Miele w1753 water level question

[romany]

Hello! Just wondering if anyone has experience with Miele's w1753 which I just had delivered. I am concerned that the water level is extremely low on both wash and rinse during the 60-90 degree washes. A blanket I tried to wash didn't seem fully clean, nor completely rinsed. I've called Miele Canada about this but they say the machine knows how much water to use, and the water level cannot be adjusted. Anyone else have experience with this extra low water level with this model? I'm concerned as I specifically got this machine to have access to a true sanitized cycle and did not expect this result. thanks in advance for any input

 

[DADoES]

 
Delicates, Woolens, and Dress Shirts have the highest fill level according to the user manual, but less aggressive tumbling speed than Normal (Woolens is the gentlest).  Colours and Darks/Denim have a medium fill level.  You might try these cycles to see how they fare with various loads or specific items.

 

[bewitched]

Hi. You should have the option to increase water level and add a rinse. There usually is a button labelled “more water” or “sensitive” or “hydro plus” which can be programmed to increase water level in cotton an minimum iron programmes. How to program the button to suit your needs is usually explained in the last pages of the user manual under “programming special functions”

 

[launderess]

No, sensitive or whatever extra water button (for wash and or rinse cycles) isn't an option for this version of Miele washer.

http://media.datatail.com/docs/manual/325534_en.pdf

Like many modern front loaders this washer already uses maximum amount of water for each cycle, thus will not allow any further modification.

My AEG Lavamat is same; have "Rinse Plus" permanently selected, but machine will not add an additonal rinse to "Woolens" cycle from what one has seen. I think it will for "Delicates", but haven't watched machine go through paces in some time now.

Back to OP's query.

Most modern front loaders use far less water for all cycles and this includes woolens. Some of this has come from extensive recent research on how best to machine wash woolens.

Older machines used high level fills (my Miele uses about 10 liters for wash and each of three rinses), which current opinion is too much water for woolens.

Wool will absorb quite a lot of water, but older machines used high levels that kept woolens "floating" in water with occasional tumbles that forced things down into. Modern machines use less water but more constant (but still gentle) tumbles. By using less water along with appropriate woolens cleaning product absorption of water is kept low and thus also chances of shrinking/shape distortion.

Don't bother doing large woolens like blankets in my AEG Lavamat, machine doesn't take on enough water, and wash cycle is so short that bits end up remaining totally dry. In fact cannot do more than one or maybe two (if small) woolen items for same reason.

OTOH just did four cashmere sweaters last night in the older Miele, and things came out a treat.

 

[askolover]

I've learned how to outsmart my older Miele w1986 (but I can't tell Tony) but I only do it when it's full of large towels.  I start it on Delicates, let it fill, tumble, fill, etc til it's done filling.  Then I power it off and reset dial to off.  Power back on and turn to Cottons and whatever temp I need and let it do its thing.  I can do the same with my Asko.  It helps get everything wet quicker. 

 

[launderess]

Great minds think alike!

Do similar with my older Miele when doing a large load (but within rated capacity).

Set machine to "delicates" and allow to fill. Stop washer, move timer to "Normal/Cottons", then restart. This saves one having to listen to that odd noise washer makes (like a goose being strangled) when water level drops and air is getting into pump or something.

 

[askolover]

Mine makes that same sound!

 

[henene4]

Sensitive

It's right there, does the exakt same as on the EU versions, just as programmable (water plus, extra rinse or both).

 

[launderess]

Yes, but if you read carefully page 22, "Sensitive" selection (Extra Options) is not available for "Woolens" cycle. Thus changing the programming won't do any good if one cannot select an option that will trigger setting.

From manual on page 56:

"Use the Water plus programmable
function to set the options for the
Sensitive button."

So again if you cannot select "Sensitive" button for a cycle all the programming changes in world are useless.

Machines sent to North America by Miele often have changes or other modifications not seen in European versions.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Whilst the 'Woollens' programme might be suitable for woollen sweaters and jumpers, I'm not convinced that it would be suitable for a woollen blanket.

