I thought I read from another user that you could program the Miele w1215 washer to use a higher water level. I just called Miele tech support and the rep said the default setting is already at the highest water level -- that I could program it to use LESS water but not MORE water. Can anyone confirm or deny this? I'm pretty sad that I can't program it to use more water as I'm having to run my cloth diapers, husband's work clothes and other heavily soiled items through two cycles to get it clean (delicates cycle first to rinse out the gunk and then a custom cycle for the real cleaning).
Miele washer -- setting higher water level?
- Thread starter hcj1440
- Start date
Help Support :
Changing the Sensitive option
There is a way to set the sensitive option to change the way it works. I have a W1215 myself and decided to get the Sensitive option changed.
Option 1 (the factory setting)-One extra low level rinse
Option 2 -Change the wash and rinse water levels to high. (This high water level is not as high as the delicates level, but it does fill a little bit onto the door boot.
Option 3 (the one I opted for) -Changes the wash and rinse water levels to high (same as option 2) but also adds a third rinse.
I can't remember how the tech walked me through how to change the sensitive option, but it can be done and Miele walked me through it. If you call them and say you want the Sensitive option changed because things aren't getting rinsed well enough with the extra low level rinse and you mention that you know there is a way to raise the water levels on all water changes aside from the soak, they should walk you through how to do it.
Hope this helps!!!
There is a way to set the sensitive option to change the way it works. I have a W1215 myself and decided to get the Sensitive option changed.
Option 1 (the factory setting)-One extra low level rinse
Option 2 -Change the wash and rinse water levels to high. (This high water level is not as high as the delicates level, but it does fill a little bit onto the door boot.
Option 3 (the one I opted for) -Changes the wash and rinse water levels to high (same as option 2) but also adds a third rinse.
I can't remember how the tech walked me through how to change the sensitive option, but it can be done and Miele walked me through it. If you call them and say you want the Sensitive option changed because things aren't getting rinsed well enough with the extra low level rinse and you mention that you know there is a way to raise the water levels on all water changes aside from the soak, they should walk you through how to do it.
Hope this helps!!!
email me
And I can send you a pdf file how to change the settings.
And I can send you a pdf file how to change the settings.
there's also "maximum rinse level" option : the load sensed level is used just in the prewash and main wash, while rinses are carried with a "delicate" like level no matter you use sensitive or not. The W 4840/2 have it so guess also the W1215 does have it, cause it's older.
Just can catch why you at a point weren't no more allowed to know. Older american Mieles had all these tricks written on the user manual as we still have here today
Just can catch why you at a point weren't no more allowed to know. Older american Mieles had all these tricks written on the user manual as we still have here today
Over here it's called the "soft water high rinse level" option and yes, it's separate from the sensitive button which has it's own changes like Jamie was saying.
If there is a way to raise the water levels in addition to the sensitive option on a W1215, I'd be VERY interested in learning how!!!!
Eddy -- thank you for offering to send me that PDF -- I have emailed you. Can't wait to get it!
General update -- I called Miele again and got a different rep who was able to talk me through something (I guess the first guy was just new and didn't know how?). I did what he said, it went into programming mode, he adjusted it to "P3" and said it should use a higher water level now. But I am not seeing anything different??? I have tried different cycles, sensitive on, sensitive off, and it looks like the exact same amount of water to me (no water line visible). Hopefully I can sort this out with Eddy's PDF... wish Miele would just unclassify the top secret instructions!
And for future searching fun... I am documenting the button sequence I pressed here (on a Miele W1215):
1. Start with washer "off" with no lights on display
2. Hold down start button
3. With start button held down, press the on/off button once.
4. Keep start button down until you see a small dot appear in the display.
5. Immediately let go of the start button, then press the start button 5 times. On the 5th time, keep it held down until the green light next to it flashes, then let go. You should now be in programming mode.
6. Display should flash "P" and "0" alternately.
(Here's where the memory is a bit fuzzy... but this is what I recall)
7. Press buzzer button once -- display moves to P1
8. Press buzzer button again -- display moves to P2
9. Press start button once -- display moves to P3
10. Press on/off switch to turn off the washer and save the setting.
General update -- I called Miele again and got a different rep who was able to talk me through something (I guess the first guy was just new and didn't know how?). I did what he said, it went into programming mode, he adjusted it to "P3" and said it should use a higher water level now. But I am not seeing anything different??? I have tried different cycles, sensitive on, sensitive off, and it looks like the exact same amount of water to me (no water line visible). Hopefully I can sort this out with Eddy's PDF... wish Miele would just unclassify the top secret instructions!
And for future searching fun... I am documenting the button sequence I pressed here (on a Miele W1215):
1. Start with washer "off" with no lights on display
2. Hold down start button
3. With start button held down, press the on/off button once.
4. Keep start button down until you see a small dot appear in the display.
5. Immediately let go of the start button, then press the start button 5 times. On the 5th time, keep it held down until the green light next to it flashes, then let go. You should now be in programming mode.
