Wall-mounted washing machines appeared relatively recently. This is a very interesting home appliance that, despite its unique appearance, does its job well. Unfortunately, only 2 manufacturers are currently developing and selling them, so the model range is small. And yet, the demand for wall-mounted washing machines is growing every day. What kind of modern miracle is this and whether it has any disadvantages, this article will tell you. A review of wall-mounted washing machines will help you decide on the best option for your home.
Why do you need a wall-mounted washing machine?
The less space home appliances take up, the better. This is the opinion of many, not just owners of small-sized housing. And fortunately today the choice of different equipment is very large, and manufacturers, trying to please customers, come up with new, convenient models. The washing machine was no exception.For many years, home appliance companies have been thinking about creating a wall-mounted washing machine that would not only be small, but also easy to use. The first to achieve success was the Korean brand Daewoo. Following it, Xiaomi also released its first product.
A washing machine in the house is, of course, very convenient. And although there are many varieties of conventional floor models, buyers often complain about their dimensions. After all, most often a bathroom or basement is chosen for installing a washing machine, and in both cases there is very little space there. You have to be creative in order to fit a bathtub, washbasin, toilet, and even a washing machine into a room measuring 200x150 cm or even smaller. But often a water heating tank is also installed in bathtubs! So it is not surprising that wall-mounted washing machines quickly found their first buyers.
Initially, they were conceived precisely to save space in small apartments. If in the case of a floor-standing machine you need a lot of space to open the door, and the structure itself is quite large, then in the case of a wall-mounted washing machine everything is much simpler and easier.
Wall-mounted machines can be opened without problems, even if they are installed above a cabinet, bathtub, or washbasin. They do not take up space on the floor, and allow you to move freely around a small room, even if the door is open! The only thing you will need is to get used to such equipment in the wall.
But who are wall-mounted washing machines suitable for? In principle, there are no restrictions. They are purchased by different buyers. And, first of all, they are recommended for bachelors, families of two or three people. As for large families, they often purchase such machines as auxiliary ones. That is, they have both a regular machine and a wall-mounted one at home.The regular one washes large blankets, pillows, as well as the bulk of dirty clothes in the house. And in a wall-mounted machine, for example, babies’ clothes are washed (they get dirty quickly), towels and rags for the kitchen and bath, socks, underwear, etc.
Features of wall-mounted washing machines
As the name suggests, the main feature of a wall-mounted washing machine is that it is mounted on the wall and not placed on the floor. Space saving is also ensured by the fact that there is no need to lay special communications to drain water from the machine. The drain goes through the tube directly into the sewer.
This is a fairly easy technique considering its purpose. All models released for sale have a similar design, configuration and principle of operation, but at the same time, the appearance of the equipment and the set of functions can be very different. Wall-mounted washing machines consist of a small body, a drum, a hatch for storing clothes and a control panel. The engine of the machine is inverter, it makes virtually no noise. The drum has a high-quality coating, which ensures careful handling of things.
The shape is most often in the form of a parallelepiped or square with rounded corners, but this is not the standard; Xiami, for example, released its machine in the shape of a drop. The design is modern, such machines fit best into rooms with high-tech, minimalism, modern design, but, in principle, they are suitable for rooms with any design.
Loading is frontal. Installation on the wall can be in any place and at any height - the main thing is that it is convenient for the apartment owners. The door occupies almost the entire front part of the case. It is made of high quality, with modern gaskets for quiet operation and no leaks. As for transparency, it all depends on the model.
The compartments for filling powder and liquid detergents are small, very similar to measuring spoons, but convenient to use. There are not as many programs as in floor-standing machines, but one cannot say that there are not enough of them. On average, such a machine has 6-8 programs, the most important and necessary ones, which are most often used for home washing. They may vary between different manufacturers and models. The mode for cotton, delicate fabrics, rinsing and spinning is a standard set, but there can be much more of them. But the choice of washing temperature is often poor.
If we talk about differences from floor-standing machines, then these are, first of all:
- small size;
- installation method;
- adjustable length of hose for draining water;
- lack of pump and pump.
But, despite these differences, the machine works excellently and competes with conventional floor-standing machines.
Advantages and disadvantages
Although it can be difficult to find a wall mounted washing machine for sale, some places do sell them. Most often these are large shopping centers, branded stores of the companies that produce them, and, of course, online stores.
