about to buy a washing machine, brand advice please

[RaverDrew]

I was quite surprised when the bosch came it was cold fill only but it seems to do the job just fine

I do run a boilwash every so often usually after washing the dogs stuff

and I always use calgon tablets...

Washing machines live longer with calgon ( hardwater area)

Most new machines are cold fill only nowadays, as it is far more efficient.

 

[LilMissHissyFit]

My Indesit is cold fill and I don't have this problem at all. Not sure I have ever used the boil wash tbh.

Maybe it's a water/powder thing?? We've got soft water and I probably use less powder than most people, certainly less than they recommend.(Fairy/tesco value mix)

Yep we find we use less liquid/powder. Use too much and I can feel it on the washing and have to rinse again.
I think the stink problem comes about because of the low temps the machine works at and the lack of detergent ( because I use less- its AAA+rated to use less water too) and I suspect its to get rid of the build up of dirt/grease which accumulates in the machine.It definitely says in the manual you need to do these maintainence washes.

When I eventually replace this one I will investigate the issue a bit more I think because its my bugbear. The washing comes out stinkier than it went in when it needs cleaning and takes washes and washes to remove. I think it probably also depends how many washes you do, how full the machine is etc affects th frequency of the maintainence washes you need to do

 

[blackadder]

Hi guys, domestic appliance engineer here. I agree with alot that has been said, stay well clear of Hotpoint/IndesHit, they are the same company now too. Hoover are owned by Candy and are both shit nowadays, the old tank like machines used to be good though. I'd give Whirlpool a wide birth too, shame really, as their old stuff was excellent.

Anyhow, I'll throw a question at ya's! How many of you wash stuff that doesn't need washing? The more you was things, the quicker they become worn and lose colour and shape. If it's clean but just needs freshening up, just bang it on a rinse and spin with a little fab conditioner, and keep the spin low, as the water retention chart shows you just how little extra water you lose on higher spins above 800rpm. The energy used to achieve the extra high spins is more than an extra 2-3 mins in a dryer, not to mention the damage to fibres on super high spins. Plus, you wear your machine out too, if you push it to the max on a regular basis.

 

[LilMissHissyFit]

Candy make excellent budget models, I know a few people that have had their machines for over a decade, with no problems whatsoever.

Our previous one was candy and it lasted years! was cheap to repair too.
we let it go in working order to a family who needed a one because it wasnt working as well as it used to and we wanted to buy a new machine
I can recommend Candy ones though. I think i probably paid £200 for a machine which lasted 8+ years without a problem

 

[kalidarkone]

Hi guys, domestic appliance engineer here. I agree with alot that has been said, stay well clear of Hotpoint/IndesHit, they are the same company now too. Hoover are owned by Candy and are both shit nowadays, the old tank like machines used to be good though. I'd give Whirlpool a wide birth too, shame really, as their old stuff was excellent.

Anyhow, I'll throw a question at ya's! How many of you wash stuff that doesn't need washing? The more you was things, the quicker they become worn and lose colour and shape. If it's clean but just needs freshening up, just bang it on a rinse and spin with a little fab conditioner, and keep the spin low, as the water retention chart shows you just how little extra water you lose on higher spins above 800rpm. The energy used to achieve the extra high spins is more than an extra 2-3 mins in a dryer, not to mention the damage to fibres on super high spins. Plus, you wear your machine out too, if you push it to the max on a regular basis.

Domestic appliance God/Godess

 

[dash]

Bosch is a non-profit organisation, bit like the John Lewis Partnership. So another reason why urban people might want to buy their well-made and reliable products.

 

[geminisnake]

Or running your household boiler to produce water at 70 degrees, then pumping half your HW tank contents into a washing machine for it to be immediately cooled down by cold water to 40 degrees isnt efficient

Ah, that makes sense for most people(our water comes straight from the mains and in winter it's like it's been in the fridge overnight) cept for the hot washes and in our house the boiler isn't that hot coz it runs off the coal fire which is mainly only on in the evening. If you want hot water in our house you have to pour a nearly a sink full for it to come through.

 

[Giles]

My mum used to have a AEG Lavamat washing machine, bought 1977 that I kind of inherited when they moved house, and it only expired in 1996.

And even then it could have been fixed, but the parts by this time were only made by one man working in a cave somewhere, and it was going to take 2 months to get them.

Since then I have gone with Bosch for washing machines and dishwashers.

Giles..

 

[weepiper]

OK steering well clear of Hotpoint and Hoover now then! Looks like Bosch may be the one to go for. Thank you all

 

[suzee blue cheese]

Had an Indesit 1200rpm in the old house, bought slightly dented from the place on Brixton Hill for @ £200 @ 11 years ago. I only ever really used it on the colour-fast synthetics wash, and always on full spin. The wool cycle seemed to need a helping hand to complete but as wool washes in our house are infrequent, it didn't really matter.

Only real problem was that it stopped draining one time in 2002. I posted a thread about it here.. Contrary to popular advice 'bin it and buy a new one', someone pmed me with the name of a washing machine repair man up in Streatham. Top bloke. Got it going, no parts needed.

It remained in action until we moved this summer. Left it for the people who bought the house, I thought it may not survive a move and the new people didn't have one at all, so made more sense to leave it than to move it.

So, Indesit did me well as a starter machine. Next machine, I'd like to go for a Bosch if I can afford one.

 

[Termite Man]

Bosch are damn good !

 

[HackneyE9]

Bosch=German
Hotpoint=British

'Nuff said, innit.

However...our Bosch is six years old and sometimes stuff is starting to smell a bit mildewy or damp when it comes out. Is there any sort of maintenance you're supposed to do with washing machines? My gut instinct tells me a tube needs cleaning or the machine put some sort of flush cycle, rather than anything drastic, but flip knows where the instructin manuel is.

Ta.

 

[lynne8]

I like the look of the LG ones, but I don't know much about them. The Bosch sounds good tho'.

 

[weepiper]

Bosch=German
Hotpoint=British

'Nuff said, innit.

However...our Bosch is six years old and sometimes stuff is starting to smell a bit mildewy or damp when it comes out. Is there any sort of maintenance you're supposed to do with washing machines? My gut instinct tells me a tube needs cleaning or the machine put some sort of flush cycle, rather than anything drastic, but flip knows where the instructin manuel is.

Ta.

You can run an empty quickwash with a couple of cupfuls of white vinegar in the powder drawer, that helps with smelly washing as it sanitises the machine.

 

[HackneyE9]

Just waiting right now for that white wine vinegar wash to finish...