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I know from this forum my AEG L7548WD is 10 years old (how time flies). It's been working fine, but I recently cleaned the front when it was off, not particularly vigorously I didn't think, but getting the dirt off the buttons because it sticks out in front of the countertops and they get dirty. This time I switch it on and it's on different setting to the ones I normally use, and in particular was stuck on drying with any setting, showing an Err when I tried to start it. After pressing several buttons, on off etc with the erroneous drying option always on, I was about to give up when I gave it one last try (switch off, firm pressing of all the buttons) and it seemed to 'unstick' and return to normal but I'm a bit wary. Should I try it with a standard wash option no dry? What's the worst that can happen? (Flooding/burning visions) On age, what's more important in how long a machine lasts, age or heaviness of use? If a machine was rarely used could it last twice the average time, or vice versa? What's the longest you've known a washer/dryer last? This link confirms what you usually say, cheap builds nowadays mean no repairs = throwaway culture. I always try to go for the quality option, but even then people say they're not as good as they used to be (like everything 😂). Are there any white goods that buck this trend or is it universal? My fridge freezer recently gave up after twenty years, that's the longest I've known. Thanks. https://www.repairaid.co.uk/washing-machine-lifespan/

Thanks both. It's funny because you more often read don't put too much powder in these days as then you'll get stiffness, residue etc. I normally just fill the drawer,can that ever be too much for a Full load? Does that flap matter? It seems to fall down anyway. Another thing I've noticed about my machine Is the powder drawer always fully empties,the conditioner drawer never does. Why is that? I was more asking about the heaviness. If you put clothes in that are heavy with cold water from presoaking, can that affect the wash, or can you still near fill the machine at the usual temp?

Hello. I don't know if you're an expert on washing as well as machine repair, but I guess like a lot (most?) people the only thing I do with my washing is sort colours (black, dark colours, pale colours, whites, or bedding or towels. Never quite sure what to do with white clothes with patterns on 😂 I fill up the drawer with powder (hard water area) and second with conditioner except for towels or whites (they advise white vinegar). l do everything apart from bedding and towels on 40 for synthetics, taking the worst wet off the wettest clothes by drying them in a half full machine for about 40 minutes, whilst hanging the rest round the flat making it look like a refugee camp. I don't know if this is a good plan? 😂 Anyway, I've got enough whites for a full load, and inevitably they're looking a bit dingy and grey, especially the bras 😳 Apparently the advice is to presoak overnight, I did it with oxymax, attacked any stains with soap, and before washing with stain removing spray and put a bag of glowhite in as well. Now, you do this and inevitably it's incredibly heavy even if you try and wring out the worst. Is there any problem with this? Damaging the machine, affecting the wash? I never use the pre-wash, does that have the same affect? Should you use it as well as the pre-soak, or is that excessive, (they are very dingy). Maybe a colour catch sheet? (Do they actually work?) Maybe you should do a pinned washing advice piece? 😂

I have an aeg L7548WD. I'm not daft enough to wash a bean bag in it, but I did think it would be okay to wash the cover, which had dozens, maybe hundreds of I assume polystyrene flakes stuck to the cover which wouldn't brush or shake off. I assumed they'd just wash away with the waste water, but when the wash finished there were several flakes still in the machine. I removed several with tape, see pic below for example next to pound coin, but several are still stuck in in the crevice at the back of the machine. Will most of the flakes have washed away with the waste water (there's none in the filter), and despite this is it safe to use both the washer and the dryer as normal given they're stuck there? I'm a bit worried they might have bunged something up internally or cause problems when drying but maybe I'm being over cautious and there's no danger. Thanks.

Your pic looks more like a duvet cover than a duvet. I'm surprised you say you can get a king-size in a 7kg machine, as I just tried to put a single duvet in my 8kg AEG L75480WD and it only just gets in, it's pretty rammed. Will it wash safely if there's no spare space? Also is the theory of the benefit of putting tennis balls in the dryer with your pillows true? Is it also true you should only half fill the washer/dryer if you're drying?

Yes, I normally would have but didn't have one to hand. Luckily I found the net as I have a sealed tub! (don't most machines these days)

Or more accurately, a small, flimsy, piece of net. It's not in the filter where the socks normally go, and I've shaken the clothes out and I can't see it there. Would it be impossible for a small item to go out with the drain water, or can they get sucked into the machine somehow and bugger it up? I know you should use a laundry bag for small items but I didn't have one to hand this time and just curious where it might have gone. Cheers.

