Abstract: A washing machine includes a processor, a scanner cooperating with the processor and adapted for reading machine-readable coding on articles of apparel, a tub, and an equipment container selectively rotatably mounted inside the tub. Means are provided for selectively rotating the tub, the means cooperating with the processor. The equipment container is advantageously adapted to hold a plurality of flexible articles separated from each other and substantially immobile against, and relative to, the equipment container while it is being rotated in the tub.