Advancement in Appliances

Washing machines and dryers have advanced dramatically in the last 10 to 20 years. Anti-static and wrinkle features, steam technology, multiple agitation directions and cold water cleaning advances have made keeping your clothes clean and in good condition even easier than ever. There have also been advances in detergents and softeners that have made them more effective while becoming safer for the environment.

The biggest news in washers and dryers today is steam technology. One pair of machines can clean, freshen and sterilize your clothes without the use of harsh detergents or bleach. Clothes last longer, since they are not exposed to chemicals such as bleach that eat away at clothes over time. Steam fully enters the clothes without soaking them, which limits the amount of chlorine and other chemicals found in most tap water. Steaming wrinkles out of clothes also reduces the shiny spots, scorches and wear and tear that ironing places on clothes, while saving time.

Steam, due to its high heat, removes bacteria and reduces allergens, such as mold and pollen. This leaves your clothes healthier. Combined with modern detergents free of dyes, fragrances and other allergens, clothes are far less likely to cause irritation or rashes. As a final step, it also enhances the action of natural, environmentally safe detergents, so you can better safeguard the environment.

Advanced agitation allows the washer to spin in multiple directions, not just back and forth in half circles. The newest machines spin in four or six different directions, which allows the water and detergent to fully soak through the fabric and aids their dirt-removing effectiveness. Since detergents work better in warm and hot water, cold-water washes were never as effective as higher temperature cycles. With this advanced agitation, cold water cycles can be just as effective as warm and hot cycles. This saves on the energy needed to heat the water, which benefits both the environment and your wallet.

The improved motors and agitation on today's machines create quieter, more durable machines with less vibration. This means that all of the energy being used by the machine is going toward getting your clothes clean, not moving the machine around. You can also be place and operate washers and dryers in areas that are adjacent to common areas without disrupting normal activities. The focus on style and color even means that washers and dryers can come out in the open as style statements that compliment a home's decor, instead of hiding them from sight.

Laura Bramble is a freelance writer living in Atlanta. You may view more of her work at LG washer pedestal or LG washer and dryer.