
Washing machines - general discussions
Discuss general washing machine topics or ask general washing machine related questions - but NOT repair questions!
Important:
Don't post repair questions here - Please use - Washing machine repairs for repair help questions.
Repair questions in this forum are likely to be deleted!
304 topics in this forum
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I recently moved into a new house. The washing machine has loads of buttons and wash settings on it, but there is absolutely no indication of what the settings and symbols mean, like temperature, spin, etc. The instruction manual is lost.
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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I've decided to put some effort into establishing a white goods blog which will be heavily weighted towards washing machine topics but also feature news and advice about dishwashers. cookers, tumble dryers and fridges and freezers. The success of my blog very much depends on having people following it. I will need inspiration by seeing that people are reading my blog (please feel free to comment on articles). White Goods Blog White Goods Special offers & Sales Free email Newsletter
Last reply by NewLifeAppliances, -
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Want to buy appliance spare parts? 4Washerhelp spares has one of the largest database of appliance spares in the UK powered by a leading spares company Related spares advice links: Spare parts suppliers advice Avoid spare parts pitfalls. 5 things you need to know Genuine spare parts advice
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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This forum is to discuss any general washing machine subjects not covered elsewhere on the Washerhelp forums. If the topic IS covered elsewhere but that forum is locked it's because those questions can't be posted unless the forum becomes unlocked. It can't be used for specific how can I fix this fault repair help, or - these are the symptoms what is wrong? questions. However there is a new forum called Community washing machine repair questions where hopefully people can help each other out with repair issues and I will try whenever possible to help. Here is some repair advice already available on Washerhelp, which may actually answer your repair question - Full list …
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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I have a list of affiliated repairers on my main site Whitegoodshelp, which will hopefully help when trying to find someone to repair a white goods appliance. As well as linking to several appliance repair companies I've written a small summary of what they offer to help users pick one - Book Appliance Repairs For general repairs research and advice I have this page - Washing machine repairs advice
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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I've written an article about the pros and cons of renting a washing machine or any other household appliance. Apart from the fact it may cost a lot more to rent in the long run (as renting anything usually does) I think these days it might be an option for some. Many modern washing machines are pretty rubbish and don't last very long these days. It's not beyond the bounds of possibility for renting to end up no more expensive for some if they are always buying new ones and having them not last very long - especially if they always take out extended warranties too. I have a company who advertise appliance rental services whom I link to in the article, but the article…
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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I'm interested to learn how to wash a duvet, not a duvet cover. Previously I've washed my duvet in the bath-tub but it never seems to get it totally white. What's the best way to wash it? Is it possible to cram it into the washing machine and hope the water reduces its volume? Or simply use the bath-tub with washing powder?
Last reply by Mary McElroy, -
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All modern washing machines take much longer to wash than they used to. I've written an explanation of why on my main site here - Why does washing machine take so long to wash?
Last reply by electron 1100, -
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The slower your washing machine spins the better. It will be cheaper to buy, quieter, should be more reliable and should last longer. However, it's not much use if the laundry is dripping wet so there has to be a certain spin speed that gives optimum results. Washing manufacturers wont tell us what the optimum spin speed is because they charge extra for spin speed and the faster they spin the more they can charge. What are your thoughts and experiences on the best spin speed for a washing machine? Please read the full topic before discussing - washing machine spin speeds
Last reply by Cozza, -
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Is anyone a bit of a plumber? Currently got hot and cold plumbed in, do I simply rotate the taps from the vertical handle position... I assume clockwise, and that will stop the water so I can disconnect the old Philips washing machine? - Or do I have to use the master stop cock thingy? The big fat 'concertina' pipe I take it is the waste pipe, do I simply remove this, or do I need to stop up/cover the aperture in the sink afterwards incase water flows out when I use the sink? I have to disconnect the old unit (Dixons terms and conditions) Dixons will then plumb my new Miele in, but presumably the Miele is cold only fill, so the hot water pipe will be unused - does i…
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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Which do you prefer washing liquid or washing powder and which brands?
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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My washing machine has only cold water inlet. What if I connect hot water to this cold water inlet? I mean it anyway heats the cold water to (usually) 40C. Wouldn't it be better to supply the hot water directly, less electricity required for heating.
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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Hello all, Firstly, Andy, this is really a great site with some fantastic information - bravo! . Now, the great debate between powders and liquids - a personal annoyance of mine, so please excuse the rant ahead. I thought I'd provide as much info as I can. This is a question that I find comes up again and again. Everyone has a preference, but here are some of the facts. There are 4 main types of laundry detergent available - powder, tablets, liquitabs, liquid. I'm goig to focus mostly on powder vs. liquid as tablets are just ready-dosed powder and liquitabs are ready-dosed liquid. Laundry detergent also comes in 3 different formulars - biological, colour and non-biolo…
Last reply by Whisko, -
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Hi there, I hope somone can help. I bought a siemens washing machine heavily discounted in the john lewis clearance on boxing day. Now its arrived, I can't work out how to plumb it in! It is a cold water fill only, and has an aquafill fitting. The manual says that it should be fitted to a cold water tap facing downwards, or at most at a 90 degree angle. However, my taps are standard and face upwards! Is this a pretty easy thing to fix? Is there an adaptor, or can I just plumb it in as it is? Thanks so much for any advice. I'm a single parent, so if its easy to fix without the cost of a plumber I'd really appreciate the help.