In my experience with modern machines (Bosch, Panasonic/Haier, Panasonic/Gorenje), the 'Woollens' cycle is far too gentle, with hardly any tumbling. As far as I can see, the drum barely does one revolution most of the time and frequently sits static. Only occasionally does it achieve a longer tumble. The Panasonic/Gorenje machine has a recirculation jet which does help to wet the load - but there is some degree of daftness going on there too, as the 'Woollens' maximum spin speed is set to 500 rpm.

'Delicates' programme in my case, is slightly more aggressive, with longer tumbles and a decent spin of 800 rpm. I personally, would be more likely to use that for a woollen blanket.

 

[launderess]

Woolen blankets

Really don't need much agitation. A good soak with proper cleanser, extract, rinse (again by soaking) extract again and done.

One reason have Maytag wringer is for bulkly things like blankets as opposed to using the Miele or now AEG. From what one has read many housewives kept or purchased a Maytag wringer for same purpose.

Contrary to popular belief a short but fast spin won't harm woolens, and speeds up trying. My AEG Lavamat does a quick series of short 1200 rpm spins for woolens. While older Miele has short spin at 900, then kicks up to 1100 rpms for a bit.

Coming out a wringer one can bung a blanket into spin dryer for a quick/short spin which again makes drying easier. Hung suspended from double clothes line or on a horse will be dry in about an hour or so.

 

[henene4]

OP doesn't mention a woolens cycle at all, so don't see what that has to do with the issue...

 

[rolls_rapide]

"My AEG Lavamat does a quick series of short 1200 rpm spins for woolens. While older Miele has short spin at 900, then kicks up to 1100 rpms for a bit."

Ah - sensible machines. I don't know what some manufacturers think they're doing when they hobble their programmes with inefficient parameters.

 

[revvinkevin]

Trick machine to add more water...

I too have tricked my Miele W1215 and W3035 Into adding more water, because it sounds as if once the clothes absorb everything it doesn’t have enough water in the drum. What I do, is I will just shut the power off for a moment and then turn it back on. Once it powers up it starts adding water until the water level is reached again. If I am washing things that are super absorbent, like towels, I will do that two or three times to get more water in the tub.

Kevin

 

[dahlia]

Thanks to everyone for replying. I have tried the colours cycle which uses a decent amount of water (not visible coming up the door of course, but at least there is sloshing around going on) although during the colours cycle I can’t raise the temperature above 40. ‘Sensitive’ gives an additional rinse, but no increase in water level. I feel this machine is so close to being perfect for my needs except for this issue; it’s super disappointing- I’ll try increasing the load size to see if it triggers any more water on the cycles that use higher temps

 

[bewitched]

The w1753 user manual says it’s perfectly possible to vary water level and add a rinse.

 

[romany]

Thank you bewitched. Unfortunately my manual has this information omitted, with no mention of increasing water level period in the programmable functions section (last pages in manual). Instead, it covers how to customize the brightness level of the control panel,and set pin codes (not at all priorities for me). 'Sensitive' is listed on page 16, stating simply: 'an additional final rinse washes away detergent residue and scents; an additional rinse takes place'. So it appears there is indeed different functionality for the same model of machine depending which country it's being sold in. I am now wondering if these missing adjustable options are built into the machine but simply disabled for the N. American market, or if the N. American machines are actually manufactured without these adjustable options built in to begin with,

 

[jerrod6]

In 2003 when I bought my W1986, the programming section was also omitted. I found the instructions and performed them and I got the extra water. Perhaps try the instructions, and see if it works.

 

[romany]

Hello Jerrod6- thanks for your reply. I did go into program mode on my machine following the above instructions and cycled through all the options (desperately hoping something to do with water level would appear!) but to no avail. The closest setting I came across was sensitive, offering an additional rinse which can be selected as an add-on during certain programs (not the ones I really want it for); furthermore, there is no adjusting how it works when it is available, ie. increasing water level. It's like being blocked at every turn.

I'll contact Miele to book a technician to come and look at the (non existent) water level. Previously I had an AEG (also European, and low water use) but could always see some water sloshing, and especially so during rinses, so I'm very frustrated by this situation. Will report back if any update from technician.