6. Display should flash "P" and "0" alternately.
(Here's where the memory is a bit fuzzy... but this is what I recall)
7. Press buzzer button once -- display moves to P1
8. Press buzzer button again -- display moves to P2
9. Press start button once -- display moves to P3
10. Press on/off switch to turn off the washer and save the setting.
Hcj1440,
no matter you set the machine you'll never see a water level like delicates during the prewash and main wash on cotton/normal cycles : the "sensitive" raises from "min" to "med" level during those two steps, while during rinses you may see "delicate" style water levels
I know what i'm about to say may seem odd : frontloaders to tumble (then wash) effectively have to use low water levels, otherwise laundry would roll rather than tumble. Roll is desired just on delicate cycles
BTW : have you tried to wash diapers with the sanitize setting (boilwash) plus "heavy soil" (prewash) plus "sensitive" engaged ?
Basically in vintage Mieles the "windeln" (diapers) cycle was somewhat like that.
To have a clue, this is the stoneage Miele 420 manual. Check waterlevel during main wash (pages=seiten 39-40) :
no matter you set the machine you'll never see a water level like delicates during the prewash and main wash on cotton/normal cycles : the "sensitive" raises from "min" to "med" level during those two steps, while during rinses you may see "delicate" style water levels
I know what i'm about to say may seem odd : frontloaders to tumble (then wash) effectively have to use low water levels, otherwise laundry would roll rather than tumble. Roll is desired just on delicate cycles
BTW : have you tried to wash diapers with the sanitize setting (boilwash) plus "heavy soil" (prewash) plus "sensitive" engaged ?
Basically in vintage Mieles the "windeln" (diapers) cycle was somewhat like that.
To have a clue, this is the stoneage Miele 420 manual. Check waterlevel during main wash (pages=seiten 39-40) :
The thing is it doesn't look any different than it used to, and I'm thinking I did something wrong and no change has been made. I thought I would at least see a small puddle of water going up to the level of the bottom of the rubber ring? (So sorry I do not know the right terms -- I'm talking about the big grey rubber ring that goes around the whole door.) Right now it looks exactly the same as it used to which is that I can't see any water at all.
Eddy1210 sent me instructions to raise the rinse water level on all cycles regardless of "sensitive" button selection, so I will try that next. That should be a more obvious test -- if I get that one right I should see delicates-like level of rinse water, right?
If I don't see anything different in the rinse cycle after doing the new programming, I think I will call Miele back and see if they can figure out whether I did it right or not.
Favorit: what you're saying about tumbling vs. rolling makes sense. I have tried the cycle you described, but on hot instead of sanitize ("modern" cloth diapers have elastic so cannot be routinely exposed to boil wash temps). I think the problem is that they are so saturated with pee and a pre-wash that doesn't use much water doesn't get enough pee out for the wash part of the cycle to do its work. I guess my dream cycle is delicates-level water for the pre-wash and rinse, and the "mid" level of water for the wash then?
Eddy1210 sent me instructions to raise the rinse water level on all cycles regardless of "sensitive" button selection, so I will try that next. That should be a more obvious test -- if I get that one right I should see delicates-like level of rinse water, right?
If I don't see anything different in the rinse cycle after doing the new programming, I think I will call Miele back and see if they can figure out whether I did it right or not.
Favorit: what you're saying about tumbling vs. rolling makes sense. I have tried the cycle you described, but on hot instead of sanitize ("modern" cloth diapers have elastic so cannot be routinely exposed to boil wash temps). I think the problem is that they are so saturated with pee and a pre-wash that doesn't use much water doesn't get enough pee out for the wash part of the cycle to do its work. I guess my dream cycle is delicates-level water for the pre-wash and rinse, and the "mid" level of water for the wash then?
Soft water rinse option...
WOW!!! I LOVE this soft water rinse option!!! I turned that on and did a load consisting of 1 bath towel, 2 hand towels, and 5 wash cloths. Look at how much water it used for only 2 rinses! I know the water looks murky and sudsy, but the 2nd rinse was without a doubt the clearest rinse I have ever seen on a front load washer. The only machine comparable in my experience would be my double rinse Unimatic and only if I had used both a very small amount of HE detergent and a very large dosage of fabric softener. The rinse came up about 1/3 of the way up the window in the washer, the same level as the delicate cycle! I can't even begin to imagine how fabulous it would rinse if I turned on the sensitive option!!!!
WOW!!! I LOVE this soft water rinse option!!! I turned that on and did a load consisting of 1 bath towel, 2 hand towels, and 5 wash cloths. Look at how much water it used for only 2 rinses! I know the water looks murky and sudsy, but the 2nd rinse was without a doubt the clearest rinse I have ever seen on a front load washer. The only machine comparable in my experience would be my double rinse Unimatic and only if I had used both a very small amount of HE detergent and a very large dosage of fabric softener. The rinse came up about 1/3 of the way up the window in the washer, the same level as the delicate cycle! I can't even begin to imagine how fabulous it would rinse if I turned on the sensitive option!!!!
