Electrolux EIFLS60JIW FL with IQ-Touch

[washingpowder]

Probably the best machine I have ever used.

Recently moved and treated myself with a new piece of equipment.

Gone through various European front loaders, my building's commercial Neptunes, landlord-provided Summit Combo, GE Spacemaker TL, Whirlpool DD, Kenmore DD, and now this.
None of the previous machines got my clothes so white, so clean, and so gently at the same time.

"Sanitize" temperature is a blessing for percarbonate, available on three cycles (fast sanitize, 59min; allergen, 1h15min; deep clean sanitize 1h33min).

Hot water is hot, exactly 120F; warm is actually warm, cold is 75F.
"Eco" button allows to lower the temperature a few degrees - eco hot becomes very warm, eco warm is just right for darks.

Machine spins at 1300RPM, considering most items get line-dried it shortens drying time to merely couple of hours.

On the 4th floor of NYC cardboard building one would not know it's spinning, zero vibration.

Stain Treat option allows a true profile wash that extends the time by only 10 minutes.

Ridiculously short cycles for a front-loader. Casual cycle - 30mins, Heavy Duty - 45min etc. Every piece emerges clean though.

4.3 cu.ft. allowed washing 4 oversized pillows or 2 queen-size comforters at once.

Absolutely fabulous and am hoping will last forever.

A couple of pet peeves, when the machine mixes water for warm it likes to add hot mid-cycle. Some of it gets directed to the nozzle on top of the basket and your items might get a surprisingly hot shower - would prefer warm-wash-only clothes to not have any contact with pure hot water.

Rinses, well. Allergen cycle spins between each rinse. Other, not so much. Some would only spin after main wash, some before the last rinse. Am guessing it comes from the water efficiency but IMO fresh rinse option should enable a spin in between each rinse.
Granted, most of the time rinsing results are far better than expected considering the machine's approach, but towels need an extra rinse each time.

Baffles are rather thin and narrow, washing lightweight items like curtains does not produce a lot of agitation, they float on top of the water with an occasional flip. For light-to-normal soil it's perfectly fine, but would be a bit worried if someone spilled a cup of grease on them.

But the lighting is worth every penny!

 

[logixx]

Thanks for the review. Interesting that the machine doesn't spin each time ot drains. That is normal for delicate cycles, but Normal, Heavy Duty, Whites etc. should spin every time the water is drained.

Good to hear that is doesn't dumb down the temps too much. However, I highly doubt a 4.3 cu.ft. machine with a 900 watts heater will do a true cold-to-hot profile wash by extending the cycle by only ten minutes.

 

[washingpowder]

Well, am guessing it fills with cool rather than pure cold; amount of wash water is so low I can actually see it happening.

Heavy Duty spins after main wash and before last rinse. Normal just before last rinse. Casual just after main wash.

 

[cuffs054]

WashingPowder, my new Tags do that hot water injection, especially on "cool". The Kendaire at other house does not, it mixes and adds. I too wondered about fabric damage from the hot shower.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

normal cycle

How long does the normal cycle take? How does it operate? What are the default settings? What is the default wash profile and spin speed?

 

[washingpowder]

@gelaundry4ever, the machine remembers options selected for each and every cycle separately - link will take you to a manual that beautifully explains default settings.

Apparently the rinses depend on recirculating water from below the drum - kinda like the Whirlpool Combo. Anything more sudsy needs a manually-selected extra rinse.

Also, eco button on normal cycle defaults to cold - regardless of temp selection. Was pretty disappointed, as normal is quite fast, with half-aggressive, half-medium tumble pattern.

@cuffs054, Am mostly concerned about darks, don't need any extra fading. Call me paranoid but have always been extra careful considering American market lacks detergents formulated for darks. Been using Vaska successfully for quite a long time, but that itch to try something different persists LOL. Saw that Frosch is starting to introduce their products here, they couldn't tell me when will we see laundry and automatic dishwashing though.

http://manuals.electroluxusa.com/prodinfo_pdf/Webster/137378100een.pdf

 

[cleanteamofny]

Welcome to the Lux family!



Only a handful of us has these machines and when you really get to know the unit, they are really amazing!

When using Hand Wash, Delicate, Color and Casual cycle, do not be alarmed that is does not spin after the wash cycle!
The purpose is to preserve the color of the garment by not squeezing the soap through the fabric taking the color with it! (Fading).

If you want to reduce your carbon print, eco cold would be good for 90% of your laundry.
Fresh Rinse is just an Extra Rinse (Frigidaire playing with names).

Steam in my mind is a gimmick and not needed if good detergents being used!
Stain Clean is just adding timed Soak portion in the cycle while washing.

A true Profile Wash is not achieved unless the water temperature starts luke warm and gradually to hot which our machine cannot do unless you know how to manipulate the electronic motherboard. (Most European machines can do this)!

I don't know if Frigidaire fix a minor software flaw, when using the prewash cycle, it may dump the main wash detergent because of the alternating slow fill during the prewash with a large load!

It's not done on purpose but the slow fill with prewash detergent is like the Kelvinator's Magic Minuet so be aware and wait 5 minuets before adding detergent to the main wash compartment!

Once a month just wipe the folds of the gasket to remove any lint build up around the 5-8 O'clock position of the gasket and leave the door open after laundry is done to prevent molding of the gasket and inner tub!
Don't go crazy to wipe the gasket after every load, it is not needed!

