A front-loader uses a fraction of the water of a top-loader and treats clothes more gently, but it is particular about three things: the transit bolts must come out (by Argosta's technician — see the warranty warning below), the machine must stand level, and the pump filter wants cleaning once a month. Do those and the rest is pressing Start.
Models this guide covers
- Front-Load Washing Machine — 6 kg (AR-WM-6000SI1000-S, 1000 rpm, 15 programs, Eco-Logic, delay up to 23 h)
- Front-Load Washing Machine — 8 kg (AR-WM-8000SI1400-S, 1400 rpm, 15 programs, steam function)
1. Installation — by Argosta's technician only
Washing machines are installed by an Argosta-authorised technician. The technician removes the transit bolts, levels the machine and connects the water and drain. If the bolts are removed or the machine is connected by anyone else, the product is out of warranty. Call 17724 or message us on WhatsApp to book the installation visit — and do not run the machine before it.
Here is what the technician does, so you know what to expect and can prepare the spot:
- Removes the transit bolts. At the back are 3–4 long bolts with plastic spacers that lock the drum for transport. The technician takes them out, fits the plastic caps and hands you the bolts. Keep them — they go back in before any move, and the machine must never run with them in.
- Positions and levels it. It needs a solid, level floor (not a wooden platform). The feet are adjusted until it does not rock at any corner. A level machine is a quiet machine.
- Connects the water. Have a cold-water tap with its own shut-off valve within reach of the inlet hose.
- Connects the drain. A standpipe or sink drain where the top of the hose can sit 60–100 cm above the floor. Lower and the machine drains while it fills; higher and it cannot pump out.
- Checks the socket. Have an earthed 16 A socket of its own ready. No extension cords, no multi-plugs — the heater draws a lot of current.
- Runs the first wash, empty. A Cotton 60°C program with no clothes and a little detergent clears factory residue from the drum and confirms there are no leaks.
2. The detergent drawer
| Compartment | What goes in | When |
|---|---|---|
| I (left) | Pre-wash detergent | Only when you add the pre-wash option for very dirty loads |
| II (middle, largest) | Main-wash detergent — powder, liquid or gel | Every wash |
| ✿ (flower / star) | Fabric softener | Optional; never above the MAX line or it washes in early |
- Use low-foam detergent made for automatic (front-load) machines. Hand-wash powder foams, blocks the sensors and leaves residue.
- Dose by the packet for a "hard water, medium soil" load. More detergent does not wash better — it leaves suds in the clothes and scum in the drum.
- For liquid detergent in compartment II, use the liquid insert if supplied, or a dosing ball in the drum.
3. Loading
- Empty pockets, close zips, turn jeans and printed T-shirts inside out, put bras and delicates in a mesh bag.
- Sort by colour and by fabric. Towels and jeans with towels and jeans; shirts with shirts.
- Fill the drum loosely — leave a hand's width at the top. Overloading is the main reason clothes come out still dirty or still wet.
- Do not wash a single heavy item (one blanket, one pair of jeans) alone; the unbalance control will slow or skip the spin. Add a couple of towels.
- Check the drum is empty before loading — a stray coin or key damages the drum and the pump.
4. Choosing a program
| Program | Use it for | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Eco 40-60 | Everyday cotton and mixed loads | Longest, lowest energy — the default for most washes |
| Cotton 60 / 90°C | Towels, bedding, whites, heavily soiled cotton | 90°C only for whites that need it; use the 60°C for bedding and towels |
| Synthetics | Polyester, sportswear, mixed fibres | Lower spin, cooler wash — fewer creases |
| Wool / Hand wash | Jumpers, delicates | Gentle drum action; low spin; wool detergent |
| Rapid 15′ | A few lightly worn items you need fast | Small load only — 1–2 kg; half the detergent |
| Daily / Mixed | A normal mixed load in under an hour | The everyday compromise when Eco is too slow |
| Baby care / Hygiene | Baby clothes, bedding after illness | Extra rinse, higher temperature |
| Rinse + Spin / Spin / Drain | Finishing a load, or emptying the drum | Use Drain before opening a door after a stopped program |
| Steam (8 kg model) | Refreshing worn-once clothes, loosening creases, deeper hygiene | Do not overload; hang clothes straight after |
Spin speed
Higher spin (1000–1400 rpm) means drier clothes and faster line-drying — right for cotton, towels and jeans. Lower it for shirts and synthetics to avoid creases, and to the minimum for wool and delicates.