@ JAMIE - to have "4 vintage Miele rinses" try also the "sensitive" (adds a 3rd rinse) and also on "low"/600rpm spin speed (spin speeds lower than 700 rpm add a further rinse). Once the machine is running the 1st rinse, you can raise to max spin and no matter she will make 4 hi level rinses
HCJ1440 - now I know what you mean .... commercial mieles in special diaper cycles make 3 prerinses + prewash + rinse + main wash + 3/4/5 rinses [link to old thread]
www.automaticwasher.org
HCJ1440 - now I know what you mean .... commercial mieles in special diaper cycles make 3 prerinses + prewash + rinse + main wash + 3/4/5 rinses [link to old thread]
I want to open a Launromat
I am taking steps to open a Laundromat. Is there anyone here that has done it that can give me some advce about it. I want to call it " Aunt Betty's Spin Cycle Laundomat & Eco Cleaners" . I found a busy corner where there once was a laundomat. In Sept it was busy, as well as up and running. The...
www.automaticwasher.org
Just LOOK at the rinse level!
FANTASTIC!!! (Mind this is the first rinse, thus the suds.)
FANTASTIC!!! (Mind this is the first rinse, thus the suds.)
Big Deal! *LOL*
The default rinse level on my Miele 1070 is about or more than that, and there are five, count them, five of them! *LOL*
The default rinse level on my Miele 1070 is about or more than that, and there are five, count them, five of them! *LOL*
IMHO, there is such a thing as too much rinsing. I do still like to be able to smell the detergent's lasting scent after the cycle is complete! I have switched to scent free Downy due to lack of pleasant scents and now rely on the detergent's scent!
So it worked for you
Glad you found the settings helpful! Did you change anything else, like add a cool down after the main wash?
Glad you found the settings helpful! Did you change anything else, like add a cool down after the main wash?
Eddy gave me the special steps to get three high level rinses in my W1986. The owner's manual gave the programming steps to get extra rinses and high water levels in the rinses with the W1918, but not the 1986. Eddy is a hero in my book.
Tom, I'm blushing now
I think you nicknamed me clean rinse Eddy. I should change my handle to that LOL. It helps when I have a friend who's a Miele tech to get ahold of these "secret" documents. Miele's continue to fascinate me how flexible and programmable they are, especially when it comes to the rinsing options.
I think you nicknamed me clean rinse Eddy. I should change my handle to that LOL. It helps when I have a friend who's a Miele tech to get ahold of these "secret" documents. Miele's continue to fascinate me how flexible and programmable they are, especially when it comes to the rinsing options.
Oh I Don't Know How "Secret" They Are
Have a Miele service manual that covers (IIRC) the 1100 and 1200 series, and gives all manner and sort of codes for programming. It is on a Zip disk somewhere, but remember looking at all the differnt codes and regions of the world each Miele washer had different settings.
L.
Have a Miele service manual that covers (IIRC) the 1100 and 1200 series, and gives all manner and sort of codes for programming. It is on a Zip disk somewhere, but remember looking at all the differnt codes and regions of the world each Miele washer had different settings.
L.
What other options do you like?
New question: now that I have had a taste of the different options I could change -- wondering if there are any others that you recommend, or liked yourself? I'm curious to know what the special allergy setting does... or what would happen if I changed it to EU or Sweden country setting... or why it's good to have a cool down after the main wash...
Eddy -- I tried setting the higher rinse level and succeeded -- my rinse level looks like Pulsator's photo. So I guess the higher wash water setting is also working (I checked it on the way to setting the soft water rinse level) and it's just that I couldn't see the difference between the "mid" level of water and the old "minimum" level of water. Hopefully it will now wash out the old dried on bits of rice on my kid's clothes... the muck on husband's work clothes... etc. For diapers I guess I will still have to run two cycles -- delicates to rinse out the pee first and then a hot wash to do the real cleaning work. Ah well kiddos will be out of dipes pretty soon.
Favorit -- interesting thread on the diapers/laundromat. After reading that I am glad I wash my own, I would not want to be responsible for all that water and energy and chemicals. No wonder anti-cloth diaperers are always saying cloth diapers aren't necessarily environmentally friendly -- if you use a commercial service it seems like it really isn't.
New question: now that I have had a taste of the different options I could change -- wondering if there are any others that you recommend, or liked yourself? I'm curious to know what the special allergy setting does... or what would happen if I changed it to EU or Sweden country setting... or why it's good to have a cool down after the main wash...
Eddy -- I tried setting the higher rinse level and succeeded -- my rinse level looks like Pulsator's photo. So I guess the higher wash water setting is also working (I checked it on the way to setting the soft water rinse level) and it's just that I couldn't see the difference between the "mid" level of water and the old "minimum" level of water. Hopefully it will now wash out the old dried on bits of rice on my kid's clothes... the muck on husband's work clothes... etc. For diapers I guess I will still have to run two cycles -- delicates to rinse out the pee first and then a hot wash to do the real cleaning work. Ah well kiddos will be out of dipes pretty soon.
Favorit -- interesting thread on the diapers/laundromat. After reading that I am glad I wash my own, I would not want to be responsible for all that water and energy and chemicals. No wonder anti-cloth diaperers are always saying cloth diapers aren't necessarily environmentally friendly -- if you use a commercial service it seems like it really isn't.
