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 was going to say this. I have a Bosch washing machine + a tumble drier. Given the price, they are definitely not entry-level. AEG and Zanussi are both nearer ‘entry-level’ than Bosch. Never had problems with mine (up to now) and had them both for years!

I sympathise and advise a simpler one.
Also most modern machines have a massive amount of programmes. I use 2, one for whites one for everything else. And the dishwasher I just use quick wash.
I've yet to meet someone who needs these complex easy to break machines. Twin Tubs were quicker and didn't have 200 fault codes 👀😳

@Laundryhelp45678 I had trouble with my Bosch tumble dryer from day 1. The engineer who came out was useless (I'm sure they're not all like that). It was useless from first to last and in the end we bought a new one. We have a Samsung now and have had for ages and I love it. Sorry you're having this experience, but you might be better off getting a different one before it ruins all your clothes. On a separate note, Currys have their own engineers so you don't have to go to the manufacturer and it's easier to have someone to go and speak to. Good luck with it.

‘affected incompetence.’

I have a Beko model WM74135W which I have had for approx 15 years. Most washes get done on a 30° degree wash which takes 28 mins. I do the bedding and towels on 60 degrees which takes 58 mins. Previously I had another Beko for 18 years. Yes they didn't/don't have all the bells and whistles with sensory touch pads and Bluetooth enabled but they do the job of washing my laundry perfectly. Just hoping I get another 3 years out of current machine.

Why haven't you called out the Bosch engineer out by now?

Did you have an unfortunate experience around a washing machine that you might have forgotten.

I went through not being able to look at my washing machine. It was a washer dryer. The first time I put it on it boiled everything. The water was too hot and everything shrunk. I tried complaining to the shop and they sent two men who couldn't speak a word of English. They wanted me to explain what I was complaining about. I already told the shop. It was totally weird. When I asked a question about it, the chap just said 'Not know, only been here two''. Two what? Two weeks, months? It was hopeless. They were getting a bit aggressive so I phoned the shop and asked who they were. I said if they don't leave I shall send for the police. They had no badges, no clipboard, just this thick mobile phone. As soon as they heard the word 'police' they made a run for it.

The next person the shop sent was an engineer who connected his computer to the washing machine and told me there was nothing wrong with it, that I must be using it on the wrong cycle. I didn't think much of that. He told me that he had a good mind to make me pay for the visit, despite it was new, because there was nothing wrong with it.

Used it again. Still boiling stuff. I went into the study where the boiler was situated and sat at the computer. Suddenly the boiler started up. I thought to myself, what have I got on. I wasn't having a shower. The heating wasn't on because by that time it was August and the machine was installed in April and it still wasn't right.

Then it clicked. The fools must have plumbed it into the hot water supply. No wonder it was boiling everything. I contacted the shop again. This time the engineer who came said he was their top engineer. This engineer actually turned the machine on and watched the water fill up, put his mit in and jumped back. He said I was right, that it was plumbed into the hot water supply. He tried to take the subes out but by then the hose had melted to the pipe, so it had to be changed.

By that time I couldn't bear to look at it, didn't want to touch it. I was compensated. I said I would never have a combined washer dryer again because of the trauma of April to almost October having to argue the toss,

I got a new washing machine and separate dryer, and a token payment for some of the ruined clothes. I can look at the machine now, but I have never forgotten.

I deliberately bought a new Bosch a couple of years ago, as they are the best machine I have used.

Mine goes on immediately is very easy to use and rinses well. Washing at very low temperatures (like hand wash setting) I do use liquid rather than powder.

Yours is clearly faulty, not user error.

It’s a bit late to ask them to replace the whole thing, but that would have been something to do when it was new.

You need a new machine. You may have a case if you’ve reported this from the start and they now admitted an issue with the drum.

We've got a Bosch as well, and when we first got it, I couldn't get it to start, I would be jabbing away at it uselessly whereas my husband had no problems. After a few months the drum needed replacing- the engineer who came out said it must have been fitted badly in the factory. He also explained that its not how hard you press the button, its how much of it you cover and my finger wasn't big enough. Another example of everyday sexism - designed to fit male engineers fingers ! I was advised to bend my finger and use the bit between the first and second joints to cover the button, and that works. I agree it's not a very good machine though. Ours is a washer dryer and it doesn't dry the clothes properly and leaves them very creased.

It's clearly terrified of me!

Need pictures.

I always swore Bosch were best - all my machines in the house were Bosch. However I have changed my mind and now think they are rubbish. My last Bosch washing machine lasted just over 2 years, just like my Bosch cooker!

OP go to John Lewis and buy a basic washing machine from them (not a Bosch) your life will be transformed!

I have issues with the sensor button on mu bosch dryer

Sometimes it just doesn't work for me but will for the husband and kids.

But it's only occasionally and everything comes out dry

@Laundryhelp45678 I have dropped you a PM with some hopefully helpful info about contacting people who may help x

I know right !, & this is going on for years 🙈
I reckon this thread is written by the guy who just got married , his job finished a year ago , so now he stays in bed all day playing video games , & smoking weed while his new wife goes out to work !
So I reckon his stoned here having a laugh
Cause ffs this cannot be serious 😂 😂

He’s

Were you referring to me and my machine? I wasn't sure. It was a while ago. They replaced it with a lovely Samsung which has never let me down (this time it was installed into the cold water system and not the hot) and a very nice Bosch condenser dryer.

I don't want to put the mockers on it by praising them too much. Pride often goes before a fall.

Did you ever go to the CAB/Trading Standards to see if it was ''not fit for purpose?''

With the history, it might not be too late.

Hello no it was to OP, but saw what happened with the dodgy plumbing in, what a nightmare! Good think you were able to sort it out.

hrft but I have issues with touch sensitive buttons. I used to have to ask for help with a particular piece of equipment at work, i thought I was just incompetent until the engineer explained it was a touch screen and didn't activate by my fingers, possibly bc I have very dry skin.

Use a different setting if there is one or buy a new machine that's simple and doesn't use touch screen.

I once had a dishwasher that didn't work properly - of course just out of warranty. Technician kept coming and trying to fix it, no complains about the customer service. When I finally gave in and went to buy a new one the shop gave me a huge discount as a compensation.

I have policies on all my major appliances. Free service (labour and parts) and free replacement if it can't be repaired (no time limit) Costs something like £5 a month for each appliance.

Lol - I thought I was good at reading small print but didn't see that anywhere! 😂

How very strange that they did it! I must have lucked out with a new person that didn't know the rules!

The temperature is at 40…………….

Who on earth can afford to write off a washing machine costing a few hundreds of pounds? Grow a backbone and get complaining!!! Point out to Bosch that it's in their interests to show they care about customer satisfaction!