Category: Laundry

New Dyson Vacuum Range is Launched!

Today, Dyson are releasing two new floor care products into the marketplace, and Bing Lee are excited to show them off to you in store and online.

By now we would have all heard about Dyson and the way that name has become synonymous with high quality floor care products. Who would’ve thought that a vacuum cleaner could be so full of technology and design? Well, Dyson are taking the concept of floor care to the next level with the new DC54.

With the introduction of the DC54, Dyson once again redefines the term “no loss of suction”. It’s called the Dyson Cinetic, and it doesn’t use any filters. No filter cleaning means no loss of suction, ever. All you do is dump the dirt and dust after doing your floor cleaning. It means no maintenance whatsoever outside of simply opening the bin latch. Other than that, you’ve got the only Vacuum in the world that will never, ever lose suction.

How is this possible? Well, this new Dyson, called the DC54, uses very small cyclones. The smaller the cyclones, the faster the air spins inside the Cinetic system, and the better the dirt and dust separation. There are 54 cyclones working at once to make this work.

 

But if they are that small, how do they stay unblocked? Here’s another key breakthrough that the Dyson team have delivered – each cyclone has a flexible tip that keeps oscillating, similar to a sifter that moves slightly to nudge fine particles. The dust never gets trapped and all the dirt and dust gets sent in to the dust bin for easy release.

And of course the now-famous Ball technology is as much a part of the DC54 design as the reinvented cyclone system. The Dyson Ball, as it is called, contains the motor, the entire power cable when it’s retracted, and two wheels carved out of the spherical design.

Here’s our video on the DC54:

The other new product launched today is the DC59 Digital Slim, powered by the Dyson digital motor V6. This 350W motor, 2 Tier Radial cyclones and a re-engineered nickel manganese cobalt battery combine to provide powerful suction. The latest motor head with carbon fibre filaments aids in achieving high dust removal.

The DC59 battery lasts up to an incredible 20 minutes, so you could conceivably run around a large portion of your home for a quick clean without dragging your main vacuum out for the task.

Together these four technologies enable DC59 to remove as much dust as a corded machine.  

Like its predecessor the new Dyson digital slim is lightweight. It is designed with the motor in the handle so it’s easy to use up top – cleaning ceilings and other hard to reach places – as well cleaning across all floor surfaces.

Dyson engineers used Archimedes’ simple, but brilliant lever principle to perfect the balance in hand. So it’s just as easy to clean cobwebs from ceiling corners, as it is to clean crumbs from the floor.

The DC59 is a portable, but incredibly powerful vacuum cleaner that means cleaning up those in-between messes is now quick and easy…so easy and so powerful in fact you may find yourself quickly zipping through the entire house regularly…just because you can.

Here’s our video on the new DC54. Have a great week!

LG Smart Washer – A Really Smart Steam Clean!

If you’re part of a big family in your home, then chances are, you’ll have pretty big laundry loads. Whether it’s sports, business wear or night garments, there’s probably a big basket of clothes just waiting to be washed. The LG front load Smartwasher with steam might just be the answer to helping you get through your large, family-sized washing volumes.

The LG WD14070SD6 can handle a massive 10 kilos worth of dirty clothes and linen, and also manages to stay within a height of 900 millimeters. Why is this important? If you have an integrated kitchen/laundry, or a laundry room with integrated cupboards with room underneath for a front load washer, this washing machine will fit under a standard benchtop height. Normally it wouldn’t be possible, but this 10 kilo capacity washer will fit snugly in a smaller apartment or house where space is at a premium.

The stone silver colour of the GL SmartWasher will match the look of your stainless steel appliances, and mercifully also minimises fingerprints from messy fingers, young and old. The material is also very durable to withstand the rigours of daily domestic use. This will be even more important in a kitchen/laundry where your major appliances are always in plain sight.

This washing machine uses steam, which has the ability to puff up clothing material, letting the steam particles react with stains and lift finer dirt. Here’s a little trivia fact:, one drop of water is equal to 1600 particles of steam. Combining water and steam will dissolve detergent quicker, which will deliver a more effective wash. The steam function can be used to freshen up clothes as well. Put your previously worn clothes in the washer and select the Refresh Mode, and in 20 minutes you’ll have reduced creases and odours on your garments, giving new life to your previously tired looking clothes and saving a washing and ironing session.

