Washing Machines

160. Kinds of Washing Machines. Washing machines are tools to help remove dirt from clothes either by friction or by forcing water thru them. They are known by such names as suction, cylinder, rotary, oscillating, locomotive and centrifugal machines. These names are used differently by various authorities.

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Washing machines may be attached to any kind of motor, or they may be manipulated by hand.

161. Suction Machines. The suction machines are made to force water thru the clothes (Figs. 85 and 86). Some are operated by hand, some by mechanical power, and some are funnel-shaped devices to be placed in boilers.

Hand or mechanical suction machines have cones or funnels which are pushed down onto the clothes and then suddenly lifted, causing suction which draws out the dirt previously loosened by the moisture and pressure. Mechanical devices attached to the top are sometimes used to raise and lower the funnels (Figs. 87 and 87-a).

The suction washers for use in boilers are placed funnel side down. By means of these, the steam forming in the bottom of the boiler forces the water thru the clothes. Distribute the clothes evenly about the washer. Fill the boiler with water and add shaved soap. When set over a fire, the steam forming at the bottom raises the water in the funnel to the top and pushes it out thru the clothes, or raises the funnel and makes it beat upon the clothes.

Other machines combine the two methods of washing—forcing water thru clothes and rubbing them at the same time.

162. Cylinder Washers. Cylinder washers contain a perforated barrel-like device, into which the clothes are placed (Fig. 88). This cylinder has cleats on the inside to raise the clothes as the cylinder turns and drop them when they reach the highest point in it, back into the water, thus pounding water thru them and rubbing them against the side of the cylinder as they are raised. This is the type used in most laundries. A cylinder turned by an electric motor is made which can be placed in the stationary wash tub in small apartments. The tub then serves as the outer part of the washing machine.

163. Rotary Washers. In the rotary, or milk-stool, type of washer, sometimes called "Dolly" (Fig. 89), the stool-like contrivance which presses against the clothes must be turned half-way around in one direction, and then back the other way, to prevent twisting, tearing or otherwise injuring the clothes. The clothes are thus rubbed against the corrugated sides and bottom of the machine, and thru the water. Never put too many clothes in this type of machine because too tight packing causes the machine to tear them.

164. Machine with an Oscillating Washing Device. This washer contains an oscillating device for rubbing the clothes over the corrugated bottom. The rubbing device is also corrugated and is put on top of the clothes and moved backward and forward, thus rubbing them between two wash-boards (Fig. 90).

165. Oscillating Washers. Oscillating washers have corrugated bottoms. The clothes are put into the machine with the wash water. The washer rocks, throwing the clothes backward and forward thru the water, loosening and squeezing out the dirt. This washer works easiest when the machine is well filled with water.

166. Locomotive Washer. The locomotive washer (Fig. 91) slides backward and forward, thus churning the water and clothes. It is operated only by power. A heating unit, usually gas, in the base of the machine keeps the water hot.

167. Centrifugal Washer. A centrifugal washer (Fig. 91-a) contains a perforated basket which whirls in the water contained in the machine. The clothes are placed in the basket, rolled into bundles. The rapid whirling thru the water removes the dirt from the clothes.

168. Care of Washers. The bearings and other motor parts of a washing machine should be kept oiled. Keep belts tight. Run the machine about ten minutes each while the clothes are in the first wash water and the two sudsy waters, and five minutes each for the hot and the cold rinse waters. Blueing had better be done in a tub.

Wooden machines must dry out occasionally, or else they get slimy. Do not let them get dry enough to crack. Air the machines after use. Cover them when not in use to keep them clean.

When a gasoline engine is used in operating a washing machine, it must be set so that the belt will pull straight on the pulley wheel of the machine. The belt should be tight enough to prevent slipping. Stationary washers are set to avoid such troubles, but those which are moved from place to place must be adjusted by the operator.

The pulleys must be adjusted to turn at the number of revolutions per minute directed for the washer used. This usually does not exceed 150 revolutions of the motor wheel per minute.

Water motors must receive more than 25 pounds of water pressure to operate a washing machine.