LG's steam washing machines

Washing machines are not usually something to get excited about, but having inspected LG's new Steam Direct machines, it seems a mechanical device that cleans clothes is indeed worthy of enthusiasm.

These are apparently, the first washing machines in the world which use steam to clean. While the regular models do not stand out particularly - they come in shades of slick black and a metallic light blue as well as white - exclusive to the UK are just 40 models in four styles designed by Designers Guild.

Echoing Designers Guild prints from both spring/summer and autumn winter 06 collections, these 40 machines are available in four versions: Imperial Flower (red flowers on white), Sevilla (green flora), Ribailagua (geometric circles), while Cloisonne (which Tricia Guild told us is her personal favourite ) is a stunning black affair with butterflies and flowers. All the Designers Guild styles will retail at approx £1,300 and go on sale in June except Cloisonne which isn't available until just before Christmas. The limited edition machines are only available from Harrods and John Lewis.

What's impressive about these washers is that they are functional, better looking than most and crucially, genuinely energy saving and efficient. Because warm steam cleans the clothes, it uses less water and less energy than traditional machines. Designed by Kwang Soo Kim (right), the product came about after Kwang was asked to develop an energy efficient washing machine. "In Korea we use steam in many areas of our life," he informed us. "The idea came to me because in Korea we have these cakes made of steamed rice, Tugg. You can make a lot of these rice cakes without using much energy." So Kim transferred the principle to the machine and two years on, he's launching his machines in London.

According to Kwang, the culture of washing is also distinctly different in Korea. While many of us in the UK bung on a wash every day, Koreans are more organised and many are taking advantage of 10kg machines which are not on sale in the UK, to restrict the amount of washing they do. Kwang told us he lives with his mother, wife and two children and the family only twice or three times a week!

The LG machines have other nifty features: a 'Refresh' cycle which is ideal for those 'in-between' dirty and clean items, like a shirt you've only worn once. The 'Refresh' cycle takes approx 20 minutes and also eliminates ironing. The drum is attached directly to the motor so there's no annoying banging noise and there is an inbuilt detector which calculates the weight of the load and automatically adjusts the programme." LG's Simona Allan told us: "We are launching this in the UK because when we researched what Europeans look for in a washing machine, we found that, unlike other nations, the UK put design first."

Tricia of Designers Guild concurs. "This machine is very beautiful and it functions like a dream. With a machine like this, you do not have to put it in a cupboard."

LG Steam Direct Machines are on sale June 2006 from electrical retailers priced approx £800.