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Original poster

Do We Need a Washing Machine?

76 replies

MitziK · 25/04/2019 21:50

I've had a truly shit week.

Anyhow, to add to it, following a very careful exploration underneath my elderly Bosch washing machine, I've found that, rather than needing a cheap replacement hose, the bastarding thing what seals the drum/holds it up has cracked with age and water is pissing out over the fucking electrical parts. Which possibly explains why the mains has tripped a couple of times for no apparent reason in the last month.

I don't fancy getting fried/turned into a pile of ash and DP is in absolute agreement, so it's going, no question about that.

Unfortunately, there isn't the slightest chance of being able to afford the Miele that I covet. Already got two Miele appliances that I love and I would buy another in a heartbeat - but we have precisely fuck all in the way of income and I'm about to be made redundant at the end of May (the payment needs to go on little essentials like food and keeping a roof over our heads until another job is found), so I don't want to take out additional credit in case I can't get another job in time to make the repayments.

My thoughts are this;

Do I buy a £200 - £250 machine and hope for the best? We could just about scrape that together without selling a kidney.

If so, what one? I'd vaguely like something that takes a reasonable load, there is just the two of us, but it has to fit in neatly alongside a standard 60cm worktop and a fancy Miele freezer. I've never had a 'cheap' anything by choice - from the moment I got a job, as I needed to replace the second hand appliances, I tried to go for more durable items - Bosch, largely. I don't think I need to be able to have a chat with it on my phone or notify a company for them to sell on a database of how often my knickers need washing. It would be nice if a wash could take less than three hours.

The alternative is, as DP suggests, using the launderette around the corner until either there is more money coming in or we he gets bored with washing clothes in the bath or going round the corner with IKEA bags of holey socks and tatty towels for people to pretend they aren't judging. This gives me visions of being inundated with dirty washing until I'm turning pants inside out to get another wear out of them because he hasn't got round to taking them. (yes, I do have control issues around housework).

We were aiming to replace the knackered oven and microwave, along with our mattress this summer, but I think that might have to be put on hold until they go pouff/boiiiinnnngg now. Unless we don't actually need a washing machine?

My executive functioning isn't at its highest efficiency at the moment, thanks to bereavement, so I could do with the advice.

Thanks. This is just what I don't need right now, so the MN common sense will really help.

OP posts:
BoswellsBollocks · 25/04/2019 22:51

When our washing machine broke down and we couldn’t afford a new one we discovered a local company who rent machines out. It cost us £11 a month.

We ended up doing that for about 7 years! If there was ever a problem the business owner would come out and take the old one away and replace it straight away. It was great.

Have a look and see if there’s anything similar local to you.

MrsBungle · 25/04/2019 22:52

I’ve got an indesit washing machine I’ve had for 7 years still going strong. Just buy one you can afford.

Gluetap · 25/04/2019 22:52

I recently replaced our Bosch washing machine with a cheap Candy Grande O’Vita from ao.com. It was £249. Very pleased with it so far, good range of programmes and I think it washes better than our old more expensive Bosch one.

leccybill · 25/04/2019 22:53

Yeah, get one from AO.

We bought the cheapest one in Comet (!) in 2006 and it's still going strong. Whirlpool, £160. Use it every day!

chrisrobin · 25/04/2019 23:04

I'm sorry for your loss Thanks

Another vote for Currys Essentials,the cheapest one they do. I bought one in 2010, used it at least 5 times a week until last year when it gave up. 8 years and it only cost £160 (obviously the price will have gone up in that time). You can buy it online, if you go through Quidco you may be able to get cash back, you may be able to find a discount code online too.

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 25/04/2019 23:04

Have a look on local selling sites. Not quite the same but I got a freezer from the small ads for £20 about 15 years ago and it's still going strong.

Failing that, it sounds like you have family who live locally - could you use theirs temporarily?

FrequentNameChange · 25/04/2019 23:11

Yep, washing machine wins. If your going cheap choose Beko.

Passtherioja · 25/04/2019 23:18

Buy the cheapest washer you can from Currys. It'll wash your clothes and will have a guarantee. We all want the swanky stuff but if your pocket doesn't allow for it at the moment then just get the item you need and don't worry about anything else-keeping your clothes clean is a pretty basic requirement (don't go to the laundrette-false economy!)

Original poster
MitziK · 25/04/2019 23:22

I did have family living locally. Sad

The launderette would be closer in any case - it's about 250yds round the corner.

