Beko has developed a portfolio of household appliances created in response to increasing hygiene needs, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new portfolio, Hygiene Shield, includes seven products with in-built disinfection programs and functions to disinfect packaged food and belongings and kill more than 99% of bacteria and viruses, including coronavirus.

Developed as a result of global in-depth consumer research which revealed that a primary concern among consumers is hygiene with 75% of respondents cleaning the house more often, 64% are doing more laundry and 68% are paying more attention to the cleanliness of the packaging on purchased products, during the pandemic.

The appliances use methods such as steam and heat to achieve excellent hygiene results at home.

The portable cleaning cabinet uses UV light technology to clean items such as keys, phones, wallets, packaged goods from supermarkets, plastic bags, baby bottles and toys, which can all be safely cleaned in less than 40 minutes with no damage to objects.

The combi refrigerator disinfects food items in their original and sealed packaging, eliminating more than 99% of bacteria and viruses in approximately 40 minutes. Its separate disinfection drawer above the crisper eliminates viruses, bacteria and germs using UV light technology distributed over the compartment.

The tumble dryer eliminates bacteria and viruses and provides disinfection for laundry in a safe and convenient way. The UV Hygienic Refresh program refreshes up to six dry pieces of clothing, while the UV Hygienic Drying program dries and sanitises up to 5kg of washed laundry even clothes that need washing at low temperatures. 

People are washing their clothes for longer at higher temperatures but this can get expensive, isn’t sustainable and risks damaging clothes. With a smart algorithm, an additional heater channel and fan system, the hygiene therapy program on the HygieneShield washing machine and washer dryer fills the drum with hot air to keep the laundry at 60°C to thoroughly sanitise clothes without water. More than 99% of viruses and bacteria are eliminated from 2kg of clothes in 58 minutes.

The built-in oven cooks and cleans food using saturated steam and heat. There are two disinfection programs both involving heat and steam, working at 70°C and 120°C respectively. Using the oven at 70°C for 15 minutes will disinfect the surfaces of packaged food and make the outside of baked goods more hygienic, without affecting taste and structure. Using the oven at 120°C for 20 minutes will disinfect items like metal bowls and glass products.

The HygieneShield dishwasher has a hygiene function with steam and additional hot rinsing functions. Steam mist generated from using higher temperatures and additional hot rinsing ensures that the entire surface of every dish is perfectly hygienic. Dishwashers with the HygieneIntense function can be used with every program which provides disinfection using higher temperatures of 60°C (during main wash) and 70°C (hot rinsing).

The technology also means the temperature can be held above 60°C for 50 minutes to disinfect kitchen items. The Hygiene Intense function provides an additional rinsing step to further increase the levels of hygiene. This technology has been independently tested by Rhine Waal University.

Arçelik CEO Hakan Bulgurlu announces launch of appliance portfolio

Arçelik CEO Hakan Bulgurlu was joined for a virtual discussion by Arçelik CMO, Zeynep Yalım Uzun and guest speakers, medical broadcaster and GP Dr Sarah Jarvis and Christopher Sanderson, Future Laboratory’s co-founder and CEO to announce the launch.

“It has been a very difficult year and we believe that now more than ever, everyone should have access to good quality products that care for them and the environment,” Bulgurlu said.

“We are excited to introduce Beko’s latest innovations and our first ever full product line to market. The products have been tailored to help consumers achieve professional levels of hygiene at home and protect them from infections and diseases. Our technologies are being independently tested by Airmid Health Group, a respected biomedical research organization.

“HygieneShield washing machines, washer dryers, ovens and refrigerators have been shown to provide more than 99% virus reduction. Airmid tests for UV disinfection cabinet and tumble dryers are in progress and we expect to finalise the testing and certification processes by November. Our dishwashers are being independently tested by Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences and the testing and certification process is expected to be completed in October. We hope that our products will give consumers peace of mind that their homes are safe and clean, as we all continue to adjust to the ‘new normal’.”

Dr Sarah Jarvis said, “I’ve spoken positively on TV about UV light for disinfection purposes: it has been widely used for sterilisation in hospitals, airplanes and factories for some years. It has also been used in China since April this year.

“COVID-19 has made us all think about how we live outside the home, with masks and social distancing, but I’m seeing my patients start to think about hygiene in the home, where we are spending so much more of our time. I don’t think we should all be going back to the workplace yet – working from home wherever we can, will keep us safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Keeping things clean is the challenge; I advise my patients to wash towels (especially those from the downstairs loo) and dishcloths more frequently and to wash face masks after every use.”