There are still few owners of wall-mounted washing machines, but there are enough of them to make a brief overview advantages:
- Ultra-modern, futuristic design. Wall-mounted washing machines look incredibly stylish. The corners are always rounded, there are no sharp parts on the body, so it is impossible to scratch or injure yourself on it.
- Compactness. The small size allows you to place such equipment even in the smallest bathrooms. If you pay attention to the reviews of those who have already tried them, then no one intends to return to large floor-standing machines. And this is not surprising - with a minimum size, the wall-mounted machine performs the same functions!
- Energy consumption class A for most models. This indicates high efficiency.
- Powder consumption is low. In the case of a wall-mounted washing machine, it is difficult to miscalculate the amount of powder, because the compartment for it is downright miniature!
- Water consumption is minimal. The size of the washing machine and the maximum load had a positive effect on water consumption. And the less water spent on washing, the better!
- Light weight. The average weight of such a machine is 17 kg. Immediately after purchase you can take the machine home. You don’t have to deliver it by washing mashine, because it’s light—you can even carry it in your hands.
- Some models provide hygienic cleaning of the drum. This is very convenient as it saves time on cleaning the drum of the machine.
- The work is quiet. Depending on the model of the wall-mounted washing machine, it can work quietly or completely silently. Even if the machine still makes some sounds during the spin cycle, they will not be heard in the next room.
- There is practically no vibration. While this is a real problem in floor-standing washing machines, special seals are used when developing wall-mounted washing machines. They almost completely eliminate vibration and reduce the risk of the device falling off the wall.
- Since the machine is installed in the wall, you can choose the right height to load it while standing, without bending over. This greatly simplifies life not only for older people, but also for pregnant women.
- Small children will not be able to reach the machine. And to protect against older children, they have a child lock feature.
- The price is reasonable for models that were released more than 5 years ago (from 20,000 rubles).
- Some models have a drying function. And this is very convenient if, for example, you urgently need to wash a shirt and immediately put it on for work.
Despite many advantages, in some respects wall-mounted washing machines concede floor:
- Capacity. The hanging washing machine can hold about 3 kg of clothes at a time. For this reason, it is more suitable for small apartments where no more than 2 people live.
- The spin is weak. Even at the maximum, which in some machines reaches 800 rpm, the desired effect is not achieved. Things are still quite wet, but they're not dripping water, so if you have time to dry, this isn't likely to be a big problem.
- Washing quality. Most models on sale have a wash class B. This means that serious, old stains may not be washed off. In this case, you will have to first wash the clothes by hand and only then put them in the washing machine. But if the item is not very dirty, then the machine will cope with its task without any problems. Washing class A is only available on some new models.
- To install such a washing machine, only strong, even walls into which you can drive anchors are suitable. If the walls are plasterboard or clay, the machine may fall during operation.
- High cost is one of the most obvious disadvantages of new models. Since the two companies that produce them have no competitors except each other, this has an extremely negative effect on the price.
- The anchors included with the machine usually do not inspire confidence (although they are the ones recommended for installation). And finding similar ones for sale is not easy.
As you can see, hanging washing machines have not only advantages, but also disadvantages. Knowing about them, it is much easier to decide which machine and model to choose for your home.
What can and cannot be washed in a wall-mounted machine?
A wall-mounted washing machine has almost the same functions and programs as large, floor-standing models. Manufacturers strive to make them as convenient as possible for use at home, so they wash simple things without problems. This includes underwear, shirts, sweaters, pants, shorts, skirts. It is also possible to wash children's, delicate or woolen items. Of course, the set of programs varies from machine to machine, but it is still quite diverse. Many users have even tried washing soft toys and shoes (sneakers) in them, and quite successfully.
But what still can’t be washed in a wall-mounted machine? These are, first of all, large things, like bulky winter jackets. It will also be difficult to put a pillow, a large blanket or blanket (even a one-and-a-half-sized one may not fit), carpets and bedspreads into the washing mashine. In other words, all large or heavy items (more than 3 kg) simply will not fit into such a machine, even physically, so they will have to be washed by hand. It is also not recommended to load items with a pile of more than 1 cm or made from water-repellent materials into it.
