The Consumer Viewpoint | Page 5

fails to take into account the fact that women are
almost fanatically intolerant of two things, rust and discoloration. It
may be but one bolt that can rust, but women under our observation
have utterly condemned a washing machine for which they paid from
$125 to $165 because of this one bolt alone. We have heard them
further condemn a machine because of the difficulty of keeping it
polished.
It is not purpose, we are convinced, but it must be carelessness on the
part of that manufacturer who allows the use of a rusting screw here or
a bolt there when the rest of the equipment is safeguarded against such
conditions. In one specific instance a single part of a machine intended
to be used in connection with water was made up of five different
metals. Each one of these metals had its own different reaction towards
hard water in the presence of soap. That this manufacturer had intended
no slight toward his product was indicated by the fact that the largest
section of this part was constructed of the most expensive material. He
probably fully believed that he had made that particular part of
rustproof material but it was the selection of defective small parts that
offset any advantage due to his use of fine materials for the major part
of the machine.

THE RELATION OF SECTIONAL SELLING TO MATERIALS
USED.
Because a great deal of household equipment that is of interest to
women must be used as a water container, the effect of water of
varying degrees of hardness upon the several metals is of interest. Most
metals have some electrolytic action. There are throughout the country

water supplies of every known degree of hardness. There are water
supplies whose hardness can be corrected and there are supplies of the
type known as "permanent" hardness. In actual practice the salts in
these hard waters react with soap of any variety to form a sticky gray
precipitate. This precipitate is increased in quantity in direct proportion
to the activity of the metal. Therefore, the material selected for the tub
and cylinder of a washing machine, for the container of the
dishwashing machine, or for the tea kettle that demands constant
contact with water should be given the careful attention that its
importance demands.
In selecting a Refrigerator, the woman looks for:
1. Seamless lining.
2. Compartment beneath ice high enough to hold quart milk bottles.
3. Generous insulation.
4. A selection of wood and treatment of it that will prevent warping.
5. Heavy hardware.
6. Positive-closing, lever locks.
7. Plain unpanelled trim--high leg base.
8. Dull, rather than highly finished wood.
9. Easily accessible drain.
10. Adjustable shelves.
A universal metal that can withstand any and all attacks of these several
waters is difficult if not impossible to locate. In our judgment there is
no perfect metal. Copper comes the nearest to it and yet copper must be
tinned, and there is some slight consumer reaction against its use, in
large containers, because they claim copper must be scoured in order to
be sightly. However, enamel paint on the outside of such a container,

leaving only a fair sized name-plate to be burnished, would overcome
this objection.
Galvanized iron, zinc, nickel, all have a disadvantage of inducing
electrolytic action (producing whitish precipitate) and that should be
taken into account in your selection of metals. In sections save those in
which waters are of the "permanent hard" variety, this disadvantage can
be overcome by including directions that the machine should not be
scoured. Flush with rinsing water only. With such care, the whitish
deposit acts as a film over the metal, and, once the latter is completely
covered, reduces the precipitation. But in the presence of extremely
hard waters, the quantity is so great that the precipitate snows a
tendency to deposit on the linen itself, instead of being thrown solely to
the sides of tub, cylinder, or suction cup. Once this does get on the
fabric, it has all the sticky characteristics of chewing gum.
Bronze or brass rather than steel or iron should be used for any bearings
that come in contact with water. Only thus can you fully safeguard
against rust.

LITTLE THINGS THAT OFTEN PROVE GREAT.
Safety demands that every equipment involving an electric motor be so
fully insulated from the machine frame by water-proof fittings and
insulated shaft couplings, etc., that a maximum of safety can be assured.
It is indeed remarkable that this is not more often cared for in the
original design. In one short period, at least three machines were forced
into the disapproval group in the Department of Household
Engineering of Good Housekeeping Institute with such lack of
insulation as one of the causes.
It is thus clear that consumer needs,