Bosch WAW285H2 Washing Machine
Frequently Asked Questions (25)
What should I do before washing my first load of laundry in the WAW285H2?
Before your first load, run a Drum Clean cycle with no laundry to clean the system. First add 1 to 2 tablespoons of detergent to the main-wash chamber II, then run the Drum Clean cycle and wait for it to finish. This is necessary because the washer was tested at the factory, which may have left a small amount of residual water in the tub and drainage system. (Page 23)
How do I remove the transport bolts before first use?
All 4 transport bolts must be completely removed before first use by loosening and removing each bolt and its sleeve, then placing the provided plastic covers over the transport bolt holes. Transport bolts that are not removed can damage the drum during operation, cause excessive vibration, and make the washer much noisier during spin cycles. Keep the bolt and bushing assemblies stored together for later use when moving the washer. (Page 14)
What are the water supply pressure requirements for installation?
The water supply pressure must be between 14.5 to 145 psi (1–10 bar) with a minimum flow of 2.2 U.S. gallons (8 liters) per minute. If the maximum water pressure is exceeded, a pressure regulator valve must be installed. The washer must only be operated with cold and hot tap water, with a maximum hot water temperature of 140°F (60°C). (Page 15)
Can I use chlorine bleach or regular (non-HE) detergent in this washing machine?
Do not use chlorine bleach in this washing machine, as it can cause damage. Bosch recommends using HE (High Efficiency) detergents, as they are designed for optimum performance in front-loading washers. Using non-HE detergent could cause oversudsing, extended cycle periods, or a decrease in wash performance. (Page 6)
How do I connect the WAW285H2 to my home Wi-Fi network using WPS?
Switch the appliance on, then press and hold the Remote Start button for at least 3 seconds until 'connect automatically' appears on the display. Press Start/Pause to begin connecting, then activate the WPS function on your router within the next 2 minutes. If the connection is successful, 'connected' will appear on the display and the Wi-Fi indicator will remain lit continuously. (Page 27)
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What should I do if too much foam is detected during a wash cycle?
If excess foam is detected, the symbol Å will light up on the display, and the appliance will automatically activate additional rinse cycles to remove the foam, which will extend the program duration. Foam may also leak from the detergent drawer. To prevent this in the future, use less detergent in subsequent wash loads. (Page 25)
What electrical specifications are required for the WAW285H2?
The WAW285H2 requires a 240-volt, 60-hertz electrical connection drawing a maximum of 10.5 amps and 2,520 watts. The washer must be connected to an individual branch circuit via a properly installed and grounded receptacle. Do not use an extension cord or adapter to connect the washing machine to the power supply, as this creates a risk of fire or electrical shock. (Page 18)
Do I need to remove the transport bolts before using the washer for the first time?
Yes, all four transport bolts must be removed before operating the washer. If the transport bolts are not removed, the washer will vibrate excessively and could cause damage, and will be much noisier during spin cycles. Save the transport bolt assemblies for future use if you need to move the washer. (Page 14)
What should I do before washing my very first load of laundry in this machine?
Before your first load of laundry, run a Drum Clean cycle with no laundry to clean the system, as the washer was tested at the factory and may have residual water in the tub and drainage system. First add 1 to 2 tablespoons of detergent to the main-wash chamber II, then run the Drum Clean cycle and wait for it to finish. (Page 24)
What type of detergent should I use in the WAW285H2 washing machine?
Bosch recommends using HE (High Efficiency) detergents because they are designed to deliver optimum performance from a front-loading washer. Not using HE detergent could cause problems such as oversudsing, extended cycle periods, or a decrease in wash performance. Do not use chlorine bleach, but detergents and solid bleaching agents based on Oxygen (like Sodium Percarbonate) are safe to use. (Page 6)
How do I activate the Child Lock on the WAW285H2?
To activate or deactivate the Child Lock, press the Finish In M and N buttons simultaneously for approximately 3 seconds. When the Child Lock is activated, the indicator lamp lights up, and if a change is attempted, the indicator will flash for a few seconds. You must deactivate Child Lock before you can select a program. (Pages 22–23, 37)
How do I reset the network settings on the Home Connect feature?
To reset network settings, enter the Home Connect menu by pressing and holding the Remote Start button for at least 3 seconds, then set the program selector to position 5 until the reset network settings symbol appears in the display. Press Start/Pause, confirm by pressing Start/Pause again when prompted. Note that after resetting, you will need to reconnect the appliance to your home network and the Home Connect app. (Page 30)
What are the required clearances for installing the WAW285H2 washing machine?
