Our washing machine almost caught fire

[Peopleplease]

I usually put on a wash before I head out to do the school run. For a while the washing machine had been making a knocking/banging noise but I figured use it till it gives up.

Today the kids are off on half term and DH is on a sick day so I was late putting on a wash. DH was in the kitchen and noticed the washing machine had started smoking! He plugged it out and we’ll get a new one at the weekend but it’s so scary how it can happen!!

It’s a whirlpool something or other. It’s 8 years old.

As an aside - anyone got any recommendations for washing machines??

I wouldn't leave a washing machine on and go out. Tbh, fire hadn't really occurred to me, but I have dealt with a major flood caused by an unattended machine. It had filled but didn't stop, so just like leaving a tap running on to your floor for several hours. That was, er, interesting. I have also had a tumble drier explode when it wasn't in use. It was plugged in and turned on at the switch, but that was it. It was a faulty capacitor. It was repaired by the manufacturer, but I never trusted it after that and it was replaced.

OP, we've got a Samsung with a large drum. Very pleased with it.

@Bettyunderswoob

2 grown ups
7 children (inc 1 adult and 1 baby), 4 set

Thats about 3-4 loads per day of washing (@2:13 each) given that all three of the adults wear uniforms / work clothes that need to be changed daily, 4 sets of school uniforms, 9 sets of pyjamas etc...

its a 10kg machine, and even then I think we probably overload it on each wash....

I've seriously looked at commerical washers / dryers for the house...

@FixTheBone you need a washing machine with a short cycle! Ours has a 39 min cycle that does a perfectly good job. It's a Samsung with a large drum.

Yikes, Fix that sounds like a full time job!

I "only" had 5 children, so we were at a full compliment of 7 when the youngest was in cloth nappies, but I managed to do far less washing than that; I think by us being pretty skanky, to be honest. e.g. if it didn't smell it could worn again!

I’m going to get into a MN shitstorm now, but Fix Do you really wash 9 sets of pjs every day?

I've just bought a new washing machine as my loathed and detested Bosch started with the loud banging noises on the spin cycle, and also I did a load of sheets which came out with grey oil marks on them. This means the bearings have "gone" and in the olden days you used to be able to call a washing machine engineer to replace them for less than £50. Nowadays washing machines are considered disposable after 5 years .

OP, I just bought a Samsung 9KG ecobubble thing from Curry's. £399 plus 5 years warranty - I thought that was a pretty good deal.

Our washing machine did the same OP. I put a load of my work uniforms in on a delayed cycle to finish in the morning, came down (DH had already been down and left for work) and it was smoking. Thought i was going to have to get the fire service out! I can't remember what make it was now but we replaced it with a Samsung which does the job well enough. We never leave it running while we're out now.

I once came downstairs to find my kitchen in a cloud of steam. The washing machine thermostat had gone, so the machine had overheated. I switched it off at the wall and opened the windows to disperse the steam, but the top of the machine and dispenser drawer were already buckled with the heat. It could easily have caught fire If I hadn't switched it off.

I would never leave a washing machine on unattended again (or a dishwasher/tumble dryer, but don't have those).

fixthebone so everybody only wears each item of clothing once before it gets washed? I think you need to rethink your laundry habits!!

I was once in the house when smoke started coming from the washing machine. i now never ever leave it on when I'm out or in bed