Siemens WM16S740 washing machine takes on 14 types of stains

We love any gadget that makes our lives simpler, easier, and let's face it, cleaner. Siemens has just come out with what it claims is the first automatic anti-stain washing machine, the WM16S740, which purports to contain 14 special cycles to counter a corresponding 14 devious stains: we're presuming that includes ones like red wine, chocolate, butter, tomato sauce, and (hopefully) blood. As if that weren't enough, if you need your get-lucky shirt right now -- you know, the one you accidentally nervously spilled a glass of pinot noir on a few hours before your hot date -- fear no more. This new washer will finish a complete cycle, including rinsing and spinning, in only 15 minutes. How much for this super-washer? Only €1,000 ($1,266) -- but no word yet on how much more you'll have to drop for a 15-minute companion dryer.

[Via Appliancist]

[pbase @ Oct 9th 2006 10:45PM]

Can it really get out blood?
I mean, like right now?
Before the cops get here?

[Picky @ Oct 9th 2006 10:52PM]

Isn't that a drier pictured?

[Picky @ Oct 9th 2006 10:52PM]

Ugh... dryer.

[Today at the Office @ Oct 9th 2006 11:16PM]

wow! let's hope it actually does the job!

[Scott @ Oct 9th 2006 11:20PM]

Siemens...stains...immature chuckle...

[Josh @ Oct 9th 2006 11:38PM]

I'm curious as to who sells Siemens. I was under the impression Best Buy was the only retailer to carry the Siemens name. I sell washers more expencive washers daily.. That would be easy to sell in my area.

[Tim @ Oct 9th 2006 11:47PM]

That's a washer pictured - many new high-end washers are front loading, just like the old dryers we're all used to.

[SuperQ @ Oct 10th 2006 2:28AM]

15min? That doesn't seem long enough to really clean clothing. My Miele washer's normal wash cycle is 1 hour. I don't see why speed cleaning is a great idea.

As for people who've never seen a front loader. They kick the crap out of US standard top loaders any day of the week. They use less water, soap, and electricity.

My Miele spin drys at 1300 RPM. I don't even own a dryer anymore. Cotton T-Shirts hang dry in a couple hours.

The only thing I need to figure out is where they hide the serial port in the thing. It has a programing update port supposedly.

[Peter @ Oct 10th 2006 3:35AM]

Welcome to the wonderful world of european washing ;)
There are already machines spinning at 2000rpm, eliminating almost any need for a dryer.

The serial port on your Miele? Check for something that looks like a status light on the front panel, labeled PC. This is the infrared connection for firmware updates they carry since the early 90s.

Oh, and yes, like all decent gadgetry most of this will take a few years to actually make it to the US...

[Zippy @ Mar 29th 2008 9:37AM]

The programming port you're looking for was being installed on the backside but get this, Miele with their "ever better" approach will now use Opticle interface and no longer uses the old hook and clamp type pin interfaces we are all so familiar with. The opticle reciever port is hidden as well as any typlical remote control port is, somewhere on the front panel or behind it on the main control board. It's designed to access everything the machine ever did and Miele techs can upload new factory rewites or edit cycle times based on (your) performance praise as well as complaints. But don't bother trying to access it yourself unless you have the Miele interface module and Software.

[LeJupp @ Oct 10th 2006 8:43AM]

> There are already machines spinning at 2000rpm,
> eliminating almost any need for a dryer.

Yepp, but don't use that for your watertight outdoor clothing...btdt...

[SuperQ @ Oct 10th 2006 11:47AM]

Ahhh.. IR.. I couldn't find crap for documentation on the PC thing.

[gen-y @ Oct 10th 2006 8:22AM]

yup - euro washers are light years ahead of what we have in the states. I love the super-fast spin and the washer and dryer all in one unit (no need to xfer clothing - load it and come back to clean dry clothing)

I wonder if it is because of the availability of 240V (at same current) there. When I lived there all sorts of nifty appliances existed that just couldn't exist in the US for lack of juice.

[Mrfreezie @ Oct 10th 2006 8:37AM]

So can it for sure get out blood?
Becuase I need it to get out blood.
Are you sure it will get out ALL of the blood?
I just happen to bleed like crazy when I get one of those nasty paper-cuts.. that's all.

[Pal @ Oct 10th 2006 9:46AM]

In Japan I was looking at a few washer/dryer combos that were quite nice. They are similar to the Siemens pictured; on the side, but the opening is tilted upwards, which in turns lessens the water required to do a wash. The washer/dryer are also whisper quiet; you'll be checking it during the night to see if it's still on.

For the insistent, there is now a washer/dryer combo that has an air conditioner built-in so that the utility room doesn't get so hot -- now that's luxury!

[SarcasticSoul @ Oct 10th 2006 9:53AM]

Really? A serial port on your washing machine? Here I've been using the same machine for 10 years without a single software update! Now what kind of hacks can I do with this.... Maybe connect it to my Tivo so it will pause my show when it's time to go switch out the loads? Someone out there has got to have a better idea.

[Picky @ Oct 10th 2006 1:00PM]

Thanks Tim, I guess I am just too old fashioned.

Also, being able to do a 15 minute load of laundry sounds pretty appealing to me, since I hate doing laundry. Now, if there is a dryer out there to accompany it that is not too expensive, than that would be a hot item, I'd think. When I ever move to a place with either too old of a washer/dryer combo, or none altogether, then I'll definitely consider something along these lines.

Does anyone know how fast the prices on this kind of thing tend to drop?