Abstract: A washing machine includes a washing tub whose peripheral wall is constituted by an upper peripheral wall section and a lower peripheral wall section which is located below the upper peripheral wall section and which is driven to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise. The washing tub receives water and laundry therein. In the case of a small load of laundry, the laundry is caused to flow, and to be washed due mainly to the flow or water caused by the rotation of the lower peripheral wall section. In the case of a large amount of the load of laundry, the laundry can be washed due to the synergetic action of the frictional forces. In such a washing machine, the inner surface of the upper peripheral wall section is made gradually smaller in diameter from its lower portion to its upper portion.

Abstract: An electric washing machine is provided with a housing with a plurality of lead wires connected to electrical equipment. A panel of the housing is formed of synthetic resin and a plurality of retaining portions are integrally formed with the panel and formed of synthetic resin. The retaining portions are arranged at intervals at the panel so as to hold the lead wires therein.