Share which electrical item you couldn’t live without with Co-op Electrical for the chance to win a £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED

[EmmaMumsnet]

It’s hard to believe that there was once a time when all our gadgets didn’t exist and people had to live without modern essentials such as a washing machine ! Co-op Electrical would like to find out which electrical item you couldn’t live without, whether it’s one that helps with everyday life or a luxury item.

Here’s what Co-op Electrical has to say: “Electrical items are now so much a part of our lives that it’s easy to take them for granted. But we know that when our customers need a new washing machine, cooker or fridge-freezer, they need it quickly, which is why we offer next day delivery to most parts of the UK. Even a few days without a ‘luxury’ item like a TV or tablet can feel tough!"

Would you be lost without your laptop? Or is your TV precious to you as it can keep the DC occupied and allow you to watch Strictly ? Would you fail to function without your coffee machine? Or maybe your fancy straighteners are a necessity to battle frizz?

Whatever electrical item you would feel lost without, please share it below. Everyone who posts on the thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[torthecatlady]

Probably the washing machine! It would be such hard work to have to wash everything by hand.

[CopperKettle11]

It would have to be the washing machine... there is no chance I’d fancy hand washing the family’s clothes....anything electrical which allows you to spend more time with the family is worth its weight in gold!

[Holliewantstobehot]

My washing machine. We have so much washing. And my TV. I could manage with a computer but I don't get out much and the TV is my entertainment. Oh and my radio. I listen to the radio a lot.

[ConfusedLivingDoll]

My phone, the fridge, washing machine.

[FeedMeAndTellMeImPretty]

I just got a tumble drier second hand from Facebook. OMG it's amazing! I was drowning under piles of laundry for years - the relentlessness of sorting, putting washing in, taking washing out, hanging up, taking down, folding, putting away. It was a constant stress. Now it's all done within a couple of hours instead of the whole cycle taking 2 days.

I didn't even know I needed it, I just had a gap in the utility room, saw it and thought "ooh that could be handy". Now I couldn't be without it!

[ScaryMary81]

I love my washer, hair straighteners and fridge freezer hard choice choosing between them - I'd be lost without all 3!!!

[NextIndia]

My washing machine. I have 5 filthy little DC and a sweaty DH and we get through mountains of clothes each day. Bed changing day sends me into a panic because I fall behind on all the normal washing. Close runner up would be the dishwasher though.

[Easylikeasonntagmorgan]

My coffee machine. It has enabled me to function after many a sleepless night with the DC

[Rosehips]

Coffee maker

[Quietvoiceplease]

In terms of essentials, then it would be the fridge. The sheer challenge of trying to keep food cool when we are camping, makes me realise how easy a fridge makes life.
In terms of non-essentials, then it would be my tumble dryer. I know I can do a load of laundry and get it dried overnight if I need to, without having everything hung around the house making the air damp (mind you, I also get a 1950s thrill from seeing the washing line full of laundry drying, so I have an alternative on good days though there aren't enough of those here).

[heyday]

Every single day I am so grateful for all the wonderful electrical appliances we now have easy access to. I think they are so much as part of life that we often take them for granted. I would miss each and every one of them but the one I feel that I would miss the most would be my ipad.

[chibsortig]

My washing machine, for everything else there is an alternative that only takes a bit more effort such as if the kettle broke i could use a pan to boil water on the hob, if my kindle broke there are real books to read. However if my washer broke it would mean hand washing for a family of 6 or finding a launderette there isnt one nearby or a friend to do some washing until i could replace mine.

[timeforabrewnow]

washing machine - obviously!!

[timeforabrewnow]

for all reasons above - thanks chibsortig although I have a family of 5 not 6

[AWholeLottaRosie]

iPad. It’s the first thing I look at each morning and the last thing I look at each night. If any of my other electrical items broke it would be my iPad that I’d be using to do the research to get the best deal for replacements.
It’s fantastic for keeping in touch with my elderly parents - they’re very hard of hearing so struggle to use a telephone but can text me via their iPad.
I use it every day for tide times, news, weather, Mumsnet...just everything!

Next in line would be my washing machine.

[MerlinsBeard87]

With a new baby and a toddler in the house it has to be the perfect prep, steriliser and washing machine. Each one is in constant use!

[Miniminimus]

I've been living the nightmare that is no washing machine for nearly a year so thought I would report back. After about 13 years and two repairs, it would now cost almost as much to fix mine again as a new one but I just don't have the outright cash up front to do either. If I do one month, it vanishes in a car repair etc. No central heating so can't wash by hand and dry at home.

So it has been off to the launderette with two big Ikea bags every week. It takes £10-15 to wash and dry two big loads (more like four loads from domestic machine) myself. About 2 hours to wash, dry and fold but less ironing. You can pay to get it done though costs a lot more, so I don't. But lots of planning needed to fit the time in (LP, work F/T, 3 DC) and could not get there without a car. There are bonuses, I get to chat to people, nip to nearby shops while I'm waiting, buy veg in the next door greengrocers instead of the supermarket. Launderettes near us are super clean and warm and all the washing smells lovely.

So it is manageable but I would love the spontaneity of having a working washing machine again at home and am sure it saves money. . Less planning ahead and not having to lug heavy bags around. No panic if something is missed out and needed next day by desperate teen.

Ultimately no washing machine is just about manageable though. I am sure lots of people do the same, but without a car and if so, I take my hat off to them.

Real essentials for me would be fridge (village, so hard to shop daily), and kettle....for endless cups of tea (microwave tea anyone? ...shudder!) and starting off the pasta water. And non-essential the vacuum cleaner. Must have been life-changing compared to sweeping and beating the carpets!

[Miniminimus]

Good question by the way, clicked by accident but has really made me think about my priorities.

[ponygirlcurtis]

I was going to say my dishwasher, as I have only recently started to use it (it was used for storing dishes before!) and I don't think I could go back to soooo much washing up.

But also the phone charger - between me and DS1 it's in near constant use. When DS2 is old enough for a phone I may have to consider getting more sockets installed!

[sashh]

My kindles, the ability to just start reading anew book without going to a shop and without filling up book shelves

[peronel]

I love my electric oven (with gas hob).

[Zebee]

Washing machine- hand washing clothes for a household is hard work.

[VilootShesCute]

This has actually made me feel quite pathetic and panicky about how much I rely on electricals and also what would happen if they all just suddenly disappeared. How the human race has come to need these things is scary. Anyhow I have a huge list of things I would fall apart without but the top item has to be washing machine. That and a fridge and oven and I wouldn't need anything else to cope!

[Anj123]

Toss up between washing machine, phone and iPad!

[showmewhatyougot]

Washing machine, I can't think of much worse then hand washing OHs undies