Boring thread alert - recommend me a washer please?

[Graphista]

Thinking I may need to get a new washer as current one playing up.

I'm in a flat so needs to be quiet so as not to bug neighbours, plus this one quite shaky and travels! Which I think is part of the problem.

Also needs to cope well with decent size loads at times, a load being washed more than once, have a rinse only cycle that's easy to use and cope well with max detergent use which again this one seems not to like.

I'm not interested in fancy gimmicks as I think that just means more can go wrong.

Ooh I'm a bit wary of AO.com they still feel so new to me and no real life shops always worries me as it feels less "real" for large purchases?

I have an relatively ancient but wonderful AEG which has variable everything. I dread the time coming when I need to replace it. I'm hoping that I can still get a similar flexibility with one of their new models.

I have a zanussi. It’s very cheap but has been going strong for six years with daily loads. A bit noise but I’ve never come across a quite machine.

Re AO have used them several times and have always been very happy with their service and prices

We have used AO with no problems at all. As they don’t have shops to fund it makes them cheaper quite often. It depends on what money you have. However JL might be pricing well at the moment but often they are not competitive.

AO.com is decent. There are lots of other online ones which are a bit dodgy (low price advertised but never any stock...) but not AO.

If you ask AO who they will and will not price match, you will find out who the dodgy ones are!

I have a Miele which has been going about 3 years now. When I looked at it in John Lewis it seemed so solid compared to the other brands (the delivery men won't love you for that though - they are very heavy!). It's quiet and I was fortunate enough to get a 10 year warranty.
I'd go for the cheapest Miele you can get.

Yes I'm thinking Miele too but it won't be a top of the range one at the prices they are!

It needs to be one that rinses well preferably with a separate rinse only cycle.

I've just made a note of current machines dimensions too as it JUST fits!

Any particular models anyone would care to recommend?

And do you all clean your machines once a month too? And if so how?

I always thought running it empty was a bad thing.

Do you use any machine cleaning products if so what? Or do you use white vinegar (is that the same as distilled malt vinegar?) and if so how?

I currently use laundry gel which I put in the drum in a dosage ball I've had for YEARS.

Should I be using the drawer? I've been following the directions on the laundry gel. Although I use more than recommended but not loads!

When my Miele was installed, the delivery/fitting man gave me a quick advice session!

Basically, use the drawer. It’s there for a reason. I use a liquid wash and put it in the drawer. Works very well. You don’t need to run the machine empty. You need to run your towels through on 90 degrees every week or so. I was told not to wash everything on 30/40 degrees. So the advice is to use a very hot wash every week or so. I also take out my drawer dispenser and give it a wash out every so often. Other than that, it’s trouble free.

You don’t need an all singing and all dancing model! The build quality doesn’t vary. It’s just the number of programmes. My favourites are a high temp option, silk/woollens/delicates and standard washes for cotton and synthetics etc. There are others such as outer wear and delayed start which you might like plus a high spin speed. However many basic models will cover quite a few useful options.

You don’t need any special cleaning products either.

Basically, use the drawer. It’s there for a reason. I’ve been wondering about this!

I’ve been following the laundry detergent instructions which say to put in drum but is that just to make us use more?

I used to be a committed powder user but started hearing that wasn’t good for machines so switched to gel. I don’t think I’d like using liquid from my ocd perspective it seems more watery and therefore less clean?

Which creates the least bubbles? That seems to be the main isssue.

As it’s just me I don’t have a full load of towels every week. My disability means I don’t wash daily as it can be hard getting in and out bath as that’s my set up and I can’t change it. If I’m having a day I’m sore or dizzy and don’t feel safe washing alone I have to leave it, I’ll have a sink wash but that’s all.

I don’t have anything else I can put through a hot wash. So think I’d need to run it empty on a hot wash.

I usually do everything on a 40 mixed wash.

I must admit I was previously lax on washing the dispenser drawer - partly as it’s very very hard to open let alone remove! Partly as I wouldn’t think about it because I didn’t use it. When it was repaired before the repair man did find it was in a disgusting state [embarrassed] and so as well as the faulty part he replaced that too. But it’s STILL really hard to open!

