Louise Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 I have a whirlpool I have had it for 6 years now some of the cycles have never been great at spinning the water out but the setting I usually use is fine It got chosen for price only I had just moved and needed a machine but was pretty skint and it was one of the cheapest the shop had I even got the delivery and fitting charge refunded as the company screwed it up - twice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 Same as us Louise. Saying that though, and touching wood at the same time, my Whirlpool has been ok and we've had it around 5 years now. I do try and use calgon every so often and soda crystals to give it a good clean out, who knows if that actually makes a difference though. I only use the 30 degree, rapid 30 min wash on mine. Our cothes are never soiled, just need freshening up. You watch - I'll soon be on here asking how to get grass stains out of Stefan's trouser knees! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 If it's something that your interested in and you bank balance can take it Miele are supposed to be a very ethical manafacturer. They can out well in the Ethical Consumer magazine report and it sounds like they are good machines. My current one is a Bosch and it has been great, had it about 6 years now and no breakdowns or repairs so far. (I am not tempting fate as I don't believe in it, she said praying hard ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 Our's was a Hotpoint that Joe bought when he lived in Wales, with matching tumble drier, fridge and freezer. Just over a year ago the washer packed up and despite my fixing it it broke again a few weeks later with something else - my mum wouldn't have another hotpoint either - one lasted her 16 years, then she went through 2 in 5 years! We've now bought a Bosch and it's brilliant, same make as the dishwasher which has never given us a problem, it's A rated on all cycles and it uses by far the least amount of water per cycle (less on a full load than hotpoints use on a HALF load!) = less money on energy bill and the metered water Joe still wants a Miele though but I couldn't stretch to one at the time but one day............Oh - I got it from John Lewis in 2 days, Curry's would take 3 weeks and got the extra years warranty free from JL too! A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 I have a very old 'Servis' washing machine. It is now 10 years old and I frequently threaten it with replacement. It spent the whole of the summer not really cleaning anything very well. Moving house and replumbing it in obviously did it the world of good as it has a new lease of life (for a few more months anyway!!!). When it finally does give up the ghost it will owe me nothing as it was aa v. cheap ex display model - and has only gone once in the 10 years I've had it - something of a miracle!!! We bought my grannie a John Lewis one 18months ago to replace the twin tub she had sworn by for the previous 40 odd years - ut goes very well - is simple and was reasonably priced (for a washing machine) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted January 26, 2007 Author Share Posted January 26, 2007 Well it's going to get fixed anyway, by a local washing machine repairer and being taken out on Mon. It's only going to cost £150 all inclusive. So fairly cheap really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 I've got a Hoover Family 1300, 7kg, AA rating eficiency washing machine. It is over 6 years old and touch wood it has never broken down It has all the usual settings, plus mini wash which takes 20 minutes (great for emergency football kit washing in a hurry), Time saver which takes 40 minutes (this is used a lot), extra rinse (for getting out all the detergent) and Mega wash (for very large ,heavy loads). The machine works out how much water is need for the size of load I can easily wash in one load the all the bedding from a king size bed, double bed and a single bed When we bought the machine 6 years ago it cost £275, great value Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 My first washing machine was a Phillips and even though it was an automatic, it was a top loader. It cost a fortune at the time, but I had 14 years continuous use before it died. (Including 3 lots of Terry nappies!) The only drawback was that it couldn't be housed under a kitchen counter, although it wasn't a prob for me as I kept it in the garage. My Sister who now lives in Oz pointed out to me that in Oz and in USA where she lived previously, most washing machines are top loaders, and they go wrong far less often that front loaders because they don't have all the complicated balancing mechanisms required to make the drum work on its side. They are more efficient too as they are bigger, and so even though you use more water, they use less energy as you use them less often, and again the top loading aspect makes them more energy efficient. Its the British desire to have twee kitchens that is the cause of the problem. I wish the big top loaders were available over here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Eglutine, you can still get them! Our friend has bought one and a gas powered tumble drier too - and it was amazing! - both take huge loads and yes they take up a fair amount of space but he has a large utility room that they are housed in. I'll find out where he got them and let you know! A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Thanks One Man Banned. A gas powered tumble drier you say? Wow! Sounds positively Victorian!! Am pleased with my new washing machine, but knowing my luck with electrical goods, I might be glad of the details of a top loader. I wait with bated breath. (Or is it baited?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 love that emoticon! A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Cute innit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 We have two industrial gas powered dryers at work they are fab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 My Sister who now lives in Oz pointed out to me that in Oz and in USA where she lived previously, most washing machines are top loaders, and they go wrong far less often that front loaders because they don't have all the complicated balancing mechanisms required to make the drum work on its side. They are more efficient too as they are bigger, and so even though you use more water, they use less energy as you use them less often, and again the top loading aspect makes them more energy efficient. Its the British desire to have twee kitchens that is the cause of the problem. I agree with what you say about top loaders, Egluntine. You can also interrupt the cycle at any point except spin I can't help thinking though that the reason for the small kitchens is the housebuilders desire to cram many properties into small spaces! I had a Hotpoint top loading machine for 9 years, until 3 years ago when my mothers very old top loader began leaking dramatically, and the spin brakes went. I gave her mine and bought an Ariston triple A rated machine with 1600 spin speed, a bargain at £250! It broke on the first wash . Fortunately, the repair man said I should have a new one (nice of him ) and the replacement has been fine for 3 years. I am sure there is a company down south somewhere who deal in these large top loading machines, I am sure I found them on the internet when attempting to replace mums machine. They are quite expensive though, in excess of £600 maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 I think these are the people who sell top loaders, American ones too! http://www.ogormans.co.uk/washers.htm They are in Oxfordshire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 Cor! Ta Charlottechicken. One for the future for me as I bought a 5 yr extended warranty with my new machine. Shhh! Not wanting to tempt fate ........... So far so good!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted January 28, 2007 Author Share Posted January 28, 2007 Well, we managed to get it working! No more laundrette for us!!! Touch wood! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 We have a Zanussi, & our previous machine was also a Zanussi which lasted about 16 years.I really like them, they are simple to use, cheap to repair (if it comes to it) & efficient. If you can, buy via John Lewis as they give a 3 year guarantee rather than 1 year from Comet etc - well worth it! Aarrgghh - my washing machine has just broken down. And I have discovered its not a Zannussi,but a Bosch, & it is only 4 years old! Repairs will be £50 call-out plus the actual repair & hour charge,so I am wondering if its worth it to be honest. They can't come out until next week, & I have no clean school uniform for the children...Aarrgghh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 To be honest, if the machine is 4 yrs old I'd ditch it and get a new one. Call out £50. I doubt you'll get the work done for less than £100. £150 is half the price of a new machine....which would come with a 1 yrs guarantee (or 2 if you shop around a bit...try John Lewis own brand)...and if you are lucky... they may deliver quite quickly. What a nightmare for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Have done - shiney new John Lewis machine is on its way We agree that the call out is not worth it. I just hope John Lewis call me soon to arrange the delivery! I had better dig out the mangle so the girls have some uniform for next week (it comes with a free 3 year guarantee, which you can extend to 5 years for just £70- how good is that!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Oh good. I'm pleased with my John Lewis machine which I got at Christmas ( Not as a pressie!) as my old one conked out, so I'm sure you will be with yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Which model did you get? (Stupid thing to ask - me who thought her Bosch was a Zannussi!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 It says JLWM1403 on the front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Sorry...rude of me...I should have asked about yours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Snap!!! It looks like a good all rounder to me Lets see who's machine lasts the longest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
