PART 115: It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way.
We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life!
We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then back again in the Spring, and in California for the rest of the time (in a previous blog, I explained why we live in Italy only part of the year).
Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we are discovering some gems worth sharing. Some are well-known tourist magnets, and others are lesser-known but always amazing.
This week, let's revisit how to solve the mystery of the Italian washing machine.
Step 2: In our first year living in Italy, I wrote a blog about the mystery of the Italian washing machine. It was meant to be lighthearted and aimed at making readers smile rather than explaining all the technical details of the machine.
I wrote it because many people who come to Italy face the same mystery: why does washing laundry at home take over three hours?
To solve this mystery, we asked local friends in Puglia to come over and explain the codes or symbols on the washing machine dial. At one point, there were four of us, with a fifth person looking over our shoulders, trying to make sense of it. Finally, I suggested they show us the shortest cycle, and we would stick to that one. After some investigating, we found the shortest cycle, about 30 minutes.
Through trial and error, we discovered we could clean clothes by running this cycle twice: once with detergent and once without.
While we didn't fully understand the Italian washing machine, we found a solution that worked for us.
Then something happened.
Step 3: In previous blog posts, we discussed our decision to move from Puglia to Tuscany, buy a house, and renovate it. As part of the renovation, we opted to purchase a dryer to speed up the laundry process, as we mentioned in a previous blog. When the dryer was delivered by our local electronics store, a trained technician came to install it and provide us with instructions.
In Italy, many things are based on relationships, so we chose to support our local businesses by buying large items, such as appliances, from them. When the dryer was delivered, we were already friendly with the store's staff and the delivery technician.
During the technician's visit, he explained the workings and unveiled the mystery of the Italian washing machine, which also applies to our new dryer and dishwasher.
Step 4: Long Cycle on dishwasher, washing machine and dryer
When I first used our new dishwasher, the default program was "Eco," it ran for 3 hours before finishing. The next day, I found a "short wash" cycle, which caused our electric switch to turn off twice.
Some weeks later, when our new dryer was delivered, I asked the technician about the best energy-saving programs for our washer, dryer, and dishwasher. The information provided was interesting, and the long washing cycles were explained.
Step 5: Explanation of the Eco Default Program
Our local technician explained the " eco " cycle and why it is preferable. The term "eco" usually refers to more efficient cycles in terms of electricity use. For a washing machine, clothes are washed at lower temperatures than traditional cycles. The cycle length is also different: the eco mode takes much longer than other wash cycles. How long does an eco-program take? Depending on the washing machine, it can take up to 5 hours.
The cycle length doesn't mean higher energy use; on the contrary, it saves electricity. How? With the eco-program, a dryer, for example, heats up much more slowly and works at lower temperatures. More on this below.
Step 6: More economical.
Eco-washing is the most cost-effective option for a washer, dryer, and dishwasher. This program efficiently uses the right amount of water and electricity to clean clothes and dishes or dry your clothes.
For instance, a dishwasher in Eco 50°C mode uses only 0.54 kWh* per cycle, saving up to 2.4 kWh* of energy.
Step 7: More facts.
How does the Eco 50° program save energy even though it takes longer? It's simple: the longer wash cycle means the water heats up more slowly than shorter programs. Also, clothes or dishes remain in contact with the water and detergent for longer, resulting in less energy consumption than other programs.
The same principle applies to the dryer: lower heat, longer cycle, and pauses during the eco cycle lead to reduced energy consumption.
Step 8: Other symbols on the dial and workarounds
There are various symbols on the dial of an Italian washing machine, some of which are only symbols, while others are words in Italian, Greek, or another language, accompanied by the respective symbol. I will include an image in this blog to help you understand the dial. As a general rule, if you see the word "Eco," it indicates a long cycle (3 hours or more) that uses less energy. If you see a number with a minute symbol, such as 40', it probably signifies a shorter cycle of 40 minutes. If you see a number with the degree symbol (40°), it refers to the water temperature; the higher the number, the more the washer/dishwasher has to heat the water, and the more energy is used and it can extend the washing time. If you see an "Express" or "Rapido" cycle, it will likely be a very short cycle of 15-20 minutes. You may want to run this type of cycle twice - once with soap and then without - to ensure your clothes are thoroughly cleaned.
Step 9: Using the other options
I have a reference image of the symbols commonly used in the EU for washing machine cycles, which can also help you solve the mystery of the Italian washing machine.
To minimize our energy consumption, we mainly use the Eco cycles and plan the time accordingly (running the appliance at night or before we leave in the morning). For the other cycles, we have a visual guide similar to the one I posted. Additionally, our strong relationship with the managers of our local appliance store means they are always willing to assist us with any challenges we face as we unravel the mystery of the Italian washing machine.
More next time.
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