Are you excited yet? Like many of us if you like to do your laundry at night time, then you will definitely appreciate LG’s Direct Drive. Instead of using belts and pulleys like on a standard washing machine, the Direct Drive actually fastens the drum directly to the motor. This system results in less noise, less vibration and increased durability – now that’s something you’d want in a domestic workhorse like a washing machine. The Direct Drive provides a really wide range of washing movements, resulting in a more natural, almost handwash clean.

There’s actually 6 different wash movements, which the washer will select based on the wash program you’ve chosen. As an example, the swing motion moves delicates smoothly under water. LG are so confident about their direct drive motor that they have put a 10 year guarantee on it. If you have young kids in your home, you’ll appreciate the allergy care mode, which combines steam and a customised wash cycle to remove plenty of household germs. The touchscreen LED helps you monitor time taken and the time to the end of the wash cycle. If an issue with the Smart Washer does occur, LG’s Smart Diagnosis feature will relay a 6 second sound to a call centre that you’ve contacted, who can then quickly identify what the problem might be. And the LG App available on Apple and Android devices will also provide feedback on the status of your washer or instant feedback.

Laundry Tips to Protect Your Clothes While Cleaning

Good clothes cost a lot of money, so you want to make them last for as long as possible in order to stretch your dollar further. You don’t need fancy fabric treatments or expensive professional cleaning in order to protect your clothes. In fact, all you need to do to safeguard your clothes is to simply launder them with care. Here is our top tips on how to protect your clothes while cleaning them.

Read the Labels

Different fabrics need to be laundered in different ways. By just following the fabric care tips recommended on a garment’s tag, you clothes will be looking better for longer. If you’re not someone with the patience for hand-washing or doing separate loads of delicate items, perhaps silk and cashmere are not for you. Here are some other basic fabric care suggestions: • Cotton: pre-soak in detergent before washing for easy removal of stains and avoid hot water and dryer temperatures. • Fine Cotton: hand wash with mild detergent on the delicate cycle. Line dry to prevent stretching, then air in dryer to restore softness. • Linen: hand wash or use the delicate cycle on your machine, rinse thoroughly and dry flat. Never use bleach as this weakens the natural fibres. • Rayon: check the label as most rayon garments require dry-cleaning or hand-washing. • Wool: pay careful attention to the care label before cleaning any wool garment. To refresh wool, simply hang in a steamy bathroom. When pressing, iron the reverse side using the steam setting on slightly damp fabric.

Sort Your Laundry

By sorting your laundry by type and colour, you are more likely to wash your clothes on the most suitable cycle and water temperature. Sorting your clothes means that you are also less likely to damage them. Use a mesh mag to further protect delicate garments such as lingerie. These laundry bags are also a great way to keep those tiny little baby clothes from disappearing in the washing.

Fasteners

You can protect your garments from further wear and tear in the washing machine by simply buttoning and zipping closed your garments. By doing so, they are less likely to snag other items in the load.

Don’t Overload Your Machine

While having a full machine is efficient from a power and water usage perspective, overloading your washer damages your clothing. When you cram too much into the machine, it doesn’t clean your clothes properly, and because they’re packed in so tightly they are rubbing together more which wears the fabric.

Limit Use of Detergent and Softener

More detergent means cleaner clothes, right? Wrong. In fact extra softer and detergent is more likely to settle back into the fabric, making your clothing feel stiff, look dull and may even irritate your skin. Try baking soda as a detergent booster instead. White vinegar also makes an excellent, odour free fabric softener.

Simpson: Simple, Affordable and Australian

In 1909, the Simpson Company opened in Adelaide, South Australia. The next few decades brought success and prosperity for the company, and in 1963, the firm bought out Pope Industries Ltd, a manufacturer of sprinklers, irrigation equipment, washing machines and air conditioners. Manufacturing of consumer appliances became the main focus of the company that was formed by the union of the two organisations.

In 1979, the company took the name Simpson Holdings Limited and in 1986, it again merged with another company. This time the firm in question was Email Limited, a manufacturer of refrigeration products based in New South Wales. In 1999, the company fell on hard times and was sold off in units, and the appliance manufacturing sector of Simpson Holdings was purchased by Electrolux, a Swedish appliance manufacturer based in Stockholm.

After Electrolux purchased Simpson, manufacturing continued in Adelaide until 2006. At that time, the manufacturing plant in the city was closed and moved overseas; however Electrolux continues to sell washing machines and dryers under the Simpson brand name throughout Australia. The Simpson lineup is designed as an affordable option for those who need a basic washing machine or clothes dryer.