Hello, I got in contact with AEG and they said they don't send out the accessories for installing if I don't have them. The plastic caps that are supposed to go in the holes after you've removed the bolts, are they just cosmetic or do I need them? (no longer have them)

Hello again! My brother who fitted the machine (and claimed to know what he's doing) thinks he MAY have left the transit bolts in the back. Is this one? If that's so, could it have damaged it leaving them in? Unfortunately, he must have chucked the spanner and plastic caps away and we can't get them off, do you think AEG would send me some more for free? Cheers.

Well that's a bit of a bummer as I mainly bought a larger machine to wash my throws! What items do you suggest to balance it? I don't have anything remotely similar, only a cotton rug which is nowhere near as big, or just normal clothes. If I put another throw in would that work? But then wouldn't it be too heavy? What causes more damage, an unbalanced load, or an over-heavy one? Most washers should be able to wash throws surely? Also, if the washer is vibrating and banging about should you stop it? Would it be better to spin on the lowest speed (that didn't make any differnce for the throw I have to say). The manual says you shouldn't set the spin lower than that set for the program.

I read your piece on overloading. I've only had one previous washer dryer (the hoover six express 1300) and I admit I used to wash nearly all my clothes (including woollens) on one setting - 40 degrees for cotton & mixed fabric (because as I understand it's hard for anything to shrink at 40d?)with a fast spin and hot dry. If it was more delicate items i'd put it on the cool dry, slow spin, but l never bothered about the supposed weight limit (don't most people)and always 9/10th filled the tub, although I ususally took some clothes out like woolies before drying. It goes against instructions & was probably quite wrong but the clothes seemed to come out alright most of of the time for the 10+ years I used that washer. Recently though I've bought the AEG L75480 washer dryer (Which best buy!) and started by doing the service wash on the hottest wash as instructed, no problem seemingly, then did my first wash, which was the cream throw on my sofa which i'd just spilt stuff on. It's by far the heaviest and dirtiest item I own, and needs regular washing. I used to wash it in my old machine which only had a 6kg capacity (the throw weighs about 4-5 kg) and dried it for about 20 minutes as well even though it filled up the tub! (another supposed no, no) The AEG doesn't have the options of my previous machine,only 40d for wool, handwash and delicates. I decided on the wool program although the throw is twice the supposed max, but like i said it never bothered my previous machine. Anyway I tried it (reducing the spin to a 1000), but when it got to the spin it was horrendous! It made a noise like a pneumaric drill and worse jumped halfway across the room, I changed it to 400 rpm but it was just as bad so i had to stop it before it finished the cycle. I could still open it though which i don't think I could on the previous machine. When I got it out it smelt a bit soapy and the food stains etc were still there although I'd put stain remover on. And it was wet because i had to stop the spin. Now the machine wasn't professionally fitted so that's possibly why it's jumping all over (not level) but generally What I want to know is why my smaller, cheaper, old machine washed the throw much better? Wrong program?Is there any program that would work?The label says handwash but that ain't happening (and it machine-washed alright before). Is there one program you can use for most of your everyday washing? And can you fill the tub? If not, what's the point of the larger capacity? Is it a con? I want a program that I can do most clothes on like before! Or was I just lucky nothing went wrong with my old machine? Maybe it was better that I thought! I've currently got a large damp grubby throw slung over a clothes horse which wasn't what I envisioned. I shall be doing a second wash later after it's been levelled properly, hope it goes better.

Ah, so maybe Which's report should say: The AEG is one of the best washer/dryers we've ever seen (unless it breaks, in which case you're screwed).

Oops, didn't notice it was only a washer - that explains it then! Thanks for all your responses.

My 12 year old hoover six 1100 door won't open after the wash cycle has finished. It will however, if I unplug it and leave it for a few hours. (I run the dryer as well, don't know if this helps) Why is this and can it be repaired, and at what cost? Someone suggested it might be limescale on the pressure pot (huh?) and I could clean the tubes myself! Really, how?

I noticed you dissing AEG's sealed tubs? on another topic. What are they and why are they bad? Do all AEG's have them? As you know AEG has a pretty good rep regardless.