Reduced consumption, optimized performance, and maximum fabric care: these are the goals achieved by the most advanced technologies for washing and drying clothes. Today’s laundry appliances help prevent the waste of electricity, water, and detergent thanks to automatic dosing systems and programs designed for the proper use of resources—that is, only those that are needed.
One example is the i-DOS technology in Bosch washing machines. «It allows you to wash your laundry with maximum efficiency – explains Marica Giacalone, Category Business Manager Laundry, BSH Home Appliances – thanks to the automatic dosing system. Simply fill the detergent and fabric softener dispensers once, and the i-DOS sensors will measure the precise amount of detergent and water needed for each load, wash after wash, to save detergent and avoid unnecessary rinses».
Another innovative Bosch technology is ActiveWater Plus, a feature that goes beyond the simple concept of half-load. «It guarantees perfect results by using only the amount of water needed for each wash – says Marica Giacalone – for highly efficient use of this resource even with small loads. The technology automatically detects the laundry loaded and precisely adjusts water consumption. And speaking of small loads, the Mini option allows user to wash a single T-shirt or a very small load (up to 0.5 kg), reducing energy consumption by up to 40%. It’s a smart way to wash single items without waste. The option can be activated either via the display or through the Bosch Home Connect app, depending on the model».
As for Bosch dryers, the brand’s most efficient models achieve energy class A, offering significant savings. «By replacing an old conventional dryer with a modern Bosch heat pump dryer in class A – emphasizes Marica Giacalone – you can save up to 77% energy».
Low-temperature washing and drying cycles
Another way to avoid wasting electricity is to use low-temperature washing and drying cycles. «Within the new Délica range from Hotpoint Ariston – explains Melis Telli Gaudioso Tramonte, Head of Product Marketing MDA, Beko Italy – the ColourCare program in the washing machines delivers the same effectiveness as a 40°C wash while maintaining lower temperatures. Thanks to the drum’s dedicated movements, the detergent dissolves optimally even in cooler water, allowing it to penetrate deeply without relying on heat. By washing effectively at low temperatures, the amount of water that needs to be heated is reduced, and consequently, the energy consumption required for each cycle is lowered.
For drying, on the other hand, the GentleCare program in Délica dryers delivers effective results at lower temperatures than traditional cycles. This approach reduces the energy required during the process while also preventing wear and tear on garments, keeping fibers in good condition for longer. Thanks to a dedicated algorithm, drying is performed more gently, without the risk of shrinkage, and is designed to protect even the most delicate fabrics».
The contribution of Artificial Intelligence
Among the most advanced technologies, the Artificial Intelligence can not be missed. It offers an innovative contribution to the optimization of performance and resources. How? Samsung explains it with a few examples.
«The AI Energy Mode feature – says Matteo Trambaiolo, Head of Marketing & Biz Planning – Home Appliances, Samsung Electronics Italia – allows you to monitor energy consumption and automatically optimize the main wash cycles. It ensures careful use of resources, with savings of up to 70% in washing machines and up to 20% in dryers. The AI Wash program, on the other hand, uses advanced sensors to detect the load weight, fabric type, and soil level; based on this information, it automatically adjusts the amount of water and detergent, as well as the soak, rinse, and spin times, ensuring optimal results in a short time».
Finally, another anti-waste technology developed by Samsung is AcquaSave. «It introduces an innovative approach to washing – explains Matteo Trambaiolo –: instead of filling the drum from the bottom, water is sprayed from above via a high-pressure nozzle, wetting the clothes evenly and quickly. This system saves up to 15 liters of water: considering three washes per week with the Cotton cycle, user can save approximately 2,340 liters of water per year, equivalent to 390 cases of six one-liter bottles. Using less water also reduces the energy needed for heating, cutting wash times by up to 25%, while the detergent, dissolved in less water, has high effectiveness and ensures optimal cleaning performance».
