Electrolux’s latest front-load laundry pair is packed with environmentally-friendly features.
Making a case for cold-water washes
YSN Staff
With an eye toward the environment, Electrolux has introduced what it describes as “the most energy-efficient, standard-size washer now available on the market.”
The company said its new front-load model is optimized for cold-water washing, which helps reduce energy consumption — and utility bills — without compromising on dirt and stain removal. It accomplishes that with a cold sanitize option that allows consumers to pair a cold-water wash and Lysol Laundry Sanitizer together in the sanitizer compartment. Lysol Laundry Sanitizer kills 99.9% of odor-causing bacteria in laundry, and can be used on most washable fabrics, including baby clothes, gym clothes, undergarments, towels, bedding and delicates.
What’s more, the washer is Tide Cold Certified with an adaptive PODS dispenser and SmartBoost technology, to deliver effective stain removal while extending the life of clothes.
Warming Up to Cold Water
“The temperature we wash our clothes in has a bigger impact on energy costs, carbon emissions and clothing longevity than anything else,” said Ricardo Cons, CEO of Electrolux Group, North America. “Washing on cold can deliver the same cleaning results, but many still need convincing. We’re here to help. And since the average American family washes about 300 loads of laundry each year, there’s plenty of opportunity to make that chore less burdensome and more environmentally friendly.”
The washer further limits climate impact with a waterless “Wear it Again” cycle, designed to combat wasted washes by refreshing lightly worn or wrinkled clothing. The short 15-minute cycle uses a combination of steam, tumble action and heat to remove pet hair, reduce odors and diminish wrinkles while conserving H2O, the manufacturer said.
Other features include:
- Re-ordered temperature settings with cold now listed first, rather than at or near the bottom, as has been the industry standard. It’s a subtle visual cue that cold water washing is the preferred, most environmentally friendly setting
- A new care meter that displays up to three leaves on the washing machine’s user interface to help consumers understand how environmentally friendly their preferred wash cycle is. Providing a visual indicator to the user every time the machine is used gives them the opportunity to choose cycle settings that consume the least amount of resources, Electrolux said
- EPA Approval: The washer boasts the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient mark for 2024 and 2025, and is listed with the lowest energy consumption of any standard-size washer currently available on the market.
“We’re creating high-performance appliances to help consumers live better, save money and reduce their environmental impact without sacrifice,” Cons said. “Our new laundry pair makes it easier for consumers to select more sustainable cycle options like washing in cold and refreshing clothing without the use of water … Electrolux is setting the standard for the future of garment care.”
The emphasis on sustainable cycles reflects the fact that approximately 85% of an appliance’s total climate impact occurs during its usage, the company noted, “so how consumers use products in their households is critical for the planet.”
The new washer and its companion dryer are shipping now and are priced to sell for $1,449 each.
