Tub (or inner tub) - where you put the clothes. In most washing machine brands, this tub has hundreds of small holes that allow the water to flow through to an outer tub. The outer tub is solid and holds the water. For top loaders there is an agitator at the center of the inner tub. Front loaders spin and allow gravity to do the work as the clothes tumble and bounce, so do not have agitators.

Central agitator
The agitator on top loaders pivots clockwise and counterclockwise--about three-fourths of a revolution--plunging the clothes through the water to wash them. The clothes keep moving from the top of the tub down to the bottom and back again. This motion allows the detergent and water to reach every part of the clothing and loosens the soil. Agitators are not present on front load machines.

Motor and pump
The motor drives the agitator in a top loader or creates the clothes movement in front loaders during the wash cycle and spins the clothes during the damp dry or spin cycle. The pump removes the water from the tub and lifts it out to the drain.

Fill valve
The fill valve--which is about the size of a coffee cup--is sometimes also called a "water inlet valve." It controls the entry of hot and cold water into the machine. The valve has three major components: a hot-water solenoid, a cold-water solenoid, and a mixing valve body. The inlet or fill valve is where the hot and cold water from the house are hooked up to.

Timer and selector switches

Timer switch is usually the largest dial on the main control panel. It can be either a mechanical device much like a simple clock, or completely electronic with just a digital readout. The timer runs in a pre-determined pattern, providing electricity to all of the washing machine components at the correct time and for the correct length of time.The Start switch is usually part of the timer knob. When you set the timer to the proper cycle, you either pull or push the timer knob to start the cycle.

Selector switches or knobs vary from machine to machine. These let you adjust certain settings; for example, the water temperature, spin speed, timer cycle, and so on. Normally, the washing machine completes the cycle selected on the timer, regardless of how you set these switches and knobs.

Clutch and brake mechanism
Motors can start up and reach full speed in a second or less, which is too fast for many of the components the motor drives. So most washing machines use an automatic clutch to dampen the effect of the motor starting up.

• On some washing machines, the clutch is just a combination of the drive belt slipping temporarily on a pulley and gradually tightening. On other units, the clutch is more like one you would find in a car--it uses a drum-and-pad combination of components.
• When the lid is raised on a top-loading washing machine, some functions cease. On all machines the spin cycle stops, which brings the drum to a rapid halt. Many units use a special braking mechanism to stop the spinning inner tub. It is similar in design to the brakes on a car.

Motor coupler and/or belt
A few types of washing machines use a coupler to connect the motor directly to the transmission. It makes the connection without the need for a belt. The coupler is a rubber disc ½ inch thick by 1-½ inches in diameter, sandwiched between two plastic sprockets. Many other washing machines use belts to connect the motor to the transmission or pump. A belt is a black, rubber, continuous rope-like component--usually a loop of about 24 to 30 inches.

• The belt provides a desirable "weak link" in a washing machine. That is, if the tub or agitator were to become stuck or jammed, the belt is more likely to fail, which would preserve the transmission and other critical components.
  
  

Washing Machine Buying Tips

Types

• Front load - people are used to seeing front load washers in laundromats, many brands are now available for home use.
  • Can be stacked with a dryer on top to conserve space.
  • Spins clothes faster than a top-load, extracting more water. This saves energy (and money), because it allows you to dry a load of clothes in a shorter amount of time.
  • Uses less water, which lowers utility bills.
  • May require special detergent - model dependent
  • Initial cost is approximately 30% more than top load
    
• Top load - includes a wider variety of available models, colors and features as they have been on the market longer.
  • Costs less initially, but is less energy-efficient.
  • Offers easier access to the wash tub.
  • Uses regular detergent

Sizes

Washers can be purchased with different capacities, but not all brands use consistent labeling. An extra large for one brand might be different than an extra large in another. Use cubic foot measurements to help compare different brands. Then try and match the washer capacity to your dryer.

Features

Tub Material - The top end models have stainless steel tubs. Plastic tubs are also an option that will last the life of the machine. Some tubs are made of porcelain-coated steel, which can deteriorate if the porcelain chips.

Water levels: The most efficient wash uses only enough water to cover the clothes. A washer with several water level settings allows you to use small amounts of water for small loads of clothes. Front loaders will use less water than top loaders.

Cycles and Water Temperature: Different fabrics and colors require different cycles and water temperatures. Many models include permanent press, delicate and extra soak or extra rinse cycles. Using the correct water temperature will allow your detergent, bleaches and fabric softeners to work their best and make your garments look better and last longer. Look for machines with a variety of cycles and temperature combinations. Newer models also have temperature regulators as an option.

Noise level: New construction homes sometimes feature laundry rooms on the second floor near the bedrooms. For these types of location noise from the washer will be a consideration. Some newer models offer additional insulation and reinforced frames to reduce operating noise.

Safety: Front-load machines include an automatic lock function that prevents the door from opening while the drum is spinning. The same feature is available on certain top-load models

Energy Star rating: A label conferred by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency — indicates that a washing machine uses 35 percent to 50 percent less water and 50 percent less energy than a non-labeled machine. That makes the machine better for the environment and better for your wallet.

Tricks to Keep Your Washing Machine Maintained

Water-fill hoses

Over time, the rubber water hoses that came with your new washing machine may leak or burst. It's a good preventive maintenance practice to check these hoses from time to time for any sign of wear or weakness. Often there's a small blister in the rubber of the hose, which could rupture. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the hoses every 5 years. An alternative is to replace the rubber hoses with high quality stainless steel fill hoses, which are more rugged.

Leveling
If your washing machine is not level, it can vibrate strongly during the spin cycle. If your washing machine is not perfectly level--with all four legs touching the floor--it can bang and rock back and forth, and even begin to "walk" across the room. This isn't good for the machine and may damage anything near the machine. Use the adjustable front and/or back leveling legs on the washer to adjust the machine to the proper height, then tighten the lock nut up against the body of the machine to keep the leg from rotating.

• Most machines, however, have "self-adjusting" rear legs. You set these legs by tilting the entire machine forward onto its front legs (with the rear legs 3 to 4 inches off the floor) and then setting the machine back down. The legs should adjust automatically. If they don't, you may need to tilt the machine forward and rap on the rear legs with the handle of a hammer to loosen them--a procedure that's easier to accomplish with a helper.

Surface cleaning
Your washer has either a painted steel or porcelain-coated steel cabinet. It's perfectly safe to use a little dish detergent and a damp rag to clean all of its surfaces. If the surface is porcelain, you can even use a little non-abrasive cleanser for stubborn stains.