Temperature control

[l86810]

I think Miele added '20oC' to the existing 'Cold' and '30oC' options on their new 5000 range.

Paul I agree with your point about going to 30oC in the winter.. to take the chill off the incoming cold water.

Alexander, I also read in the english versions of the manuals for the new AEG range in Germany that their 'Super Eco' cycle will wash with incoming cold water and will only heat if the water is below 6oC. I wonder if any other manufacturers do this, but just don't publicize it?

 

[hoovermatic]

Yes I agree, the cold water mains is too cold in winter in the UK which is my whole point. "Cold is the new Hot" kind of falls on its arse when we are in December/January if the majority of washing machines don't offer the temp selection option to choose 15 degrees. Perhaps I need to buy a Miele h-axis machine?

 

[rolls_rapide]

"My manual recommends a wash cycle at 90 degrees once a

Agreed; that is a bit excessive. Probably it's there as a 'cover all bases' disclaimer for warranty claims. Ideally though, decent washing with mid-range temperatures and good detergents should sluice the machine clean.

I wonder also, if users put too much liquid detergent into the machines, does that also accumulate in awkward places in the machine?

 

[hoovermatic]

I have mega soft water as I have a mains softener due to living in a very hard water area. As a matter of course I use about 50% less detergent as well as softener. This applies to dishwasher detergent, shampoo, shower gel, washing up liquid yadda yadda. I do about two 60 degree washes a month and this obviously does the trick.

 

[toggleswitch2]

One could add a mechanical thermostatic automatic (non-electric) tempering valve to the cold water line just before the washer to ensure a decent "cold" temperature.

These mix mains cold with mains hot to achieve the targeted temperature.

I had one in my house to bring the temperture of "hot" down to a safe level. In the winter my boiler produced steam for home heating, which resulted in usnafe hot water tempertures at the taps. (Hot water for the taps is produced via a tankless coil in the boiler).

 

[favorit]

even back in the eighties....

... sensor electronic mieles (W780 W782 W784) had the 20°C setting (have never used it). They had even 70-80-90-95. I always wondered who feels the need to have both 90 and 95.
BTW I have the W780 and the little temp display is very uncomfortable as it has not any light, so it's very easy to read 30 instead of 80 .... That's why I appreciate the one-dial system in my latter Novotronic

 

[favorit]

even back in the eighties....

... sensor electronic mieles (W780 W782 W784) had the 20°C setting (have never used it). They had even 70-80-90-95. I always wondered who feels the need to have both 90 and 95.
BTW I have the W780 and the little temp display is very uncomfortable as it has not any light, so it's very easy to read 30 instead of 80 .... That's why I appreciate the one-dial system in my latter Novotronic

 

[gizmo]

Fisher and Paykel Smart Drive top loaders have a clever feature where you can push a certain sequence of buttons to go into an "adjustment mode" and then set each of five temperature settings to a precise temperature.
So for example, the "cold" setting can be adjusted from tap cold, or any temp from 20 degrees to 28 degres C; then "cold/warm" any temp from 30 to 39 degrees C; "warm" can be set to any temp from 40 to 49 degrees C; and so on. These numbers are not precisely correct, I don't remember it exactly, but you get the idea.

I'm pretty sure my Asko 12004 has degree markings from 20 degrees on the dial, too. It certainly has an infinitely variable thermostat, you can set it at any point, not just at the printed numbers.

Chris.

 

[hotpoint95622]

hotpoint 95622

Sorry but forget the environment and the electricity bill.

I wash bedding at 60c+ (kill the bed bugs and dust mites I say) along with towels and my shirts and white cottons at 90c.

The only things I wash at a low temperature are jeans and wool and that’s no lower than 40c.

The project machine will have 90c, 60c, and 40c programs. (Kill the germs)

Will say the Hotpoint 95622 has low energy programs where the washes are 10c lower than the marked templates (40 is 30, 50 is 40, 60 is 50 and 95 is 70) unless the super wash option is selected, which it is all ways on.

 

[electron800]

I wash bedding at 60c+ (kill the bed bugs and dust mites I s

I certainly hope you don't have bed bugs!

=P

Matt

 

[hotpoint95622]

hotpoint 95622

No I dont, but there is a big increase of bed bug infestations and I think it’s because people don’t wash hot enough to kill them.
And the increase in breathing problems from the dust mite.

 

[hoovermatic]

I think the truth is that we can vacuum our mattresses and wash all the duvet covers and sheets etc regularly in whatever temperature but you will never get rid of them, just reduce their numbers! Not a nice thought I know!

 

[launderess]

Unlike Lice and Fleas

Bedbugs actually for the most part don't hang around after feeding, but move back into "hiding". This is why it is so hard to get rid of the buggers. And while a truly nasty infestation will have them filling a mattress, they can also be found in cracks, behind walls, and so forth.

A good washing will dislodge vermin, and send them down the drain (maybe alive, but they are still out of one's linen), bunging items into the dryer for a good roasting removes/kills even more.

However think about it, from one's bed one travels all over the home, and the vermin travel with you, hopping or getting dropped off as one makes one's way to the toilet or kitchen each morning.