We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.

Do you leave your washing machine unsupervised?

A lot of washing machines cycles these days seem to take around 3hrs. I know there are some quick wash options but those can often only take a very small load and they aren’t suitable for everything. I was always taught never to leave the machine running when I’m not home because washing machines are one of the most common domestic appliances to catch fire. 

However, I’m really fed up with spending full days at home babysitting the washing machine. It was different with the old machines that did a wash in about 40 mins. Do most people leave them unsupervised and go out? What about at night? Are you happy to leave the machine running overnight using the time delay? 
«13456789

Comments

  • lisyloo
    lisyloo Posts: 30,008 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I'd expect a normal cycle to take around 1 hour.
    Yes I'd leave the machine running when out or on a delay.

    Was the advice you were given some time ago?

    Yes there's always a risk, but a lot of modern materials are now fire retardent.
  • I always put mine on when I go to bed.

    3 hour wash cycle? What temperature are you washing at?
    If you go down to the woods today you better not go alone.
  • Brie
    Brie Posts: 13,504 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Ours is safely locked in a cupboard outside the kitchen door so any issues about it blowing up or leaking everywhere are very unlikely to affect us beyond having to get a new one.  We might need to do that in any case as we've had it for about 5 years and it was already second hand.

    fyi - it does have one combination of cycles that means it can take about 4 hours from pre wash to extra rinse and spin.  I haven't timed it to see if it's less on a lower temperature but that's the 60c wash for the really grim stuff.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Debt Free Wannabe and Old Style Money Saving boards.  If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.

    "Never retract, never explain, never apologise; get things done and let them howl.”  Nellie McClung
  • Soot2006
    Soot2006 Posts: 2,184 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I rarely wash anything for more than 1 hour, but I usually set the timer on the machine to start washing either very early morning or mid afternoon, so it's ready to hang up when I get up/home.
  • ripplyuk
    ripplyuk Posts: 2,915 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I always put mine on when I go to bed.

    3 hour wash cycle? What temperature are you washing at?
    It depends. I use 30, 40, 60 and 90. The 3hrs is mostly for the 40 and above with a full load.
  • 3 hours? We wash everything on a 1 hour cycle and put a full load in. Clothes are fine and I leave it unsupervised no problem. I'm a little more reluctant to leave the tumble dryer running when I'm out of the house as it gets really quite hot. I'll leave it on if I'm popping out but wouldn't leave it on if going out for a day trip.
  • SuzieSue
    SuzieSue Posts: 4,099 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    I would never leave it on overnight but I wouldn't stay in just because it was on.   I try to time my washes so that I am at home, but if that isn't possible then I just go out.

     You would be very unlucky if it caught fire, but at least you would be safely outside.  You can't let a washing machine dictate whether you can go out or not.
  • ripplyuk
    ripplyuk Posts: 2,915 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    lisyloo said:
    Was the advice you were given some time ago?
    My parents taught me that when I was young but also our local fire and rescue service repeated the same advice a few years ago when they were doing door to door visits after my neighbour died in a house fire. They said washing machines are one of the main causes they find. 
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.4K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 241K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.7K Life & Family
  • 254.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.