Average lifespan of a washing machine?

david39

Another tip - I got this from a repairman who had just condemned my third washing machine in about 8 years :

Never buy a machine that has a tumble-dry program. The heat from the tumble dry action cooks the printed circuit boards, which become brittle and then, eventually, the fast spin cycle vibrates them to pieces.

I'm sure that is true because the three machines we had, all became uneconomic to repair because of faults with the pc boards and they all had dryer facilities. My current machine, the cheapest, basic Zanussi when bought, is over 5 years old and has never seen a service engineer.

Deep_In_Debt

Mine is now nearly 17 years old and never gone wrong. I only do 1 or 2 washes a week. It wasn't a top of the range or expensive (less than £200 if I recall).

The machine looks a bit old and unsightly but I refuse to get rid of it whilst it's in perfect working order.

sassyblue

I think it depends on what make you have and how much it cost, though the best and worst aren't always the most expensive or cheapest....

I've had two zanussi's as my mum had those and there were 6 of us in our family, the washer was on every day at least once and lasted her about 15 years!

Me and hubby have been together 20 years, the one l have now is 5 years old so the other one was 15 when it finally gave up.

I don't bother with calgon (if it dissolves limescale what does it do to clothes fibres?) l use half washing powder and half soda crystals in the main cycle and leave the door open in between washes.

The only bug bear l do have is the gunk in the drawer surround, how do you keep that clean? The drawer comes out and is easy to clean but the inside of the drawer (in the machine itself) is another matter. No-one but me sees it but l'm OCD about it. :cool::rotfl:

onlyroz

A modern machine will last 2-5 years, and if it breaks chances are it can't be repaired. So either buy a really really cheap one with an extended warranty, or fork out for an expensive one that is built to last.

Callie22

I was always told that you shouldn't use bleach in washing machines, as it rots the rubber parts. I clean mine using a mugful of soda crystals on a boil wash, followed by a mugful of white vinegar on another boil wash. I do this every few months and it keeps the machine clean. I also always leave the door and drawer ajar, and I never have mould growing.

My current machine is a Bosch, it's about four or five years old now. We bought it graded as it had a dint on the side - got a fair bit off for something you don't notice.

Sunnyday

Our first machine was a cheapy Indesit and lasted about 14 years, it was in daily use and you would not believe the things that i crammed into it Eventually it died a death and the only thing that it needed in all that time was a belt which i found out how to replace and did myself.

After that we had a quick succession of machines which were rubbish and hardly lasted including another Indesit and a Hotpoint (this was the worst)

We now have an AEG which i bought on an incredible offer and has needed nothing doing to it for over ten years (hope i've not jinxed it now) My next one will be another AEG or maybe a Bosch as my mum has had good experience with these - over 18 years with her current one. my machine goes on every day without fail and i`m very happy with it. Most things don't seem to be built to last these days i'm sorry to say. I read a while ago that the cheaper models of a more expensive brand are built in different places - not sure if that is actually correct or not but i can well believe it.

That said if it is indeed only the belt they are very easy to change, i took photos of the old one before taking it out to replace it to make sure that everything went back exactly the same when i put the new one in

SD

Sally_A

A Bosch precision WFG2420 that is at least 12 years old, and also an Indesit WI 141 that must be at least 10 years old (We moved into my parents home after dad passed away and got stuck with 2 washing machines - I just wish one of them would conk out, as I'd love a dishwasher instead).

The Indesit is a bit temperamental; if you don't get the switch in the right place for the start of the wash, it just clicks and clicks around the programme dial and does nothing, but other than that - still does the do and has quicker quick wash than the Bosch.

delain

LandyAndy wrote: »

I found the receipt for our washing machine.

A Bosch WFF 1800 bought on 9 March 1996 for £450, so 16 years old almost to the day. We do 6 or 7 washes a week, every week.

It has never been repaired. (And still works perfectly:)).

My mother bought a similar model (WFF2000 I think) just afterwards and replaced it late last year (it was still working).

Ive got a Bosch one (got a new one because the old one leaked - which was my fault) and i love it! I have a (free) 4 year warranty and got 60 quid off and £80 cashback

Andy if you read this a new laundry thread is needed I miss all the laundry talk!

Oooh we could have a washing machine photo thread....

Not that I'm sad or owt

LandyAndy

delain wrote: »

Ive got a Bosch one (got a new one because the old one leaked - which was my fault) and i love it! I have a (free) 4 year warranty and got 60 quid off and £80 cashback

Andy if you read this a new laundry thread is needed I miss all the laundry talk!

Oooh we could have a washing machine photo thread....

Not that I'm sad or owt

You're right. That was an awesome thread;).:o

Perhaps with the warmer weather we can restart the 'What's on your washing line'.:)

Mine has been back on the line for the last three weeks so the tumble dryer survives another winter.:j It was old when I met MrsLA 23 years ago.

emweaver

camNolliesMUMMY wrote: »

I don't actually measure pmsl I bung some vinegar in fabric softener compartment probably a similar amount as i would fabric conditioner.
With the bleach I put a dollop in the powder draw.

Sorry I'm not specific but I've done it for years and it's like second nature lol.
This should get rid of nasty smells and bacteria in your machine and pipes, mould etc

normal bleach as in domestos or is there a specific bleach for washing machines?