Using Water Softeners with washing machine

[djheward]

well was thinking of going out next week to buy the w3740 however just read the manual on the miele site and they say that they do not recommend the use of installed water softeners - we have one of these and have always used it with our other washing machines therefore we don't get any lime scale etc - does anyone know why miele don't recommend them ?..

dave

[meanwepe]

Hello Dave, I am also considering buying a Miele washer/dryer and like you looked at their online manual for interest and noticed that they don't recommend theuse of water softeners. We have a Kinetico 2020c HF water softener fitted to our hot and cold water. I don't understand why Miele say this, cos our water softener brochures go on and on about how much it will help with our laundry and they even show pictures of washing powder etc, so they must be happy with washing machines, its just Miele that isn't happy. I've spoken to two Miele dealers in my local area and they say it isn't a problem but won't give me a definitive answer as to why it should or shouldn't be a problem with Miele. I've today emailed Miele asking them for an explanation, so hope to get an answer, and if I do I'll let you know. Kindest Regards, Peter

[djheward]

well was thinking of going out next week to buy the w3740 however just read the manual on the miele site and they say that they do not recommend the use of installed water softeners - we have one of these and have always used it with our other washing machines therefore we don't get any lime scale etc - does anyone know why miele don't recommend them ?..

dave

I rang miele to ask why this is but the lady there did not seem to know why only saying that there could be to much suds made with it being soft water - I said this was one anvantage of having a water softener as you use less powder etc. When I got my miele dishwasher a few years ago they also said not to use with a softener so I plumped it in to the none softened side however I am keeping the washer on soft water as I think its better all round - please let me know how you get on with them if they reply.

regards dave

[meanwepe]

Hi Dave, I'm sorry I haven't had any luck with Miele. I emailed them asking the question over the water softener and I've had absolutely no reply. You'd have thought their customer service would have been better considering the price of their machines. The one I was considering purchasing was around £1700.00 A couple of local dealers phoned up Miele and they didn't seem to get definitive answers, just the general comments around the usage of detergent and over dosing etc, but nothing specific. It looks like I may opt for a different machine, one where the manual doesn't state that a water softener isn't recommended as is the case in the Miele manual. Regards, Peter

[djheward]

Hi Dave, I'm sorry I haven't had any luck with Miele. I emailed them asking the question over the water softener and I've had absolutely no reply. You'd have thought their customer service would have been better considering the price of their machines. The one I was considering purchasing was around £1700.00 A couple of local dealers phoned up Miele and they didn't seem to get definitive answers, just the general comments around the usage of detergent and over dosing etc, but nothing specific. It looks like I may opt for a different machine, one where the manual doesn't state that a water softener isn't recommended as is the case in the Miele manual. Regards, Peter

Hi Peter - not surprised you got no reply as I did not and had to ring them, its not very good customer relations etc, I did buy the w3740 washer and am very pleased with it I run it on soft water and alls well you would think that they would reccomend there use as you get no lime scale etc which they keep telling use damages machines.

I was very suprised of the lack of views from the forum to this post - and no post from the Washerhelp as he seems to reply to almost all posts. regards dave

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Please accept my apologies, this thread has totally passed me by. I normally rely on being notified of new topics but every so often I don't get a notification at all. I have the answer to this question on Washerhelp - Is it OK to connect a washing machine to a full scale water softening system?

Note that the potential effects mentioned in the answer will apply to every washing machine. Miele may be one of the few that mention it (I understand Siemens also advise the same as Miele), but not mentioning it will not make it disappear <fileStore.core_Emoticons>/emoticons/default_wink.png I think they may not want to take the blame if someone spends a lot of money on one of their washing machines but experiences reduced wash results or detergent deposits. It would be better if they at least gave a brief explanation as to why they don't recommend it, and make it clear (for their own sake) that this isn't an issue specific to Miele.

[djheward]

Thanks for the reply, however I for one shall continue to use my washing machine on soft water as I have done for the last 15 years with no problems at all and I think the advantages far out way the disadvantages ie lime scale, less powder etc and the garments feel softer after washing.

regards dave.

[meanwepe]

Thanks very much for getting back to us about the use of watersofteners. much appreciated. Regards, Peter