Does the last minute of doing laundry always seem so long? An expert explains why the washing program runs longer.
For many people, washing laundry is part of their daily household tasks. Especially for families, there are mountains of laundry that need to be dealt with every week. So put it in the washing machine, add detergent, set the program and wait until the time on the display has expired.
But it's not that simple. You've probably already stood in front of the washing machine when the last minute is displayed and waits for the beep to open the door.
Somehow this last minute seems to drag on. Is it just your imagination or does the last minute on the washing machine display really take longer? A minute in the washing machine somehow doesn't seem to correspond to a minute in life.
But why is that so? We got to the bottom of the causes and were surprised why the time display doesn't necessarily correspond to the “normal” time.
Expert reveals: Times are only guidelines
In an interview withbr.deExpert Maria Beltran from Robert Bosch Hausgeräte GmbH reveals why the time on the washing machine display does not match our time. “Basically, in our washing machines, each process step is indicated with an expected throughput time.” This means that the display time indicates the time that the washing machine needs for a specific program. This is pre-programmed.
However, if some “errors” creep in, this can affect the time, making a program take longer. However, the time on the display remains the same because it has been saved. The time given is therefore only a guideline and shows how long the machine still needs under optimal conditions.
But what factors can influence time? We'll tell you.
Reason 1: Incorrect detergent dosage
One of the most common reasons that the time display differs is the incorrect dosage of detergent. If you put too much of it in the detergent compartment, significantly more foam will be formed. So it takes longer until the laundry is completely free of detergent.
There are sensors in the washing machine that register when foam no longer forms. If this is the case, you can only switch to the next program. So if it takes longer for the sensors to notice that foam is no longer being formed, the times no longer match.
Reason 2: Low water temperature
If your washing machine is only connected to a cold water connection, it will take longer for the water in the drum to heat up and reach its maximum temperature. This can cost additional time, meaning the next program starts later.
Reason 3: Low water pressure
A washing machine works best when the water pressure is as high or normal as possible. If this is not the case, i.e. the water pressure is too low due to old pipes, for example, the machine takes longer to draw the water from the pipes and fill the drum. This can also lead to fluctuations over time.
Reason 4: Incorrect loading
Is the last minute dragging on? The last minute often has to do with loading. If the drum is loaded incorrectly, an imbalance can occur, resulting in imbalance. This can happen, for example, if the drum is not loaded enough and all the laundry just “bumps up” on one side.
The washing machine now has to react to this imbalance and adjust its program, for example so that the drum rotates backwards. Only when the sensors notice that the last program has been completed properly does the machine stop and it is finished. Depending on the “problem”, this can take longer or shorter.
So next time you're standing in front of the washing machine waiting for the last few minutes, sit down again. It usually takes longer anyway.
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