Of all the washing machines made under the Simpson brand name, the Simpson SWT554 5.5kg EZI Set Top Load Washer is the best selling model. Despite its affordable price, the washing machine is packed with features to make it easy to use and efficient. An example is the soak feature, which takes the place of a washtub or bucket. By activating the feature, the drum of the washer can be filled with water and then drained once the washing has had adequate soaking time. The washing machine features 11 programs and has an extra heavy-duty lid for added durability.

The EZI Set control panel is one of the washer’s best selling points. Rather than having a complicated series of buttons and dials, the control panel features easily identifiable icons that take the guesswork out of starting the wash. For most loads, just pushing one button is all that is necessary to start and set the machine. As an added bonus, the control panel features a time remaining display that allows users to know precisely when the current load will be finished washing.

The top selling Simpson dryer model is the Simpson 39S500M EZILoader Dryer, a front-loading unit that makes the perfect companion to the SWT554 washer. The door to the dryer is extra wide, making it easy to add even large loads. Additional features of the dryer include a front lint filter and a directional front venting grill. For added safety, the model has a child safety lock and a safety thermostat heater, and like all Simpson appliances, is available for a great price at Bing Lee.

How Miele Became “Forever Better”

On July 1, 1889, Carl Miele and Reinhard Zinkann founded a workshop in Herzebrock, Germany, to produce housewares that Miele had invented. These included a cream separator, a churn for making butter and one of the earliest tub washing machines ever made. Initially, the team sold their wares under the name “Meteor,” but soon after chose to adopt Carl’s name for that of the company.

By the 1920s, the name ‘Miele’ was widely known throughout Germany because of the innovative, fine quality products that the brand produced. In Germany, Miele continues to dominate as a top manufacturer of housewares products and has been named the nation’s Manufacturer of the Year in the past. Miele products are now sold worldwide, and the company has a base of operations in 37 countries.

Despite the fact that Miele now employs more than 16,000 people around the globe, the corporation remains privately owned by the heirs of the original owners. Miele products first became available in Australia more than 30 years ago. Headquartered in Knoxfield, Victoria, Miele Australia handles the licensing for sale of its products to fine quality retailers throughout Australia, including Bing Lee.

The worldwide slogan for Miele is “Forever better”, a reflection of the durability and longevity of the brand’s products, as all of Miele’s housewares are constructed to last for decades. The motto is also incorporated into the brand’s customer service policies to make everyone who purchases a Miele product a “forever customer.”

The company also emphasises the importance of keeping our planet beautiful forever by adopting environmentally friendly manufacturing policies. Miele produces many models of appliances that use less water and electricity than those produced by other companies. An example is the Miele W 5000 WPS Supertronic Washing Machine, which has a 4.5 star WELS water conservation rating and 4.5 star energy efficiency rating.

The washer includes Miele’s signature honeycomb drum, the surface of which is made up of hexagonal metal pieces that are perforated at their corners. As the drum turns, a thin layer of water becomes captured along its sides, allowing the washing to move easily back and forth over the metal surface. This creates less wear and tear on clothing, even though the power of the Miele W 5000 WPS is greater than that of many other washing machines to allow for a more thorough wash.

In addition to washing machines and dryers, Miele produces other large appliances, including refrigerators, dishwashers and steam cookers. Miele is also known for producing small kitchen and tabletop appliances, such as coffee machines. The brand is a leading manufacturer of vacuum cleaners as well, offering products like the Miele S 5261 Cat & Dog Turbo Vacuum. The model features the revolutionary Miele Hyclean dustbags, which distribute fine particulates throughout the bag. This unique design allows the bags to last for 25 percent longer than standard sweeper bags, cutting down on the expense of purchasing replacements and keeping waste out of landfills to care for the environment.

Top Features of Modern Washing Machines

The washing machine is a cornerstone of everyday life. While there are some appliances that you may not use for extended periods, nobody gets away with not using their washing machine for very long without others noticing! While getting your clothes clean used to take up the better part of a day, modern washing machines come with a variety of features that are instrumental in keeping you looking and feeling fresh every day.

Digital/Touch Screen Displays

No longer do we have to fiddle around with a switchboard of dials and gauges like an antique radio operator to get the washing done. Modern washing machines come with intuitive and easy-to-use displays to specify exactly what kind of wash we need and a whole host of information about the current load, from water temperature to time remaining in the cycle.

Variable Speed Settings

A great idea to tailor your wash to your needs, faster spin cycles will deliver a more intensive wash for hardy clothes and tough stains. Alternatively, reduce your spin cycles for fabrics that require a more delicate touch.

