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A washing machine, also known as a washer, is a machine that washes dirty clothes. It contains a barrel into which the clothes are placed. This barrel is filled with water, and then rotated very quickly by the use of a motor to make the water remove dirt from the clothes. The user adds detergent (liquids or powders) to clean clothes more effectively.

Washing machines have ways to control how the machine operates. Some of the possible controls are:

• temperature of the water
• timer of the wash cycle (before the soapy, dirty water is rinsed out)
• number of wash cycles before completing

Washing machines may be fully automatic or partly automatic.

Semi-automatic washing machines have separate sections for washing and drying. These washing machines are often termed as semi-manual, as the user has to manually put clothes into the washer tub, put water and detergent according to the laundry size, and move clothes into the drying section once washing is finished. These are usually cheaper machines.

Fully automatic washing machines are easier to use. They have only one section for washing and for spin-drying. Once clothes are placed in a fully automatic washing machine, it automatically takes the amount of water and detergent it needs, with only one click and the user's clothes needed to begin.

Washing machines may load from the top or the front.

A front-loading washing machine has a door in the front. The clothes to be washed have to be put in and the door closed before the barrel can fill with water. This type of machine can have a clothes drying machine stacked on top to save space on the floor. Because of the water used, the washing machine is heavier than the dryer so the washer is at the bottom.

With a top-loading washing machine, the opening is at the top. A top-loading washing machine usually has a barrel or drum where clothes are placed for washing. The barrel can be filled with water and soap before the clothes are put in for washing; this lets the detergent dissolve and mix with the water for better cleaning.

This type of machine cannot have another appliance placed on top of it, but instead a dryer can be placed beside it. This can be inconvenient for some users who may wish to use the top of the machine for storage or other purposes. However, some top-loading washing machines are designed with a flat top that can be used as a workspace or for placing items, such as laundry baskets or detergent containers, while the machine is not in use.

Despite this limitation, top-loading washing machines remain a popular choice for many households due to their ease of use and affordability compared to other types of washing machines. They are also generally easier to repair and maintain, as their components are easier to access than those of front-loading machines.

Sometimes a washing machine and a clothes dryer are put together. The washing machine is usually on the bottom of the stack because the water in it makes the machine heavier than the dryer. In this arrangement the washing machine may be front-loading or top-loading. For the top-loading washing machine, room must be left to open the door at the top to add the clothing to be washed. A front-loading washing machine can have the dryer sitting on top of it.