How to use a washing machine for the first time

funnelweb

Hi guys,

Sorry to bother you with a silly question and I hope I got it in the right part of the forum but I bought a new washing machine and I have absolutely no idea how to use it. It's all connected and ready to go but I don't know how to do the first wash without the laundry.

I have a Bosch WAQ28461GB and I don't understand the manual at all (even though it's written in English). Alot of people on John Lewis also complaining about the poor instructions.

I understood from the manual that you need to do a first wash on it's own before you do any laundry washing. When I read the manual, it said I have to pour 2 litres of water down compartment 2. I've never heard of anything like this before and not even sure how to get 2 litres in there The compartment looks tiny.

I asked my Mum and my sister and they said you normally just have it set to some dial and let it wash on it's own at a certain temperature but these instructions seem so weird.

The manual can be found here on their website (can't post links) with the model number WAQ28461/15 if anyone could kindly help.

Would be extremely grateful for any help.

manda1205

When ever I've had a new machine I just run it empty on a a quick 40 wash. Don't put any detergent in either. If it were me I wouldn't bother tipping water in the draw (as you pour it, it should just run straight into the machine, rather than sit in the draw) just stick it on a cotton 40 wash and push the speed perfect button (that should take the time down to an hour).
*edit
Just in case you don't understand the dial, just turn it to the right to cotton, push the temp button to highlight 40, then push the speed perfect button, then finally push start.

chrisw

It means pour about 2 litres of water into compartment 2 which will run down into the machine. Add a bit of detergent and then set the programme to Easycare 60 and start. Don't worry about it too much - it's just about getting a bit of water in there to begin with and then flushing the pipes and things through.

wallbash

It's all connected and ready to go

So it was 'professionally ' installed??

Have thes awful thoughts of transit bolts!!

But if ( as I am sure has happened) its ready to go , follow manda1205 posting,
The fun comes when you have to decided which wash to go for, why so many choices. We now wash the clothes at 40 degrees , and spin at 1600.
Most clothes are washed before they get grubby.

ps if using liquid ( we use Fairy Ultra) every few weeks do a boil wash, keeps machine happy.

Norman_Castle

Try pouring two litres of water into compartment 2. If your shoes get wet you're doing it wrong.

poppellerant

Sounds to me like the OP is getting themselves tied up with the 2 litres of water - don't worry about it not going anywhere when not turned on, it will!

Do as the manual says, run the Easy Care 60c program - I can't see any problems from doing this.

As wallbash says, run a 60c wash every month or two - but add a little biological soap powder.

PlutoinCapricorn

I can't help directly with this model, but when I got a portable machine I read all the reviews on Amazon and made notes: the manual was not much use.

I learned a lot from other people's experiences and got some good tips.

Vetyver

Sorry that I can't help with this, but I have another silly newbie question. When you got your new machine, was it already all damp/wet inside? It's almost as if mine had been used before, or something, even though it was all packaged and delivered from a big reputable electrical store. Is this normal?

cattie

It is quite usual for a new washing machine to be damp inside as the machine will have been tested prior to being sent to retailer. Often when machine is moved, the residual water that remains in the machine will move about as machines don't fully empty after each wash.

poppellerant

Vetyver wrote: »

Sorry that I can't help with this, but I have another silly newbie question. When you got your new machine, was it already all damp/wet inside? It's almost as if mine had been used before, or something, even though it was all packaged and delivered from a big reputable electrical store. Is this normal?

Very normal. The machine will have been tested for leaks, faults, etc before the manufacturer delivered to their suppliers.

The last thing they want is a claim against them with water and electricity involved.

pinkteapot

wallbash wrote: »

So it was 'professionally ' installed??

Have thes awful thoughts of transit bolts!!

Brother and hubby installed our last washing machine without reading the instructions.

Of course, the transit bolts were left in the back.

First time I ran it, it shook so violently during spin that it walked out of its slot and halfway across the kitchen, only stopping when the pipes were stretched out (think angry dog on a lead!). The plug socket was behind the machine, so I couldn't turn it off at the wall until it had made it all the way out of the slot*. In doing so, it gouged a big hole in the wall!

Amazingly, took the bolts out and it was fine afterwards and is still going strong four years later. Still, won't be making that mistake again (not just plumbing it in myself I mean. ).

* It's only just occurred to me now that I could have cut the power using the trip-switch on the fuse-box.