Steam Washing

Some models include a steam wash function, which can prove much more effective at removing tough stains and odours than traditional wash settings. Beyond that, steam washing delivers powerful sanitising potential. It also helps to even out creases, saving time on ironing. If you often find yourself with a large load of heavily soiled clothes, this is a must-have feature.

Automatic Temperature Control

Essential for improving energy efficiency, automatic temperature control guarantees the right temperature for every wash. Adjusting it manually is also possible, whether you prefer the most efficient wash or need to make sure your clothes are fully sanitised.

Dryer

Simply common sense engineering, washers and dryers go together like pencil and paper. Washing machines that include a dryer make the washing process incredibly streamlined. With no need to transfer your clothes to another machine or take them outside, clean clothes are now a one-step action. Combined with the time delay setting on many models, it’s possible to leave for work in the morning and come home to a batch of fresh clothes ready for a night out.

How Do Sensor Dryers Work?

With the cost of energy and impact on the environment, the idea of a clothes dryer that senses moisture and adjusts accordingly is simple yet brilliantly innovative. Not only will there be reductions in your energy bills and carbon footprint, but the shorter drying times will certainly help make your day go more smoothly. There are several ways that these dryers detect moisture. The first way is simply by measuring the temperature. The idea is that, when dry, the temperature will rise to a certain point, which the dryer takes as its cue to shut off. While this can be an effective solution in many cases, it can be unreliable depending on the load contained in the dryer, since smaller loads may allow the temperature to rise before becoming completely dry. The second way is just as simple and works by weighing the clothes. Moisture has mass so wet clothes are heavier than when they’re dry. After the weight reaches a certain point, the dryer shuts off. However, while the dryer weighs the clothes beforehand, it doesn’t particularly have any way of knowing how heavy the clothes are when dry. That means a false estimation of the weight when dry could possibly cause the dryer to end its cycle prematurely or continue it longer than needed. The final and most reliable moisture detection system is more complicated. Put simply, it works by sending an electrical current through the clothes and measuring the level of resistance. The reason this works is because water is a good conductor of electricity, so the wetter the clothes, the easier it is for a current to pass through them. This is currently the most effective method because it senses moisture in a much more direct way than the other two. This is still not foolproof as different fabrics can still conduct electricity differently and confuse the sensor. However, even when the dryer has determined that the clothes are dry, you can typically specify an additional amount of drying time to make sure. With a little bit of time and experience with your moisture sensing dryer, you’ll be able to find out what amount of additional drying time works best for your wardrobe.

Irons vs Garment Steamers

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This Tefal Steam Power Iron is not your grandma’s iron. Its state-of-the-art technology and 2400W power means it will tame the toughest pair of jeans in no time. Available now at binglee.com.au

Looking great is just as much about keeping your clothes neat as it is about choosing the right wardrobe.

But getting your garments to look just right can be a tricky process for many people. While the debate between irons and garment steamers rages on, it still seems to be that either of them can work better for different people.

You’ve no doubt seen how irons work: a high temperature surface is applied to clothes on an ironing board, which flattens them out. Steamers, as their name suggests, deliver steam to the fabric, softening the threads to loosen creases and folds.

While ironing has been a time tested method for decades, one major problem with it is that the combination of heat and force applied to the fabric ends up damaging it. Over time, you may notice fraying and fading in the fibres, leading to a somewhat ‘fluffy’ feel to your garments.

As steamers take a more gentle approach to easing out creases, clothes last longer. Further, irons require a bit of skill to get clothes looking right. Many people find that ironing can be a very tedious and time-consuming task, whereas steaming is only slightly more complicated than pointing at creases.

Another big advantage of steamers is that their functionality isn’t just limited to garments. Since they don’t need a flat surface to work, you can apply them to curtains, cushions and any other fabric product. As a bonus, the steam is quite effective at disinfecting surfaces. This is not to say ironing has nothing over steaming.

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The Kambrook steamer is light, portable and really easy to use, with a removable fabric brush and easy-refill reservoir. Available now at binglee.com.au

While a quick steam will make any garment look presentable, a little bit of skill in ironing can make it look stunning. This is particularly true with garments that require clearly defined creases in certain places, such as men’s dress shirts. Due to garment steamers not having a defined edge, these little touches aren’t possible. Even more, an iron is far more effective on stiff areas such as collars and cuffs.

