June 7, 2023 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the launch of the new Less Microfiber Filter, an external washing machine filter designed to significantly reduce plastic microfiber emissions during laundry cycles. Designed with inspiration from apparel maker Patagonia and expertise from the global ocean conservation organisation Ocean Wise, the filter builds on the success of last year’s Less Microfiber Cycle to substantially cut microplastics and enable sustainable laundry washing that is both effective and effortless. The new filter is now available in Korea and the U.K., and will roll out to other countries in the third quarter.

“With microplastics emissions to our oceans continuing to increase and regulations being strengthened in many countries, as well as microplastics becoming a growing health concern for people everywhere, Samsung worked with Ocean Wise and Patagonia to engineer technology to help prevent the release of microplastics from our daily life,” said Moohyung Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of R&D Team of Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “With innovations like the Less Microfiber Filter and Cycle, Samsung is helping to enable Everyday Sustainability in a wider array of products and making eco-conscious daily practices second nature in the home.”

From the Less Microfiber Cycle to the Less Microfiber Filter: Stopping Microplastics Before They Enter the Ocean

To help enable customers to cut microplastic emissions from their laundry, Samsung first developed the Less Microfiber Cycle, a wash course that reduces microplastic shedding by 54%^[1] in part by leveraging Samsung’s proprietary Ecobubble technology. By using bubbles to help dissolve and absorb detergent, less heat and energy is required to wash clothes, resulting in reduced abrasion.

The Less Microfiber Filter takes this a step further, preventing up to 98%^[2] of microplastics released during laundry from escaping into the ocean if used as specified, equivalent to eight 500ml plastic bottles per year^[3] when used four times a week. In addition, to help more customers get involved in cutting microplastic emissions, the Less Microfiber Filter has a mountable design style that allows it to be used with standard washing machine models, demonstrating the company’s dedication to long-term sustainability and helping customers move towards embrace sustainability at home. To verify the technology’s efficacy and its features, both Cycle and the Filter were independently evaluated by Ocean Wise using a peer-reviewed microfiber shedding test protocol at the marine organisation’s state-of-the-art lab in Vancouver, Canada.

Convenience Every Day and at Every Stage of the Product Lifecycle

Samsung is committed to developing new products and technologies that takes step towards a more sustainable future. Products should not only be highly effective, they should also be simple, accessible and convenient to use while considering eco-conscious practices in each aspect of product development.

With this in mind, the Less Microfiber Filter is made using recycled plastics and was designed to be long-lasting and easy to maintain. The filter’s blades capture the microplastics with a 65-70 micrometer wide mesh, then redirect and compress these microplastics to one side, meaning the filter only needs to be cleaned roughly once a month.

By connecting with Samsung’s intelligent connectivity platform SmartThings, the filter tracks how full it is from 0 to100%, alerting users when cleaning or other troubleshooting is required via the SmartThings app. The Less Microfiber Cycle, meanwhile, is available as a preset option on select Samsung washing machines from 2022 and can be activated with just the press of a button. It will be expanded to users of previous Wi-Fi enabled Samsung washing machine models through an over the network update this year.

Innovation for a Brighter Future

The development and launch of the Less Microfiber Cycle and Filter are just the latest steps in Samsung’s sustainability journey.

“We’ve been investing in microfiber research for many years, learning how to reduce the fibers that shed from our garments and contribute to the various sources of pollution in the ocean,” said Matt Dwyer, VP of product impact and innovation at Patagonia. “We applaud Samsung for joining us in taking this major step forward in the fight against microfiber pollution.”

[1] Tested with 2kg load of 100% polyester hoodies, comparing Synthetics cycle on Samsung Conventional model WW4000T and the Less Microfiber Cycleon WW9400B. The results may be different depending on the clothes and environment. Tested at the Ocean Wise Plastics Lab.

[2] Tested at Ocean Wise Plastics Lab on the WW90T734DWH model (using Synthetic cycle, approximately 2kg load of synthetic textile laundry) comparing the amount of microfiber released with and without the Less Microfiber Filter installed. The amount is calculated by filtering drain water through a 50um filter. Results may vary depending on clothes and environment.

[3] Tested at Ocean Wise Plastics Lab on the WW90T734DWH model (using Synthetic cycle, approximately 2kg load of synthetic textile laundry) comparing the amount of microfiber released with and without the Less Microfiber Filter installed. The amount is calculated by filtering drain water through a 50um filter. One wash cycle’s reduction amount of 0.627g is based on a 5kg load (0.125g/kg x 5kg). Annual reduction amount (132g) is calculated based on 210 cycles (4 times a week, 52 weeks) and 5kg load on each cycle. 500㎖ bottle weight (15.4g) is based on the Korea Ministry of Environment’s guideline on plastic bottles.

London, UK – 6th December 2022 – Three in five (60%) UK adults see laundry as ‘a tedious household task’, with many either rushing to get it done as quickly as possible (35%), wearing all their clean clothes until they eventually run out (26%), or simply avoiding it until the wash basket is overspilling (25%).

