Child lock on an Electrolux washing machine

While the top-mounted control panel on Electrolux top-loading washing machines is inaccessible to children, the situation is different on front-loading models. The buttons and lights on the front are tempting to children, often resulting in mischief, with little ones pressing everything in sight. A special feature that locks the control panel to prevent accidental or "prank" key presses is a solution.

After activating the child lock on my Electrolux washing machine, the system no longer responds to button presses or dial rotation. Now all that's left is to figure out how to use the feature: start and cancel.

Protecting the control panel from children

Pressing buttons on the control panel after the cycle has started is highly discouraged, especially for children. Firstly, you could significantly change the cycle settings, increase the temperature or spin speed too much, which will adversely affect the washing quality. Secondly, pressing the buttons too quickly will negatively impact the control board: it won't have time to process the volume of new information and will generate an error.

Children aren't the only ones who can cause crashes or resets. Even adults are not immune to accidentally pressing buttons: the sensitive sensor often triggers even with an indirect touch. Therefore, it is recommended to enable a special security function – dashboard lock.

When the lock is activated, the system stops responding to user commands. The washing machine can only be turned on or off using the power button; the other keys and switches remain inactive. This prevents children from damaging the machine: the circuit board will not detect their intrusion.

Enabling the child lock is simple. First, look at the dashboard and find the buttons responsible for activating the function. They appear in pairs and are marked with a special lock icon. Typically, these are the "Prewash" and "Easy Iron" buttons. Then, follow these steps:

• press the buttons simultaneously;
• hold them for 5-10 seconds;
• We look for the “lock” to light up on the display.

To disable the protection, follow the same procedure. Press and hold the same keys and wait until the lock icon on the display disappears. If the function isn't deactivated at the end of the cycle, it will restart automatically.

How to use an Electrolux washing machine?

Modern Electrolux washing machines are started and used like most automatic machines. Dirty laundry is loaded into the drum, detergent is added to the dispenser, then the appropriate cycle is selected and the wash cycle begins. Let's look at each step in more detail.

1. Loading the machine. The door opens with a press of a handle. Then, laundry, pre-sorted by color and fabric type, is loaded into the drum. Each item is inspected for any forgotten pockets and, ideally, turned inside out and shaken. Then the door closes with a click.
2. Adding detergent. Pull the detergent drawer out as far as it will go, and pour or add detergent into the appropriate compartment. If desired, add fabric softener or rinse aid to the compartment marked with a flower.
3. Program selection. The programmable dial—a special wheel—selects the appropriate washing mode. If your Electrolux has a display, it will show the selected cycle settings: temperature, spin speed, and duration. These settings can be adjusted by pressing the corresponding buttons.
4. Starting the cycle. Press "Start/Pause" and start the program. The green indicator on the display should stop flashing, and the timer should start reverse.
5. Activating the child lock. After the wash cycle starts, the child lock is activated according to the instructions described above.
6. Program end. Once the cycle is complete, "00:00" will flash on the screen and the washing machine will emit a short beep.
7. Drain. If the program doesn't automatically drain the tank, it's started separately. Turn the switch to the "Off" position, then turn it to "Drain" or "Spin." Then press the start button.
8. Unloading the drum. After the program has completed, wait 2-3 minutes for the system to release the electronic lock on the door. Then, open the door and remove the clean laundry from the drum. Be sure to rotate the cylinder to ensure nothing has been forgotten.
9. Turning off the machine. Disconnect the empty washing machine from the power supply and water supply. It's best to leave the door and detergent drawer open to allow the machine to dry.

After use, it is recommended to let the Electrolux dry for 20-60 minutes with the hatch and detergent drawer open.

You can also change cycle settings after the wash cycle has started. To do this, press "Start/Pause," turn the program selector to the "Off" position, and wait a few minutes. The system will stop and reset to its previous settings. Then, select a different mode and restart the machine.

If you urgently need to open the door, then one pause is not enough. After stopping the cycle, you will have to wait until the lock indicator goes out. It's also important to ensure there's little water in the drum and the heating element hasn't had time to heat up. Otherwise, for safety reasons, the machine won't open—you'll have to finish the wash cycle first.

Ideally, before using your Electrolux appliance for the first time, you should carefully read the user manual. It explains all the dashboard buttons, functions, and modes. It also lists the error codes that the diagnostic system displays in the event of a malfunction or failure.

Programs from the Electrolux washing machine's "arsenal"

Modern washing machines make life easier by offering preset washing programs. Each machine has a basic set of modes designed for specific temperatures, durations, and spin speeds. All the user needs to do is select the appropriate button and make minimal adjustments.

A full list of the washing machine's available programs is provided in the instructions. You can also identify the functions of the Electrolux programs by their names and icons on the dashboard. Typically, each model comes with a specific "basic set."

• "40'40°." An accelerated cycle that lasts only 40 minutes. During this cycle, the water in the tank heats up to 40 degrees.
• "Delicate." Gentle washing is achieved through increased water volume, smooth drum rotation, minimal spin, and low temperature.
• "Children's." This program features multiple rinse cycles, which help remove detergent from fabric fibers.
• "Dark Fabrics." This cycle washes laundry with a large volume of water and at low temperatures. Special gel detergents increase the efficiency of washing.
• "Wool." This program prevents shrinkage and pilling of woolen items.

With the “40'40°” program, items are washed in 40 minutes.

• "Hand wash" is selected for delicate fabrics to prevent deformation and stretching.
• "Fitness." Designed for washing sportswear and shoes. The cycle lasts about an hour, with water heated to 40 degrees Celsius.
• "Down." Special care for down-filled items. This washing machine gently cleans, kills dust mites, and prevents clumping.
• "Shirts." Problem areas are washed to remove yellowing and odor, while wrinkles and creases are smoothed out.

Most Electrolux models also feature a self-cleaning function. When activated, the system initiates a two-hour cycle for a comprehensive cleaning of the machine, rinsing the drum, hoses, drain filter, and other components to remove scale, plaque, and accumulated dirt. All you need to do is press a button; no detergent is required. No laundry should be added; the machine must be washed empty.

   

Readers' comments