Cold fill only washing machine

Pincher

dukeofankh wrote: »

You got a Bosch but accept no other for your tumble dryer,shame on you.
But Bosch are pretty good:rotfl:

The type of washing I do, the different brands don't seem to make a difference. It's the tumble drying from Miele that really stands out.

I actually have a Bosch WTV74105GB vented sensor tumble dryer in a property, and it's insanely slow. What the Miele takes 25 minutes to dry, the Bosch takes well over an hour. It's the first Bosch tumble dryer I have ever bought, and hopefully the last. The folding fluff filter: what idiot designed that?!

In a different property, which started with a Siemens condensing washer/dryer, the Miele WT2670 that replaced it was a revelation. Whereas there was a whiff of dampness from the Siemens, the Miele was dry as if vented, even though it is also condensing.

While I was away, years ago, the Bosch dishwasher died. My mother and some woman friend bought a Miele from John Lewis. By the time I got back, it was already swapped over. The Miele was £200 extra, does nothing extra, and I prefered the old Bosch layout, which I got used to. In this case, Bosch is cheaper AND better.

Pincher

dukeofankh wrote: »

Hi,
Most machines are now cold fill for good reason, Your old one used a lot more water BUT unless your hot water boiler is very close it would just get the cold water in the pipes so still have to heat it up.
Modern machines/detergent use very little water ( and about 1kw for a 60 degree wash) and when dosed correctly with detergent shouldn't scale up (look at manufacturer web sites for info).
Although I no longer work for the curried electrical retailer I did for more than 20yrs and would recommend just a hot 60+ wash every 4/6 wks to clean the machine of scum that can build when -40 washes are used. finally soda crystals work really well to clean the machine.

Thank you for a very good explanation of why modern washing machines are cold-fill only. All very logical and in fact ecological.


I was using the soda crystals (well, a sachet from John Lewis marked Washing Machine Cleaner).

I don't mind using more water, currently no meter.
I have started burying the pipework for the rain water harvesting system. I already have separate pipework for the toilets.


Anyway,

Now please tell these tinkering interfering so and sos to stop messing with my washing machines and start making them the way I want them.

moonrakerz

Two more points:

1. If you start doing your washing at the "set" temperature (30/40/60/90) it can set stains into the fabric. Starting with cold water loosens the stains first.
2. Calgon and similar products are a waste of money !
"Which" have submitted a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority asking it to investigate the claims made in Calgon's adverts.

Pincher

moonrakerz wrote: »

Two more points:

1. If you start doing your washing at the "set" temperature (30/40/60/90) it can set stains into the fabric. Starting with cold water loosens the stains first.
2. Calgon and similar products are a waste of money !
"Which" have submitted a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority asking it to investigate the claims made in Calgon's adverts.

1. Depending on the program, the old hot/cold Bosch did use cold water for the 1st run, tray I detergent.

2. I was using the Washing Machine Cleaner a couple of times a year, using a hot cycle. My washing machines tend to last about ten years, so at least it didn't do any harm.

This sort of brings us full circle to my original question: heating element limescale build up. If "Calgon and similar products" don't do anything useful, then I don't have to worry about the heating element.

Pincher

Cardew wrote: »

The reason for the very long washing cycles of modern machines is because they use a lot less water than machines of 'yesteryear'. The actual time and power taken to heat the water is minimal.

I had a lodger years ago, who was an idiot.

I told him when he moved in he only needed to do the short wash, which takes 40 minutes. He of course thinks he was clever, so he puts in too much detergent, and use the long cycles. Some weeks later, he complained that the washing machine was wearing his clothes out!

Less water, longer washing cycle, sounds like I'll be buying more clothes from now on.

Actually, I found that this machine has a Aqua Plus button, which uses more water, AND REDUCES THE CYCLE TIME!
So I'm trying the Sportswear cycle with the Aqua Plus button for a while. It takes around 45 minutes, which is good enough.

christabell

Kate78 wrote: »

I would recommend using a Calgon tablet every 2nd/3rd wash if you live in a hard water area like we do.

Tesco, Lidl and Aldi make their own "Limescale Prevention" tablet. I have used these for the last 11 1/2 years in my Miele washer dryer....the element is good. Save yourself a fortune.:A

dktreesea

Cold fill. I wish! Lucky you. Our one only has hot settings. It doesn't matter what the setting is - if it fancies shrinking something it just does it anyway. I miss my cold wash setting.

beedeedee

I'll let you into a secret - the heating element on my washer/dryer died about 2 years ago......and I've never had it fixed.
I've discovered that washing in cold water works well nowadays. Could it be updated powders?
I do put some Vanish or similar powder into my big box of washing powder to kill off bacteria - but that's it!
I dry stuff on a line indoors or out and find a cold tumble dry does the trick too. Again, I put 2 tabs of vinegar in the rinse and it works.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

Pincher, here's something for you to read whilst waiting for the wash cycle to finish.

Pincher

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,

Pincher, here's something for you to read whilst waiting for the wash cycle to finish.

Very good article, thanks.

So I'm supposed to use bio powder to digest my clothes.
Hmm, the longer wash cycle is more like a meal time, not to be rushed. I buy my washing powder in big boxes, so I am probably one year away from bio powder.

I just want a quick wash. The old Bosch did it exactly the way I want it. Sounds like left handed scissors: there is bound to be a group of people who want hot and cold fill washing machines. Just raise your hands and say: bring back hot and cold fill!