If you answered “more than a year”, or if you’ve never cleaned your washer, don’t worry; you’re not alone. There are some products that we tend to clean whenever we spruce up the house, and there are others that we just, well, don’t.

Washing machines often fall into the latter category, as do appliances like vacuums and air conditioners. However, the truth is, each of these products plays a vital part in maintaining our comfort at home, and each must be kept clean to promote efficiency and good hygiene.

It’s for precisely these reasons that Samsung’s premium appliances feature innovations designed to streamline their upkeep and cleaning, and help consumers maintain a healthy home.

‘ECO’-Optimized Washers

Though it may sound surprising to some, yes, even washing machines can get dirty.

Thankfully, the eco-friendly ECO Drum Clean technology featured in Samsung’s washing machines, including its AddWash and FlexWash lines, eliminates offensive odors by eradicating 99 percent of contaminants from the washing machines themselves – without using detergents. Contaminants include waste from previous washes, as well as from food, residual detergent, dirt and tap water. If left unchecked, this waste can foster the growth of up to 14 different germs and 12 different molds in a typical washer.

When developing the technology, researchers at Samsung’s Next Generation Element Lab found that dirt and contaminants tend to accumulate on the gaskets of drum-shaped washers. To address this issue, the team created a solution that cleverly sprays the gasket with water during the drum’s spin cycle. The result is a much more thorough and hygienic clean.

To help users keep their device clean, the washers feature an alarm that will periodically remind them to initiate an ECO Drum Clean cycle. The technology has been certified by global testing and inspection organization Intertek, and received the Korean Environmental Industry and Technology Institute’s Green Technology Certification, having successfully passed the stringent evaluations. It has also earned an additional ‘Hygiene’ seal from researchers at Germany’s Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences.

Dust-blocking Vacuums for Respiratory Health

Vacuums, like washing machines, should be cleaned regularly. This will help ensure that their suction remains strong, and that they continue to remove dust and allergens from your home without releasing them back into the air.

Samsung’s POWERstick Pro vacuum features a filter that washes clean with a quick rinse, as well as an advanced HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filtration system that ensures that 99.9 percent of micro dust collected during use stays in its canister. The former allows for easy upkeep, while the research indicates that the latter can help households improve their respiratory health.

On top of that, the vacuum’s EZ Clean technology makes it – you guessed it – easy to quickly and hygienically remove dust, debris and even long, tangled hair from the device. The EZ Clean Dustbin detaches with a simple pull of its lever, and removing the EZ Clean Brush from the drum is effortless.

This premium level of performance has led the product-testing experts at Germany’s Schulert Gergericherheit (SLG) to give the POWERstick Pro a five-star, ‘Excellent’ rating for exhibiting the highest level of dust retention, and seen the British Allergy Foundation award the vacuum its seal of approval for eliminating allergens from users’ households.

Air Conditioners That Make Maintenance a Breeze

Speaking of allergens, air conditioners – and their filters – also require regular cleaning to help ensure that they function without issue, and that their output is free of potentially harmful contaminants.

Along with featuring a raft of innovations designed to deliver powerful performance and outstanding energy efficiency, Samsung’s Wind-Free air conditioners feature an easily removable Easy Filter Plus filter that makes maintenance a breeze. Located at the top of the device and accessible without removing its cover, the filter washes clean easily and features an anti-bacterial coating that efficiently filters dust, airborne contaminants and allergens.

The device’s Ionizer feature, especially, was designed to help households improve their respiratory health and breathe easier. When activated, it efficiently reduces dust mites, bacteria, fungi, and up to 99 percent of viruses from the air.*

Part of Samsung’s process of crafting hygienic appliance innovations involves regularly taking part in a wide range of health-focused studies and research efforts. These include a study conducted in conjunction with Stanford University (and led by Stanford Professor Kari Nadeau, one of the nation’s foremost experts in adult and pediatric allergies and asthma) to verify the positive effects that the company’s air purifiers have on households’ respiratory health.

