New washing machine

BigAde

aliasojo wrote:

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to post. I really do appreciate all your input.

LG was actually on my shortlist along with Dyson, Bosch and Siemens. (Trust me, that IS a shortlist compared to what it was 2 days ago. )

The direct-drive is supposed to be quieter, but a WHich report I saw had LG down as one of the noisiest.

But was it a direct-drive model that Which tested...? I believe not all their range is direct-drive.

aliasojo

Yes, it was. I've also got a print out from the comparison tool on the Currys website which lists the direct-drive model coming in at 73dba which is high given that most other models range from 43-60 ish.

I'm wondering how much I care now though, lol. If the thing washes properly and lasts for a reasonable amount of time, I could just switch it on when I go out.

OH has just come home from work early, so that we can do something about a machine this afternoon....and I still don't know! Are there any good separation lawyers on the site?

before_hollywood

Savvy_Sue wrote:

You can admit anything you like here (except perhaps using a Coinstar machine in Asda :rolleyes:).

Hey- i can fix them in a matter of seconds!

three guesses who i work for

aliasojo

Tarrah! Decision has been made. I'm getting 2!

We came to the conclusion that we really needed a large drum more than anything else so we finally decided on giving the Dyson a go, purely for that reason. I still really hate the look of it but it can cope with large washloads (inc. duvets) which for our family is a high priority. (Although the LG model on paper looked as though it had a larger drum and spec etc, in reality the machine looked the same size as a 6kg one and the porthole wasn't any bigger so it may have been difficult squashing a duvet in.) If it wasn't for the duvet issue, I would probably actually have gone for a Bosch. It also has a 2 year warranty as standard as opposed to most others which have 1 year, so at least if it conks out early, then it wont cost me. I've since read a lot of reviews on the web about the newer models and they seem to be more reliable than the originals, this was backed up by a Dyson engineer (if he was being honest that is, lol).

I stick to Dyson hoovers these days and I've never been able to fault the service so far, I hope it remains the same for the w.m. side of things.

The problem is that I can get one delivered from local store on Saturday, but the cost would be £799.99 plus £16.95 delivery charge - £817. Online though I get can get it delivered for £675 BUT it will take 3 weeks (all online dealers I phoned said the same thing as the machine comes direct from Dyson).

I can't afford to wait 3 weeks, but nor do I want to cough up £817 for something I can get cheaper, so..........I'm ordering the online Dyson but I'm also getting a cheapo 1400 spin speed Zanussi which I got from Currys online, it was in stock and is coming soon. It was reduced online and instore and I got free delivery and a further £20 off from using a code so it brought it down to £229.

This will tide me over until the Dyson arrives and will then be kept as a spare so that we hopefully don't end up in the 'washing machineless' situation again. Brother has decided that having a spare is a good idea so he is going halfers with me so we can both use it if needed.

So all in all I've ended up paying £790 (which is a flaming ridiculous amount really :mad: ) but it is a bit less than the store price for the Dyson, I'll be getting 2 machines and I'll not have to visit the laundrette with duvets, which is a big expense in itself.

When I first started looking for a machine, my intention was to pay around £400 - ha! :rolleyes: In my next life, I'm coming back as a spinster and I'm going to buy a mangle!

Anyway, huge thanks to all of you for taking time out to post advice and trying to help me make my mind up. :A

BigAde

Wish we had the space for 2 machines!!!
I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the Dyson machine, ours has been used and abused, but has given great service so far.
Out of curiosity, did you go for the standard or allergy model?

aliasojo

We went for the standard model.

When we were in Currys looking at the machines, the very helpful assistant actually phoned Dyson in front of us, to double check the differences between the two models. The only differences are:

1) The Allergy model has a memory so that you can program in your favourite wash (I'm capable of remembering my own favourite wash, thank you, don't need to pay extra for machine to remember for me ).

2) Has an extra 3 rinse program for sensitive skins (you can add an extra rinse to the standard machine though and if that's not enough you can just put it through an extra rinse cycle if need be).

3) Allergy has been officially certified to say the duvet wash is capable of killing dust mites. The duvet wash on the Allergy model is longer than on the standard model. (Assistant actually put Dyson man on the spot when she asked if the customer just washed the duvet through twice in the standard model then that would have the same effect? Dyson man agreed that it might even be better as 2 x standard washes = better than 1 x Allergy wash)

So all in all, I didn't think the differences were worth exactly £200 more. Two of the differences you could achieve with the standard model anyway and the only difference that you couldn't get (i.e. the memory facility) is one that I wouldn't use.

I also wanted a white machine and the Allergy model is silver.

Savvy_Sue

aliasojo wrote:

Tarrah! Decision has been made. I'm getting 2!

That sounds an extreme response! I've done it with handbags and shoes, but never a washing machine!

Unless you can keep them both plumbed in, I would get advice on how to store the spare. You really don't want to need the spare in a hurry and find it has rusted away ...

As for killing dustmites, I thought all you had to do was wash at 50 degrees? I'm murdering the little blighters now my Bosch can only do 40 or 60!

aliasojo

Savvy_Sue wrote:

Unless you can keep them both plumbed in, I would get advice on how to store the spare. You really don't want to need the spare in a hurry and find it has rusted away ...

I never thought about that too much, I assumed that since machines usually arrive with some water in them anyway then it wouldn't be an too much of an issue. Having said that though, there's obviously a shorter cycle between the machine being built, tested, sitting in a warehouse somewhere and then being delivered and sitting in a shed or a garage for long periods of time.

Oh bum, better phone manufacturer on Monday to query.

I thought that did the trick too Savvy (with regard to the dustmites), I think Dyson are just jumping on the bandwagon a bit with their dearer model, tbh.

Savvy_Sue

aliasojo wrote:

I never thought about that too much, I assumed that since machines usually arrive with some water in them anyway then it wouldn't be an too much of an issue. Having said that though, there's obviously a shorter cycle between the machine being built, tested, sitting in a warehouse somewhere and then being delivered and sitting in a shed or a garage for long periods of time.

Oh bum, better phone manufacturer on Monday to query.

Never been aware of my machines arriving with water in them already! But then, I don't usually plumb them in these days: what are men for if not that kind of job?

You may just need to make sure water is well drained from all the hoses, if there's a filter at the bottom you can often get water out of there as well. If 'spare' is going in a garage while not in use, I think I'd try to put it on a wooden pallet or raise it with a brick at each corner to let air circulate underneath. It may not be too much of an issue: I think I kept a machine in the back garden under a plastic sheet for a month or two ... or was it in the furniture store? Can't remember, but it was fine afterwards.

But whatever you do don't keep the door shut tight while it's in store or it will smell! Also make sure detergent dispensing drawer is clean, especially of fabric conditioner residue as that goes quite disgusting even in regular use!

aliasojo

Savvy_Sue wrote:

Never been aware of my machines arriving with water in them already! But then, I don't usually plumb them in these days: what are men for if not that kind of job?

I must be mixing with the wrong kind of men savvy! I'm much more practical than any I've come across, lol.

That's a good idea about raising the machine up, we have a place that makes pallets within walking distance so I might go and scrounge one.

I'll make sure the door stays open and I might even remove the soap drawer to help the air circulate a little more. Thanks for ideas. :T