Overall, those who live life on the go will likely prefer a garment steamer due to its simplicity. But for those who just have to look their best, an iron is irreplaceable.

Should I Buy a Robot Vacuum Cleaner?

We all love the feeling of coming home to a freshly vacuumed house but with our busy lifestyles, most of us are lucky to get around to cleaning our floors once a week. Imagine how great it would feel to come home to clean floors every single day. If you are time poor, hate coming home to a dirty house and would rather spend your precious spare time on leisurely pursuits rather than cleaning, a robot vacuum cleaner could be the home cleaning solution for you. Having your house cleaned by a robot is no longer science fiction. There are several robotic vacuum cleaners on the market offering excellent value for money. All you need to do is pop in your robo vac’s batteries and program its settings via the controls on the remote control or the unit itself and the device will then operate autonomously. Robot vacuums use multiple sensors to negotiate their way around objects, prevent them from falling off ledges and stairs, and to detect dirt, dust and hair on your floor. Their sensors also enable them to adjust their settings accordingly as they move from tiles, to vinyl, timber, carpets and up onto rugs, making them suitable for different flooring surfaces. These appliances are powered by rechargeable batteries and will return to their docking station independently to recharge when their batteries are running low. A virtual “wall” or “guard” device, projects a beam only the robot can see, creating a barrier to confine the cleaner to a particular area – this accessory is included with some models but needs to be purchased separately for others. Robo vacs can be programmed to meet your individual cleaning needs. You can set the cleaner to operate on the days and times you choose or to clean particular areas of your home. The device can even be programmed to clean in specific patterns including spiraling for spot cleaning, running only along walls or zigzagging across a room. If you have a robotic vacuum cleaner, you will need to regularly empty its dirt receptacle and remove any dust or hairs from its filters and rotating brush. Since the device is only small and may be operating almost every day, you will need to carry out this maintenance more often than you would on a regular vacuum cleaner, but this is a small price to pay for the time you will be saving on cleaning. Robotic vacuum cleaners are most effective on hard floor surfaces and are best suited to single-level homes. If you had one running in your home everyday it would definitely help to stop dirt and dust from building-up. But ultimately, robo vacs are no substitute for a thorough clean with a standard vacuum cleaner – especially on carpets and rugs. Nevertheless, these devices will help you to reduce the overall time you will need to spend cleaning your home, making them well worth the investment.

Health Advantages of Steam Mops

With the proliferation of cleaning products and appliances available, knowing which one is the best for you and your family is certainly a challenge.  A major consideration for many of us is what repercussions our choice in cleaning products may have on our health.  One product that offers excellent cleaning results and health advantages is the steam mop. Steam mops use the power of steam to both clean and sterilise floor surfaces.  Steam mops can be used on timber, vinyl, marble, tiles and carpets, however consumer models are generally only suitable for hard floor surfaces. Although each make and model of steam mop is unique to each manufacturer, they all operate on the same principle, using steam jets passing through a microfibre pad that is contact with the floor.  The steam blasts dirt from the floor surface while the pads trap and lift it away. There are three main health advantages of steam mops: A Sterile Clean When water reaches boiling point, steam is created.  With its intense heat, steam is capable of destroying around 99% of bacteria and mould spores. Steam can effectively destroy germs even in hard to reach places, reaching more deeply into surfaces including tiny cracks most cleaners would miss. In contrast, other cleaners such as disinfectant liquids only clean the areas they come directly into contact with.   This means that a steam mop not only cleans but also sterilises, making your home a healthier germ-free living environment. A Chemical-Free Clean Most household disinfectant cleaners use harsh chemicals to kill germs.  Many of these products also contain toxins and carcinogens that can cause cumulative damage over the long term, as well as burns or illness in the short term, particularly for children who may accidently come into contact or ingest these chemicals. To use a steam mop, all you need to do is fill the reservoir with tap water and wait for the unit to heat.  No other soaps, chemicals or sanitizers are needed because the steam does the job of disinfecting. A Green Clean Many chemicals used in cleaning are washed down drains and seep into our water supplies and soil– all of which has harmful consequences for vegetation, wildlife and human beings.  The microfibre pads used by steam mops are long lasting and re-usable, reducing the amount of waste from chemical packaging and other disposable cleaning products that end up in landfill.  Therefore, by eliminating the need to use harsh chemicals, steam mops make for a healthier planet Earth. So if you are looking for a simple, cost-effective method for cleaning your home, improving your health and helping the environment, a steam mop is definitely one appliance you should consider buying.