DP has come back in and said that he intends to do all the washing by hand/take towels and bedcovers to the launderette, then look into sorting out a machine by himself - and to stop worrying about things, let him look after me and try to get some sleep.

Thank you all for the advice.

OP posts:
Farmerswifey12 · 25/04/2019 23:22

AO do quite fast delivery if you are ordering online, we've used them before too

Original poster
MitziK · 25/04/2019 23:26

I've used them before, @Farmerswifey, and they did seem to be a lot better than other firms, so I'll remind DP of that when he's getting fed up with handwashing.

OP posts:
LizzieMacQueen · 25/04/2019 23:33

I second the idea to get the one you want on store credit.

TokyoSushi · 25/04/2019 23:38

My washing machine was supposed to be a temporary measure when ours broke just before we moved into a house with a integrated machine.

Paid £50 from Facebook selling page in September, house sale fell through but washing machine is still functioning perfectly and gets used a lot!

x2boys · 25/04/2019 23:39

Do herein mind if you get a second hand washing machine it might last year's or it might not, I got a second hand one for £100 that lasted three months 😥I rent one now for £4 /week.

1Wildheartsease · 25/04/2019 23:46

So sorry about your brother op -that is a terrible thing to have to cope with.

I am with you on shopping and am not even fond of new things... but would certainly get a washer. I have been without one a few times and found it expensive and time wasting.

1Wildheartsease · 25/04/2019 23:50

You should be looked after- your DP is right.

RezCowgirl · 25/04/2019 23:54

We bought the cheapest model from Tesco direct for £160, I believe it's a hotpoint or one of the other main brands. It has no bells and whistles but it's does, hot, cold, quick, eco and a delicate wool wash and in 7 years later it's ever skipped a beat.

Expressedways · 26/04/2019 00:06

I’m really sorry to hear about your brother Sad

Homemadearmy · 26/04/2019 00:55

Op I'm sorry for your loss.

cantfindname · 26/04/2019 05:02

I bought a Beko under similar circumstances, fully intending to replace it when I could afford to. 6 years on it is still going like new.. my only complaint is that it is very slow but that doesn't really bother me 99% of the time.

Not at all sure I would now buy an expensive one again.

BarbaraofSevillle · 26/04/2019 07:06

Sounds like you're having a terrible time OP Flowers.

Is it just you and DP or do you have DCs too. I can see the hand washing and launderette getting old really quickly, and it probably won't save much money.

I've always bought mid range appliances and we've had two washing machines in 25 years. The first one didn't even break, we left it behind when we moved house, and the second one, which cost about £250 for a Zanussi, is 13 years old and still going strong.

I have thought 'when that breaks, I'll get a Miele', but on past performance, it would have to last for 30/40/50 years to be worth the extra cost on a 'cost per wash basis' and realistically, I might not have that amount of time left Smile.

In your circumstances I would see if there are any decent second hand machines available - sometimes people move house and inherit fitted appliances so sell their existing sometimes quite new and decent stuff.

But if you can't get a half decent second hand machine for £50 or something nearly new for no more than £100, I would take hte £200-250 and get the best deal from ao.com or even Currys. When our dishwasher broke, I got the cheapest available Bosch from Currys, delivered the next day for £250 and that was at least 5 years ago and it's been used and abused daily since then with no issues.

OnlineAlienator · 26/04/2019 07:10

My £125 twin tub has survived 8yrs of hard, hard use.....just another option for ya WinkGrin

MissHemsworth · 26/04/2019 07:12

Don't get a Beko, ours broke within months of buying it. The guy who came out to fix it said they are one of the worst since the company moved to Turkey. I'd never get one again personally.

Mumtoboy123 · 26/04/2019 07:12

Just weighing in with AO.com being fab and good value.. my washing machine was like 200 quid 2 years ago and (touch wood) going strong. Also, before you buy online, check top cash back. Really easy to use and it takes a few months for cashback to be approved which, if youre getting like 5% of 200 on a washing machine, you'll welcome that tenner in 3 months by the sound of it!

madcatladyforever · 26/04/2019 07:13

Don't spend that much. Get a reconditioned one off ebay, most towns have a shop that sells reconditioned appliances very cheap.
I always do this, I can't afford new appliances.
Don't even think about hand washing it's a massive pain and the clothes smell musty.