Anyone else's washing machine ruining their clothes?

Tao81

Wasn't sure where to post this so have put it here??

I've noticed recently that after washing my clothes some of them come out of the machine with tiny holes in them. This morning retrieved a pillow case from the wash and it has a tear in it, so problem would appear to be getting worse!

I seem to remember picking up from somewhere that when a washing machines rubber seal starts to perish (although there are certainly no visible signs of this at present) that this sort of thing can happen as a result?
Has anyone else encountered this problem and does anyone know why it would happen?

The machine is 2 1/2 yrs old. Zanussi washer dryer.
Will call the engineer out, as have it covered by curry's insurance, but how would I go about proving the machine is at fault. Some of the holes are tiny enough for someone to try and palm it off as moth holes?!!!! Although the pillowcase would support my complaint I suppose!
Half my daughters t-shirts and tops have been ruined this way and I'm not sure what I can do to remedy this problem so that I don't have anymore clothes ruined (Darn expensive business having to replace clothes that otherwise would have had plenty of life in them yet!!!):mad:

And no........I'm not over loading the machine!

Thanks in anticipation of a reply.

Smiley_Mum

Have you checked inside the drum for any little nicks in the drum. I recall this happening to a previous washing machine, ex left something in his pocket and it lifted one of the holes during a wash. Result, it left a sharp edge which tore the [EMAIL="!!!!"]!!!![/EMAIL] out of everything. Engineer came out and filed down the edge, worked for a little while and then it just started tearing up the clothes again so in the end, he replaced the drum. Thankfully there was an insurance on the machine which covered for the repairs. The drum is the most expensive part of the machine so if you do have to have it replaced, it may work out cheaper to buy a new machine. .

Tao81

Smiley_Mum wrote: »

Have you checked inside the drum for any little nicks in the drum. I recall this happening to a previous washing machine, ex left something in his pocket and it lifted one of the holes during a wash. Result, it left a sharp edge which tore the !!!! out of everything. Engineer came out and filed down the edge, worked for a little while and then it just started tearing up the clothes again so in the end, he replaced the drum. Thankfully there was an insurance on the machine which covered for the repairs. The drum is the most expensive part of the machine so if you do have to have it replaced, it may work out cheaper to buy a new machine. .

Will go and investigate this minute!
If I do find something, will my machine insurance cover me for a new drum do you think? Can't go down the road of a replacement.......too broke!:eek:

Thanks for reply smiley_mum have clicked the thanks button for ya:T

Smiley_Mum

Yes, washing machine insurance should cover you for new drum. That's what they did with the one we had. Check all round the drum, inside where the seals are, everywhere the clothes would be, to see if there are any nicks or lifts. Doesn't matter how small, it'll still make a mess of your clothes when they are spun at 1000rpm plus.

Tao81

Have run the flat of my hand around entire inside of drum and felt with fingertips across surface that meets the rubber seal, can't feel anything! Will keep trying, as you've mentioned it could be minute, so could have missed it.

If the engineer can't detect anything - won't know what to do, this could turn out very expensive as to find out if the problem is resolved after his visit (assuming he does anything) means that potentially have to wait for more clothing to be ruined in the process!!!!

Could turn out very expensive to replace items:eek: or 12yr old daughter may be forced to go topless :eek: :rotfl:
Insurance notes on back of pathetic insurance document Curry's supplied with receipt states:
What is not covered?
"loss of use of the insured product or any consequential loss (except for food spoilage) or any amount you are able to recover under another insurance policy"

Wonder how I stand with my consumer rights if the engineer says he can't find a fault?:mad:

Smiley_Mum

Is there anything that you are washing that may be catching on other items of clothing, zippers, hooks etc. Anything with metal clips etc that may be catching on other things that may be making the holes. I always turn everything insides out and button up/zip up. That way there is less wear on your clothing, as exposed zippers, hooks etc can make holes.

Had a look on www.washerhelp.co.uk also and came across this...

http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=541#top

Tao81

Smiley_Mum wrote: »

Is there anything that you are washing that may be catching on other items of clothing, zippers, hooks etc. Anything with metal clips etc that may be catching on other things that may be making the holes. I always turn everything insides out and button up/zip up. That way there is less wear on your clothing, as exposed zippers, hooks etc can make holes.

Had a look on www.washerhelp.co.uk also and came across this...

http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=541#top

Thought of that Hun. Yeah I zip everything up and turn things inside out if they look like they could cause mischief.
This is happening even when there is nothing in a particular wash with buttons, fasteners, zips and the like?!!!! Even goe to the lengths of putting some items such as wired bras in a zip up netting wash bag before washing them.

Smiley_Mum

Did you check the link. It mentions that at high spin speeds clothes can be forced through the holes in the drum, causing holes in your clothes. Touch wood, never happened to me and my last machine had a max speed of 1400rpm, (Zanussi). I have a Miele now and it's 1200rpm max and no probs. They have a honeycomb drum design in some of their machines also which is supposed to prevent the above problem happening. Perhaps you could put something in with no holes in, not too fussed about, check it mid wash before it is on a final spin etc and check it for holes, if no holes then check at end of final spin. If it is holey after spin then it may be that the fabric is getting forced through the holes in the drum and causing the damage to your clothes. Don't know what else you can do.

You could do the test above checking mid wash etc, do it on a high spin speed, max or whatever and then do it again and reduce the spin speed to the next lower level etc and see what happens.

Tao81

Yeah - just finished reading through all of them....Thanks very much for that, you are kind:D
Feeling a bit dispondent, pretty sure now that I won't get anywhere with an engineer? But that won't stop me trying!
One of the posts even mentioned Curry's being very sympathetic but not prepared to do anything without the sanction of the manufacturer?!!!!!!

It is a 1600 spin Zanussi, I have used the high spin speed regularly for the last couple of years with no problem.
Think I will have to reduce the spin speed and put all t-shirts and sweat tops in a netting wash bag for protection.
The pillowcase was a huge shock this morning though, a fairly decent rip in it, it has now!!!!!!:eek:
Once the engineer has seen a huge pile of my daughters T-shirts (and said cotton pillowcase) as evidence I'll have to start stitching the holes and hope it doesn't notice too much on some, although others are completely ruined because of the size of the hole and where it is....Typically these are her newest and favourite tops!!:mad: Stitching me?!! Haven't sewn in years!!!!!!!:rotfl:

Millionaire

I got a Zanussi as well and it from time to time chews up my clothes. Cant believe it.

My mum always had a hotpoint and never had any problems with my clothes in that, but when I moved out and had to buy a washing machine my sister advised to get a zanussi as appparantly hotpoint machines are know for chewing clothes up.

Knowing nothing about laundry and washing machines(thats what mums are for:D) I took her word for it have regretted it ever since.

I have had some nice expenisve clothes ruined because of that damn machine:mad:

Smiley_Mum

When you eventually need to replace your washing machine, get a Miele with a honeycomb system on the drum. See here...

http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1410