I never had a problem with spinning Sweat shirts at max speed (1200rmp) never notices the sleeves were longer or any excess wrinkling

monaw, look at the spin speeds allowed on your W4842's specialized cycles, to get an idea of what Miele thinks is appropriate. As an extreme example, the Silk cycle allows only Slow spin.

Most of our laundry is cotton, and we use Max spin for practically everything (but not handwash items). Never seen anything get stretched. By the time the stuff comes out of the dryer, it isn't excessively wrinkled, no deep creases set into it. We hardly ever iron.

The Comforters cycle doesn't go higher than High spin, I guess to protect fine comforters. Our comforters aren't so fine. So after the Comforters cycle finishes, I start a Drain/Spin cycle to spin the comforter again at Max spin.

monaw, is it possible you took a hot shower and your arms shrank? :) Sorry - couldn't help it. I use High spin speed on everything and nothing has stretched.

Some people think the spin speed affects wrinkles but I have not seen that. Anything out of an HE washer is going to come out so dry it needs to be dryed at a lower setting for long enough to tumble the wrinkles out. If it dries too fast it may be wrinkled.

hA-hA!! I think it was my BRAIN that shrunk!
The sweatshirt was still very damp when I hung it... I stuck it back in the dryer and it seemed normal again when it dried. :)

Sometimes I just dry shirts or jeans for 5 or 10 and then hang or dry flat. I figure less wear and they also look ironed when dried flat...

Thanks guys. I'll see if I can restrain myself from hallucinating!
Good tips and I hadn't thought about the lower dryer setting giving time for wrinkles to come out before dry...
So there's never really any reason to use high heat especially with high spin, except for maybe towels that hold more water.

One of the cool features on the GE Triangle window FL series, is that you select the overall category, whites, jeans, etc., and the machine calculates the rest with you having the opportunity to override the spin, water and soil level dials if needed. It makes it impossible for my DH to say he doesn't know how to do laundry any more! :))

Our spin cycles chosen match up with previous posters. One of the max or just below max for most items and lower for delicate or bulky items like comforters or pet bedding.

I spin almost everything, except delicates, at maximum speed to improve drying efficiency. Slower spins for delicates and items you don't want creased or wrinkled. High spin speeds may also cause abnormal fabric wear in most front loaders due to the size and number of holes in the drum. This is where Miele's honeycomb may be a big advantage.

Most front-load washers:
{{!gwi}}

Miele honeycomb:
{{!gwi}}

This may be the reason why, after using my Asko for several years, I am starting to get tiny holes in my oldest, most washed clothing. I presume this is something that will show over a longer period of time, not immediately. Miele claims that clothing will last four times longer if washed in their machines.

both my mieles have the good old microperforated drum, the 26 y.o. one has 1100 rpm, the other (10 y.o.) has 1200 rpm.
In our household still there are some pure linen king size sheets inheritated by grans. These have coped with frontloaders since 1964 .....

Anyway the honeycomb drum creases less than the old one.
Training suits crease more in my machines than in my brother's one @ 1600 rpm (but with honeycomb drum). Both samples were made in the worst situation : the express cycle, that has not the anti crease graduated spin as normal and wrinkle free and ramps straight up to full speed in one shot

Thanks guys-all tips welcome. I'm learning about my machine through GardenWeb!

Suburbanmd, does the comforter cycle fill with more water? Would I wash blankets that aren't as heavy as comforters on the comforter cycle?

hidroman, when and if your 26 year old Miele ever kicks her bucket, that will be a sad day for you! Maybe you can turn her into the perfect smoker! :)
I didn't know that the express cycle is worse for wrinkles, nor about the anti crease graduated spin.
Are there other cycles that include this "anti crease graduated spin", or is it just the "normal" and "wrinkle free"?

Monaw,
{{!gwi}}.However I'd rather go {{!gwi}} :)

As for graduated spin : basically every cycle but "woolens/handwash" (to avoid shrinking) and "express" includes it.
"Delicates" and "silk" include only the 3 previous short bursts without the extended spin

The W4840 Comforters cycle starts with a "venting" phase, which tries to remove air from the comforter. After that, the wash and rinses do appear to use more water than usual. I would use it for anything that's too large to tumble freely. It does have a downside, namely that it doesn't spin after the wash, or between rinses. The only spin, other than the final spin, is at the end of the venting phase.

hidroman, So that's what a "classic" Miele looks like! GORGEOUS idea to use it for lighting! It looks very "Italian". Wouldn't it be quite the conversation piece?
I suppose you could also put a piece of glass on it and turn it into a lighted table. :)
Do you have a dryer there in Italy or do you hang yours like most?
My daughter just returned from two years living in Bologna and she now refuses to use a dryer...

suburbanmd, That's strange that it doesn't spin after the wash or between rinses on the comforter cycle. We have dogs that sleep in our bed, so maybe I should run it through a rinse/spin first and then put it through the custom/heavy soil cycle to make sure the comforter gets a better spin. (spoiled dogs I might add) :)

Thanks washing buddies!

Monaw,
oddly the newer one looks more "classic" than the older one with those sensor keys. If she were all white too, one could guess that she actually is the newer one

I have plenty of place to hang laundry (basement in winter, terrace in summer) so haven't a dryer.

Guess your daughter after two years in Bologna now is a nice chef :)

"that's strange ..." agree. Also other brands do the same, really can't understand. I use normal/cotton 140°F / 1200 rpm + waterplus/sensitive (plain Ikea duvets stuffed with polyester).

Unless you have "maximum rinse level" engaged, never run a separate previous extra rinse , otherwise the already moist laundry will fool the machine : rinses will be carried with a lower level than required.
Rather use "custom" + "heavy soil"(prewash)

hidroman,
you must have taken very good care through the years...it's amazing that you haven't had any problems. (I think you mentioned on another post)
Imagine all the money you've saved by not having to replace your machine several times over :)

One difference between Italy and US is that in Italy- seeing hanging laundry is considered charming, but in US is considered eye sore.
Most places (neighborhoods) it is forbidden to hang your clothes in your own back yard. I consider this absolutely absurd, especially based on the fact that a huge amount of energy could be saved. Not only that but clothes last longer! Some things make no sense. :) Makes me long for the "good ol' days".

Yes, Aubrey has learned Italian style cooking from several Italian "Mammas"
She especially enjoyed the ritual of gathering ingredients and the simplicity of the dishes.

You are full of great tips that I otherwise would not have known. I will have to go through and write all of them down so I don't forget! (truly greatful-)

I'm going to try to program my washer for maximum rinse.
Hopefully I won't mess up my machine. :) I recently accidentally erased my entire Itunes library! :O ....hehehe all 6000+ songs. (not so funny,..I cried)