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Housekeeping

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Original poster

I know it is very dull, especially for a friday, but tell me about your washing machine!

68 replies

Joolyjoolyjoo · 19/08/2011 20:11

Right, I am apparently a serial washing machine killer. A few weeks ago our machine started leaking, badly, and had to go to the great washing machine dump in the sky. Being tightfisted (and skint) we bought a replacement from gumtree for £50. Which was great. For 2 weeks. On wednesday an alarming bang emenated from the kitchen. The machine went into what I can only describe as a manic spin, to the point where a burning smell started coming from it! We stopped it (mmm- the smell of freshly charred clothes and rubber!!) and DH has spent the last couple of days "looking" at it. The verdict is that it is beyond all hope Sad

So!! Finally had to raid the meagre savings (sob!) and have £300 to spend on a new machine, but which one?? Knowing the great wisdom of MN on such matters, DH has instructed me to ask you lot for recommendations, before we go shopping for my next victim for a new one tomorrow. I do at least 7 loads of washing a week, and would prefer a machine that has a relatively quick cycle. it doesn't need to be all-singing, all-dancing, but it would be nice if it didn't have annoying habits (eg most recent victim- beeped continuously and imperatively when it was finished a cycle, so you HAD to empty it immediately, grr- don't like being dictated to by household object, found myself shouting "I'll come when I am ready, goddammit!!") A large load capacity would be nice. also good if it was hard to kill. We only have £300 tops

Suggestions please, MNetters!!

OP posts:
Panzee · 19/08/2011 21:04

Thanks for this thread. My washing machine and dryer are both about 6 years old and are starting to die.

Original poster
Joolyjoolyjoo · 19/08/2011 21:12

Thank you so much for all the replies. I did think I was going to have to put bumsex in the thread title to get any responses...

Interesting about the hotpoints. DH has reminded me we used to have a hotpoint fridge which died a premature death. Hmmm

Am storing up all this info for my foray into washing machine hell land tomorrow!

OP posts:
MissTinaTeaspoon · 19/08/2011 21:24

Avoid Ariston too (if they still exist?), I had one briefly in a flat i rented and it was AWFUL. Took hours to complete a load and was really noisy. Plus it did this annoying reset thing - once a programme had started there was no way of stopping it, the dial would just turn itself back to what it wanted to do . I was so glad to move into my own house so I could have my ancient zanussi back!

strictlovingmum · 19/08/2011 21:25

If you can fit it in your W.M designated space get Hoover 6 kg top loader, we had ours for 5 years now, still impressed with it, it has a gentle/hand wash cycle, and it's very compact, slim.
www.hoover.co.uk/products/18/laundry/22/washing-mashine/866/nextra-top-loader/

Original poster
Joolyjoolyjoo · 19/08/2011 21:29

Thanks, strictlovingmum, but wouldn't fit. It's undercounter. Our original one was integrated, but we fixed the kick panel to accomodate our "bargain"!

MissTina- I too will not be dicatated to by a washing machine. it's hard enough to assert my authori-ty over children and dogs, without entering into a power struggle with a household appliance!

OP posts:
Purplebuns · 19/08/2011 21:32

I can only say I hate my bosch, I think the main problem is that it is extremely energy efficient and uses too little water to wash anything moderately soiled. On another note it is two and still hasn't died unfortunately even though I do about 9 loads a week. I so want it to die.

strictlovingmum · 19/08/2011 21:41

Or check this one out, this washes everything, no more trips to the laundrette, pillows, blankets, duvets, huge 10 kg load, and reviews are very good for this one;
www.hoover.co.uk/products/18/laundry/22/washing-mashine/848/dynamic-10-steam/
i am waiting for my current top loader to start showing signs of malaise, so I can treat myself to this.Blush if I can affordBlushBlush

thenightsky · 19/08/2011 21:43

yes - agree purplebums... bosch too bloody clever with all that washing with not enough water. I like my stuff sloshed about.

PMSL at washing machine thread hitting top of active convos on a Friday night

TrompetteMilitaire · 19/08/2011 22:06

Hmm. As ours are all relativey ancient, they use plenty of water. But I couldn't be doing with a water-saving one. It's the same with new-fangled loos.

Original poster
Joolyjoolyjoo · 19/08/2011 23:30

Riiight- so water-saving not a good thing. Noted.

I've missed the bumsex threads! !!

OP posts:
bramblina · 19/08/2011 23:36

I had a Hotpoint first edition,, bought it in 1995 and it lasted me 14 years, so then I bought another Hotpoint, this time the Aquarius, 8kg and I LOVE it! There are lots of programmes though not too many to be confusing, and each one is adjustable (temp and spin speed), and there is a memory facility too. There's a wool wash, a rinse, a half hour and a one hour quick wash, bath and bed prog, hottest is a 90 and coolest is either 30 or 0. i bought mine through kelkoo (.co.uk) and think it was around £300 but really don't know, I had to have it. Grin

Signet2012 · 19/08/2011 23:41

Id recommend staying away from the hotpoint super silent. IT is very silent. However, i got one from a family member and seal was all mouldy (black) and drawer was same, was mortified and bought a brand new one (loved how quiet it was) thinking they had probably left the door closed with Wet clothes in or something. Mine went the same within weeks! I promise Im not a scruff and I do wash it and dry it and use the bits and pieces your meant to but its not stopped it! When I mentioned it to repair man he said put it on a boil wash every week but it wont make any difference, seems to happen to alot of them for some reason. Had various washers including a 14 year old one and never had anything like this before!

