The invention provides a process for the alkylation of an aromatics compound with a olefin alkylation agent which comprises contacting the aromatic compound, especially benzene, with the alkylation agent, especially ethylene andor propylene, in the presence of an oxide material which is delayered MWW-type zeolitic material, very suitably the material known as ITQ-2. The washing machine includes a controller controlling a speed of a motor in accordance with a weight of laundry contained in a rotating tub, upon wrapping the laundry at an initial stage of the spin-dry cycle. Input capacitance of the direct-current switch device works in conjunction with a switch input series resistor to avoid a sharp turn-on characteristic.