To be 38 and unable to do my own washing

[Laundryhelp45678]

I don’t know if I’m being stupid but I’ve had a Bosch washing machine for a few years now and I literally can’t turn my washing machine on and I certainly can’t wash things well in it, so I’m washing clothes (really badly) in the sink! Laundry is a basic life skill and at my age this is really embarrassing!

I mean it turns on for me eventually but I’m literally there pressing the weird button thing for ages until eventually it works (I average about 7 attempts). I could be stood by the machine feeling like an idiot for ages!

Once I can get the machine to turn on, all my stuff comes out soapy and my towels come out hard as a rock. I mean I don’t need to buy sandpaper because the towels will do that job perfectly well!

My towels come out with holes and rips as well and this happened from the very moment we bought this new machine!

I’ve tried changing detergent and softener and using less but it hasn’t helped.

I can’t do laundry like a normal person, I dread using the machine and not being able to turn it on and worry about it ruining my clothes so I’ve literally been washing my clothes in the sink for the last couple of years (I still wash towels in it thought because I just can’t be bothered to wash them in the sink).

It never used to be like this, I had a Zanussi washing machine and it worked fine, you could load clothes in, press start and they would come out without holes, clean and not full of soap, which was great because we all have far bigger things to worry about than washing right?

I reported these problems to Bosch including showing pictures of the rips in towels in the first year of having the machine, an engineer came out to look, they couldn’t find anything wrong with it. For the last 2 years Bosch have just fobbed us off saying it’s user error (which may very well be the case LOL) and delayed doing anything about the issue despite numerous chases from ourselves. They eventually sent another engineer who said the drum was faulty and causing the holes in towels (didn’t explain why I was having the other issues with it though). But they had fobbed us off and delayed things for so long that the diagnosis from this second engineer was made after the machine went out of warranty (clever tactic from them I guess) so they are no longer obliged to do anything to help us. But even if I get the drum fixed, it’s not going to help if I can’t get the soap out of my clothes and turn the machine on first time.

Is the Bosch brand just more entry level and cheaper quality or something? Is that why the customer service is so bad? Or am I just useless at laundry? Do I just cut my losses and buy a more upmarket brand like AEG or Zanussi?

I contacted them to book in a repair and they offered the insurance instead, so some definitely do.

I have always had Bosch washing machines and have never had an issue with them.

Regarding the soapy clothes, are you overfilling the machine or using too many detergent capsules? I use capsules and always put them right at the back of the drum on top of the laundry, never had a problem with it stuck round the door seal.

I have always viewed Bosch as a better brand than Zanussi. It's worth googling which companies actually make the machines.

Insurance companies would go bankrupt if that was usual. Probably an error. But lucky for you!

I know what your saying and I have been trying that but so far it’s left me with a machine that doesn’t fully work!

Im not sure whether to call it quits now, I feel I have exhausted everything with Bosch now!

To be honest I have never really bought an expensive washing machine sometimes the more complicated the more there is to go wrong.I have a Beko and have never had any trouble I find washing machines only last about 6-8 years

Yeah I know BSH make Bosch and Electrolux make Zanussi and my understanding is that Zanussi as a brand will be slowly changed to AEG.

Im worried they’ll all be as bad as each other and changing the machine may not give me the result I’m after.

I had the last one for 11-12 years, and I was hoping this one would last the same sort of time but it doesn’t look like it.

It’s entirely up to you but I wouldn’t give in.

I hate being ripped off.

You have been ripped off.

Out of interest, exactly how long have you had this machine now?

I've got a bosch, no problems but sometimes doesn't switch on at the first press but isn't really an issue. Have recently noticed some slimy trails on dark clothes as we changed to tablets from liquid. Have been advised to put the tablet in before the clothes. I generally use the same program and just change the temperature. I would say Bosch is not a basic brand ( I bought for the colour 😉) but most brands should not rip your clothes! You can buy now and pay it off from Currys.

OP- read this. Even if the warranty has run out, you may be be able to get a refund or partial refund.
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/consumer-rights-act-aKJYx8n5KiSl

The temperature needs to be at 40 degrees to dissolve the capsule.

No she needs to contact the manufacturer to replace or refund. She has rights!

OP admitted can’t be arsed. Crazy eh.

Who on earth uses such a long wash cycle? I have a Beko, I use either the daily wash-28 mins or the quick wash- 18 mins. Temp- 30 degrees, All comes out perfectly clean.

You have rights . Read my post on consumer rights. You have to make an effort yourself, but you will end up with a machine that works. FYI Beko are great and modestly priced!

OP won’t fight it. Said as much. Some people deserve to be ripped off.

The long cycles on modern machines are very efficient. Use less water and energy than the short cycles. Not always convenient though.

I've just bought that one. The stop start button is indeed a nightmare and takes several tries every time. And yes, soap does get caught in the door seal, so I wipe it off manually after each wash with a cloth.

Other than that it functions fine and doesn't rip up our clothes, so we're luckier than you!

Googling reviews of that Bosch washing machine brings up multiple complaints about the machine not washing detergent out properly, door seals not working properly, the machine not washing properly if over half filled with towels and bedding being particularly difficult to get washed properly and the sensor ‘buttons’ being temperamental so the OP is far from the only one who has experienced these issues. However, giving up and washing clothes on a sink for 2 years is not the answer.

OP - you’ve had an engineer say there is a fault with the drum. It shouldn’t matter that it was outside the warranty period if you’ve been complaining from before then. Additionally, manufacturers try to get away with making you think there’s nothing you can do if outside of warranty but under consumer law you have a lot more rights so I’d press further on this. However, if you’re not willing to keep pressure on then I’d cut your losses and buy a new machine just to be done with this (just read all the reviews first to try and avoid picking another machine with multiple reported issues).

almost 3 years

I have tried very hard to fight it for going on 2 years now, I’ve sent them a very long winded letter and they still refuse to help.

At this point I would be happy with a small goodwill gesture to put towards a new machine but I’m not even going to get that from them.

All I can do now is to not buy a Bosch again and let others know not to buy from them.

I will look into escalating it though.

I’m glad I’m not the only one that finds the button annoying.

Oh wow I’m definitely going to read the reviews first rather than buy because it looked the plainest for the kitchen which is genuinely what I went on 😂

You can leave a bad review on trustpilot for your machine. For the machine and the woeful customer service. That often makes them jump to attention.

I might do that thanks to save someone else from buying the same machine!