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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

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Original poster

I need a new washimg machine. Washer dryer combo ? What have you got?

14 replies

liahgen · 11/08/2009 08:27

and is it any good?

Have had 3 bloody washing machines since 2003. I just want one to do the job, is that too much to ask?

Which make? How much to spend? Is it worth getting a combo?

TIA

OP posts:

CMOTdibbler · 11/08/2009 08:29

We currently have a washer dryer - tbh, if you have room for both, I wouldn't bother as it isn't very good as a dryer.

In the Which tests, the Mieles always come out top, and are apparently very reliable and long lasting too. Thus we have just expended ohmygodhowmuch on a Miele pair as am fed up of going through washing machines

LoveBeingAMummy · 11/08/2009 08:31

I have a washer dryer and can't wait til i can get seperate ones. The dryer is crap, its capacity is crap and it takes twice as long to do anyhting cause your using the same machine iyswim

Original poster

liahgen · 11/08/2009 08:34

yeah that's what i'd heard. Maybe I won't bother then. Only thing is It meansI have to get a small dryer as no room in my kitchen and am fed up with it in the dining room so it has to go into basement.

Do I need a condensation thingy, (can't remember what they'r ecalled)

Thanks you

OP posts:

Original poster

liahgen · 11/08/2009 08:36

ok, so if i get a plain washing machine, which make (apart from Miels which I simply can't afford)?

OP posts:

CMOTdibbler · 11/08/2009 08:36

You just need a condenser dryer rather than a vented one. We don't have a vent either

CruelAndUnusualParenting · 11/08/2009 08:36

We have a Zanussi washer/dryer. While it's not as good as separates, it's good enough. It's lasted 14 years so far, with 3 callouts for minor problems.

shootfromthehip · 11/08/2009 08:39

I have a Zanussi/ Electrolux combi (about £400 if I remember correctly) and it's great. That said I don't use the dryer very often as I have an old fashioned pulley for the winter and usually get the stuff outside in the summer.

I find the washing machine bit very good and the dryer is fine but it will only take half a load iykwim. I don't think that's bad for £400. I've had it for a year and no problems so far.

Oh and you don't need a condensing pipe- it's in built in this one.

MmeLindt · 11/08/2009 08:41

My mum always has washer/dryers and they are crap. My theory is that it takes the first hour for the machine to dry before it starts on your clothes.

We have Siemens machines, on my second now (in 16 years) but the first one was still going when we moved. We sold it to the girl who rented our flat after us.

The Siemens/AEG and Bosch ones are the same machines as far as I know and pretty decent.

MmeLindt · 11/08/2009 08:43

How much do you use your dryer?

For an occasional load, the washer/dryers are ok. But they take a long time.

For regular use I would go with seperates. Get a condensation dryer then you don't need a hose out of the window. You just empty the drawer after use.

Buda · 11/08/2009 08:45

Would agree that the washer-dryer combos are not great. But if you think you will only use it occassionally then it's not too bad. My mum has one and I use if we are there. I put big stuff on radiators and dry smalls in the dryer. Takes ages though. I did once try to dry towels and nearly lost the will to live.

Original poster

liahgen · 11/08/2009 08:46

Thank you ladies,

Condenser!! Thats waht Iwas thinking of.

I have 5 dc's and dh shirts daily so I was alot. Don't have alot of space to dry so prob used dryer alot, I think I could get it down though, especially in term times when they're in uniforms and such like.

Am looking at 14/1600 spin speeds to cut down on drying.

It's really good to be able to check with real people like this isn't it, rather than the young lad in the shop who probably never used a washing machine in his life, (generalising wildly, )

OP posts:

SparkyToo · 15/08/2009 19:14

We have had a Bosch which has lasted 10 years - it's been absolutely brilliant. The thing is, though, even the Bosch engineer said that Bosch don't make them like they used to (10 years ago). I reckon machines are made with a certain lifespan, so that they need to be replaced after a certain period of time.

So, though our washing machine has had a few minor repairs - it's still going strong and have been advised to hold onto it as long as possible.

Niecie · 15/08/2009 19:19

I was going to say a Bosch as our old one was excellent but then I remembered the one we have now has not been so great. I would agree with Sparkytoo they don't make them lie they used to.

AEG are supposed to be good - a bit cheaper than Miele but still very reliable.

I read reviews of washing machines when buying our last Bosch and nobody rates washer driers particularly highly. I wouldn't bother - I had one a long time ago and it was crap and it doesn't sound like the technology has improved much.

muggglewump · 15/08/2009 19:20

I've an 8yr old Zanussi washer/drier which so far has had no problems. It was about £500 (ex bought it).
I rarely use the drier as with just two of us I don't need to.

I'd get another, but because of the size of my kitchen, a drier only fits if you have a fridge/freezer, and I use my big separate freezer far more than I would a drier.

If you need an efficient drier, I'd go for separates

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