In the biography of Steve Jobs from Walter Isaacson, a few pages are dedicated to Steve’s habits at home. One of them was the desire to discuss and research every decision to make sure it was perfect.
This happened on everything ranging from baby names to the type of washing machine they use. When they did settle on a name or product, they loved it, and that is exactly what happened with their laundry appliances.
It turns out that the Americans make washers and dryers all wrong. The Europeans make them much better – but they take twice as long to do clothes!
It turns out that they wash them with about a quarter as much water and your clothes end up with a lot less detergent on them. Most important, they don’t trash your clothes. They use a lot less soap, a lot less water, but they come out much cleaner, much softer, and they last a lot longer.
The company that Steve found was called Miele, and is similar to Apple in many ways. They care more about quality and user experience than they do about price or convention. So it’s no wonder Steve said the following about his new washer and dryers, “I got more thrill out of them than I have out of any piece of high tech in years.”
I did some research and it appears that a Honeycomb design is the key component of these washers.
This intricate design on the inside of the washing machine allows for an “80% reduction in the number of water exit holes and the skillful development of a water channel network that provides a thin water layer that actually cushions your clothes while the drum rotates.”
An independent study found that clothes washed using this method can last up to four times longer.
The washing machines start at $1,300.
Miele is a great company. We recently bought a Miele vacuum cleaner. Not cheap but it certainly is the best vacuum that we have seen. With two German Shedders in our house, this is perhaps our most important appliance.
@Tom – wow, I’ve heard that there coffee machines are pretty good too. I will have to check out the vacuums too.
Steve Jobs bought his Miele washer before they started using the honeycomb tub. They’ve actualy dropped many of the unique features they had back then, including the powerful internal 2500w water heater (made possible by running on 240 volt power) and easy control over water temperatures, spin speeds, and other settings. I doubt Steve would be as impressed with the current US Miele products, and other manufacturers have now offer similar machines, even better ones in some cases.
Bill Gates owns a few Mieles too:
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19990306&slug=2947791