Washing Machine Usage

How to connect a washing machine (Includes how to check your connection is legal)
Special offers on washing machines and other appliances (Goes to my Whitegoodshelp.co.uk site)

Read this page for advice and tips on aspects of using a washing machine

User manuals or instruction books

Washing machine user instruction books (or manuals) can be very difficult to find. There's no money in stocking washing machine user manuals, so the manufacturer is the best place to obtain one from. Some can be downloaded free, and others you will have to buy. I've complied a list of some of the more common washing machine makes, and tracked down the pages where you can obtain the washing machine user manual if available. Many other domestic appliance user manuals can be found using these links too. - Washing machine user instruction manuals / books

Washing machine product safety recalls

There are relatively few washing machine safety recalls these days but they can still happen and sometimes there are serious safety issues such as risk of fire.

I publish any safety issues or product recalls about washing machines, washer dryers and all other white goods on my white goods Blog - Appliance safety warnings & recalls

Here is the Trading standards recalls site which has an excellent list of safety related product recalls which covers any appliance in the home and anything you can buy in shops. It's well worth book-marking and checking regularly.

tip

Always send off your guarantee registration card to ensure you are notified of any safety recalls affecting your washing machine (or any other appliance).

If a company discovers a serious fault that needs a modification, the first thing they do is contact all customers known to have purchased the affected product through their guarantee card database. After that, they can only put advertisements in the press and hope people see it. Many don't.

Using a Washing Machine

Special offers and discounts on washing machines

As an affiliate, many retailers regularly notify me of special offers, discount codes and money off vouchers for washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryers, fridges, fridge freezers and cookers. This section is where I post these offers - Special offers on washing machines and other white goods (goes to my Whitegoodshelp Blog)

Detergents and liquids in the washing machine

This section aims to cover aspects of washing detergents and other products used in washing machines. It covers subjects such as the difference between liquid detergent, washing machine powders and the latest washing machine tablets as well as fabric conditioners.

Should you buy cheap, or expensive washing machine detergent? Is "green" washing machine detergent any good? And how does the detergent actually work? (NOTE: This section is still being developed, so please keep an eye out for more information).

Which is the best washing machine detergent to use - washing powder, liquid or tablets?
Should I use Calgon or other anti limescale tablets in my washing machine?
Should I put the detergent in the soap dispenser or straight in the drum?
You don't just use one detergent do you? (article on my White goods Blog)
Biological detergents do not cause skin irritation (article on my White goods Blog)
Biological washing machine detergents can damage woollens & silks (cause holes) (article on my White goods Blog)
Hard water & limescale in washing machines
Washing at 30 degrees (article on my White goods Blog)
Baby badly burned by washing machine detergent (article on my Blog )

Is the following statement true or false?

"Use less powder. Most manufacturers recommend that you use more laundry detergent than you need. It is better for sales. You can get away with using half as much powder, if not less "

The statement above is from a website. It's a commonly held belief, and one that is very wrong for most people. Use the correct dosage or you risk exposing your washing machine to the effects of limescale and a build up of grease and slime ( Causes of grease, slime and black mould inside washing machine )

Please help

Mistakes on Washerhelp?

Please report any links that go to the wrong place or don't work at all, any spelling mistakes, or usability issues - anything at all.

All reports will be very welcome - please contact me

Tips & Warnings

WARNING: Do not leave coins, screws, nails etc in pockets. Of course everyone already knows this but many people don't realise that just one incident can now totally write off your washing machine.

This is because virtually all washing machines except the highest quality washing machines ( such as Miele - Miele build quality review and the ISE10) now have plastic outer tubs, whereas before they used to be made of metal.

A coin or other metal object can easily get punched right through the plastic outer drum (tub) on spin. If this happens, depending on the make of washing machine, you may find it costing around £200 to have a new outer drum (tub) fitted.

If this happens to you, you could be covered by your house contents insurance if you have accidental damage cover, or by your extended warranty if it also includes accidental damage. Strictly speaking, even if the washing machine is only weeks old, it would not be covered under warranty by the manufacturer as it's negligence - not a fault on the washing machine. Mind you, some might argue that it's negligent of the manufacturer to design a washing machine that can be so easily written off by one accidental coin in the corner of a pocket that gets missed!

Miscellaneous:

This section covers washing machine subjects that don't fit into other categories but are either interesting or informative