URGENT - Washing machine recommendations, please!

[MotherOfGirls]

My washing machine has died

Actually I'm not that sad, as I bought it in a hurry when my last one died and I didn't make a great choice.

Can anyone recommend a good model, please? I want to be able to choose the temperature and spin speed, rather than have everything set for me according to each wash programme. Any thoughts would be appreciated as I will need to buy something in the next day or two.

Thank you!

Don't get a Hoover washing machine - the machine itself is fine, but they now make them with stupid plastic door catches that break: I had to call an engineer out twice within a month of getting mine. The second time he rang his tech dept who gave him permission to drill a couple of holes and put a metal catch on, which does the job properly.

Miele are pricey but very very worth it, even if you get the cheapest in the range.

Thanks Roskva. It is a Hoover I have at the moment and although the catch has been okay, I haven't been impressed with the machine generally and so will certainly avoid them this time.

Thanks, SC. I will research Miele.

I am normally a great Miele fan (vacuum, dishwasher) but when my washing machine died last week I looked around and opted for a John Lewis model.

Bedsides all the energy efficient stuff, I wanted a variety of options and this one even has a 14 minute complete wash which has been great for stuff that just needs freshening up.

Only had it for 6 days admittedly but so far I am really impressed. Oooh, also it's got a "Quiet" option which is great if you want to put a wash on last thing at night.

Just had a look and Miele are quite pricey, aren't they! Not sure we can run to that right now. Any other ideas? Anyone?

Thank, Owls. That sounds ideal. Is there a specific model I should look for that does all that?

Okay, had a look at JL and may go into Kingston today for further info. I am inclined to go for the top spin speed, which is 1600 but that is quite a bit more expensive than 1400. Does anyone have any words of wisdom on spin speeds, please? I have a dryer but try not to use it!

Don't think you can go wrong with Bosch. I got a good deal from Co-Op electricals online.

Thanks, Ceolas. Will look at Bosch.

I have an 8kg direct drive LG and love it. It can take a superking duvet too, which is a blessing in this house.

We had a Bosch for 11 years and that was fantastic too.

We got this on the recomedadtion of the repair man - local firm. They installed and supplied it cheeeper than anywhere online and gave us 6 months interest free.

The direct drive means it is very quite, as it is in the kitchen.

Bosch, definitely. Have had ours for almost 10 years now, moved house with it once and its still running fine. Can change temperature and spin speed on mine and rather than increase the spin speed I just tend to put mine on for an extra spin if I'm drying the stuff on an airer. Normally takes 1-2 days to dry on an indoor airer after that.

Based on my mum's experiences - avoid ones with complicated electronics. My dcs loved her Samsung which played a little tune when it finished and had a front control panel like the Starship Enterprise. But very quickly some electronic component broke and it wasn't worth fixing so a whole washing machine was lost for the sake of some fiddly uneccessary bit.

This is the one I went for www.johnlewis.com/230420543/Product.aspx. It's got a variety of spin speeds from 900 to 1600.

Also comes with a three year guarantee. I am, have to say, very impressed so far.

I have a Samsung Bigwash. It takes 7.5kg and is really good. You can change the temperature and spin cycle, and it has separate handwash and delicate cycles (no more handwashing of bras - bliss!!)

Thank you all. Having got very excited about a washing mashine that actually does what I want, rather than what it feels like, a repairman has offered to come out today and thinks he will be able to fix mine for £70. Sadly, I can't say no - what with the credit crunch and a holiday booked for next month. Feeling very

I will make a note of all your comments and use them when I am in a more comfortable position financially and can have the pleasure of buying a new machine.

Unless, of course, he can't fix it ...... Will let you know!

I know you said the Miele were pricey, but I would just like to say that I think they are worth every penny.
We managed to find a fairly good deal by searching a bit and it included a 10 year waranty...doubt we'll need it though.

Hope you manage to fix your current one.

Our is Miele. It was pricey but it is great. Really simple to use and I'm told, if Miele make a significant change/update, they will come out and replace the 'brains' so your machine will be updated too. We got ours in John Lewis. Its great.

Amongst others, I can do a handwash cycle, 5 different temperatures of cotton cycles, quick wash, 3 different temps of woollens and it will guage the weight of the load and shorten the length of the cycle accordingly.

A repairman once told me that many, many problems are caused by not washing the machine. It can get a build up of scum and soap outside the drum, which clogs the system. He recommends doing a 90degree wash once a month with an empty drum and a small amount of washing powder (I used one tablet and wash the towel we use for drying the swing). Great tip, and could save a fortune in repairs.

Definitely NOT an Indesit W161!

Had one for the last 5 years and only ever had problems with it!

Definately not a Hotpoint Washer Dryer have had mine for 3 years with nowt but problems.

It actually went on fire at one point which customer services denied even though when the engineer opened the machine up it was all black with smoke damage.

Practically every part has been replaced and now there is water leaking out of the bottom - can't afford to replace it right now

Currys were doing a Bosch pretty cheap, but can't find it now

Okay, it wasn't what the repair man thought and the cost of fixing is £150+, which means it is more sensible to buy a new machine.

I know Bosch have had mixed reviews above but having wandered around Curry's, looking for a machine under £400 that does what I want, I came up with this:

Bosch Exxcel WAE24467GB 7Kg 1200 Spin Washing Machine in White
(sorry, haven't learned how do do links yet!)

It was £411 in Curry's + almost £20 delivery but I have just found it on Co-op Electricals online for £358.94 incl delivery! Thanks, Ceolas

This is my favourite so far. Any more thoughts ......

Well I've got a Hotpoint Aquarius 6kg machine. Not expensive, deffo under £400 or I wouldn't have bought it. No problems so far touch wood (had it 3 years) and you can select different temperature and spin speeds for all the washes you do if you want to.

(ie. there is a 60 degree intensive wash which I can turn down to 50 if I'm doing, say, cotton shirts and I'm worried they might shrink at 60).

Also has mini load, quick wash, blah blah etc.

Thanks Mintyy.

I have gone ahead and ordered the Bosch. Please no-one tell me it's rubbish now!