As the temperature grows colder, these feelings will likely intensify, with the study by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. revealing over half (51%) of the nation claim the volume (32%) and frequency (29%) of their wash loads increase during the winter months. And it’s not just the amount that they’re washing, but how they’re washing, as a quarter (25%) forget which settings suit winter clothes, often resulting in shrinking their favourite woolly jumpers.

Two in five (42%) people say they would be open to trying ‘mindful laundry’ to help turn the laundry process into a calming ritual. Whilst others say they enjoy the smell of freshly washed clothes (54%), feeling the warmth of fabric fresh from the dryer (34%), creating symmetrical stacks of clothes (26%) and noticing the lines they create as they fold (22%). To help encourage more people to find laundry fun and fulfilling again, Samsung has teamed up with mindfulness expert and professional organiser Katrina Hassan – who has completed training with Marie Kondo – to share the following hacks:

1. Give laundry a designated home in your weekly routine – If you’re constantly playing catch up with laundry or feel like you’re putting on a load every day, being more mindful and scheduling in a designated laundry day and time into your weekly routine is a good starting point to restore order and protect your wellbeing. Look at your weekly routine and choose a day – or two if required – where you will work on completing your laundry. For me, finishing the laundry feels like I’m ‘resetting’ my home and restoring order, leading to a great feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment.
2. Change your perspective – To experience more joy in life, we need to shift our focus to the positive. Instead of building up a negative image of folding laundry in our minds, create a vision of yourself completing the laundry as an act of self-care. Think about how you will prepare the environment for completing this act; I like to light a candle and play music, which reflects the seasons.

3. Engage your senses – Effective meditation engages all of our senses, and it’s possible to turn your laundry routine into a meditative experience. If you think carefully about the act of laundry, it has the opportunity to engage most of our senses. We can enjoy the beautiful smell of freshly washed clothes, feel the warmth of the items emanating from the fabric fresh from the dryer, see the beauty in the items as we fold them and feel a great sense of pride in our hearts that we have completed a ritual that will make the home (and our lives) run more smoothly. As a ‘slow living’ enthusiast, I agree that life is better and our wellbeing is protected when we’re not trying to multitask. Your laundry routine can provide countless chances for you to practice the art of ‘slow living’.
4. Get others involved and spread the joy! – If you’re a parent, depending on the age of your children, try involving them in the task. I understand that this may seem like a frightening prospect! It may take longer at first as they get used to the process but teaching your children how to complete the laundry is an important life skill and will serve them well in the future.

Dan Harvie, VP, Head of Home Appliances, Samsung Electronics (UK) Ltd., said: “We’re entering prime wash load season on the run up to Christmas, putting a strain on busy households, especially those with children who are active outside the home and accumulate more washing than the average! To help support, we’ve launched a new range of large capacity Washing Machines featuring innovative SpaceMax Technology, which have enabled us to fit a bigger sized drum into a standard 600mm depth cabinet, allowing for greater wash loads of up to 11KG. All benefit from being in the most efficient A rated energy class and feature unique AI powered ecobubble Technology, which generates bubbles that help wash clothes at cooler temperatures, meaning you can remove stubborn, everyday stains with less heat, so you’ll save on energy bills as well.”

The new Samsung 11kg Washing Machines are available in colourways white and black and start from £659 RRP. To learn more, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/uk/washers-and-dryers/bespoke-ai-laundry/

London, UK – 20th November 2020 – New research released by Samsung Electronics UK Ltd. has revealed that Brits are bamboozled when it comes to their laundry detergent. The survey found that 58% of people are confused about how much to use and only 24% of people regularly adjust the amount of detergent they dispense based on the weight of their wash load.

The poll of 2,000 UK adults also revealed that while two thirds of Brits (66%) use a liquid or powder detergent, over half are unsure about what quantity they should be using, while 87% admit that they tend to guess how much to use. Clearly, dosing is a real concern, as 66% of those who use capsules, do so because it saves them from deciphering how much detergent they need to dispense.

But what’s the problem with using too much or too little laundry detergent?

Firstly, expense. Brits believe they are spending an average of £78.31 a year on laundry detergent -and while only 14% think they are spending more than they need to, this is actually nearly double what the average household should be spending[1]. Guesstimating then, is clearly not the most economical way of monitoring detergent volume and more than a third (35%) of those surveyed did agree that they think they use too much detergent. The amount should be calculated in proportion to the weight of the wash, however less than a quarter of Brits say they regularly do this. This means that many are likely to be throwing their money down the plughole.

Damage is also an unwelcome side effect of using too much detergent – to our clothes, our washing machine and our skin! Almost half of people surveyed (49%) believe it can damage their washing machine, while 19% of people said over-dosing detergent has damaged and stained their clothing in the past. Most concerning though, is the 72% of people who believe that too much detergent can be detrimental to skin, with many citing it as the cause of unwelcome reactions such as itching and rashes.

“We’ve always known that consumers find detergent dosing confusing, causing them to default to easy alternatives like capsules or just guessing how much to dispense; but there are environmental and economic impacts of doing so,” explains Ruth Storey, Head of Marketing, Home Appliances, Samsung Electronics UK Ltd.