And, as Samsung’s Chef Collection refrigerators demonstrate, the company’s commitment to designing innovations that prioritize consumers’ health extends beyond simply hygiene. According to recent Harvard University-conducted research, the Precise Cooling Technology in Samsung’s Chef Collection fridges keeps foods fresher and helps them better retain vital nutrients. Efforts like these further our collective understanding of important health issues, and have helped Samsung craft exciting innovations that provide simple solutions.

A healthy home is a happy home. By promoting excellent hygiene throughout the house and introducing new levels of comfort and cleanliness to daily chores, Samsung’s premium appliances make it easier for families to maintain a healthy, hygienic home.

*Tested in Korea test lab (FITI/KEMTI) and Japan test lab (ITEA). Data has been measured under specific testing conditions and results may vary based on environmental factors. Tested in Kitasato Environmental Science Center (Japan)

A vacuum cleaner is an everyday tool that is intimately intertwined with our daily lives, and a tool that would at times require strength or sensitivity depending on user preferences and needs. The Samsung POWERstick PRO cordless vacuum provides expanded experiences in both cleaning time and everyday use, redefining the overarching concept of what it means to be a vacuum cleaner.

Innovations such as the ergonomic handle and Dual Action Brush add comfort and convenience to cleaning, while the POWERstick PRO’s refined red-and-aluminum aesthetic seamlessly integrates with a wide range of interiors. Let’s take a closer look at how Samsung Electronics optimized the vacuum’s design to redefine a complete cleaning solution.

Ergonomic Joint Structure

Certain movements that you make while cleaning, such as bending forward or twisting your wrist, can cause aches and fatigue. The POWERstick PRO’s Flex Handle was designed to alleviate these issues, removing the need for users to twist and bend to clean in tight spaces by making the vacuum itself flexible. The Flex Handle folds up to 50 degrees at the touch of a button, which makes maneuvering the vacuum effortless and allows users to maintain proper posture when cleaning their home.

A Meticulously Designed Grip

When holding the vacuum, users will find that the curvature of the handle ensures a natural and snug grip, and its weight distributes evenly – adding ease to use, and providing optimal stability. The suction control button is placed directly under the index finger position, and the left side of the handle has a Flex Unlock button so users can comfortably control the product with just one hand.

Stable Self-Standing

The vacuum’s complementing accessories, including the pipe attachment, have also been designed with stability in mind. Because the pipe is capable of standing on its own when detached, users do not need to bend down when swapping accessories.

The Visible Power of the Dual Action Brush

A common issue with conventional vacuums is that, because their brushes only rotate forward, when the user pulls their vacuum toward them, the brush’s backward motion results in dirt being flicked away. The Samsung POWERstick PRO features two brushes that rotate in opposite directions – eliminating this problem, and enhancing the vacuum’s performance at the same time.

A Battery for Powerful Usability

Battery life is crucial for wireless vacuum cleaners. The POWERstick PRO is equipped with a 32.4V large capacity battery that boasts 150W suction performance for a maximum duration of 80 minutes*. Keeping the option of detaching and replacing exhausted batteries in mind, the product is designed so that the battery compartment is placed in the handle portion for users to enjoy the product’s powerful prowess without any restrictions to time.

The POWERstick PRO is the product of Samsung’s extensive efforts to identify and design innovative solutions for common inconveniences that come with cleaning. By setting new standards in terms of design, power and ease of use, Samsung hopes that the act of cleaning will transform from a burdensome labor to an enjoyable experience that brings fresh vigor and comfort to your spaces.

*With two batteries operating in Normal Mode

The vacuum’s Digital Inverter Motor boasts 150W of power – guaranteeing a thorough clean on all floor types and eliminating, with a single sweep, dust, dirt and anything else that gets in its way.

The patented Flex Handle folds up to 50 degrees at the click of a button, making it easy to slide the vacuum under lower furniture, and features a design that minimizes strain on users’ wrists, muscles and back. The POWERstick PRO has also been optimized with a total of five additional cleaning tools that simplify everything from grabbing dirt and hair buried in carpets, to removing dust and allergens from bed sheets and furniture, and cleaning hard-to-reach places like deep crevices in sofas, the top of the fridge, and ceiling corners.

