The difference between washing in the US and in EU

The explanation is as follows: Both continents use whitening agents (bleach) in their washing powders. The difference is that in the US the bleach is chlorine based (activated at lower temp. than 30C), in Eu we use peroxide based bleach that is activated at higher temp (55<). What makes it even more complicated is that in Eu there are enzymes in washing powders (biological agents, naturally occurring in our bodies as well) that dissolve fat, oil, grass etc based stains. These enzymes are active between 30 to 40 degrees. So what washing machine producers have to do is to make their programs as follows: f.eks. Cotton wash: the water heated up to 30C and kept at it for 10-15min (enzymes are active) then the machine heats the water to the required temp. (60C) so the bleach can act. The high temp. is kept for a period of time for letting the bleach have time to act and also to kill bacterias effectively. This is also one of the reasons why Eu w.machines have longer time to do the laundry. In the US w.machines are hooked up to the warm and cold water tap, they load the warm water straight in the cabinet, which again determined how warm one keeps their warm water tank and the washing starts. Water cools quickly, bleach acts. Washing time is very short. (And of poor quality). American w.machines do not use internal heaters that allow the water to be kept at high temp. long: killing mites, bacterias, virus etc. The other bad thing with American machines is that the drum is vertical, while Eu machines have horizontally placed drums: clothes have more mechanical friction and need very little water hence energy and water consumption are minimum, while washing performance is top quality. What keeps Eu clothes white is this mechanical action of the horizontal drum, while Am clothes are kept white because of the bleach (damages clothes over time). One more thing: Chlorine based bleach kills aquatic life while peroxide based bleach destroys itself already in the machine above 55C and are neutralized by the time it is out of the machine. http://www.miele.ca/miele/canada/lndry_tech.asp

http://www.miele.ca/miele/canada/lndry_prevmods.asp

To kill bacteria effectively you need the water to be kept at min 60C for min 30 min; 75C min 15 min; 80C 10 min; 85C 5 min; 95C 1 min (internal heater is required to keep temp high so long!)

The horizontal axis drum: The key to better cleaning

There are four primary factors in every cleaning process, whether you're washing your hands or cleaning your laundry: Time, Temperature, Mechanical Action and Detergent. Results vary depending on the percentage each factor plays in the process. Reducing detergent and increasing time yields different results than increasing the temperature and reducing action. Mechanical action The heart of every washing machine is its drum. The drum is where the work is done and the laundry is placed. A vertical drum, typically used in top-loading machines, holds large quantities of water while an agitator jerks the laundry back and forth. This agitator system is very aggressive. It limits your options and can damage your laundry. Time The time required to clean laundry is never a constant. Some fabric types simply take longer to clean than others. Time should vary based on the fabric type and temperature selected. Temperature What exactly is hot, warm or cold? Depending on your water heater, they can mean a lot of different things. Water temperature is an essential key to proper cleaning results. Not only should water be a certain temperature to begin with, but that temperature must be maintained throughout the wash cycle. Poor cleaning results are typically caused by improper temperatures. Detergent Depending on the action and water temperature, detergent requirements change. A vertical drum design with a low water temperature relies heavily on detergent for cleaning. A more efficient horizontal drum that can adjust and maintain the water temperature reduces not only the amount of detergent needed but also the role that detergent plays.

Top-loaded vertical drum Can damage clothing and provide poor cleaning results because an agitator yanks garments back and forth in a stationary drum full of water.	Angled drum Deprive garments of appropriate washing action because items ball up at the bottom of the drum. According to a leading consumer magazine, this angled design produced the worst washing performance of all units tested.	Miele's horizontal drum Provides superior washing action for the largest variety of fabrics using gravity, specially-designed fins, and very little water.

Hydromatic Washing

You'll notice better cleaning results with your Miele washing machine. That's because Miele machines use a different washing action than most machines: a horizontal drum. Used throughout Europe and in nearly every commercial laundry in North America, horizontal drums offer better cleaning performance than the vertical drums found in most top loading machines. Miele's unique Hydromatic system varies the speed at which the drum rotates. The scoop and ladle fins shower the laundry at slower speeds and tumble the load at faster speeds. This system guarantees that all your laundry, even woolen items, are thoroughly cleaned every time.

Up, Up and Away

As you might expect, Miele washing machines use very little water. This means less detergent and less energy consumption with every load. To help reduce drying times, Miele washing machines take the first step in the drying process. By spinning your laundry at very high speeds, Miele washing machines can extract nearly 65% of the moisture. That means shorter drying times, lower drying temperatures and less wear and tear on your clothes. Some Miele washing machines can spin at speeds as high as 1600 RPM. However, not everything you wash should spin that fast, so Miele makes sure each program has a maximum safe spin speed.

