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The Rise of Autodose Washing Machines
Washing machines are getting smarter! A household feature growing in population are Autodose washing machines. But what does this mean, and is this feature worth the money?
What does auto dosing mean on a washing machine?
Auto dosing is a premium washing machine feature. These washing machines automatically calculate the amount of detergent and/or fabric softener required per cycle. It will then release the exact amount, ensuring that you don’t use too much or too little. Using the perfect amount means that your machine will use fewer rinsing spins to wash away the foam. As a result, you save both time and water.
Using the right amount of laundry detergent is really important, and crucial for longer lasting and vibrant clothing. This is because using too much (overdosing) or too little (underdosing) laundry detergent has a negative effect on your laundry. These effects are explained below:
Overdosing
When you use too much laundry detergent you can cause a whole host of problems. The more obvious of these include detergent residue, which results in stiff, scratchy and musky smelling clothes that are bad for your skin.
Laundry residue can also build up in your washing machine. Not only can this cause clogs, but it also creates the perfect environment for mould, mildew, and bacteria growth.
Secondly, laundry detergent contains abrasive chemicals which, in the perfect dosage, are designed to break down dirt and stains. However, using too much detergent causes these chemicals to break down the fibres of the fabric. This makes them more prone to rips and tears.
Furthermore, overdosing laundry detergent means that there are more suds at the end of a washing cycle. Your washing machine will require a longer rinse cycle to wash these away, which means using more water and more spins. This also means higher water and energy usage, which could have otherwise been avoided.
Finally, a longer rinse cycle means that your clothes will rub against each other for longer than necessary. This increased friction overtime leads to additional wear and tear.
Underdosing
The most obvious problem caused by not using enough laundry detergent is that your clothes simply won’t get cleaned very well. Although just the process of going through a washing machine cycle will remove dirt, without enough detergent stains and oils will remain.
Oils are built-up in your clothing fibres due to naturally released body oils. It can also be built-up from naturally occurring oils in food. Without enough detergent, the oil will remain locked in and make your clothes smell musky.
Not using enough laundry detergent is especially a problem in hard water areas. Hard water is caused by a higher concentration of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium ions. These minerals interfere with detergent chemicals, causing them to bind to the minerals instead of the dirt and grime of the clothes. More detergent is needed in hard water areas in order to counteract this interference. When not enough is used, two things happen. Your clothes don’t get cleaned as well, and the minerals from the water are left in both your clothes and your washing machine. These minerals lead to your clothes feeling stiff and looking faded. They also lead to limescale build-up in your washing machine.
Limescale build-up leads to longer wash times, less effective cleaning, and overtime, machine damaging clogs.
Are auto dosing washing machines worth it?
So, is auto dosing worth it? Considering the many problems that both overdosing and underdosing can cause, as shown above, auto dosing is definitely worth it. Autodose solves the most common dosing problems, such as using too much water or your clothes not getting fully cleaned.
Auto dosing can also save you money by using less water, energy and up to 30% less detergent.
Brands with Autodose Washing Machines
Many brands now have their own washing machines with an auto dose feature. Brands such as Miele, Siemens, and Bosch were some of the first, however many others have followed lead.
Below we highlight many of the brands that have gone above and beyond with their innovative autodose systems.
Miele: TwinDos®
How does Miele TwinDos® work?
Miele TwinDos® automatically dispenses the exact amount of detergent needed, at the right time. It does this by calculating the weight of the load, the level of soilage, cycle, and water hardness. By using Miele’s exclusive 2-phase liquid detergent, TwinDos® adjusts the blend of its UltraPhase 1 and UltraPhase 2 detergents. This blend is created specifically to best match your laundry and cycle.
UltraPhase 1: Lasts for an average of 37 washes*
UltraPhase 2: Lasts for an average of 50 washes*
*Calculated for 4.5 kg loads with medium hard water
Buy any Miele washing machine with TwinDos automatic detergent dosing and receive a complimentary 6-month supply of UltraPhase detergent worth £69.29. Each TwinDos washing machine includes a voucher to claim your detergent.
Siemens: i-Dos
How does Siemens’ i-Dos work?
Siemens’ intelligent i-Dos detergent dosing system dispenses the exact amount of detergent and softener, to the millilitre. Their i-Dos washing machines are able to analyse the fabrics in your laundry load, the weight, and degree of soiling. It will then adjust all the washing conditions to match. This means that your fabrics get the treatment that they should, resulting in clothes that last longer and are more vibrant.
The i-Dos system comes with 3 different detergent compartments. One for detergent, one for a choice of fabric softener or additional detergent, and one more for manual dose detergent.
Compartment 1 capacity: 1000ml
Compartment 2 capacity: 500ml
Some i-Dos models come with an additional Detergent scan feature. This feature scans the barcode of your detergent using the Home Connect app. It will then automatically calculate the exact amount of detergent needed for your particular brand of detergent and water hardness levels.
Bosch: i-DOS™
How does Bosch’s i-DOS™ work?
By automatically determining the correct amount of detergent and water, Bosch’s i-DOS™ technology dispenses the perfect amount of detergent wash after wash. i-DOS™ is able to measure the load volume, detect the types of fabrics, and determine the degree of dirt. This allows it to not only adjust the detergent amount, but automatically set the right wash program.
Thanks to the amazing automation of the i-DOS™ system, all you have to do is adjust the setting for your water hardness level once. From there, your washing machine will do the rest!
AEG: AutoDose
How does AEG AutoDose work?
AEG’s AutoDose function automatically dispenses a calibrated dose of detergent and softener. These are introduced to the cycle at the perfect time, ensuring your clothes maintain their appearance. The amount of detergent is calibrated by weighing your clothes in the drum.
Detergent lasts for an average of 20 cycles.
The AutoDose also has detergent drawers with four large compartments for ease of use and flexibility. Easily change between automatic and manual detergent dispensing for both powders and liquids.
LG: EZDispense™ auto dosing
How Does LG’s ezDispense™ auto dosing work?
LG’s ezDispense™ auto dosing works by determining how much detergent is needed per cycle. This is done using LG’s AI DD™ technology. With this, the exact weight of and types of fabric in your load are detected.
Liquid detergent lasts for an average of 37 medium loads.
These washing machines not only provide your laundry loads with the optimal amount of detergent, but also adjust the cycle perfectly for each wash. The drum moves to best care for your most delicate fabrics, and the settings of your chosen program are tweaked to ensure it doesn’t take a second longer than necessary.
Fisher & Paykel: Auto Dose
How does Fisher & Paykel’s Auto Dose work?
Create less waste and less detergent residue with Fisher & Paykel’s Auto Dose function.
Designed to prolong the life of your garments, Auto Dose dispenses the perfect amount of liquid detergent. The amount used is also based on the exact weight of your load.
Fisher & Paykel also offers you laundry freedom by allowing you to choose between using Auto Dose or manual dose.
Hisense: Auto Dosing
How does Hisense Auto Dosing work?
With Hisense Auto Dosing, your washing machine selects the amount of detergent and fabric softener to use depending on the weight of the laundry in the drum. This means you can be sure to get a perfect wash every time.
Detergent lasts for up to 20 washes.
Moreover, the Auto Dosing function activates automatically by default. However, you can choose not to use this and turn it off. The limit for detergent is 1 litre, while the limit for fabric softener is 0.5 litres.
Auto Dosing Dishwashers
Some dishwashers also come with an auto dosing feature. This feature also results in less detergent being used per dishwasher cycle, giving your dishes the perfect shine for less money. Using too much detergent in your dishwasher leads to too many suds. This can leave a soapy residue on your dishes.
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