New washing machine causing excessive fading and piling?

[Usernametakenagainandagain]

Morning all!

We have just replaced a c.10 year washing machine with a Hotpoint RPD10667DD which cost c.£480. Never had a problem with the old machine but had thought new machine would be a great improvement given the age of the old one. This was certainly the case when I replaced a clothes dryer a while back.

The new machine is a major let down so far. On first washes (using non-bio liquid pouches), it visibly drained the colour from every item washed at 40 degrees (aside from a ridiculously long wash cycle which seems to be the norm now to achieve eco ratings). I use colour catchers and these came out blacker/dirtier than I ever saw previously (even with first washes of new coloured clothes). Since that first wash, I changed to bio powders (both colour and regular for whites). I also use the fast wash (30 minutes) at 30 degrees for colours. I don't think it is helping much and the fading seems getting worse.

On whites, it seems to be very aggressive and I've noticed piling on t-shirts which I never did before - and which have been washed countless times before without a problem.

My question is whether I should get a replacement and find a better model (recommendations?). Or are all new machines overly harsh on clothes due to water saving (and the clothes rubbing on each other excessively)?? Or should I try to find a re-conditioned old machine even? I would pay more (say up to £800) if necessary.

Thanks in advance!!

Is it definitely connected to the cold water supply? Could it be connected to the hot? Just wondering if you're accidentally washing in piping hot water.

Mine has a “quick wash” setting - as you say you’re using - but it also has a “fast” button which you can use in conjunction with all the other washes from bring the wash time down by about half.

Thanks for the replies. The only water supply is a cold water one so it can't be that. Machine doesn't seem hot when running (at 30 degrees).

All clothes feeling rougher when they come out compared with previous machine even though I use a fabric softener. Hotpoint are sending an engineer out but I suspect it may not be a fault - just a machine which is especially hard on clothes (even though it seems highly rated online). I am not able to post pictures yet as just recently registered.

Unfortunately if I send it back I only get c55% of my money back as it has been used. Looking like an expensive mistake.

If it's actually damaging clothes then under the sale of goods act it's not fit for purpose and you are entitled to a full refund.

I’ve had this a few times like you I’ve also got new washing machines two actually because I’m greedy but I also noticed With both my old machines if I washed anything that was really dark even on a quick cycle the colour would of noticeably faded and also the fabric wasn’t as soft.

I’m now thinking or wondering if it’s because I live in a hard water area, thats all I can put it down too, but it’s bloody annoying as I’ve got some lovely dark coloured tops that I don’t wear that often because of this.

Which cycle are you using?

Stop using the cotton cycle. The cotton cycle is the most aggressive.

Try the man made fibres cycle.

There should also be a handwash cycle for delicate items.

Look in the appliance handbook and read through the descriptions of each cycle, things seem to have changed the last few years in terms of what's recommended and what cycles are available.

I live in a hard water area and use a cheaper Hotpoint and don't have this problem. I am perfectly happy with my hotpoint. It does a 30 min wash and I use that most often but use other washes too. I use supermarket washing powder and no conditioner. Hope you get it sorted.

Hi all.
To answer a few questions:

• I've been using the 30 minute cycle on 30 degrees

• Surely I should be able to use a cotton cycle (as manufacturer intended!) rather than a man made fibres cycle? The other thing is that ultra-delicates cycle has a max load of 1kg!

• The machine does not have a hand wash cycle. I now realise I should have bought a machine with this feature

• London is a hard water area but this doesn't change the fact that my old machine gave nearly a decade of perfect service whereas the new one seems to be damaging clothes

Engineer coming today so will see what he says and report back

Thanks