Activator-type washing machines: what they are, operating principles and design, rating of the best models

When choosing a washing machine on the pages of online stores, in the filter you can come across such a thing as activator-type washing machines. Every housewife understands what an automatic, semi-automatic, vertical or horizontal loading machine means in relation to classic drum-type machines.

But not everyone knows what an activator type of machine is. As a rule, the older generation of Russians is familiar with them. The article will talk about seemingly outdated and unnecessary units, but this is only at first glance. With a more detailed dive into the topic, we will see that such machines have undeniable advantages, and there are many of them. This is what helps them stay afloat.

What is an activator type washing machine?

An activator-type washing machine is a washing device in which water and powder move due to the operation of an activator. Hence the name. The activator is a plastic disk with convex blades or ribs.Soapy water rotates with the laundry, just like in a drum washing machine, and thus removes stains.

The heyday of activator machines occurred in 1980-90 of the twentieth century. Back then, these machines helped women a lot in housework. Even though I had to do some of the work myself. Previously, activator machines were heavy and clumsy due to their metal structure, they often spoiled things and did not cause delight at all. But the lack of an alternative helped their spread. Models of activator machines have undergone significant positive changes since those times, and now they are lightweight plastic units.

Currently, these machines are not as popular as in the Soviet Union, but they still find their buyers, since in some situations they are an indispensable household assistant. The advantages and disadvantages of models with an activator will be described in a separate section.

These machines are used not only in the home. They are also used by industrial enterprises. They differ in size; industrial machines have a larger capacity and, accordingly, are larger in size.

Design and principle of operation

The design of activator-type machines is much simpler than that of their electronic counterparts. The machine has a plastic washing tank, an activator with blades, a timer and an electric motor.

Linen, washing powder are placed in a plastic, rarely metal, washing tank, and water is poured to the required level marked inside the machine. There are options for machines with one and two tanks. If there is only one tank, then washing and rinsing are carried out in it. In varieties with two tanks, there is a division of responsibilities: one tank washes and rinses, the second dries.The volume of the tank depends on the model of the device and can range from 28 to 50-70 liters.

The plastic reinforced activator is driven by the operation of the engine. There are 2 types of activator:

1. A bladed rod, in appearance it resembles a construction drill.
2. The activator is an impeller, the so-called impeller. This is a more gentle and modern activator. A machine with an impeller can accommodate more laundry than a machine with a rod.

The engine runs on 220 V. The activator’s task is to rotate the water and laundry. Rotation can be carried out in one direction or in different directions, with or without a break. To avoid the centrifuge effect and to prevent laundry from sticking to the edges of the tank, you need blades on the activator. They create additional waves, and the laundry rotates evenly in the water without curling. The activator is located at the bottom of the machine; less common are models with a side-mounted activator. An activator-impeller is considered more modern; laundry does not wrap around it.

The washing machine has a lid at the top to prevent water from splashing out during rotation. The lid can be removable or hinged, depending on the model.

The time for washing, rinsing or spinning clothes is controlled by a mechanical timer. Some models also have a delay timer and the ability to stop time.

Some machine models are equipped with additional parts. There may be a separate centrifuge for spinning. The number of spin revolutions cannot be selected; the spin is always the same for different types of laundry, but this mode works perfectly. On some models it reaches up to 1350 rpm. It is not always possible to find such numbers on drum machines.

When draining water, a filter can be installed. It traps threads, lint or fluff.This filter does not protect the machine, but the siphon of the bathtub or sink, where dirty water will flow.

The washing process itself in such a machine consists of the following steps:

1. Water is poured into the tank. You can fill it manually or through a hose extended to the water supply. Not all machines have a water heating function, so if you pour it yourself, monitor the water temperature. It should not be higher than +80 degrees. You pour the washing powder directly into the tank; there are no separate compartments for this purpose. Linen is laid according to the standards specified in the instructions.
2. Turn on the timer. If it is possible to choose some washing parameters, then set them.
3. The engine starts running, the activator moves, and the laundry is washed.
4. At the end of the timer, the engine turns off. To rinse, transfer the laundry to another compartment or drain the water through a hose, pour in clean water and turn on the timer again. If necessary, repeat the rinsing.
5. If technical capabilities allow, then turn on the laundry spin mode. If there is no spin, then do it with your hands, passing things through rubber rollers.

As you can see from the instructions, everything is quite simple, especially if you pour water through a hose.

