| Summary: | Water and energy are used in the domestic laundering processes for optimum soil and stain
removal. Water and energy conservation are important issues in the quest for more environment friendly household practices. Washing machines have been invented as
household gadgets making laundry easier and faster. Common types of washing machine
include top loaders, front loaders and twin tubs. Literature indicate that top loaders use less
electricity but more water and front loaders use less water but more electricity. However
efficient soil removal is the main concern of the consumer.
The purpose of the study was to determine water, energy and soil removal efficiency of a top
loader and a front loader washing machine. A quantitative research strategy was used and
controlled experiments were conducted in order to attain accurate data. An 8.0 kg capacity
top loader and an 8.5 kg capacity front loader of the same manufacturer were purchased.
The âdaily wash programâ and the âquick wash programâ of both machines were selected as
wash programs for the project. Cold wash (water at room temperature) was used for the top
loader and cold wash, 30 °C, 40 °C and 60 °C for the front loader. A 5kg load of 3 samples
of C-09 cotton (soiled with pigment oil, purchased from CFT) and cotton filler cloths were
used for each wash cycle and each cycle repeated three times. The efficiency of the
machines and programs to remove stains were tested on the following stains: CS-103 red
wine, CS-12 blackcurrant, CS-BC-03 tea, C-BC-02 coffee, CS-28 rice starch, CS-26 corn
starch, CS-6 dressing, CS-73 locust bean gum, CS-54 oatmeal/chocolate, CS-38 egg
yolk/pigment, CS-01 blood, C-05 blood/milk/ink, CS-08 grass, CS-02 cocoa, C-10
pigment/oil/milk, C-02 olive oil/soot, CS-32 sebum bey, CS-17 make-up and CS-216 lipstick.
60g Non phosphate ECE reference detergent without optical brightener was used.
Redeposition of soil was determined on CN-11 white cotton.
The drained water was collected and measured in litres. The energy consumption was
measured in watt-hour in every program. Soil removal was measured with a colorimeter in
CIE L*a*b* colour scale (AATCC test method 61-2010) and an analysis of variance was
used to aid in the interpretation of the data. The results of the study indicate that, the top
loader used more water than the front loader. The daily wash used more water than the
quick wash in both the top loader and front loader. The front loader used more energy than the top loader at cold wash. More energy was used in the daily wash than quick wash of the
front loader. It was also evident that the daily wash program in both machines was more
efficient in soil and stain removal than the quick wash. At cold wash the daily wash was more
efficient in soil and stain removal than the quick wash program but at 60 °C there was no
difference in the rate of stain removal in both the quick and daily wash programs. The best
soil and stain removal was observed at 60 °C in both the quick and daily programs. The top
loader machine used more water, less energy and removed less soil and stain. It was also
evident that, the front loader washing machine is more efficient in soil and stain removal and
it uses less water but it uses more energy than the top loader machine.
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