The Age of Novotronic

Novotronics, Miele's surface mounted design (SMD) microprocessor, control everything in the washing machine from the amount of water used to the final spin speed. They also control moisture levels and temperatures in the tumble dryers.The Novotronic controls continuously monitor the activity of the machine, sensing an unbalanced load, drain or intake faults and spin speeds. Programs can be modified to increase water levels or to adjust the number of rinses.These are just a few of the benefits that the Novotronic controls have over conventional mechanical controls.

Miele Technology

For generations, Miele washing machines have been known for their thorough yet gentle care of fabrics.

To further this technology, Miele now introduces its latest revolution, the Honeycomb washing drum.

Forged from the very best stainless steel in a convex indentation resembling a honeycomb pattern, the byproduct of this patented advancement is an 80% reduction in the water exit holes and the development of a network of water channels that actually create a thin water layer that cushions your clothing while the drum rotates.

The image above shows a terry cloth bath towel at high spin speed actually penetrating the water exit holes of the washing drum. The revolutionary Honeycomb washing drum is washing the same towel, spinning at the same speed, and shows virtually no penetration of the towel.

By indenting and reducing the size and volume of water exit holes, there is virtually no chance your clothes will be damaged from snags against the steel holes.

Additionally, the honeycomb indented design maintains a constant cushion of water between your clothes and the drum, allowing for maximum, thorough washing; results proven better than hand washing.

This means your valuable wardrobe will be cleaner and will last even longer if cared for in a Miele washing machine!

Since the introduction of our first washing machine in 1901, Miele has continuously made extraordinary advancements in the world of appliances. Miele’s front-loading washing machines are no exception. With their exceptional features, they can actually improve the look and feel of your clothes! They offer a variety of programs that allow you to care for every type of fabric in your closet - from durable cotton to delicate cashmere.

It all starts with the brain of the machine, called Novotronic, which is Miele's surface mounted design (SMD) microprocessor. Novotronic continuously monitors and controls all activity in the machine, from the amount of water used, to sensing an unbalanced load. It also ensures the correct spin speed for special programs, such as the Woolens Program, where the correct spin speed is programmed to protect and pamper your finest sweaters.

Among other important features, Miele's unique Hydromatic Wash System plays an important role in the excellent cleaning results noticeable after using a Miele washing machine. This system varies the speed at which the drum rotates, guaranteeing all your laundry - from your jeans to your silks - are gently and thoroughly cleaned every time, using only a minimal amount of water and detergent.

Every Miele washing machine is equipped with DualTherm internal heating elements. These elements allow the water to be heated to high temperatures, regardless of the intake water temperature. This, together with the wash action of Novotronics, means you can do away with using harsh chemical additives, such as chlorine bleach, and still get your whites their brightest.

Miele takes the same care for your laundry in the dryer as in the washing machine.

Miele dryers utilize Novotronic technology to monitor moisture levels within the laundry rather than using a timed drying cycle.

With a timed drying cycle, items may be dry long before the timer shuts down the machine. By drying to a specific moisture level, the dryer can never over-dry your laundry.

How does it work? A very low voltage electrical charge is passed through the laundry between two contacts, one on the drum and the other on the wall of the dryer. The machine measures the time it takes for this signal to pass between the contacts to determine how much moisture is in the laundry.

This, together with the Miele auto reversing drum action ensures your laundry is never over or under dried by tumbling laundry in two directions. This bi-directional action evenly dries the entire load and prevents items form being "trapped" in the middle of the load. This process also helps minimize wrinkling.

The Novotronic controls also indicate the interim stages reached during the drying process. Once the drying is completed, a cooling down stage begins. The machine tumbles the laundry dry and replaces the warm, moist air with cool, dry air; halting the drying process.

If your laundry is left unattended after the buzzer sounds, the machine will continue to occasionally tumble the laundry for up to 60 minutes to prevent any creases from forming.

There are eight programs which are based on moisture levels in the laundry. Programs range from 'Extra Dry' for items that will be stored away in your closet immediately, to 'Hand Iron', which leaves enough moisture to make ironing a breeze!

In Eu it was recommended to wash at low temp to save enrgy but now both the Danish and Norwegian forbrukerrådet recommend to use 60C and higher temp to kill bacterias!

http://forbrukerportalen.no/Artikler/2007/lukten_av_40_grader?expandedtopic=1172232477.37