Please tell me about washing machines!

[Jux]

Our machine is almost dead (I've never liked it) and so this is a cause for celebration. I am raiding my pension to buy a new one.

Most importantly I need to be able to wash a fluffy double duvet in it but as the vile old one only took 8kg we couldn't get duvets in there and had to take them to the launderette.

I've been looking at 11kg machines on ao.com but is that big enough? And what machine would you recommend?

Thank you all.

How big is your household? If you are only buying a large machine to wash a double duvet, it might be more cost effective to continue using the laundrette!
How many loads do you currently do a week? What is your budget?

We've got a Samsung 11kg Eco bubbly. It's great!

How often are you washing duvets, though? I wash mine twice a year, and as a PP said, is it really worth getting such a big machine just for those two (or however few) days a year? Do you have drying space for a full 11kg load of ordinary washing? Personally I think 9kg is a good size for a regular family machine. I have a Bosch which is very reliable.

I've got one of these

Hoover H-Wash 300 H3W4102DE Freestanding Washing Machine, Large Capacity, 10 kg Load, 1400 rpm, White https://amzn.eu/d/7SINx85

It's quiet, efficient and reliable. I mostly use the 59 minute cycle at 30° on the high spin. I do a hot prewash once a month with my white cotton bedding, works beautifully. There's an updated version now.

It's not a huge household, but I am disabled and dh is my carer - he's 70 and getting frailer so getting to launderette is getting harder and then there's the cost of drying the duvets too which can be scary! I am very shaky, and do spill tea in bed often enough to make it worth having a big enough machine here.

I'm sorry to hear that you are both aren't well OP. Depending on the matierial, the weight of a washed duvet is quite alot, even after a spin cycle. Could your DH physically haul it out of the machine and hang it up to dry? We have a local service which will collect such laundry items and return it dried. Have you looked into that instead of a massive machine for just 2 people?

If you really want a larger machine- what is your budget? This will really dictate if we help you find a basic beko or top of the range Miele.

Thank you so much @DSD9472, that's really helpful. I can always get my brother to come and haul it out! I didn't know about that sort of cleaning service, just dry cleaning which is a real faff here and expensive too. I need to check your suggestion to see if we have that service locally and then do more sums.

One more question to people - have you heard of Hisense? DH is quite interested in their machine....

@Jux

prrsonally I'd go for the larger machine, then as DH gets older/less mobile you have it there in your house and your brother/aftuend/neighbour can help to hang it out/on an airer.

when I first moved in here I didn't have a WM & used the local laundrette, I can't remember exactly how much it cost, but it was inexpensive. I wanted to wash something bigger than fits in my machine & so went in the other day to see what coins I'd need & if they have any card payment options. It's now (coin only) £9.50 for a medium machine (9kg I think). So I'd need the large one (which is used for dog/horse/motor mechanics stuff so no way!

I love my machine, it's an LG Direct Drive I'm dreading having to replace it with a new one, but it's 14 years old this year, so inevitable.

Hisense has become a 'known brand' in recent years. I would buy their TV's, but I've no idea of the quality of their washing machines.

washing machine cycles have changed a lot, so check you can do the cycles you prefer. In a time period you can live with. Short cycles can use a lot of electricity, while 'eco' cycles can use less but can take 3.5 hours. They don't work for me.

best of luck!!

can you extend the the time between washes by putting a towel down on the duvet where you're sitting with your tea? Double duvet covers?

We have a 10kg beko that fits a duvet fine- just be aware the so called 20kg dryer doesn't cope with a duvet!

If you have narrowed your choice down to Hiscene, you can read reviews online. Some models have youtube videos to show the features too.

Have you thought about a stand to raise it up. Best thing we ever did to stop having to stoop over. You'd need to check that the base is large enough/compatible with the machine you decide on though.

As a side, have you considered an adult sippy/non spill type cup for the tea? Not as nice as a porcelain cup, but might help cut down the washing was spills.

DSD, we had to have some work done in the corridor by the 'wash room' and the guys built me a huge, very solid, box and put my wm and drier on it, so they're at about hip height, which is perfect! They were truly lovely guys but have now disappeared into the aether, or I'd ask them to fix the ceiling....!

I’m really happy with my Beko with 12 kg capacity. It takes up no more space than a regular washing machine. I have a coverless duvet and wash it every week, and also have plenty of blankets and pet stuff needing a wash. I would never go for a smaller drum again.

How often do you need the full load ? Cheaper maybe even to chuck the duvets once a year or get them dry cleaned than spend on a machine that has hugely surplus capacity and will cost you more to run every wash if you do not like stacking washing up.

I would go for something with a decent spin speed as that helps keep drying costs to a minimum. Mine is 1600 rpm. It is a washer dryer but I hardly ever use the drier bit, even in winter the dehumidifier works fine.

Oh and maybe find a tea drinking solution less prone to spillage !

I had a 10kg Hoover WM and I loved it!! It was about 5/6 years old when it died suddenly in September last year (RIP)
In a rush and panic, I got an Indesit 7kg … oh dear, I hate it!!
It takes a bloody lifetime to do a straightforward wash … and doesn’t clean very well either!
I am replacing it next week, my new Hoover 10kg drum arrives… I cannot wait!!
Life’s too short to live with an appliance you don’t get on with!!

GasPanic, yes the spin on this 'orrible thing of mine barely works now, one reason we want to replace the machine. Oh and I am considering alternatives to prevent tea spillage, but dh has strict and strange criteria...🤪

SmokeyEye the Hoover sounds nice. As we can't install it until the ceiling's fixed (and that's another story) there seems to be no rush after all.

I have an LG direct drive 11kg machine, I love it! It is about 11 years old and going strong. The large capacity means I do fewer loads per week.

Edit: it’s actually 13 years old

Hoovers have a very poor quality reputation (see if you can borrow someone's Which account to check them out).

my understanding is LG and Samsung tend to be the most reliable.
i have a large LG despite there only being two of us most of the time. i love the time/temp/spin speed options as well as the heavy duty allergy options. the fastest option being an 18 minute cycle which i can as per the others choose the water temp and the spin speed.

the water level is based on the weight of the load i put in.

I’ve just replaced a Hoover 8kg machine with a Samsung 11kg series 5 Spacemax. Delighted with it so far. Good variety of wash cycles, excellent spinning and so quiet. It also plays a little tune when the cycle is finished 😄
You can buy Teflon waterproof duvet protectors which just zip over your duvet like a cover. We bought a couple for the kids’ beds in Dunelm. Not sure how waterproof they actually are but might be an option.