Top 5 best models of wall-mounted washing machines
The first such machine, which went on sale back in 2012, was the DWD-CV701. She won a crowd of fans in a fairly short time and is still in great demand. This model became the standard that some looked up to in the production of new washing mashines, and others wanted to eclipse. Today, the range of wall-mounted washing machines has expanded significantly:
Daewoo DWC-CV703S
The washing mashine looks very small and stylish. Case dimensions: 55x65x32 cm. Case color – silver, white. The tank is plastic, star-shaped inside. Heating element made of stainless steel. The engine is inverter. Power consumption: 1800 W.
The machine can wash no more than 3 kg of clothes at a time.It also provides a drying mode - 1.5-2 kg/time. Spin speed – 700 rpm. Washing class – B. This is a normal indicator for a high-quality wall-mounted washing machine. The weight of the machine is 19.8 kg. Number of programs – 10. There is a delayed start function up to 18 hours. Touch control. The machine can draw up to 25 liters of water per wash.
The main problem of this machine is that its energy consumption class is D. In modern technology, this class is rare, since it consumes quite a lot of electricity. The machine has protection against children, leaks, foam control, and imbalance.
Daewoo Electronics DWD-CV703W
Today this model is one of the most popular. Quiet and easy to use. The design is modern. The display is touchscreen rather than push-button. The engine is inverter. The tank is made of plastic, star-shaped, with miniature holes for water supply. Heating element made of stainless steel. Washing class - B. Maximum load - 3 kg. Class E spin – 700 rpm. Energy consumption is minimal. 6 work programs. Among the useful functions, it is worth noting “Delayed start” - a waiting time of up to 18 hours.
There is a child lock, foam concentrate control, imbalance control, timer, tank cleaning, super rinse, and leak protection. The total weight of the machine is 17.3 kg. Dimensions – 60x55x32 cm, loading hatch diameter – 26 cm. Water consumption per wash – 31 liters.
The machine is of high quality, washes perfectly for its small size, and has a quick wash mode. Energy class – A.
Xiaomi MiniJ Wall-Mounted White
Incredibly beautiful, futuristic teardrop-shaped wall-mounted machine. The main advantage over Daewoo washing mashines is that this model (like others and Xiaomi) is integrated with smartphones of the same brand.Some people consider remote control useless, while others actively use it.
The body is light, and the door is made of dark tempered glass. There is an anti-reflective coating, high-quality, antibacterial seal. Control panel on the door. But it is not always visible - when the machine is turned off, you can only find the power button on the door.
The capacity of the machine is 3 kg. The motor is inverter, so it works quietly. Washing class – A. Temperature conditions are different, maximum temperature is +95°C. There are modes for silk, delicate items, and shirts. The machine has built-in self-cleaning of the drum in a certain mode. There are a total of 15 washing modes in the machine. Spin speed – 700 rpm. Case – 58x67x35 cm. Weight – 24 kg. It should also be noted that this model has child protection, delayed start, self-balancing, and foam control. Energy class – A.
Recently, another similar machine, Xiaomi MiniJ All-in-one Wall-Mounted, has appeared, which, in addition to washing, also has the function of drying clothes.
Daewoo Electronics DWD-CV702W
The case is beautiful and will fit into any room design. Front loading. The tank is plastic, star-shaped inside. Heating element made of stainless steel. The maximum weight of items is 3 kg. Spin – 800 rpm. Dimensions: 60x55x29 cm. The noise level is minimal, however, if the machine is installed incorrectly, it will produce significant noise and vibration during spinning. Energy class – A.
The machine has a delay start function, child lock, leak protection, and foam control. LED display, clear and simple. There is a time indicator. There is partial protection against leaks. There are 6 work programs available.
Daewoo DWD-CV701 PC.
The body is white or mirror silver.Maximum load – 3 kg. Spin – 700 rpm. Dimensions – 55x29x60 cm. Weight – 17 kg. Washing class – B. There are only three temperature modes: cold water, +40°C and maximum temperature +60°C. 6 work programs. There is an automatic lock as a child safety lock. Built-in compartments for powder and conditioner. They seem very small in size, but they are more than enough to wash 3kg of clothes. The drum surface is honeycomb-shaped, which ensures gentle cleaning. The longest washing program takes only half an hour.
The silent operation of the machine is ensured by an inverter motor and a four-layer lining with an anti-vibration effect. The control panel is digital, simple and clear. There is protection against leaks, control over the level of foam.
How to properly install a wall-mounted washing machine?
