7 things you need to know about Electrolux washing machines

Front-load washing machines are gentle on clothes as they use a horizontal drum to rotate clothing through water. They are capable of cleaning clothes using minimal agitation and without completely submerging them in water. Electrolux’s front-load washing machines have in-built sensors that measure the weight of your laundry and automatically adjust the amount of water required. This means that our front-load machines use less water per load than other machines would, which results in lower detergent use and higher energy savings. Generally, front-load washing machines have more programs, a higher spin speed and are quieter than top-load washing machines.

Top-load washing machines have a lid on top and laundry is loaded from the top, which means you can load your laundry comfortably without having to bend over, and add or remove laundry mid-cycle. Traditional top-load washing machines tend to have faster cycle times than front-load washing machines. However, you won’t be able to stack a dryer on top of your top-load washing machine, so this may be a problem if you have limited space.

It is also worth noting that some high-efficiency top-load washing machines are comparable to front-load washing machines in terms of water and energy savings.

For more indepth comparison, read our articles on the differences between top-load vs front-load washing machines.

Start by cleaning the washtub using the Tub Clean Program. Add bleach, liquid chlorine, power cleaner or tub cleaner to remove detergent build-up and other residue and to keep your wash drum clean. Then wipe the gasket with a clean cloth. Make sure to wipe under and around it as well. Do this once a week.

Next, clean your washing machine dispensers to prevent blockage and remove detergent build-up. When cleaning, use hot water and vinegar to give the dispenser a good scrub. Don’t forget to also clean the machine filter by removing the filter cap and pulling out anything that may be clogging the filter.

To clean the hose, disconnect and place it in a sink of warm, soapy water for about three minutes. Use a small paintbrush to remove any lint from the screen. Continue soaking, immersing and draining the hose. Lift one end and drain the water. Do the same for the other end. This should help clear the lines. After that, remove the hose from the sink, wipe it dry with a soft cloth, and screw it back into its connections.

It is important to clean the inside of your washing machine every few months to keep it sanitised and remove smells. For hot and humid climates like India, use the Electrolux washing machine cover to protect your machine from dust and mould, and to keep it looking new.

>>> Read more: A complete guide on how to clean a washing machine

Filters for front-loading machines are usually located along the lower front, behind an access panel. Before removing the panel, ensure that the machine is switched off and that you have a shallow pan ready to collect debris and water. Use a rag to remove any excess residue from the filter.

Filters for traditional top-load washing machines are usually located along the rim or inside the agitator. Use a small brush or cloth to clean the lint off the screen mesh. If the screen mesh is detachable, remove and wash it in hot water to remove any residue.

For both models, clean the filters at least once a month to prevent any blockages. Some of the new high-efficiency washing machines do not have removable filters as they are self-cleaning. To clean a self-cleaning washing machine filter, simply run a cleaning cycle once a month to wash away any lint.

Most washing machines have similar features to help you choose the correct washing machine settings:

Regular/Normal Cycle: The regular cycle uses strong agitation speeds and hot water to clean your clothes. It is advisable for whites, sportswear, underwear, socks and T-shirts. The hot water helps to remove stains but may cause coloured clothes to fade.

Delicates: This is for lightweight and delicate clothes. Do note that some delicate clothes are “dry-clean only” so make sure to check the labels. This feature is recommended for cotton blend sweaters, linen shirts and dri-fit sportswear. Electrolux washing machines also carry a Woolmark Apparel Care label, which means they are certified as safe to wash even for hand-wash only clothing.

Heavy Duty: This is best for muddy clothing and heavily soiled items. Heavy duty cycles use longer, warmer washes and high-speed tumbling to ensure all the dirt is flushed out and removed.

>>> Read more: How to use washing machine

There are several reasons why your washing machine won’t drain. If water remains in your washing machine after a cycle ends, the problem may be the drain hose or pump.

First, try draining the water. Disconnect the hose from the drain and drop it lower than the washing machine tub into a bucket. Clear any blocked filters to ensure that the water flows freely.

For top-load machines, these will be located at the back, behind a small access flap. Check for any clogs and remove them with pliers before reconnecting the hose to the drain. If the drain hose is not the problem, it may be that the pump is broken, which would require a qualified technician to fix.

For front-load machines, the drain pump is the same as the filter located along the lower front, behind an access panel. Before removing the panel, ensure that the machine is switched off and that you have a shallow pan ready to collect debris and water. Use a rag to remove any excess residue from the filter.

If water leaks out onto the floor after each cycle, the reason why your washing machine won’t drain may be because there is a clog in the drain. This causes water to back up into the pipe and prevents water from draining out of the machine. You can locate the clog by checking how long it takes for the water to back up and out of the drain pipe. If water backs up quickly, the clog is likely closer to the mouth and can be cleared with a small hand-powered snake. If the water takes more time to back up, the clog is likely further in the drain pipe, which will require a medium drain snake.

It is now easier than ever to add those forgotten items to your machine after a cycle has started. Simply press the ’Pause and Add Clothes’ button and wait for the door to unlock, add your items and press ’Start/Pause’ to recommence the wash cycle.

Safety is at the heart of everything we do here at Electrolux. For your peace of mind we equipped these machines with 2 family friendly safety features. Firstly there is the Child Lock which can be activated and deactivated by holding down the Rinse + and Easy Iron buttons at the same time. Once activated this lock will remain in place until it is deactivated, even if the machine is switched off. Secondly there is the door block which can be activated using a coin. It is located on the inside of the door and once activated blocks closure of the door preventing children or small pets from being locked inside.