Jackie H

Hmmm interesting! I go along with the theory it may be caused by bigger drums being fitted into normal size casings. I also had a tumble drier with a larger drum-good idea at the time. But within a few days of purchase the drum screeched after it had been operating for a short time. An engineer duly arrived who said the manufacturer was aware of the problem, caused by metal expansion then grating against the casing. Bigger drum but standard outer=screeching and grating when warmed up. There was a modification kit engineer said, but when he looked it had already been fitted. So drier was exchanged without any fuss. But within a few short weeks exactly the same problem-the noise filled the house. Luckily I got a refund on that as problem was acknowledged by manufacturer. Now also got a Miele drier. Have spent soooo much money over the years on rubbish machines decided (after reading a lot of advice on here) to go for the best and cut my losses.

I had exactly the same problem a few years ago with a Hotpoint machine-it was all on Watchdog at the time. I called in an engineer who stripped the machine down and found multi coloured scraps of material (ripped from my laundry!) all tangled up inside. I then insisted that Hotpoint sent engineers out and the fault was as you described-laundry getting pushed through the holes during spin cycles and getting caught on metal internally. It seems it then wound round and round at speed until finally the material pulled away-hence holes in the clothes. Coincidentally mine was almost always in cotton t-shirts as well. Luckily it was under warranty so I received a voucher to purchase another machine. I then got a Zanussi one costing £550 that did exactly the same thing! Dozens of engineers came and went without finding the fault-but oh it was certainly there. My son went mad when I washed his designer t-shirts and they emerged with holes in-sometimes quite sizeable chunks ripped out. A few weeks ago I cut my losses and dumped the machine and bought a Miele with honeycomb drum-so far so good. But you certainly are not alone with this problem, a friend of mine had the same experience with a Hoover machine and she too dumped it in favour of Miele. There doesn't appear to be any solution and in terms of ruined clothes it is financially a wise move to get rid of it-good luck.