rpsinfoman, thanks for resurrecting this 5 1/2 year old thread. Seems like it was yesterday, with some of the same people. Though I would want to revisit the list of Electrolux temperatures, as they may be lower in current production. Re water heating time, are you taking into account that hot water input on American machines is supposed to be at least 120F? The manuals usually say that. Some of us don't get immediate hot water from our plumbing, of course. practigal, I'm following the Miele instruction manual which says Extended is for "laundry with normal to heavy soiling or stains." I have a strong sense of smell, and can definitely tell the difference between stuff washed without Extended (approx. 30 minute wash on Custom cycle) and with Extended (approx. one hour wash). We use only free-and-clear detergents, which means two things: 1) There's no masking scent; 2) Our choices don't include the latest and most effective detergents. I haven't noticed wear and tear from extended washing. The load is lubricated by a water-and-detergent mix, more slippery than plain water, and I don't think it's rubbing all that hard. Certainly not compared to the wear involved in actual use of the textiles, where one's butt is pressing the seat of the pants against a car seat, or where one is lying on a bed sheet all night and moving around, or the back of a shirt is rubbing against a seat back. larsi, you were and continue to be a persuasive advocate for Electrolux. But I'm still scheduled to have a 240V 20 amp outlet for Asko installed this Wednesday (among other jobs the electrician will do during the visit). The Asko has a Time Choice cycle that lets you pick the temperature up to 140F, and a total cycle time between 30 minutes and 3 hours. So you can get a long but not-so-hot wash if you want.

@ izeve I have a Miele W4842. The shortest cycle is Express @ 30 mins. The longest is Sanitary @ 2:36 w/ all options selected (heavy soil, extended and sensitive). I haven't paid much attention to the length of time taken by rinses and spins, but I estimate each rinse takes about 8-10 minutes and spins @ high speed are under 10 mins. 50 minutes sounds like a long time for rinsing and spinning. When using the standard two rinses, the machine drains and starts the spin portion with :29 remaining on the clock. With a third rinse option enabled, the wash drains at around :39. These are ballpark estimates from what's crammed in my tiny little brain. As far as performance, my clothes come out cleaner and softer than they did from my Euro sized Asko. The build quality is far superior to anything else available in the US market. Maytag, Kenmore, Whirlpool, GE, LG, Samsung, Frigidaire, even Bosch, etc. just cannot compete with Miele on build quality. This viewpoint can only be appreciated when you look at each machine up close, touching the controls, flexing the plastic components, hitting the buttons, etc. Did you know that the Touchtronic controls of the W4842 are sealed against water? Miele manufactures its own circuit boards for all of their machines. In fact, they manufacture most of the components that go into their machines - very little, if anything, is "off the shelf" stuff. The water hoses, for instance, are designed to handle 20 times the expected water pressure. Those types of things aren't even promoted by the company, yet they put common sense and thoughtfulness behind their designs, and the machines they make are purpose built to last 20 years. I broke the plastic coin trap doors on two Samsung machines at Lowes a couple of years ago when I was playing with them. I was just trying to open the little plastic door, but the simple mechanical action of opening it caused the little plastic tab to break. I was not even applying any real force or pressure - I know plastic breaks, so the last thing I wanted to do was break something on their floor model. But it's difficult NOT to break something on a washing machine when it's built like a toy.

Thanks all. On Labor Day I had ordered a new top load LG washer and matching dryer, but I didn't get the washer with the sanitary, delicate, perma press.... cycles. Since it wasn't delivered yet, I just now upgraded the washer for an extra $70 which has the mentioned cycles. I do have things that require special wash that I always did by hand or dry cleaning, but never used the "special" cycles in my Kenmore (which I hate, BTW) - my ignorance. So, I will make it an appoint to use those special cycles with this new one and I bet I'll see a difference in some of the fabrics.

@Royal Kitty "Hey, Can anyone tell me how to get a hot wash with a cold rinse and also how to stop a cycle early and (if needed) drain? AND how do you soak a load??? Isnt that the “Delay” button somehow?" You need to reference the model number of washer involved in your questions to get answers specific to it. In general, all washers nowadays always run cold rinses and there is no switch or option to select a rinse temperature. Hot wash is a matter of selecting it on the wash Temperature options. Some cycles may not allow Hot temperature, so in that case choose a difference cycle that does allow it (example, Heavy or Allergen or Sanitize). Note also that the washer may mix in some cold to purposely reduce the Hot temperature in the machine to lessen the energy usage of the washer, particularly on the designated Normal cycle which is the basis for energy ratings. Canceling a running cycle is typically by pressing and holding the Start/Pause button for a few seconds which makes it function as a Cancel. Canceling may drain but not spin. Use the Spin Only cycle to spin the load (which also will drain first if the Cancel didn't do it). How to select Spin Only may vary from one washer to another, which is why you need to state the model number with your questions. A Soak option or cycle is provided if the washer can soak. It is not provided on all models, which again is why you need to state the model of machine with your question. Delay is not for soaking. It is to set the washer to start running a selected number of hours later.