Original poster
Joolyjoolyjoo · 19/08/2011 23:43

Have to say, previously gym gear (both mine and DH's) come out STILL smelling sweaty Sad I'm looking for a machine that will leave them smelling ok. I tried changing washing powder etc, but it didn't really help, thought we might need a hotter cycle?? We both go to the gym quite a lot- I just want our laundered clothes to smell properly laundered.

OP posts:
strictlovingmum · 19/08/2011 23:51

Our gym gear was also stinky after being laundered, I have put that down to amount of spandex in our gym clothes, which harbours bacteria and retains it as all synthetic fabrics do.
One thing that get's rid of sweat smell, I found is to put antibacterial vanish in my wash, it kills the bacteria, hence no more smell.

bibbitybobbityhat · 19/08/2011 23:53

Right jooly, I am not going to ban on about my fabulous and cheap Hotpoint Aquarius 6kg (which is slightly bigger than average machine but not one of those HUGE ones) but:

You can wash at any temperature from 90 down to 30, yes including 50 and 70 and odd temps like that.

You can adjust the spin speed on any cycle.

You can do a fast wash, half load, rinse hold etc.

But you can also do something call wash enhance. So with your gym gear - that prob needs to be washed at 40 right? If you did it in a hotpoint, you'd put it in on a 40 degrees cycle but choose wash enhance which just means it gets sloshed around a bit rougher for a bit longer. It does take about an hour and a half/2 hours for the full cycle, but I never have any problems with our really manky items. No sweaty socks here [proud emoticon].

PelvicFloorOfSteel · 19/08/2011 23:53

My current washing machine does that 'I'm going to finish the cycle I was on regardless of what you want me to do' thing too, it drives me mad. DS1 keeps fiddling with the buttons and it makes it even worse that neither of them listen to me.
Definitely don't get one like that. Grin

Original poster
Joolyjoolyjoo · 20/08/2011 09:05

Thanks so much guys- I'm almost looking forward to going out and choosing my new washing machine now! I know we'd probably be better buying online, but if we don't get one today the laundry mountain may rise up and riot!

OP posts:
TrompetteMilitaire · 20/08/2011 09:08

Ah, that's a point. Our home Bosch has a child lock, which I find invaluable. Grin

Original poster
Joolyjoolyjoo · 20/08/2011 18:55

OK, went into shops today, having looked on line first, and discovered that a) the shops were far far more expensive than online and b) that I would still have to wait for delivery!

Soo, have ordered a hotpoint aquarius 6kg (if it screws up, bibbety, I am coming after you Grin). I looked at bosch, but couldn't get one I liked within budget. We saw a zanussi in the shop that we quite liked, but would have had to wait for delivery. I managed to get my hotpoint online for (wait for it!) .....£205!!! And free delivery! As we had saved so much, DH allowed me to buy a tumble drier too (goodbye 5 airers in the hall!!) And when I went to the checkout, I discovered I could have it delivered tomorrow- still for nothing!! Grin Grin

Am ridiculously happy- thank you so much for all your input! Grin

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 20/08/2011 18:58

We have an acquarius and everything comes out really badly creased. Like I put in a brand new t shirt after I'd worn it once and it is so creased now, it looks like it's been screwed into a ball for a couple of weeks.

I never iron bloody anything but I am going to have to start ironing now because the washing machine is killing everything :(

strictlovingmum · 20/08/2011 19:00

WELL DONE!!! [GRIN]

foxinsocks · 20/08/2011 19:01

Aquarius (can't spell)

And I've tried washing fewer clothes and it does nothing. Have no idea what is going so wrong

Original poster
Joolyjoolyjoo · 20/08/2011 19:02

Oh dear! Well, hopefully my new tumble drier with crease-removing programme will help! Fortunately (or unfortunately!) I am an ironing obsessive anyway Blush. I never used to iron, then started to iron school uniforms when dd1 went to school. that's how it starts...now I can't bera to put even PJs away uninroned Blush I am an ironaholic, despite hating doing it!

OP posts:
Original poster
Joolyjoolyjoo · 20/08/2011 19:04

Thanks, strictlovingmum- am definitely going to get some of that vanish antibac you mentioned too! We are going to be the best laundered family on the street!

Just realised, this is the first washing machine I have ever had bought new!! I feel I have arrived...

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 20/08/2011 19:10

Lol jooly, I could do with you here!

Despite the creasing problem, it has never broken down and is really old. Can't remember when we bought it but is definitely well over 5 years!