Dyson large load washing machine, got one?

[Rhiannon]

After exploring lots of possibilities my machine is nearing it's last days.

Have thought about a big US one but this would mean taking out a radiator and removing a work surface, so now looking at the Dyson that takes a large load 7kg, don't know what that is in lbs, anyone know?

Also has anyone got one and what do you think of it? Are they energy and water efficient (water meter owner here!). Thanks R.

[MandyD]

Well...7kg is 15.4lbs, a normal washing machine takes an 11lb load I think. But the washing action of the Dyson seems to be really good as far as I can see from the advert. But they're mortally expensive aren't they, about £800. I think Bosch do an extra large load machine too.

I imagine, being Dyson, they have been rated to be extremely energy and water efficient. The machine I've always fancied (like you were saying about the big US ones) is an ex-launderette machine 'cos they hold loads and wash so much quicker! Guess they'd be more than £800 new tho'!

[Ailsa]

We bought a 6kg Hoover washing machine this time last year, after old faithful passed away (that was a Hoover too) after 10 yrs, with its last 3½ yrs being used EVERY day - washing machine and dryer. Since we bought ours I think?? they have brought out a 7kg model.

[Ailsa]

I've just had a very rare flash of inspiration - I was sure I'd seen one in the Argos catalogue, managed to find the last spring/summer catalogue (not much gets thrown away in our house). There was one in there - not sure if its still there, the new spring/summer catalogues are out next weekend, but anyway a few details -

'A' rated energy efficiency
'A' rated wash performance
7kg capacity (cottons)
Estimated annual water consumption 10600 litres
Price (spring/summer 2001) £529.99

Hope this helps

[jasper]

Rhiannon, like you I have thought about gettng a top loader for some time. I followed the last thread on this subject - does anyone have anything else to add on the subject of toploaders?
Also on the Dyson issue. I think it is quite strange I do not know of anyone who has bought a Dyson washing machine. I would love to know what an owner had to say about them

[2under2]

The Dyson has the same washing performance as the middle-of-the-range Bosch (according to some washing machine tests I came across). Bosch was considered the best buy on value for money and performance. Don't know how much water it uses, but we have one and are on a meter. It seems to be on most of the time yet our water bills have been modest.

[bloss]

Message withdrawn

[fairy]

Apparently they are wider than standard machines, so check your hole first!

[Rhiannon]

I've got the GH results for washing machines for 2000. They recommend the Bosch Maxx and the Samsung Sensor Quick Fuzzy (which was about to be replaced with a new model).

The ones at the bottom of the pile included the Hotpoint Ultima Aquarius and and the Hotpoint WMTL79.

Does anyone know if there are any washing machine tests for 2001, Which or GH?

I abandoned the US machine as when visiting my friend in US recently all the clothes looked really worn out and don't know if that was down to the washer as they have a central sort of spindle that the washing revolves around.

Also they use your hot water to fill up and don't heat the water themselves (correct me if I'm wrong) so I was concerned that the tank would always be cold.

I've been so happy with my lovely old Ariston, years of happy motoring. But she's got something wrong and will have to be put out to pasture soon. R.

[lou33]

I have had a Bosch Maxx for about a year now and love it! It's a hundred times quieter than my old hotpoint and takes a 6kg load(13lbs I think) so I get my washing done quicker too. Very good thing for me with 4 kids! It washes well and the door also opens 180 degrees, so its a lot easier to load and unload. Oh and I am on a water meter too. With 4 children, big hubby, dishwasher and washing machine, my water bill is about £78 every 6 months. Hope this helps!

[Selja]

We've had our Bosch Maxx since ds was born (two years) and think its wonderful. The door takes quite a hammering with ds but so far no problems (touch wood).

[Reager]

We got a Dyson washing machine a couple of weeks ago. Found that we were doing too many loads after the new arrival. It washes really well, you can feel the difference in clothes, it takes a huge amount of clothes and looks great. Footprint size is same as normal washing machine. Now we need a dryer of the same capacity!

Some one mentioned a top loader - don't even consider one. They just swish the clothes around a bit.

[Mooma]

Another vote from me for the Bosch Maxx. Make sure you don't use 'Quick Wash'(one fewer rinse cycle) when washing woolens or easy care, as sometimes the soap powder gets left in the fabric, because it doesn't agitate as much as on a cottons cycle.

[Rhiannon]

Well decision has finally been made. Have checked the last 2 years Which? reports and they are still recommending the

Bosch Maxx WFL2450GB as their top dog.

So I have bought it at not a bad price including delivery and installation at £358.90. R.

[janh]

Good choice, Rhiannon! I also have a Bosch machine though not the Maxx - it's a 5kg load with a 1200 spin speed - have had it several years, it washes really well and is so quiet I sometimes think it's stopped (despite it being upstairs - it does vibrate the floorboards on spin but not otherwise.)

