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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that in 2025 we should have washing machines that accurately show how many minutes are left?

48 replies

EveryFlavourJellyBeans · 05/05/2025 19:57

My washing machine has been showing it has two minutes left on the programme for the past 10 minutes. It was only meant to be a quick 15 minutes refresh wash for a blanket.

It's 2025, we have AI that can write novels and humanoid robots. Why can't we have washing machines that say there is two minutes left on the cycle and actually mean it!

OP posts:
x2boys · 05/05/2025 19:59

They are all Bastard liers😡

Redshoeblueshoe · 05/05/2025 19:59

Also can we have quiet washing machines.
Electric cars are silent. My washing machine you can hear all over the house.

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 05/05/2025 20:01

Yanbu!

Also, I've got the Samsung washing machine which can be monitored on your phone - but you can't actually select cycles remotely

After I do a wash, I like to do an extra rinse and spin, but I can't do this remotely, which is annoying

BlossomBlanket · 05/05/2025 20:02

Haha, YES!!!

FedupofArsenalgame · 05/05/2025 20:03

My bloody machine doesn't even give a time left at all, never mind an inaccurate one. Wish id realized before buying it

Createausername1970 · 05/05/2025 20:05

I missed the sodding bus last week because my washing machine lied to me!

I hadn't noticed before, but I know now!

Cvi · 05/05/2025 20:05

My DM has a Miele and the timer is highly accurate. I can’t afford one unfortunately…

Twoshoesnewshoes · 05/05/2025 20:07

Mine does
cheapy Beko, love it

Maggieminor · 05/05/2025 20:08

Mine varies. To keep me on my toes

katmarie · 05/05/2025 20:09

Mine sits at 6 minutes to go for a solid ten minutes. It drives me nuts because I like to run an extra spin when it finishes, and I feel like it's taunting me with that bloody six minutes.

PrincessArora · 05/05/2025 20:09

I hate this. Getting ready to leave the house think ooh only two mins left and then literally stand there like a lemon for another ten mins. Why? What does it gain from lying????

Sofasloth · 05/05/2025 20:11

I have an auto-dosing Samsung which goes through a '60-wash' bottle of liquid in approx 10 washes despite being set to 'low' detergent.

fruitandvegoverload · 05/05/2025 20:13

My washing machine and tumble dryer are both gaslighting bastards.

Latenightreader · 05/05/2025 20:13

My Bosch does this - glad it isn't just me. Yesterday I put it on the 15 minute cycle and it jumped from 4 mins remaining to 13 as we were watching! I've been late before when it has randomly added an extra 30 mins to a 45 min wash.

Merrilydancing · 05/05/2025 20:17

I just want my toaster to toast on both sides without one side not toasted and the other side burnt.

DiggyDoodad · 05/05/2025 20:21

The machine states the expected duration of the selected programme under optimal conditions.
If you're washing a single blanket, then the conditions are not optimal because the machine will struggle to balance the load sufficiently for spinning. It will spend a long time flipping this way and that, partially spinning, stopping, then more flipping and more partial spinning until it's evened the load. Only then it will it start the spin and the two-minute countdown will actually begin. A machine can easily spend half an hour attempting to balance. Sometimes they just give up and don't spin at all.

So it's not possible for the machine to accurately estimate how long an individual load will take, it only works on generalisations. It gives the user only an approximation of the washing time.

NotDarkGothicMama · 05/05/2025 20:24

DiggyDoodad · 05/05/2025 20:21

The machine states the expected duration of the selected programme under optimal conditions.
If you're washing a single blanket, then the conditions are not optimal because the machine will struggle to balance the load sufficiently for spinning. It will spend a long time flipping this way and that, partially spinning, stopping, then more flipping and more partial spinning until it's evened the load. Only then it will it start the spin and the two-minute countdown will actually begin. A machine can easily spend half an hour attempting to balance. Sometimes they just give up and don't spin at all.

So it's not possible for the machine to accurately estimate how long an individual load will take, it only works on generalisations. It gives the user only an approximation of the washing time.

I have been waiting all my adult life for this explanation.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 05/05/2025 20:27

NotDarkGothicMama · 05/05/2025 20:24

I have been waiting all my adult life for this explanation.

Me too!

it’s still very irritating though!

EveryFlavourJellyBeans · 05/05/2025 20:31

DiggyDoodad · 05/05/2025 20:21

The machine states the expected duration of the selected programme under optimal conditions.
If you're washing a single blanket, then the conditions are not optimal because the machine will struggle to balance the load sufficiently for spinning. It will spend a long time flipping this way and that, partially spinning, stopping, then more flipping and more partial spinning until it's evened the load. Only then it will it start the spin and the two-minute countdown will actually begin. A machine can easily spend half an hour attempting to balance. Sometimes they just give up and don't spin at all.

So it's not possible for the machine to accurately estimate how long an individual load will take, it only works on generalisations. It gives the user only an approximation of the washing time.

Thank you for the explanation. That is interesting to learn.

I prefer to think of it as a malicious sentient robot though, here to taunt me!

OP posts:
AmethystMoonShine · 05/05/2025 20:32

Miele machine here about 10 years old and completely accurate countdown timer. They do exist I promise.

WonderingWanda · 05/05/2025 20:33

Merrilydancing · 05/05/2025 20:17

I just want my toaster to toast on both sides without one side not toasted and the other side burnt.

My toaster has 3 outcomes despite having a scale of 10. Raw, slightly toasted or cremated.

Anon765898 · 05/05/2025 20:35

My washing machine very occasionally finishes a wash but won’t bloody unlock the door. The only way to get him to play ball is to run another wash… fucking arsehole!

Wheech · 05/05/2025 20:36

It drives me crazy. I get that there might be optimum conditions but mine has literally never estimated right now matter the size of load or cycle chosen. The last 5 minutes always take closer to 15.

Toast doesn't bother me. I just keep popping it and flipping or rotating the bread until I achieve an even, golden perfection.

ShodAndShadySenators · 05/05/2025 20:37

AmethystMoonShine · 05/05/2025 20:32

Miele machine here about 10 years old and completely accurate countdown timer. They do exist I promise.

Ours is pretty good too. And quiet, I often don't realise it's finished the load and is waiting. I sometimes wish it would beep or something to let me know. The dryer can manage it...

LegoLandslide · 05/05/2025 20:38

Interesting to hear about the accuracy of the Miele timer.

My fairly new Miele is a complete liar, "two minutes" can be 30 seconds or 15 minutes.