Which washing machine to buy

Bigphil1474

We have a Bosch washing machine that is currently sitting in the shed. Brought it with us from the old house but the house we moved to had an integrated one installed. The integrated one is a Beko one which is alright, and must be at least 10 years old. Works well. The Bosch one is brilliant but doesn't fit in the cupboard. We did use it for 3 years before moving and never missed a beat. Before that we had an LG large load one. Great washing machine but it was a bit noisy on our suspended wooden floor. (We also have a Bosch Dishwasher which is excellent.)

For me, free standing ones are much better than integrated but depends on your kitchen. The more powerful washers tend to do better on solid floors. If you've got a suspended floor, you need to consider vibration etc. We always get a washer with at least a 1400 spin as we don't have a tumble drier (and never will). I also avoid washer/driers.

Personally, I would look at Bosch, LG, Samsung, Hisense (we have one of their freezers which is good), and even brands like AEG, depending on your price range and desired features. Sites like Good Housekeeping do free reviews. AO.com is a good shout.

(P.S. towels shouldn't need washing every 2/3 days if you are using them to dry yourself after a shower. I go once a week).

TroubledTarts

Please don't leave towels a week especially during the heatwaves we have been experiencing lately that's a breading ground for nasty bacteria.

Staphylococcus bacteria

E. coli

Yeast and fungi

Mold spores

General good guidelines

Body towel ideally every 3 uses, not days, uses so if you shower twice a day etc etc

Face towels (as you should use your body towel for face) max 2 uses

Hand towels 1-2 days

Gym towel 1 use

Bigphil1474

From a 2023 article on the BBC -

Of those asked, 44% said they would wash their towels after three months or more.

So what does Dr Sally Bloomfield, a home hygiene expert and specialist in preventing infectious disease, make of that?

"I am somewhat shocked, because I would have thought that the towels would become encrusted, sweaty and be very uncomfortable to use," she tells BBC Newsbeat.

Almost one in five surveyed said they washed their towels once a month, a quarter said once a week and one in 20 chose to wash every day after a bath or shower, according to data, external from a shower company.

To cut to the chase for how long you should leave it, Dr Bloomfield says "a sensible amount would be at least once a week".

MysteryMe

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82068205#Comment_82068205

Costco currently have the same machine but in white for £430 delivered, discount applied at checkout

https://www.costco.co.uk/Appliances/Washing-Machines/Bosch-WGG24400GB-Series-6-9kg-1400rpm-Washing-Machine-A-Rated-in-White/p/498787?utm_campaign=FY26P12W2d&utm_medium=email&utm_source=email&utm_content=Hero-1&utm_term=bosch&sc_src=email_46088&sc_lid=10879150&sc_uid=LRrvZSSVNV&sc_llid=1661727

jimi_man

We have always had Miele (we were on our second - first one lasted 15 years, the second was still going after 12 but the new owners wanted it to stay, so when we moved we had to buy a new one.

We have bought a Miele again - not cheap certainly but 15 years at between 10 and 20 loads a week with two young kids, I think, is good value. My wife also likes clean fresh towels, so we definitely don't leave them a week.

In your position, I'd go for a Miele. From our experience they tend to cope with heavier usage better, however it's a datapoint of just one so read into that what you will.

It's also a fair point about the name not necessarily indicating anything. Indesit is Beko and Hotpoint; Bosch is Siemens and Neff. Samsung is Samsung, and is Miele is Miele.

We also had a water softener fitted as we are very hard water here, so we're hoping it will help extend the life.

ic

Costco sell a 20kg Samsung machine if you have the room (they have a matching 16gk dryer) . Otherwise I'm very happy with our more standard sized 11kg LG washing machine - and highly recommend the autodose feature. It wollops out a 40 degree wash in about 55 mins, and a 60 degree wash in around 90 minutes, and it does have turbowash option that can bring that time down.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82072065#Comment_82072065

With most washing machines the quoted maximum load usually only applies for one of the longer cotton washes.

If you use quicker washes the manual usually recommends a significantly lower max load for those.

aintreemaid

Bit late to the party, I know, but nobody has mentioned the position in the which the washer will sit. Do check this before making a decision.

My Bosch machine (over 25 years old) gave up the ghost just after we moved house and I went in search of another Bosch, only to find that they, along with all but one of the usual brands available in UK, have doors hinged on left.

The only position for my machine demands a right-hand hinge so my only option was a Miele. On a limited budget, I was very lucky to find a recently discontinued model that didn't break the bank.

Mutton_Geoff

Worth having a look through this washing machine repairman's channel. He is often appalled by the build quality of once great machines, especially the fashion towards (cheaper to make & unrepairable) sealed drums.

Also has recommendations on what to buy.

https://m.youtube.com/@How-to-repair