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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At sometime in the next 6 months I'll probably be looking to but a washer dryer. The budget doesn't stretch to a Miele so thinking of something around the £500 mark. As per advice, I ventured into the local independant store, expecting to be shown a selection of machines such as Bosch, LG, Ise etc. I was surprised that the guy recommended a Daewoo machine above all the other better known brands in the shop as being best value for money. He said that the build quality was better than other machines of a similar price and they'd experienced no problems. I only checked the machine over quicky; a 9kg direct drive affair and it certainly seemed well made. Door hinge was mad…
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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There are quite a few 'wash-ball' type products on the market thesedays, all of which go in with the wash: * Magnetic wash-ball, German I think, I recently got one from Sainsburys (£3.99), supposed to reduce lime-scale build up and (I think) the amount of detergent you need to put in. * Eco-balls, cost about £35 for three, supposed to eliminate need for detergents and conditioner for the main wash altogether (by introducing ionised oxygen into the wash to lift dirt). One set supposed to last 1000 washes, from what I've seen on the web some people seem to like them though one person said they had one break and the pellets clogged his m/c... * Wash balls, seen them on a…
Last reply by skegness, -
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Hi We currently have a Bosch integrated washer dryer, its about 6 years old. It has a lot of features on it, it was quite expensive (about 800 i think) and we've had nothing but problems. Mostly from getting clogged up with powder, but we've had a variety of issues, pump broken a few times and now its clogged up again but we cant open the pump so we cant clean it out and we're sick of it now really. So we're going to buy a new machine. We dont use the dryer function that much really so we're wondering if we just get a washing machine we'll have less problems? I'm also going to stop using powder and use liquid in the new machine. We've looked at Which and some…
Last reply by lauralime, -
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I have just bought a new Bosch classic 1200 express. I have completed 3 washes, just returned from holiday and whilst the machine was in final spin I heard a noisy rattling sound, I switched the machine off and examined the inside, I thought at first that one of the kids had left a coin in the pocket of their trousers. I found a metal bra bone, which is half circle shape. My wife examined the bras that were in the wash and found one with no bones at all we removed the loose bone and took the washing out which had almost finished anyway. Today we carried out a full wash, when the program started the final spin,, at full speed, something started a rattling sound and I th…
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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Hi there I've moved into a place with a Tricity Bendix AW1401 washing machine and Economy 7 electricity. The machine has no inbuilt timer and I'm wondering if anyone knows a way to install some sort of timer device for use with a washing machine like this? I thought about a plug socket timer, but assume I'll still have to press 'start'. Anyone got any bright ideas? Thanks!
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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Searched the forum but coldn;t find anything, so here's my question (bear with me!) Our old hotpoint washing machine died after 14 years. We could have had it repaired for around £140 but decided to get a new one instead, we ended up with a Miele Prem 520 which I'm pleased to see is quite well regarded However, the old machine is still in the corner of the kitchen - I've been meaning to take it to the tip but tonight Mrs NBT has mentioned that she thinks this may not be allowed. Now I know that there are rules on the disposal of fridges etc due to CFCs, but I'm not aware of any such issues with washing machines - expect maybe the weight of them, getting it in and out…
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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Hi, I've just recently acquired a Hoover Performa 1100. Can anyboby tell me what this machine should do whilst drying? On both drying cycles the machine heats up but only seems to turn a couple of times each couple of minutes, so the clothes seems to come out full of steam and not fully dry. Should the dry cycle consist of the drum turning all the time whilst drying? Also does anyone know where I can obtain a free Hoover Performa 1100 manual (pdf etc) Thanks in advance. Jim Curtis
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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Our washing machine is about 6 years old now (only a Candy), and I just want to know if it's normal for clothes to come out of the machine ice cold or if it's heater has gone! I can't remember if they were ever warm when I took them out, but noticed today - it was on a 40 deg wash. Many thanks.
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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- 3 replies
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I need to move my washing machine into my garage where the floor is about 3 feet below and 12 feet away from the floor that contains the sink that I need to empty the machine into. Does any one have any idea whether a standard washing machine pump would cope with that or, if they won't, the best way to incorporate a secondary pump. ie in line or via a secondary tank that the machine could empty into?
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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- 1 reply
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Hi My friend has a national NA-f702p washing machine but all of it's buttons are in Japanese language. Is there anybody can help me with a English manual or translation? please help me
Last reply by Whitegoodshelp (Andy), -
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Hi, I bought my machine around 7 years ago. Until recently it only had one problem which was repaired under guarantee. Over the last few months, it doesn't always spin out properly at the end of a cycle and the clothes, although not sopping wet, need an extra spin. It is odd that even though it doesn't spin at the end of a wash cycle, if I then set it to "drain/spin" it spins OK. I was looking the Miele site and it seems a service with repairs is around £200. The machine has taken a bit of a battering as for 2 of the 7 years, I ran a B&B and regularly used it 3 or 4 times a day loaded with heavy egyptian cotton bedding (often slightly overloaded). I'm just wondering …
Last reply by Murphy,