Advantages and disadvantages of activator washing machines

So what is the secret to the success of activator machines? This technique has many advantages:

1. Small design size. Allows you to install it in small apartments and use it in a dormitory. In general, where there is little space in the interior, and homework automation is necessary. You can put it away in the pantry and, if necessary, take it out and use it. Summer residents can take the washing mashine with them for the summer; it will fit in a washing mashine without any problems.At the same time, it will be difficult for one person to fit the drum machine into a passenger washing mashine. And if this happens, it will only happen in 2 adult men.
2. The reliability of the design is ensured by the fact that there is simply nothing to break in the machine. It consists of a minimum set of parts and a mechanical control type. It doesn't have a "brain" like many drum machines, so nothing electronic will get stuck. Even if something breaks, repairing it won’t cost a lot of money, and the most common spare parts are always available.
3. No water connection required. Water is drained using the included hose. The hose can be led into the bathtub, sink, toilet, and in the countryside - placed on the ground.
4. Energy savings due to the absence of the possibility of heating water. This is suitable for those machines that are not equipped with a heating element. The housewife simply pours warm water into the tank.
5. Save water by running multiple machine washes without draining. White clothes are washed first, then colored clothes and then dark ones. There is no need to drain the water and add new water every time you wash it. This way you can save both energy and water.
6. Use of any types of detergents. There is no foaming effect in these machines, so any powder or even finely chopped soap is suitable for washing. You can use liquid laundry detergents. At the same time, drum machines require a special powder to prevent the formation of a large amount of foam.
7. Water hardness does not matter. This advantage is obvious for machines that do not have a heating element. There is no need to fight scale and buy expensive products, like for drum machines. There will be no deposits on the machine parts.
8. Washing time is limited to 10-15 minutes on average.For heavily soiled laundry, washing can be repeated immediately. Since the timer is mechanical, it can be turned off at any time, and this will not harm the mechanism. You can restart the washing program immediately; the machine does not need to rest.
9. You can wash even very dirty work clothes and rags. Such contamination can occur among builders, washing mashine mechanics, and cleaning companies. These machines are not afraid that something will get stuck or the filter will become clogged. It drains very well, so there won't be any problems.
10. Since the control is carried out by a mechanical timer, washing can be stopped at any time. This will help if the owner forgot to put some things in the tank, or if she urgently needs to leave on business.
11. Activator-type machines do not make as much noise and do not jump on the floor like their drum counterparts. There is virtually no vibration due to the lack of spinning of the laundry.
12. The body and tank of the activator machine are made of durable plastic; it is not afraid of rust, mold, fungi and microorganisms.
13. The price is an undeniable advantage. The most expensive example of the activator type costs just over 8,000 rubles. In stores, prices start from 1,500 rubles. It’s difficult to buy high-quality drum machines for that kind of money.

Of course, there are a lot of advantages. This includes price, reliability, and unpretentiousness. What else is needed? But why then are these machines not as popular as drum-type machines? Because there are disadvantages, and they are significant:

1. There is no automation in work. You need to pour and drain the water, transfer it to another centrifuge or compartment for spinning or rinsing. There is no such thing as putting the laundry in the machine and forgetting about it. This is a very important point, especially for lazy housewives or in conditions of limited time.
2. Due to the fact that there is no choice of gentle washing mode, delicate, woolen, knitted underwear will quickly become unusable. Often the laundry is twisted into a rope, there is a risk of stretching or damage.
3. Since only vertical loading is provided, there is no way to integrate the machine into a furniture set. We'll have to find a separate place for her. Cheaper options have less than attractive designs.
4. Washing quality is not 100%. The machine does not remove about 20% of the dirt the first time. Pre-soaking or repeating the wash cycle will be required.
5. There is no water heating function. At the dacha you will have to heat the water using gas or wash your clothes cold.
6. Hand press, if such a function is not available. You won’t be able to squeeze out the water with your hands as well as with a centrifuge, you just don’t have the strength.

Types of washing machines with activator

Progress does not stand still, and it also affected activator-type washing machines. If previously these were the simplest primitive units, now among them there are both semi-automatic and automatic machines. The more modern the machine, the more functions it performs. Let’s take a closer look at what each type of activator machine is, depending on its automation:

1. Simple models do not have any functions other than washing. The structure of the machine is quite simple: a V-belt drive, an engine, a plastic tank and a very ordinary timer. Spinning is carried out by spinning the laundry between 2 rubber rollers. Sometimes you can adjust the height of the gap between the rollers in order to spin laundry of different thicknesses. The rollers are driven by a drive handle.
2. Semi-automatic machines can have one or two tanks: for washing and a centrifuge for spinning.The water in the tank is driven by a V-belt drive, and the movement of the centrifuge is driven by an elastic coupling. Sometimes it is possible to select a delicate mode for fabric, a choice of washing time, or a delayed timer.
3. Automatic machines may already have an electronic control panel with a choice of different modes depending on the type of fabric and contamination. There are models with 10 washing modes and a choice of water filling level in the tank. May have one or two tanks. A heating element is installed for heating water, the water is drained automatically through the operation of the pump. Filters are installed to trap lint. They differ from drum machines in the presence of an activator. The weight of the automatic activator machine reaches 70 kg. The price of such a machine is not small.