I agree I don't need something fancy just something reliable!

I don’t need a delicates cycle I just honestly use 40 most of the time.

But I think I’d like one that had a rinse only cycle and a drain only option (could do with that now!)

And it needs to cope with washing the same load more than once which I’ll admit is a bit unusual.

Ugh so stressful.

Ooo... my washing machine has died and I need to replace. Was a Samsung and less than 3 years old so I wouldn't recommend them.

Following with interest.

I had a Bosch for 15 years that was fabulous and had previously been someone else's, so must have been pushing 20 when it died. RIP.

I highly recommend AO for delivery/installation/customer service though. They were great when I used them before.

Arrakis sorry you're dealing with this too right now.

Yes I'm not a fan of Samsung, good to hear ao recommended again.

Do you all have repair cover? That's why I chose my original retailer in order to get the repair plan too.

I had a new washing machine last week, it's a Hoover Dynamic advance from AO, it has lots off options, 8kg load, the drum is really big and up to 1600 spin which you can set to,other spins. I have never had hoover machine before and though I would try something different and it is really good.

Most machines have a rinse and spin cycle. I really would use the drawer for liquids. The machine is built to take the liquid from there and it does get everything clean! It can also do a pre wash if you are concerned.

Add bedding in with the towels. We wash towels every week and sometimes more often. Even kitchen cloths and face turtle benefit from a hot wash. My Miele has reduced load on some washes too so the machine doesn’t need to be full.

I always do bras and tights on delicate. And knitwear. That’s 30 degrees and a low spin. But I do think you should not run it empty and even a hot wash every 2 weeks is better than none at all.

You’ll be fine with a new machine!

No. I don’t have repair cover. My former washing machines both lasted well over 15 years each. The one before that was a Colston washer dryer and I gave that away after 5 years to my sister! My other machines (AEG and then a Siemens) we’re fine so I’m expecting the Miele I now have to be equally as good as DC have come and gone! So no, it won’t need breakdown cover!

Arrakis sorry you're dealing with this too right now.

Normally I'd be pretty blase. For some reason this feels like the smelly straw that has broken the camel's back.

I know! It’s one more thing when none of us needs it. To get everyone started: some best buys from Which.

The lower price end!

“Add bedding in with the towels” ah of course! I wash bedding on a 40 usually but it could handle a hotter wash.

“For some reason this feels like the smelly straw that has broken the camel's back.” Exactly how I felt, the timing is shit!

Yes I’m going through the which? Recommendations but they don’t (can’t?) test for longevity unfortunately. I knew mners would have opinions and recommendations!

So helpful

Well I think you have had lots of recommendations for Miele and longevity! AEG are not as solid as they used to be.

Liquids and gels clog up a machine more than powder, according to my washing machine engineer.
Yes to doing a hot wash regularly, you can buy a washing machine cleaner that you use on a hot wash, or do a wash with white vinegar .
My Miele also came with a ten year guarantee, worth getting if you see it.

Liquids and gels are fine in a Miele if you use the right amount, the drawer and do the required hot washes - 90 degrees. Cold washes or low temp all the time cause problems whatever detergent is used. Powder just won’t dissolve properly and can form a glue like mess in the drawer. Soft water helps with all machines as well.

Ok kinda update kinda another crisis! I hate this machine!

Repair guy came and didn’t really do very much.

He’s reduced the flow rate into the machine as I have stupidly good pressure here also very soft water which I’m not used to.

Advised me to massively reduce how much detergent I use which I will find difficult and preferably to use powder.

Today went to do a cleanse which he has set it up to do - right cycle and temp - he said put 10 mls white vinegar in drawer if I had it which I just tried to do but now the bloody drawer (which I have always had trouble opening) the front came off in my hands!

Didn’t even pull that hard!

Drawer completely stuck in machine nearly cut myself trying to get it open but it’s stuck fast

Have I mentioned I HATE this machine?! Gah!

Can I still use it or not?

I’m afraid of the water leaking from the drawer bit now it’s “open”