Electrolux gains certification from Swissatest for outstanding performance to remove bacteria and viruses

Electrolux has gained certification for selected programs across several of its Electrolux and AEG appliances from leading test competence center, Swissatest Testmaterialien AG. 

The certification means consumers can have even more confidence that these programs show an outstanding efficiency to remove bacteria and viruses.  

All Electrolux and AEG appliances pass the most stringent of tests when it comes to washing and cleaning, but this certification goes one step further. While it is not uncommon for programs to target the removal of bacteria, the high performance against virus removal is remarkable. Tests showed, for example, that Electrolux programs did successfully tackle non-enveloped viruses such as the E.coli bacteriophage MS2. This type of virus is generally quite difficult to inactivate as it has a high tolerance towards disinfection and cleaning measures. 

“We know from own field studies that there are many people who are concerned about bacteria and virus spread,” commented Cina Boqvist, Electrolux Category Marketing Manager Europe for Dish Care. In recent research undertaken by Electrolux, tackling germs was very much front of mind for over one in ten adults. 14% of all Europeans cited ‘getting rid of germs’ as the main reason for washing clothes. [1]

“This collaboration with Swissatest supports our company goal of helping to shape living for the better. Being able to offer certified programs which can remove up to 99.9999% of certain bacteria and viruses we want to give some peace of mind to our consumers,” added Boqvist.

“This is the very first time, that we, as a scientific test institute and test material producer, are able to share our comprehensive view on washing processes with the end user, taking cleaning performance, sustainability and hygiene aspects into account", says Christian Portmann, CEO of Swissatest. "We are very happy that we were able to develop and implement the label in close collaboration with Electrolux, and we are hoping this is only the beginning of something even bigger in this area.” 

The certification applies to the following cycles on appliances that show the Swissatest logo:

For washing machines/ washer dryers: The Anti-Allergy/Anti-Allergy Vapour programme removes more than 99.99% of bacteria and viruses including Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium[2]

For tumble dryers: The Hygiene/Duvet cycle removes more than 99.9% of bacteria and viruses including Candida albicans and Escherichia coli [3]

For Dishwashers: The ExtraHygiene function removes more than 99.9999% of bacteria and viruses including Micrococcus luteus and MS2 bacteriophage [4] 

[1] The Truth About Laundry, 2021, was based upon research among 12,000 Europeans across 12 countries including Germany, UK, France, Russia, Sweden, Spain and Italy. 

[2] Tested for Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and MS2 Bacteriophage in external test performed by Swissatest Testmaterialien AG in 2021 (Test Report No. 202120117). 

[3] Tested for Candida albicans, MS2 Bacteriophage and Escherichia coli in external test performed by Swissatest Testmaterialien AG in 2021 (Test Report No. 20212038). 

[4] Tested for Micrococcus luteus and MS2 bacteriophage in external test performed by Swissatest Testmaterialien AG in 2021 (Test Report No. 20212029).