You can also divide the machines by the number of tanks: one or two. In a machine with one tank, washing and rinsing occurs. If there are two tanks, then both washing and drying clothes are possible.

Top 5 best models of activator washing machines

The market offers a wide selection of activator-type washing machines. The machines differ in price and functionality. Let's take a closer look at the most popular models.

The most famous activator machines are produced under the Malyutka brand. These are the old-timers among activator machines. One of the models from this manufacturer is called “Malyutka-2" It got its name for its miniature size and fully lives up to its name. The load volume does not exceed 1 kilogram of dry laundry, the volume of water is 28 liters. The washing cycle lasts only 5 minutes. There is a 4 minute rinse function. If necessary, the washing time can be made even shorter, for example for delicate fabrics. For this model, the activator is located on the side, and the engine is located outside the machine body.Since the washing time is not long, it is recommended to pre-soak the laundry. It is better to wash delicate items in special laundry bags. The tank is plastic, so you should never pour boiling water. The temperature should not be higher than +80 degrees. Rinsing is carried out after washing, by manually pouring clean water. This model is one of the cheapest in price. In addition to "Malutka-2", there are similar ones from other companies. These are "Fairy" and "Snow White", even Bosch has such models.

If we take models in the middle price segment, then popular models are VolTek Raduga SM-2 and Renova WS40Pet.

VolTek Raduga SM-2 received 5 stars, according to user reviews on the websites of online stores. The machine represents the class of semi-automatic machines. The model weighs about 7 kilograms, has a handle for carrying, so it is perfect for a summer house. Compared to Renova WS40Pet, it can wash only 2 kilograms of laundry, but it is much more compact. Equipped with an indicator of the end of the washing time. There are 2 modes to choose from: normal and delicate washing. No drying. Washing class - F. The minimum washing time is 5 minutes. Cost - about 4,000 rubles.

Renova WS40Pet has a relatively small weight, not exceeding 13 kg. The dimensions of the machine are quite compact, allowing you to transport it, for example, to the country. This model also belongs to the category of semi-automatic machines and already has 3 washing modes. The activator movements are reversible. Due to the presence of 2 compartments, in addition to washing and rinsing, there is a high-quality spin in the centrifuge. Spin speed is 1350 rpm. The machine is roomy and designed for 4 kilograms of laundry. 30 liters of water are enough for high-quality washing.

Modern drum machines cannot always boast such indicators for spinning and volume of laundry. Washing class - A. You can delay the start of washing for 15 minutes. Its advantage is also the price - about 5,000 rubles. Among the models of this manufacturer, there are many worthy options for different needs and the quality is at their best.

Analogues of VolTeka and Renova are available from the manufacturers "Cinderella", "Assol", Daewoo and others.

Among the expensive options of activator machines, the popular ones are Belosnezhka BN5500SG and Slavda WS-85PE.

Model Slavda WS-85PE has one tank for washing and rinsing. There is no spin, but this is compensated by the washing class. This machine has a washing class of A, and in energy efficiency - A +. We can say that this machine will greatly save your budget, but at the same time it will wash no worse than drum machines. The machine is very roomy, allows you to load 8 kg of laundry. But due to this, the weight of this unit is 18 kg. It has 2 washing programs, automatic drainage, during washing the hatch is blocked for safety purposes. For washing, 50 liters of water are required. The cost is about 7,000 rubles.

Snow White BN5500SG has 2 tanks, so the advantage of this model is added by the spin at 1350 revolutions. It has 2 washing programs for normal and delicate laundry. Loading 5.5 kg, which is also not small. Washing class - C. Mechanical control, interesting country design, small dimensions - this is exactly why it received the right to be on this list. The cost is 8,000 rubles.

As we can see, progress, albeit slowly, reaches these machines. You can already find machines on sale with touch controls, a display with multi-colored backlighting, the ability to customize the washing mode yourself or choose one of 33 modes.We are talking about the Whirlpool Vantage model. Among the functions there is even a USB interface. True, before purchasing, you should think about whether such a unit is needed, since its price has exceeded 100,000 rubles. At the same time, there are no obvious advantages over cheaper drum machines.

