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There are four primary factors in every cleaning process, whether you're washing your hands or cleaning your laundry: Time, Temperature, Mechanical Action and Detergent. Results vary depending on the percentage each factor plays in the process. Reducing detergent and increasing time yields different results than increasing the temperature and reducing action.
- Mechanical action The heart of every washing machine is its drum. The drum is where the work is done and the laundry is placed. A vertical drum, typically used in top-loading machines, holds large quantities of water while an agitator jerks the laundry back and forth. This agitator system is very aggressive. It limits your options and can damage your laundry.
- Time The time required to clean laundry is never a constant. Some fabric types simply take longer to clean than others. Time should vary based on the fabric type and temperature selected.
- Temperature What exactly is hot, warm or cold? Depending on your water heater, they can mean a lot of different things. Water temperature is an essential key to proper cleaning results. Not only should water be a certain temperature to begin with, but that temperature must be maintained throughout the wash cycle. Poor cleaning results are typically caused by improper temperatures.
- Detergent Depending on the action and water temperature, detergent requirements change. A vertical drum design with a low water temperature relies heavily on detergent for cleaning. A more efficient horizontal drum that can adjust and maintain the water temperature reduces not only the amount of detergent needed but also the role that detergent plays.
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