Your comprehensive guide to semi-automatic washing machines

Your comprehensive guide to semi-automatic washing machines

When you’ve made the decision to buy a washing machine, things can get confusing. There are so many types to choose from, from top load machines to front load machines, and then you have fully-automatic and semi-automatic machines – but what do the terms mean? Find out how to use semi-automatic washing machines to meet your laundry needs.

It’s important to consider what you want out of a washing machine, like:

  • Price – How much are you willing to spend on a washing machine?

  • Loading capacity – Do you have a big family? Do you only do laundry once a week?

  • Functionality – What kind of functions do you need from the machine?

  • Loading option – Do you prefer to load from the top or the side? How much space do you have?

  • Are you concerned about saving water?

Once you know what you’re looking for in a washing machine, then find out which one suits your needs.

What is a semi-automatic washing machine?

These entry level machines offer a good introduction to washing machines, meeting halfway between a fully-automatic washing machine and hand washing. These washing machines require some manual input during the cycle. Sometimes you may need to move the wet clothes from the washing tub to the drying tub in a twin-tub machines, for example.

The semi-automatic washing machine price is going to be less than you’d pay for a fully-automatic washing machine, usually ranging from RS 6000/- to 12,000/- depending on the model. The other benefit of buying a semi-automatic washing machine is you’ll also save on water for washing and rinsing, especially since you can also manually add the water to the washing machine.

What kind of semi-automatic washing machines are there?

There are two kinds of semi-automatic washing machines – the single tub and the twin tub.

The single tub is designed to do all the washing and the spin drying in one tub. These come with an outer layer and an inner layer with holes that allow the water to drain. These are simpler than the twin tub mechanisms and generally take up less space than the twin tub version.

The twin tub is the more common variety of the semi-automatic washing machine, where you’ll find two tubs located next to each other – one used for washing and the other for spin drying. This requires you to move the clothes from one tub to the other during the washing procedure.

Semi-automatic machines come in different shapes and sizes

The pros of the semi-automatic washing machine

So if you’re drawn to buying a semi-automatic washing machine, what are the pros of owning one?

  • They save money. You’ll not only find that semi-automatic washing machine prices are lower than for fully-automatic ones, but also they can save you money as they require less water than a fully-automatic washing machine.

  • They’re water efficient. If you live in a dry region or you want to save water, the semi-automatic washing machines allow you to add the water yourself, so you can make sure you use exactly the amount you need without wasting water.

  • They can be stopped and started at any time during the cycle. If you want to save energy or you are worried about power cuts, semi-automatic washing machines can be stopped and started during any point of the wash, not to mention fully-automatic washing machines will use more energy in the long run.

  • You can adapt your wash to your needs. You may need to baby sit your wash cycle, but this does have some advantages, as you can control how you treat different fabrics during the wash. You can add clothes as you go, also determine the water level, length and more factors of the cycle.

The cons of the semi-automatic washing machine

Now you’ve had a look at the positives, what about the downsides of the semi-automatic?

  • Takes a lot of time out of your day. Since you can’t just press a button and put the machine on, semi-automatic machines take more of your time and are also less convenient to run.

  • Cleaning results may not be as good as in a fully-automatic machine. When you use a semi-automatic washing machine, sometimes the cleaning results may not be as effective as with a fully-automatic washing machine.

  • Rougher on fabrics. When compared to the fully-automatic front load washing machine, the semi-automatic washing machine are generally rougher on fabrics and your clothes can get caught up and tangled in the wash. These may not be the best type of washing machine for delicate fabrics.

  • Electrical risk. If you have a twin-tub semi-automatic, you will need to be careful when moving wet loads between tubs and you need to disconnect the machine to avoid getting an electric shock, if your wiring is not properly earthed at home.

At the end of the day, choosing a washing machine is highly personal, so it depends on your own personal needs and budget.

However, if you want to get the best results out of your washing machine, whether you choose a semi-automatic washing machine or a fully-automatic machine, it’s important to use the right washing detergent. Ariel is specially designed to meet your needs and is uniquely formulated to ensure the best performance inside your washing machine. Ariel offers a range of detergents from regular Ariel (for your semi-automatic washing machines) to Ariel Matic Front Load (for your fully-automatic front load washing machine) and Ariel Matic Top Load (for your fully-automatic top load washing machine), to ensure you get the best stain removal in 1-wash.