TWI856180B

A washing machine according to the present invention comprises: agitator blades (1) rotatably disposed in a washing-drying drum (2); an electric motor (4) comprising a permanent magnet and a winding; a power circuit for supplying electric current to the electric motor (4); and a current detector for detecting the electric current in the electric motor (4). The washing machine also comprises: a transmission mechanism (5, 6, 31, 32) for transmitting torque from the electric motor to the agitator blades; an rpm controller for controlling the electric motor (4) so as to operate at a prescribed rpm; and a controller for sequentially performing acceleration control, constant speed control, or rest control on the electric motor (4) a prescribed number of times, alternating between left and right. The controller also comprises a fabric amount detector for detecting the amount of laundry from the average current value during a constant speed control period or from the rotational angle during a rest control period.