Options
- Delay start (up to 23 hours): press to set the number of hours until the wash begins, then Start. The display counts down. Good for cheaper night electricity or a load that finishes when you get home.
- Extra rinse: for sensitive skin and baby clothes, or when the load was heavily dosed.
- Child lock: press and hold the two marked buttons for about 3 seconds; the panel locks and a symbol shows. Repeat to unlock.
- Eco-Logic: the machine weighs the load and cuts water and energy automatically for a half load — nothing to set.
- Time remaining: the amber LED display shows the countdown; it may jump as the machine adjusts for the load and water pressure.
5. Starting, stopping and the end
- Switch on, turn the dial to the program, adjust temperature, spin and options.
- Press Start/Pause. The door locks and the display shows the time remaining.
- Forgot a sock? Press Start/Pause — if the water is low and not hot, the door unlocks after a moment.
- At the end the display shows End. The door releases 1–2 minutes later, after the drum stops. Unload promptly: wet clothes left in the drum start to smell within hours.
- Leave the door and the detergent drawer open between washes so the seal and drum dry.
The unbalance control is working for you: if the machine slows down, redistributes and tries again before spinning, that is normal. If it refuses to spin at all, the load is too small, too large or one heavy item — rebalance it.
6. Monthly maintenance
- Pump filter: behind the small flap at the bottom front. Put a towel and a shallow tray down, open the flap, slowly unscrew the filter and let the water out, remove coins, buttons and lint, rinse and screw back tight. Do this every month — it is the single most important habit.
- Detergent drawer: pull it right out (press the catch), wash under the tap, scrub the softener siphon, dry and refit.
- Door seal: fold back the rubber and wipe out water, lint and hair. Mould in the seal is from a door kept shut.
- Drum clean: run the hottest Cotton program empty with a machine cleaner or 2 cups of white vinegar, once a month, to remove detergent scum and smells.
- Inlet filters: close the tap, unscrew the inlet hose and rinse the small mesh filters every six months — sediment in Delta water blocks them.
- Close the water tap if you will be away for weeks.
7. Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Shakes or walks on spin | Transit bolts still in, not level, one heavy item | Rebalance the load; if it still shakes, call 17724 — the technician checks the bolts and levelling |
| Will not start | Door not shut, tap closed, child lock on, delay set | Push the door; open the tap; unlock the panel; cancel the delay |
| Door will not open | Water still in the drum, or less than 2 min since end | Run Drain or Spin; wait 2 min |
| Clothes still wet | Unbalanced load, low spin selected, filter clogged | Rebalance; raise the spin; clean the pump filter |
| Not draining | Pump filter clogged, drain hose kinked or too high | Clean the filter; check the hose |
| Foam everywhere / residue on clothes | Too much or the wrong detergent | Use less, automatic-machine detergent only; run Rinse + Spin |
| Bad smell | Door kept shut; detergent scum; dirty seal and drawer | Drum clean; wipe the seal; leave the door open |
| Fills then stops / error on display | Water pressure, drain fault or overflow protection | Check tap and hoses; note the error code and call service |
| Water on the floor | Loose hose, filter cap not tight, too much foam | Tighten; retighten the filter; reduce detergent |
For motor, heater, pump or electronic faults, call the hotline on 17724 — automatic washing machines are covered by a 5-year warranty with genuine spare parts. See the warranty guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the bolts at the back of a new washing machine, and can I remove them myself?
Transit bolts lock the drum for transport and must come out before the first wash — but only Argosta's technician may remove them and install the machine. Removing the bolts or connecting the machine yourself puts the product out of warranty. Call 17724 to book the installation, and keep the bolts for any future move.
Which detergent compartment is which?
Compartment I (left) is pre-wash — only used when you select a pre-wash option. Compartment II (middle, the largest) is the main wash detergent. The small compartment with the flower or star symbol is fabric softener — fill only to the MAX line.
Why will the door not open at the end of the wash?
The door lock releases 1–2 minutes after the program ends, once the drum has stopped and the water has drained. If the machine stopped with water inside (a power cut, or a program with rinse-hold), run a Spin or Drain program first.
How much laundry is 8 kg?
About a full drum loosely filled — you should be able to fit a flat hand above the clothes. 8 kg of cotton is roughly 40 T-shirts, or a double duvet cover set plus a few towels. Never pack the drum tight; clothes need room to move to get clean.
Washing machines engineered for everyday Egypt.
15 programs, Eco-Logic half-load saving, stainless drum, child lock and a 5-year warranty. Made in Turkey.
See the washing machines