There is no soaking option that I'm aware of (just a prewash).

There is no soak option. However, if you want higher rinse levels (almost as good as soaking) you can program the machine via the service menu. If you do a search here you can find the instructions.

Just pause the machine during the wash and let the clothes soak. Press start when you are ready to continue the cycle.

cyberspacer, will the Miele pause indefinitely until you press start again?

There is a "Hold" option on the spin cycles, on my W4842, but I've never really figured out how that works. I wonder if that is the work-around for a soak cycle?

@ cyberspacer, you cannot pause a cycle if the temperature exceeds 130F or if the water level is too high. If you try doing so in these circumstances, the display reads "Machine locked" and it will not pause. The only option available at that point is to press pause twice to cancel the cycle, however that causes all of the water to drain.

The Hold option will pause cycle during the final rinse so items don't sit in the washer wrinkling. The rinse water prevents creases from forming.

BTW, there is also an emergency door release in case the power goes out during a cycle.

So would running the rinse/spin Mastercare cycle and selecting "Hold" as the spin speed option would give us a soak?