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

[Joolyjoolyjoo]

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

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!!

That's good to know, fox. As I am a master wachine machine killer, I have to accept that it may not last as long in my hands. However I will ensure DH's pockets are turned inside out before washing in future, and perhaps that will help!

I am so pleased to hear about the mould thing! I thought it was just me, cos I am a lazy fucker, but now I feel vindicated

Ours has a nifty little thing at the bottom like a filter where stuff like coins go so they don't bugger the machine up :). This may explain why it has lasted so long!

Ooh, excellent outcome. Happy washing!

£205 is a bargain!
I have a Hotpoint Aquarius (6 years old). I definitely paid more than that!
Right first step to make it last longer than your last one (hopefully)...

1. Check all pockets before washing
2. Do not overload
3. Leave door open when not in use (where possible) to air it a bit
4. Do not leave wet clothes in it for long periods of time (smelly)

Aren't I bossy?

Hotpoint First Edition - 6 years and gets some real hammer....
Following on from Bossy Cap"tMartin -
Don"t forget a "service wash" every so often!

Foxy - remember me, its mintyy here - try turning the spin speed down a notch or two. Or put it on rinse hold and only spin when you can get the clothes out straight away.

And op £205 - BARGAINTASTIC. I know ours was at least £300. Well done!

Mintttttttttttttty

I never knew it was you!

I am stupidly excited about my appliances coming tomorrow- just had a phone call to say they will be here between 2 and 6pm! Seems like pretty good service! (appliancesonline!) Seems almost too good to be true, so am kinda reserving judgement until they actually arrive! I have been happily throwing all towels etc in the washing basket- poor thing will have a baptism of fire! Hope it is up to it!! (how sad am I to be looking forward to washing)

No you not sad, you have bagged a bargain, and if it helps, I too have a very special relationship with my hoover washing machine and hetty hoover.

Appliancesonline are great. We got some integrated appliances from them (Bosch ones, naturally ), and it was all very efficient.

Oooooooooooooh, I love my Hetty Hoover too. Far better than our suction-less Dyson.

Ha! Hoover is next on my list (when we recover from washing machine expense!) Our current cheapo replacement hoover (I killed my miele hoovering up rubble ) DH has a Henry at work, that he thinks is really good. Do you have to buy lots of bags for your hetty? DH says they use they Henry without bags, but it does say "bagged".

I got ten free bags when I bought hetty, had henry before hetty and I did use it without bags for a while, you can use it without, but I think they preform with bag better, and nothing was wrong with henry I gave it to my sister, after her Dyson caught fire, no more Dyson for anybody in our family.

I agree- we had a dyson. V. expensive and not that great. Followed it up with a miele cat and dog (as recommended by MN ) which was great, until I killed it as described, although remembering to order bags was a bit of a pain- we seem to have a lot to hoover (3 dc's who mysteriously leave crumbs in their wake and 2 dogs) so went through a fair few!

You will find hetty or henry godsend with pet hair, it picks up everything, it's a great all around hoover, John Lewis still sell it I think for £99, three year warranty and free delivery, I wouldn't be without mine.
It comes with different attachments for upholstery, carpets, rugs, hard floors, blinds, top of the furniture etc.
I use mine to hoover bathroom and kitchen floor, no need to brush anymore, and it hoover's it so well you can almost get away without mopping every day.

They have arrived!! Very very impressed with the service! I only ordered the appliances last night, and here they are, delivered free of charge, by a very nice man (who I almost hugged ), right in the time slot they told me!! I think I have gotten so used to rubbish service (and yes, Comet, I'm looking at you!) that it seems truly amazing when it is done right!

Huge thanks to all and a big thumbs up to appliancesonline- I will be using you again, you can be sure.

Right, off to do the washing before it rises up and takes over the house!

Yippee!!! Three cheers for Appliancesonline.

It was building rubble that finished our Dyson off too. Hetty seems to suck it all up with no trouble.