Also take the detergent draw out monthly or every other month to clean detergent/fabric softener buildup and wash clean the outer bezel area before reinstalling detergent draw.

Tub clean does not have to be done every time when it call's for it if you're doing a lot of hot washes or Bleached loads. But if all your laundry is washed in (COLD WATER), run the cycle with bleach or any tub cleaners when it calls for it!

Good luck with your new machine and happy washing!

 

[washingpowder]

Lux Family, sounds like we're ready to advertise!

I think our machines differ a bit.
Currently they have two models, I chose the higher only for the profile wash ability. Both call it "Stain Clean" but mine claims to gradually heat it.

"Stain treat uses a special 10 minute soak/pretreat
agitation before the main wash. It fills initially with
detergent and cold water to prevent protein stains
from setting, then the internal heater is activated to
heat the wash water to remove non-protein based
stains. Can be used with prewash for the toughest
stains."

Can be selected it with hot, will check if actually fills with cold (or lukewarm, if that matters) and what temperature does it heat to. Haven't had a load that required such treatment yet but surely will come soon.

Unfortunately, although it's a higher-end model it does not have an actual "Hand Wash" like the lower one. Pity, since the "Delicate" is a bit harsh and would gladly exchange all the redundant "Specialty Cycles". Not sure why they decided pet beds, active wear, and stuffed toys are more important.

Never understood steaming wet laundry - it just elevates the temperature IMO and is a gadget that's nice to brag about should one have nosy neighbors.

Am curious about "Fast Steam" though, it's supposed to steam dry clothes to freshen and remove wrinkles, will be testing when an appropriate load emerge.

Not big on cold wash, not big on bleach either; will be figuring out what to clean the machine with when it calls for it.

Thank you for the tips! It sure is a diamond.

 

[cleanteamofny]

Thanks for correcting me, I did re-read a portion of your manual and you are right!
To what temperature the cold water will be raised in 10 minuets is a mystery to me with NYC current winter water temperatures.....

Please give us the goods on what the water temp is at the start to 10 minuet water temp change please!
We all want to know the temperature swing!!!
)

My Lux is an older model, 8 months before the Steam Washer came to market bummer, LOL!

In my manual, stain clean is just a soak period during the wash cycle!
The link below has my manual posted.

Electrolux washers

Does anybody own one of these and how do you like it doing king size bedding? http://www.electroluxappliances.com/node30.aspx?categoryid=1317

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[gelaundry4ever]

electrolux ly

I coul be wrong here, but I believe White-Westinghouse and Frigidaire are part of the Electrolux family. That must be why we see Frigiaire/Electrolux built machines more now, please correct me.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

correction

Correction: could.

 

[washingpowder]

@cleanteamofny, your baffles look a lot deeper, don't think you ran into issues with lack of tumbling on smaller loads.

And the Hand Wash!
Honestly, two main reasons why the Electrolux seemed so perfect was the heater and Hand Wash. Was disappointed to discover they skipped it on a higher model - guess it pays to actually look at what one buys LOL.

Will be experimenting with temperature when I get my mitts on a good enzyme additive that contains cellulase and possibly lipase on top of regular amylase and protease; while lacks oxygen bleaches and stuff that could possibly fade darks.

Noticed your rinse water levels are WAY higher than mine - my machine only fills to those levels during main wash on non-heating cycles. Rinses recirculate water that doesn't even reach the basket.

Will snap pics when doing a load.

@gelaundry4ever, yes, Electrolux owns Frigidaire, Tappan, Sanitaire, Wascator, Zanussi, and many many other brands. Soon it may own GE, and we will be left with Whirlpool, E-Lux, Samsung and LG to choose from when speaking about appliance.

 

[brucelucenta]

Another happy owner of a new front load washer! Welcome to the 21st century! Many are still living in the old one...

 

[cleanteamofny]

@washingpowder,

I'm not sure if they change the design of the baffles. Doing small loads will cause garments to float during the wash and rinse cycles so to make the washing action effective, wait until you have a medium size load.

The cycle that I really notice the highest rinse water levels is the Active Wear cycle, otherwise the water level varies from load to load!

 

[logixx]

Yes, the baffles became a good bit smaller. Jugding from pictures, the new ones seem only half as high as the one in the picture above

 

[gelaundry4ever]

correction.

Correction: Frigidaire.

 

[logixx]

Eugene posted this pic of his Frigidaire in 2010.

 

[washingpowder]

Seems like we're dealing with 3 completely different baffle designs.
Mine looks just like CleanteamofNY's one, just thinner C-shape. Frigidaire is S-like.
Have noticed laundry also tumbles front-to-back and vice versa, depending on the direction of the drum; improves washability on smaller or buoyant loads.

Attached rinse level which apparently applies to all cycles, even Delicate. Mind you however on that particular load main wash was ridiculously sudsy, accidental overdose of a new liquid. How is the 2nd rinse clear?
As before, only towels require an additional rinse after the cycle's finished.

 

[logixx]

Oh my.. that baffle is ridiculously small.

Haha, the rinse "level" looks familiar to me. During the last rinse of my Mixed Items cycle, the water level is that low as well. Other rinses use more water, fortunately. Am currently running a load of towels and this is what I got... after waiting about 8 seconds for the door to unlock and the camera to focus.