Washing machine advice

MissyKay

Hi All,

My washing machine seem to break all the time and going through so many washing machines they probably last maybe two years or less and the fault seems to be with the bearings you know when it spins sounds like rocks rolling around in the drum does this mean i am over loading the machine with clothes or putting in too less clothes anyone know ? or is it limescale problem as i do live in hard water area ?

Also can someone recommend a good brand to purchase looking at 8kg, 1200 spin for up to £450 ?

thanks in advance

Bella56

I think it is by weight & distribution, but hopefully someone will be able to help you more. Certainly putting in 1 heavy item will put it off balance, and I think you're not supposed to do a full load on the Fast setting of some machines. Do you leave 10cm at the top of the clothes?

MissyKay

Hiya,

I do leave sufficient amount of space and not to overload it so not sure what the issue is really.

Kay

JohnB47

What makes do you go for? We've had a Bosch for 11 years now and I've just (easily) changed out a faulty heating element. Otherwise it's as good as new.

Perhaps you're just unlucky but two years for a washing machine is surprising. Unless you're running a laundromat.

poppellerant

You won't go far wrong if you choose a Bosch. Take a look at some of these.

CKdesigner

Hi

I can't recommend enough that you would be SO much better off investing in a Miele washing machine. At the moment they start at £749 but it will last you several times longer than any other washing machine.

With regard to bearings, Miele's are without question the best in the business, they are made with less tolerance than the bearings Mercedes use on the wheels of their cars! Not only that you ask any Miele washing machine engineer when was the last time they changed a set of bearings? And they wouldn't remember!

As I say it is an investment, but I'm sure if you add up all the money you have spent on new washing machines over the last 10 years, then the one Miele wouldn't seem that expensive. Especially if you take into account and put on a value to the hassle and all your time spent when a machine has broken down.

CK

londonlydia

Maybe if you worry about overloading, go for a bigger load machine but keep your load size the same...thus having a bit of spare room. We have an 11kg load Hotpoint Aqualtis £355:
http://ao.com/product/AQ113L297E-Hotpoint-Aqualtis-Washing-Machine-White-24248.aspx

I quite like it, apart from the delicates cycle which leaves stuff overly wet.

I would recommend ao as well, as you can search by load size and they do weekend delivery. Sometimes the delivery drivers are a bit hit and miss though so maybe have someone on standby to help if needed...

CKdesigner

Sorry but load size is very misleading. Just because one machine has a bigger stated load size than another doesn't actually mean it has a bigger drum. Ultimately all machines are generally 60cm wide by 60cm deep so this determines the maximum size of drum within it.

In actual fact manufacturers use drum size really only as a marketing tool, its really how far they are prepared to go to say 'you can squeeze this amount of fabric in the drum'. But if you were to ask them what is the wash quality like at this maximum stated load, then if they were honest they would have to say 'not very good at all'.

The wash quality rating for any machine is done with a 5kg load so any load size over this is not regulated at all, so most manufacturers take advantage of this. However, Miele is the exception, quite simply Miele will never sacrifice wash quality to claim a huge wash load.

CK

TBagpuss

Bosch every time.
I've had mine for about 7 years now with no problems.

I had a chat with my reliable and independent appliance repair man and he said he would always recommend Bosch, even over Miele, as while Miele are also very good quality, of anything does go wrong the parts are much more expensive.

You should be able to find one for under £450.

Is your floor uneven? I wonder whether that would put more strain on the bearings?

teddysmum

After three Credas, we are on our second Bosch, which is the quietest we've had. However, the first Bosch didn't last long ( 3 -4years ), but did develop a very unusual fault that the repair man (a Bosch dealer) said he had never actually come across before.

kaya

There is only one answer you are overloading the machines , lime scale can not enter the bearings and affect them , towel washes are usually the culprit as they hold so much water they can make the drum become unbalanced