The minimum clearance requirements are 0.6 in. (1.5 cm) on both sides, 6.3 in. (16 cm) on top, 2.5 in. (6.4 cm) at the rear, and 2.4 in. (6.1 cm) at the front. Additionally, minimum ventilation areas of 63 sq. in. (404 sq. cm) are required at both the top and bottom. (Page 10)
What happens if I use too much detergent and excessive foam is detected?
If too much foam is detected during the wash cycle, the foam symbol (Å) lights up on the display, and the appliance automatically activates additional rinse cycles to remove the foam, which extends the program duration. Foam may also leak from the detergent drawer. To prevent this in future loads, use less detergent. (Page 26)
How do I properly level the washing machine after installation?
Install the washer on a level, solid surface and adjust the feet as needed using a bubble level to verify the washer is level both side-to-side and front-to-rear. Press down on each corner of the washer top to confirm there is no wobbling, ensuring all four feet press equally against the floor. Once correctly leveled, tighten the locknuts against the washer bottom using a 17mm open-end wrench to lock each foot in place. (Page 18)
Can I add a garment after a wash cycle has already started?
Yes, you can add a garment after the cycle has started by pressing Start/Pause and waiting for the door to unlock. Open the door carefully, add or remove the laundry item, close the door, and press Start/Pause to continue the cycle. Note that the door will not unlock if it is unsafe to do so due to high water level, water temperature, or drum speed. (Page 26)
What should I do before running my first load of laundry in the WAW285H2?
Before loading your first load of laundry, run a Drum Clean cycle with no laundry to clean the system. First add 1 to 2 tablespoons of detergent to the main-wash chamber II, then run the Drum Clean cycle and wait for it to finish. This is necessary because the washer was tested at the factory and a small amount of residual water may remain in the drum and drainage system. (Page 23)
What are the water supply pressure requirements for the WAW285H2?
The water supply pressure must be between 14.5 to 145 psi (1–10 bar) with a minimum flow of 2.2 U.S. gallons (8 liters) per minute. A pressure regulator valve must be installed if the maximum water pressure is exceeded. The washer must only be operated with cold and hot tap water, with the hot water not exceeding a maximum temperature of 140°F (60°C). (Page 15)
How do I activate and deactivate the Child Lock on the WAW285H2?
To activate or deactivate the Child Lock, press and hold the Finish In buttons (M and N) simultaneously for approximately 3 seconds. When active, the Child Lock symbol (D) will appear in the display field. Note that the Child Lock remains activated even after the cycle ends and after switching the appliance off and on, so you must manually deactivate it using the same button combination. (Page 37)
Can I add a garment after the wash cycle has already started?
Yes, you can add a garment after the cycle has started by pressing Start/Pause and waiting for the door to unlock. Open the door carefully, add or remove the laundry item, close the door, and then press Start/Pause to continue the cycle. Note that if the cycle is paused but the door will not unlock, it may be for safety reasons such as high water level, water temperature, or drum speed. (Page 25)
How do I reset the network settings on the WAW285H2?
To reset network settings, switch the appliance on, then press and hold Remote Start for at least 3 seconds until 'connect automatically' appears on the display. Turn the program selector to position 5, press Start/Pause, and then press Start/Pause again to confirm when 'yes' appears. After the reset, the appliance will no longer be connected to your home network or the Home Connect app, and you will need to reconnect it if you wish to use the app again. (Page 29)
What type of detergent should I use in the WAW285H2, and can I use chlorine bleach?
The manual recommends using HE (High Efficiency) detergents, as they are designed to deliver optimum performance from a front-loading washer. Do not use chlorine bleach, as it can damage the washer. Detergents and solid bleaching agents based on oxygen (such as Sodium Percarbonate) are safe to use. (Pages 6, 24)
What electrical specifications does the WAW285H2 require?
The WAW285H2 requires a 240-volt, 60-hertz electrical connection drawing a maximum of 10.5 amps and 2,520 watts. The appliance must be connected to an individual branch circuit via a properly installed and grounded receptacle. Do not use an extension cord or adapter to connect the washing machine to the power supply, as this increases the risk of fire or electrical shock. (Page 18)
What does the flashing water tap indicator mean on the display?
A flashing water tap indicator (r) on the display means the tap is not turned on or there is no water pressure. Check that the hot and cold water supply valves are fully open before starting a wash cycle. The manual also recommends turning off both valves during periods when the washer is not in use and before extended absences such as vacations to reduce the risk of water damage in the event of a leak. (Pages 22, 7)
How do I properly level the WAW285H2 washing machine during installation?
Use a bubble level to check that the top of the washer is level both side to side and front to rear, adjusting the washer feet as needed using a 17mm open-end wrench. Extend the washer feet no more than necessary, starting with the feet turned all the way in, as more extension leads to more vibration. Once level, lock each foot in place by tightening the locknut against the washer bottom, and press down on each corner of the washer top to confirm there is no wobble. (Page 17)
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