One of the really good things about it it is that it has a clear-it-yourself pump. My brother's machine is always getting blocked (eg with hair bobbles) and he always has to call someone out at vast expense.

If anybody has a child with skin that's at all sensitive I would recommend doing one last rinse - let it run right to the end and then set it back to final rinse - if you use fabric conditioner add it at this stage. (I have to do this anyway because we have a combi boiler, water at mains pressure - cold and hot - and if I put the fabric conditioner in at the start it just gets squirted out into the wash cycle.)

[Rhiannon]

How sad am I? I am actually excited about my new washing machine! Yes I admit it, I'm just a sad SAHM with nothing else to think about!!! I've actually said a little goodbye to the Ariston. R

[jasper]

Rhiannon, you are not sad at all! We spend a lot of time with our appliances, do we not??
When is the new arrival due?
Are you expecting it to be very big/ Noisy?
Please do tell us how it goes!
I am very into kitchen equipment!

[Rhiannon]

Hi Jasper, will let you know when my 'baby' arrives. It's a standard 600m not a whopper but does take a slightly larger load. Decided that with only 2 kids I really didn't need one that takes a 22lb load! Must just make sure I do a wash every day. It's my own fault I know as I have to have DS in clean uniform every day, I can't bring myself to send him in skanky! R

[Noisy]

Hi Rhiannon,

Our current washing m/c is also on it's way out. We, like you, spent a long time looking for 'best Buy/Value for money/reliability' etc.

We also came up with the Bosch - and plan to purchase one too.

From the research we've done, I think you have made a good choice.

Noisy

[Alibubbles]

It must have been all the talk on here about washing machines, mine has gone wrong!!

My dishwasher went wrong last week and at the same time the man replaced the sensor and the magnetron in my Combination microwave, or is the w/m just the third thing!

I have a Bosch, d/w, w/m, t/drier and oven, touch wood they have all been brilliant. My w/m needs a new motor, it is at least 6 years old, and it has rugby kit three times a week and I put DS's rugby boots in the wash with his kit!! - So it has done pretty well.

I have a policy the bank gave us with our advantage premier account and it covers all appliances in your house up to the age of 8 years old, so it has not cost me anything at all, the man today also said, your w/m door looks a bit dodgy, I'll order you a new one, so I said, whilst you're at it, can I have a new soap dipenser drawer as this one is all gunky from conditioner and he said yep, no probs!

So maybe I'll have to put the Dyson on the back burner for a little longer, mind you if they decide the repairs are uneconomic, they give you half the price you paid for it towards a new one!

[Rhiannon]

Alibubbles, the Which? guide doesn't approve the Dyson machine. Too much to pay and not much return for your money, it apparently washed a small load exceptionally well but not so well when it was full. My Mum recommended just buying two machines instead if you've got loads to wash. R

[Pupuce]

Alibubbles - Which bank are you with ??? We are looking at changing... so this might be timely.

[Alibubbles]

Nat West Advantage Premier, it costs about £150 a year, but we also get a card for 25% off loads of restaurants, - the kids love Benihana Japanese and we easily save £75 each time we go there. Loads of other perks, commission free currency delivered to your house, £10,000 overdraft limit at 1% above base, so cheap borrowing! The personal manager was fantastic, one phone number and she does everything to cancel a standing order, to come and have a chat with us at home. We don't visit the branch for anything, no stupid switchboards with tinny music and please press now!

We have been invited to go for a Nat West One account, just one big current account, including your mortgae etc, a bit like Virgin One, bit scary seeing how much money you haven't got, but it means the mortgage will be paid off about 10 years faster. Rather than paying everything out monthly, do it quarterly as money stays in account longer, interest is calculated daily.

[janh]

Alibubbles, tell us you don't really spend £300 for a family meal for 4 in a Japanese restaurant?

I think I'll stick with my free account with the tinny switchboard and no grovelling personal manager, thanks.

[Alibubbles]

Janh, I've had criticsm before about spending that amount of a meal, yes we do and we enjoy it. We don't smoke, we don't go to the pub, we don't go to football matches, we don't do a lot of things other people spend their money on. But yes, we will spend £300 on a first class meal in a Japanese reataurant. We don't do it every week, but we do eat out every week as a family and also have an Indian takeaway every week end. We enjoy good food and also being together as a family is very important to us. When my son was interviewed by the Daily Mail for a feature on Teenage food diaries, the comment they picked you from him, unprompted, was about how he enjoys eating out and more importantly as a family.

And by the way that is nowhere near the most expensive Japanese in London. It is a group of worldwide restaurants who positively welcome children and you see many families eating there. Ours have been going there since they were 9 &10, they are now 14 &15. Whenever on holiday, they also look in the city guides to find a Benihana, and that's always their first choice.

[Croppy]

We have the Advantage Premier account too Alibubbles and agree it is excellent. The personal service from the bank manager is fantastic when you need to move quickly on something or have a request which is out of the ordinary.