“We’ve listened to customers’ feedback and are proud to have developed an Auto Dose feature which uses sensors to determine the weight of the wash load which in turn adjusts the time, detergent volume and water usage automatically. By taking a load of people’s minds, we can help consumers save time and money on their domestic responsibilities.”

Samsung’s top of the line Washing Machines (WW9800 series) and Washer Dryers (WD9800 series) also have the Auto Optimal Wash feature which is intelligent enough to assess the level of soil within the load. For heavy soiling, it can automatically add more detergent towards the end of the wash cycle, if necessary, adjusting the wash time accordingly in the process.

 [1] Cost per wash based on the average price of six brands/own brand pods, liquid and powder detergent in Tesco as of September 2020, including mix promo/off promo pricing.  Usage based on 284 cycles per year, source Energy Saving Trust.

London, UK – 27^th May 2020 –Samsung Electronics UK Ltd. today released new research that reveals that the nation’s most iconic fashion statement is the mini skirt – ahead of the little black dress and hot pants.

A study of 2,000 Brits revealed the most memorable style trends, which also saw knee high boots, denim jackets and skinny jeans feature in the top 10. Tie die t-shirts, which were made popular in the swinging sixties, also featured, along with flapper dresses of the 1920s and shell suits from the 1980s. Also, among the most loved fashion items of the past were leather biker jackets, dungarees and band t-shirts.

The research, commissioned by Samsung to celebrate the launch of the new Samsung AirDresser, also revealed how a number of these memorable trends are still considered wardrobe staples – with one in four saying skinny jeans are one of their fashion must-haves. A quarter of women favour an LBD, and one in 10 adults have a leather biker jacket. As a result, two-fifths feel today’s fashion is mostly made up of old styles and trends which are making a comeback.

“Our study just goes to show that there are many memorable trends from over the years, and as a result people are hanging on to items, they perceive to be classics, while also investing in vintage finds. This is great for sustainable fashion but often these clothes need to be cared for properly to protect them for the future,” says Dan Harvie, the Vice President of Home Appliances at Samsung. “This is one of the reasons we have developed the Samsung AirDresser, to redefine how people care for their clothes and help prolong every garment’s lifespan.”

The study also found plain t-shirts and a pair of trainers are among the wardrobe staples for the nation, as well as black jeans and plain black trousers. But one in 10 would say a designer coat to keep them warm in the colder months is the most important wardrobe staple.

Nearly half (48 per cent) see these items as essentials because they ‘go with everything’, while 64 per cent said they are just so comfortable. And 49 per cent enjoy wearing them because they are a good fit. It also emerged that just 11 per cent of those polled would describe their fashion sense as ‘on trend’, with as many as six in 10 describing their style as ‘comfortable’. More than a third would simply say their look is more ‘basic’, while 13 per cent think they have a ‘vintage’ edge.

The study also found Brits are hording away these favourite clothes, with the oldest items in wardrobes dating back as many as 12 years, with 22 per cent owning something older than 20 years. As a result, people do what they can to try and care for these older or more delicate items. Nearly three in 10 will wear these items less often if it means preserving them for as long as possible, while a fifth wash them less often. A quarter will also ensure they are washing them on a gentler wash setting.

The research, conducted via OnePoll, found three in 10 find it hard to clean clothes and keep them from losing their shape or getting damaged. As a result, 24 per cent wished their clothes would last longer, and 40 per cent are willing to spend more money on clothes which have a longer shelf-life.

Dan Harvie added, “We all have that favourite item we wished would last us a lifetime, but it’s not that easy. Regular washing is great for when life has got a little hectic for your basic items of clothing, but for those quality garments, over-washing can cause damage to the fabric. The Samsung AirDresser is an innovative solution which keeps clothes refreshed and removes lingering odours and hidden germs. It offers 99.9%* sanitisation with the sanitise cycle and gently cares for clothing, prolonging the period between washes.  This means less stress is put on fabrics which helps pieces maintain their premium feel for longer.”

Top 30 most iconic style pieces of all time:

1. Mini skirts
2. Little black dress
3. Hot pants
4. Denim jackets
5. Platform shoes
6. Flared trousers
7. Leather biker jacket
8. Shoulder pads
9. Knee high boots
10. Skinny jeans
11. Shell suits
12. Boob tubes
13. Dungarees
14. Tie Dye t-shirts
15. Denim mini skirts
16. Flapper dress
17. Cowboy boots
18. Maxi dresses
19. Crop tops
20. Tracksuits
21. Bootcut jeans
22. High waisted jeans
23. Ponchos
24. Knee high socks
25. Halter neck tops
26. Combat trousers
27. Midi skirts
28. Band t-shirts
29. Tracksuit bottoms
30. Frayed jeans

*Eliminates 99.9% of 4 viruses (Adenovirus, Influenza and Herpesvirus) using the sanitize course, testing done on wool and cotton, results may vary from the testing done in lab , School of Pharmacology of Korea University’ 2) Eliminates 99.9% of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 bacteria, testing done by Intertek on 100% cotton. Awarded the British Allergy Foundation Seal of Approval for reduction in exposure to Live House Dust Mites, Fungi/Mould and Bacteria Allergen