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Want a good washing machine- what features should I look for?

17 replies

kayspace · 31/01/2009 11:23

I think:
Good energy use rating
An economy setting
High spin rate
6kg capacity

What do you think- and what do you have?

We'd be spending up to 400 pounds I'd say so not, perhaps, Beko or Candy

OP posts:
nappyzonehasastroppytoddler · 31/01/2009 11:25

dont know how much washers are these days but i have had my energy rated A bosch washer for 13 years so i can recommend that brand.... still has life in it despite being hammered on a regular basis with shitty nappies

rubyslippers · 31/01/2009 11:25

agree with spin - ours is only 1200 and it isn't enough with the amount of washing we now do

TrinityRhino · 31/01/2009 11:26

CHILD LOCK

EldonAve · 31/01/2009 11:33

1400 spin
child lock
handwash cycle

Shhhh · 31/01/2009 15:56

whats with a high spin..? I assumed it was the speed at which it spun your clothes dry..so why is this needed to be high with kids..? iykiwm..

We are in the process now at loking at a washer..this is our 2nd in 7 years...We had before paid around £300 only for it to not last long..now we are thinking of paying cheap so that its not money wasted when it goes...esp if it only lasts a few yrs..
any advice..?

btw, we have 2 lo's and I seem to do around 10 loads a week..(im sure im washing neighbours stuff..)

Shhhh · 31/01/2009 15:57

btw, we have had Bosch x2 and imo they are crap...Welldone nappyzone with yours lasting 13 years..!

mrsmaidamess · 31/01/2009 15:58

Wide opening. Then if you do have to wash duvets etc, you lessen the chances of tugging the rubber door seal off as you pull the washihg out.

I don't know if I agree with a really fast spin rate...I think it leaves stuff too dry and crumpled. Mine's on a 900 and its fine.

MrsSeanBean · 31/01/2009 16:08

All you have said in the OP sounds good. I would add a 'fast wash' option.

IME the most basic machines have been fine, lots of fancy/ complex options have never been used. I really only ever use the 30/ 40 degree programmes.

I don't like fast spins either as the poor things looks like it's about to take off and the noise is horrendous, but that could just be me

Oh, and I have never had a combined washer / dryer but have only ever heard bad things from people who have.

mogwai · 31/01/2009 17:28

Fast spin speed and made by Miele.

Trust me. That's the lot. A basic miele is better than a top of the range anything.

onadietcokebreak · 31/01/2009 17:31

A nice feature to have is timer delay. Then you can set machine to go off in middle of night and have washing ready to hang out in morning. Particulary good if you get cheaper electric at night.

Also quick wash is good for just freshening up clothes and uses less water.

Agree with high spin as reduces drying time.

CaptainKarvol · 31/01/2009 17:55

Also recommend Bosch (1st lasted 10+ years, have recently bought it's sucessor). But if you want to do washes overnight / set a timer, AVOID the ones which go beep every 5 mins to tell you the cycle has finished

andyrobo237 · 01/02/2009 13:19

We have an LG one - has a 7.2kg drum and has a 30 mon wash, and can put extra rinse or spin settings ant it take 40 mins. Is great!!!

Qally · 01/02/2009 19:17

Choice of spin speeds, with one very high for towels etc.

Handwash cycle that's genuinely safe for delicates

Quick wash

Fluff filter that doesn't require you to take the whole farking back off the machine before faffing about with a long hook

Using descaler every month if you live in a hard water zone. Limescale kills machines in months if they're used frequently enough

Agree on Miele if you can stretch to it. We didn't and lived to regret it - we get repairers out to our Zanussi every few months and it's only 3 years old. The variable spin and delicates wash is great, though. We have a timer delay, but have never used it once.

JiminyCricket · 01/02/2009 19:21

ours beeps (on and on) when it has finished a cycle - suppose its a useful prompt, but darn irritating having household appliances nag you all the time for not getting on with the chores...

Horton · 01/02/2009 19:27

Miele Miele Miele. A Hotpoint repair man advised me to get a Miele. He said it would last at least five times as long.

KathG · 01/02/2009 22:18

long warranty means the manufacturer thinks it will last!

WilfSell · 01/02/2009 22:27

Just buy something from Germany. Had an AEG which was German before it was bought out by Electrolux. Lasted 13 years. Just replaced it with a Miele. Which has a 10 year guarantee.

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