Lastly, the vacuum’s EZClean Dustbin and Brush detach easily for hassle-free maintenance, while the removable, long-lasting 32.4V lithium-ion power pack provides up to 40 minutes of battery life – twice as long as traditional batteries – with a battery lifespan of five years.

See, in the video below, how the POWERstick PRO’s combination of powerful performance and convenient design delivers a cordless vacuum that delivers the ultimate solution for complete cleaning.

* Suction power tested on Samsung VS80M80**** in comparison with leading cordless stick vacuum cleaners in the global market as of July 2017. Based on internal testing.

** Tested on the handheld in Normal Mode. Results may vary depending on floor types and usage. Based on internal testing.

*** Maintains 80% capacity after 5 years of use at 100 cycles/year. 1 cycle : total use of battery from a full charge. Results may vary depending on usage. Based on internal testing.

Samsung Electronics today announced the release of the all-new cordless vacuum cleaner, the POWERstick PRO, which will be unveiled at IFA 2017. The POWERstick PRO boasts the industry-leading suction power and establishes a new paradigm for cordless vacuum technology, resolving many of the challenges consumers experience as they vacuum their homes.

“The POWERstick PRO is a true game-changer in cleaning technology,” said B.S. Suh, Executive Vice President of the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “With its impressive suction power and ergonomic design for easy maneuvering, this new vacuum cleaner provides the ultimate solution for complete cleaning. We’re incredibly excited for consumers to experience a new level of cleaning and remain committed to providing innovation based on consumer needs.”

Strong Suction Power Paired with Brand New Brush and Battery

Powered by Samsung’s Digital Inverter Motor which spins faster than a tornado^*, the POWERstick PRO is built for high performance. With 150W of power, it has the industry-leading suction power^**, guaranteeing thorough cleaning efficiency on all floor types. And unlike brushes on conventional vacuums, the Dual Action Brush of the POWERstick PRO consists of two brushes, each with a separate drum, to pick up dirt better. It spins at 5000rpm, moving in opposite directions to capture both fine dust and large particles in the center and creating a strong grip to remove dirt effectively. Consumers no longer need to vacuum repeatedly in the same area: one sweep is enough.

POWERstick PRO also packs a powerful charge, running on a 32.4V lithium-ion removable power pack that offers up to 40 minutes of battery life, enough to clean most homes. It can be quickly swapped for a replacement and used for 5 years with same level of power.

Ergonomic Design for User Convenience

The POWERstick PRO takes the cleaning experience to the next level by maximizing aesthetic appeal and convenience. The patented ergonomic Flex Handle folds up to 50° with a click of a button, letting users reach under low furniture with ease. The ergonomics of the handle have also been cleverly aligned, so it is light and minimizes strain on wrists, muscles and back.

The POWERstick PRO further amplifies convenience with hassle-free maintenance and strong hygienic features. The EZClean Dustbin empties with one quick pull of the lever so contents can be disposed with minimal effort, and the entire dustbin structure can be detached and washed with water. The EZClean Brush also detaches easily. As it is pulled out from the base, it uses friction to dislodge dust and even hair tangles without getting hands dirty. The POWERstick PRO also boasts HEPA Filtration to ensure that 99.9% of the dust collected stays in the canister, ensuring cleaner air free from allergens.

Additional Tools for the Ultimate Cleaning Solution

Lastly, the POWERstick PRO completes the ultimate cleaning solution with 5 additional tools. The Deep Clean Brush gets tiny dirt or hair out of carpets, while the Mini Motorized Tool allows users to clean the dust and allergens on bed sheets, mattresses and fabric furniture effectively and hygienically. The Extension Crevice Tool removes dirt from deep crevices in sofas and high areas like ceiling corners with ease. The Combination Tool enable users to pick up dirt on a wide range of surfaces, from table tops to window frames, and the Flexible Tool bends at an angle to pick up dust in hard-to-reach places like the top of the refrigerator.

*Based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

**Compared with other cordless vacuum cleaners.