pulley system. When the motor’s shaft spins one way, the gearbox has a series of gears inside that will turn the agitator back and forth. When the motor reverses direction, the gearbox goes into spin mode and spins the tub very quickly to drain the clothes of water.

When the washer is in agitation mode, the clothes on top are being pulled to the bottom, and vice versa. This enables the detergent to reach all of the clothes and clean more effectively. When it’s spin cycle time, the clothes are spun at a high rate of speed and the water is pulled out of them by centrifugal force. While spinning, the water gets removed from the washer by a pump.

A series of springs and rubber blocks help keep the washer from vibrating when spinning. Most washers have concrete blocks attached underneath to balance everything out, and they also help to stabilize the unit. It’s also important to note that when the washer is in the spin cycle, it automatically shuts off when you open the lid. There is a switch, sometimes magnetic, that breaks the connection when the lid rises.

Washing machine companies are beginning to make slight changes in the way they build these machines. The gearbox systems are being replaced with transmissions. The mechanical timers are being replaced with computer microprocessors. Unfortunately, these innovations are making it harder for the do-it-yourselfer to make his or her own repairs. Luckily, we have an easy repair guide for some common problems with washing machines. You can save yourself a lot of money, and keep that old washer running strong for years to come.