Since wall-mounted washing machines weigh little (17-20 kg), and even with laundry and water rarely exceed 60 kg, they can be safely placed even above plumbing fixtures and bathtubs. Thanks to the reliable fastenings, you don’t have to worry about it falling, of course, if the installation was carried out correctly. But even if this happens, the damage will be minimal precisely because of the light weight of the structure.
The wall on which the machine will hang should be as strong as possible. Ideally, brick or concrete. When choosing, you need to take into account that 17 kg (average weight of the machine) is not the limit. During washing, water and the items themselves are added to this weight, so on average the wall should withstand about 50-60 kg of working equipment, which may vibrate a little. So you should immediately exclude clay and plasterboard walls.
It is also important to ensure that there are no potholes, cracks, or voids inside on the wall.Constant high humidity in the room can lead to moisture accumulation on the case, and this can lead to water getting into electrical components. So the room should have a very good hood.
The installation location should be above the sewer pipe to directly connect the drain hose. When installing a wall-mounted washing machine, you need to carefully monitor how the drain hose is located. Due to the absence of a pump, the water drains by gravity. If the hose is pinched, the water simply cannot drain. In addition, the machine must have access to a water supply and power supply. It is also advisable to place the inlet hose so that there are no bends (or that there are a minimum of them).
The biggest difficulty in installing the machine is that the equipment is new, and not every master has encountered it before. Therefore, mistakes are often made. But by following the instructions below, you can easily install a wall-mounted washing machine yourself, if for some reason you were unable to hire professionals:
- A solid wall for the machine is prepared (checked for reliability, cracks). The permissible height difference is no more than 4 mm.
- The anchor or bracket must be mounted into the wall. Hole depth – 45 mm, diameter – 14 mm. It is better to take chemical anchors - they are more reliable. After fixing, the bolt should protrude from the wall by approximately 75 mm.
- The washing machine is unpacked and taken out of the box. The water supply is connected to the fittings and secured with clamps, the drain hose is attached to the sewer. The wire is pulled to the socket (but you don’t need to turn it on yet), this is necessary to make sure that it is long enough.
- The machine is hung on anchors and secured with nuts and sealant (it must harden well before the first use).
- The water intake hose is connected to the adapter. After this, you need to check its operation by running water.
That's it, the machine is installed, and you can carry out the first test wash.
Rules for using a wall-mounted washing machine
In order for a washing machine to work for many years, and not a couple of months, you need to know how to use it correctly. Depending on the model, the features of setting programs and starting up for each wall-mounted washing machine may differ. Still, the basic rules are similar:
- Only a 220 V power source is suitable for operating a wall-mounted washing machine.
- Do not use the washing machine if the power cord or plug is damaged.
- Do not plug the machine into the outlet with wet hands.
- For normal operation of the machine, the water pressure must be in the range of 50-800 kPa.
- You cannot disassemble, modify or repair a wall-mounted washing machine yourself.
- Before putting new items into the drum, you need to check if there are any foreign objects (toys, metal parts from items from previous washes, etc.). They definitely need to be taken out!
- Washing items are carefully inspected. Leather belts, money and ID cards, keys in pockets are removed.
- Bed linen should be inspected for the presence of long threads and lint, which often accumulates in the corners of pillowcases and duvet covers. If there are any, you need to remove them before washing.
- It is recommended to wash duvet covers with a large cutout in the middle separately, as other things often accumulate in them, impairing the quality of the wash and harming the operation of the machine.
- Only specialized washing powder (dry or liquid) is poured into the detergent tray.
- Washing powder (dry or liquid) is poured into the tray to the maximum mark or less. If the level is exceeded, operation will be disrupted.
- In order for the wall-mounted washing machine to work without failures, you cannot place any objects on it!
- Before washing the machine, you need to unplug the plug from the socket.
- After washing, you should leave the hatch of the washing machine slightly open so that it dries a little.
- During washing, you cannot change the operating mode - this can affect the quality of the machine’s operation and even lead to system failures.
- The washing powder tray should be taken out and washed from time to time so that it does not become dirty.
By adhering to these simple operating rules, you don’t have to worry about the safety of the washing machine and the quality of the wash.
Wall-mounted washing machines have become an indispensable home appliance for many. In one-room apartments or miniature bathrooms, they save a lot of space. Compact washing mashines are loved not only by small, but also by large families, where they are used as auxiliary equipment. As you can see, this small washing machine can become a reliable assistant. After all, in addition to keeping things clean and saving space, it allows you to spend less on electricity and decorates the room.