While the earliest models were manual, single-flow appliances with separate spin compartments, in time automatic, adjustable flow washers with a single compartment for washing, rinsing and spinning were developed.
由於夏天時服裝更換頻繁，洗衣機使用機會大，故也是重要夏日家電之一。洗衣機自動化程度已愈來愈高洗衣機以形式分，可分雙槽、單槽；以運轉水流分，則分為旋轉式與直立式。在國內，以雙槽（洗衣槽與脫水槽分開）、旋轉式較為普遍。