Laundry day could become a little less demanding for Malaysian households with the arrival of Haier Malaysia’s new IRIS 2698 Top Load Washing Machine Series, which combines automated washing functions with technologies aimed at tackling some of the everyday frustrations of doing laundry.
Launched at Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur, the new series was introduced to media representatives, business partners and industry guests as Haier’s latest effort to make household chores more convenient for increasingly busy families.
Rather than focusing solely on washing performance, Haier has built the IRIS 2698 around four key areas — Clean, Care, Smart and Health — covering everything from reducing tangled clothes and shortening wash times to automatically adjusting washing settings and keeping clothes fresher after a cycle.
“At Haier, we believe innovation should go beyond technology — it should solve real challenges faced by consumers every day,” said Julian Thean, Head of Brand Marketing of Haier Malaysia.
“The IRIS 2698 Series reflects our commitment to creating smarter and more convenient solutions that help families enjoy a better quality of life.”
Designed to deal with everyday laundry frustrations
One of the series’ key features is Double Drive Technology, which uses two driving forces during washing instead of the traditional single-power system.
The technology is designed to create stronger washing action while helping reduce the twisting and tangling of clothes — particularly useful when dealing with larger loads.
For households where time is often as valuable as clean clothes, the machine also features Essence Wash Technology, which can complete a laundry load in 39 minutes based on a recommended load of up to 3kg.
Its Essence Spray Technology premixes detergent into a concentrated essence before spraying it directly onto fabrics. This is intended to help the detergent spread more evenly and allow clothes to soak more effectively from the beginning of the wash.
Let the machine make the decisions
The IRIS 2698 also puts greater emphasis on automation through its AI Wash function.
The system can detect the weight of the laundry and automatically determine factors such as the amount of water required, wash duration, detergent intensity and spin ratio.
There are also dedicated programmes for items such as delicate clothing and bedding.
For those who simply want to get the washing started without navigating multiple settings, One Touch provides a simpler option. Users can press and hold the button for three seconds after powering on the machine, allowing it to automatically determine the washing parameters and begin the cycle.
Fresher clothes after the wash
Another feature addresses a familiar household problem — clothes sitting inside the washing machine after the cycle has ended.
Haier’s Fresh Air System periodically rotates the inner tub every hour after washing to improve airflow and reduce moisture. The system is designed to help minimise unpleasant odours and keep clothes fresh for up to 12 hours inside the tub.
According to Stacy Kew Poh Yin, Product Director of Haier Malaysia, the combination of the four pillars is intended to make laundry more efficient while reducing the need for constant intervention.
“The IRIS 2698 Series was developed around four key pillars — Clean, Care, Smart and Health — ensuring consumers enjoy a more efficient and worry-free laundry experience,” she said.
With its focus on automation, faster washing and post-wash freshness, the IRIS 2698 series reflects how washing machines are increasingly becoming more than basic household appliances.
For Malaysian families balancing work, home and increasingly packed schedules, the appeal may ultimately be simple: less time spent managing the laundry, and more time getting on with everyday life.