How to use an activator type washing machine

When using an activator type machine, you do not need to know any special operating rules. Everything is as simple and convenient as possible. Just read the instructions carefully. There are no abundance of buttons to select a mode, so even a child can handle it. To start operating the machine, you do not need to call a plumber, since most often a connection to the water supply network is not required.

If the machine will always work in the same place, then there is no need to place it close to the wall. Sufficient distance from the wall − 5 cm. This is necessary so that vibration during operation of the centrifuge does not make loud noise. It is also good if there is an electrical outlet at a short distance from the device. If the cable is not long enough, you will have to use an extension cord.

Consider where the drain will be carried out: bathtub, sink, toilet or directly into the sewer. Typically, the drain hose − no more than 1 meter. If you intend to use it outdoors in your dacha, then the machine must be installed on a flat, elevated place.

Before first use, wipe the machine's tank with a damp cloth. After each use, wipe the tank and centrifuge dry with a cloth. It’s good to leave the machine open for a couple of hours after use to ventilate the machine. Then no odors or microorganisms will appear. Never use hard or metal brushes for cleaning.This will scratch the plastic and cause additional contamination.

Be sure to sort your laundry by color to avoid staining. Wash whites separately from colored and dark items. It is advisable to pre-soak heavily soiled laundry to achieve better washing results.

It is important to remember that the weight of laundry is calculated for each machine in dry form.

For better results, it is better to fill the machine with warm or hot water, depending on the type of fabric. Washing in cold water is not as effective. Follow the recommendations on the clothing label.

You can use washing powder for hand washing or an automatic washing machine, such units are not demanding in terms of detergents.

If the machine has a spin function, then after transferring the laundry from the tank to the centrifuge, drain the water and only then turn on the spin function. It will not be possible to wash in one compartment and spin in another at the same time.

You should take out the laundry only after disconnecting the machine from the power supply. To prevent the electric cable from getting into the water, there is a special hook on the side of the machine. Hang the cable on it for safety.

Do not allow the machine to hit various objects. Although the plastic of the body and tank is durable, it can still be deformed or damaged. If you plan to move the machine frequently, then securely fasten it in the washing mashine during transportation.

Do not leave the machine for the winter in rooms where the temperature is below zero. This will lead to its breakdown. It is advisable to maintain the value not lower than +5 degrees and humidity

no more than 80%. − Recommendations for choosing a washing machine with an activatorThis will lead to scratches on the plastic and additional contamination.

Be sure to sort your laundry by color to avoid staining. Wash white clothes separately from colored and dark ones. It is advisable to pre-soak heavily soiled laundry to obtain better washing results.

It is important to remember that the weight of the laundry is calculated for each machine in dry form.

1. For best results, it is better to fill the machine with warm or hot water, depending on the type of fabric. Washing in cold water is not as effective. Follow the recommendations on the clothing label.
2. You can use washing powder for hand washing or an automatic machine; such units are not demanding in terms of washing agents.
3. If the machine provides spinning, then after transferring the laundry from the tank to the centrifuge, drain the water and only then turn on the spin. You cannot wash in one compartment and spin in another at the same time.
4. You need to remove the laundry only after disconnecting the machine from the power supply.
5. To prevent the electrical cable from getting into the water, there is a special hook on the side of the machine. Broadcast cable to it for security reasons.
6. Do not allow the machine to hit various objects. Although the plastic of the body and tank is durable, it can still be deformed or damaged. If you plan to move the machine frequently, secure it securely in the washing mashine during transportation.

Do not leave the machine over the winter in rooms where there is sub-zero temperature. This will cause it to break. It is advisable to maintain a value of at least +5 degrees and humidity

no more than 80%.

Recommendations for choosing a washing machine with an activator

What kind of machine should I buy? With one or two tanks? Big or small? How many washing programs should there be? These questions will definitely arise when looking at the diversity of the range of activator machines. To choose the best option, follow these recommendations:

Decide how much laundry you will wash most often. It is unlikely that a family of 4 will wash 1-2 kilograms of laundry. You need a machine to wash a larger mass of clothes, for example, 4-5 kilograms.

Decide whether delicate washing will be needed, or whether such a function will not be in demand. If gentle washing is needed, then you should opt for models with two or even three washing modes. Otherwise, delicate fabrics will either tear during washing or quickly become unusable. Before using the delicate mode for the first time, test it on those things that you don’t mind. This will help you understand how gentle washing works, and whether it can be trusted with expensive delicate fabrics.