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Original poster

WASHING MACHINE, in need of one (2 adults + baby + dog)

28 replies

jabuti · 22/12/2007 20:13

hi,

our old washing machine just broke down. i went online on the hunt for a new one and i feel lost with so many options! the main problem is that they are SO expensive, that i dont want to go wrong.

we have a lovely 5 months old DD, and a sweet dog that sheds quite often. so we do wash at least 4 out of 7 days of the week... we need something like 7kg capacity, and a really good spin (around 1400?).

has anyone bought a washing machine recently that could recommend it to me? i would much appreciate it! thank you.

OP posts:
WendyWeber · 22/12/2007 20:15

Bosch! They are ultra-reliable and wash really well too.

I think they have 7kg models now, and def do 1400 spin.

DeckthehallswithboughsofDolly · 22/12/2007 20:21

John Lewis own brand. Made by Siemens apparently but much cheaper. Mine goes on every day and is fabulous. Cheap to buy and run.

DeckthehallswithboughsofDolly · 22/12/2007 20:21

John Lewis own brand. Made by Siemens apparently but much cheaper. Mine goes on every day and is fabulous. Cheap to buy and run.

WendyWeber · 22/12/2007 20:23

AEG, not Siemens - I just googled.

(Bosch/Siemens are more reliable)

JerryErnie · 22/12/2007 20:30

If you could wait until after Christmas, you might find one in the sales?

Original poster
jabuti · 22/12/2007 20:46

yes, we will wait for sales in jan, googling the ones mentioned so far (sorry, DD with me, typing one hand)

OP posts:
CharlieAndLolasMummy · 22/12/2007 20:55

we have an AEG (I think? Or something similar)

It has probably been run perhaps 2-3 times a day, pretty much every day for about 3 years . Occasionally, if we try to stuff too much in, it gets grumpy and displays an error message, but thats it.

I have learnt the hard way with electronic stuff.

  1. You do kind of get what you pay for, unless you do something clever like get an own brand made by a good firm
  1. Get a decent, long, guarentee, just in case.
Original poster
jabuti · 23/12/2007 09:36

thak you for the tip charlie (2/3 times a day?)

going for john lewis so far

OP posts:
BettySpaghetti · 23/12/2007 09:41

We bought a Bosch during the summer and I've been really happy with it.

We bought it from Kitchen Science (on-line) -very reasonable prices although take a bit longer to deliver than some of the other companies. Delivered when they said though.

Original poster
jabuti · 23/12/2007 10:16

hi betty and all, do you know if its a big difference between 1200 spin and 1400? i know 1000 doesnt work for us...

checking kitchen science now...

OP posts:
BettySpaghetti · 23/12/2007 10:43

Our new one has a 1400 spin (although you can reduce the spin speed for each programme if you prefer) -I really notice a difference between the 1400 and our old machine but I don't know what the spin speed was on that.

Things come out so much drier and need less time in the tumble drier/on the line. Also its so quiet compared to our old machine.

Only negative I can find with the Bosch is that it beeps when the programme ends ( beeps every couple of minutes for a while)

WendyWeber · 23/12/2007 11:58

This Bosch is 1400 but only 6kg. If a Currys near you has one you could go and pick it up today!

I have an older (2 years) version of this, with 1200 spin, and it is fab - washes really well and has a time-remaining display which is sooo useful - and it doesn't beep!!!

When the kids were small I used to do about 2 loads a day, and my previous Bosch did really well for about 8 years - I would never buy anything else now.

Similar AEG

ivykaty44 · 23/12/2007 12:12

I got a new washing machine just about 8 weeks ago it has everything you have asked for and I have been very pleased with it.

It is a Hotpoint ultima - simple to use and even has a time delay so it can be set at night to come on in the morning.

www.freenet.ltd.uk/details.asp?ProductID=29224&Appliance=WT746A

I actually brought mine from John Lewis and REGRETTED it - there service was really bad and after many years and appliances (2nd washing machine, fridge freezer, tumble dryer etc) I will not use them again, please be warned.

I have though found the washing machine very good.

CharlieAndLolasMummy · 23/12/2007 14:34

yep, 2/3 times a day. its mad really.

widgypog · 23/12/2007 14:54

I have a bosch..like the one above but without the display and it was 'only' £250 from Tesco. My washing machine man said to get it as its the most reliable for the money.

Original poster
jabuti · 23/12/2007 15:24

i just spoke to my DP about these posts, and he remembered what a nightmare it was for a friend of ours to get john lewis to fix/return/exchange some of the products he bought with them.

looking at bosch...

(how helpful you all have been!)

OP posts:
Original poster
jabuti · 23/12/2007 15:26

now, reading these about 'spin':

Did you know that although a manufacturer may produce lots of different washing machines, spinning at 800, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600 and even 1800, many of these washing machines have exactly the same motors, and speed control modules inside? It's not like a car, where a 1.6 litre car has a physically larger and different engine than their 1.2 litre model. A faster spinning washing machine often has exactly the same size and quality motor inside as a slower spinning version - even though it's doing more work.

from here www.washerhelp.co.uk/topics/spin-speeds.html

OP posts:
WinnieThePooh · 23/12/2007 15:47

The thermostat on my machine went a few months ago. After some research DD ordered me this. It is pricey, but it comes with a 10 year guarantee.

WinnieThePooh · 23/12/2007 15:48

DP ordered it. Not DD she is only 5 lol

WinnieThePooh · 23/12/2007 15:53

BTW as well 5 year old DD1 we also have a 10 week old DD2 who is in cloth nappies. My machine is on most days. I use the quick program (40 minutes) for everything except the nappies. The programme I use for them takes 1hr 50 - 2 hrs 5.

Original poster
jabuti · 23/12/2007 17:04

ha! it would be interesting if a five year old could choose washing machine

now i would like to know, because i was curious about machines over 400 pounds, do you notice anything better than an average 250 pounds one (besides the long garantee, of course)?

OP posts:
widgypog · 23/12/2007 17:17

my previous one was 450 and lasted 3 years!!I think alot of time it is luck.It depends on how much you use them and how you look after them (overloading etc). I might add my parents have a dry cleaners and we have 3 domestic washers (among others) and we always buy the cheapest on offer at the time. The 3 we have at the mo are Beko and Indesit(2 of the budget ranges) and they have all lasted at least 5 years. They are used pretty much non stop 6 days a week!!!

widgypog · 23/12/2007 17:19

like I said my washng machine man said overal Bosch are a good bet as well made and not bad pricing. Also be aware alot of the price is because it is silver or has an electronic display (v expensive if they go wrong)

WendyWeber · 23/12/2007 20:25

40 degree cotton wash on mine is 70 mins, easy-care is 47, so I'm not sure what the blurb on that ISE one is on about...

MrsSpoon · 23/12/2007 20:35

Miele every time. We have had ours almost 9 years now and it has never gone wrong. It is on every day at least once and more often than not it is on 3 or 4 times a day.