Two types of models of washing machines are available — top loading (where the garments are put into the machine from the top) and front loading (where the garments are put in the machine from the front side). These machines may further be:

(a) Fully automatic: These machines have a single time setting of controls for each use i.e water filling, temperature of water, wash cycle and number of rinses. No further intervention of the operator is required.

(b) Semi-automatic: These machines require intervention of the operator at frequent intervals. Rinse water in such machines has to be filled and drained out with each cycle. These are generally two-tub machines.

(c) Manually operated: In these machines, 50 per cent or more of the work is manually done by the operator.

Automatic Washer performs the following operations:

a. Filling up water.
b. Water Level Control is also an important feature. The water level is controlled either automatically or manually.
c. Regulation of Temperature of Water: The machine has a button, dial or panel indication which permits selection of desired temperature of the water. The temperature may be same for wash and rinse or different for the two operations.
d. Washing:
z The principle of all washing machines is to keep the fabric in movement in the washing solution to carry away the dirt. The major methods of this are:
i. Agitation — This is used in top loading machines. The agitator has blades which may rotate (movement in one direction) or oscillate (alternate movement in two directions) which cause the creation of a current in the tub, forcing water into the fabric.
ii. Pulsation — This is also used in top loading machines. The movement is caused by a vertical pulsator, which has very rapid movements vertically.

iii. Tumbling — This is used in front loading machines. Washing takes place in a horizontally placed cylinder which is perforated and which revolves in a partially filled tub. With each revolution the clothes are carried to the top and then dropped in the wash water. This means that the clothes move through the water rather than water moving through clothes as in the previous two types.

e. Rinsing
z This is the important phase in the wash cycle. If the rinse is not thorough, the clothes may look grey and dull and have a harsh texture.
f. Water Extraction
z Water is extracted after the wash phase and after each rinse phase of the cycle. It can be done in three ways:
i. Spinning: Spinning at speeds greater than 300 rpm, which generates a centrifugal force which in turn throws the water up and out. This water is pumped down the drain.
ii. Bottom-drain: Machines with perforated tubs stop at the end of wash phase and then at the end of the rinse phase and drain through the bottom. At the end of the drain period, the tub begins to spin as described above which removes the remaining water from clothes.

iii. Combination Bottom-drain and Spin: Some machines drain through the bottom without stopping i.e. the bottom draining occurs during the spin period. This system provides the best water extraction because it can remove the heavy dirt at the bottom and dirt in suspension in water.

Apart from drying in the open, driers are used at commercial and institutional level. There are two types of circulation systems in driers:

a. Air of relatively low temperature is circulated at high velocity. Room air enters the drier from under the front panel, passes over the source of heat and then through the clothes and leaves through an exhaust. Thus the temperature and humidity of the room stays normal.
b. Air of high temperature is circulated slowly. In this after the air enters the drier and passes over the heat source, it is drawn by a small fan through perforations at the top of the drier, then downwards through the clothes and out through the exhaust. Since the movement of the air in this drier is slow, the relative humidity of the exhausted air is high.

Most households have an iron and a temporary or permanent place for work. Ironing is the process of smoothening out wrinkles created with use or during washing. Pressing helps to put creases such as in sleeves, trouser legs and pleated skirts. Irons have smooth metal surface which can be heated. Most electric irons have an inbuilt thermostat, which can adjust the temperature to suit the fabric. The iron may also have a system of producing steam while in use.