Hotpoint WD640 Washer-Dryer, Any good?

david_james_2

Am thinking of buying a Hotpoint washer-dryer, Model WD640 Aquarius+ Washer Dryer,from a local retailer for a very good price, he did me a discount for having our old washer on his maintenance contract, a friend has told me that washer dryers do not wash as well or efficiently as a normal washer, have heard they are not as reliable as washer's, they have more bits, which get warm, so i accept that. Had planned to have a maint contract anyway, gave up repairing our own washer when the kids where small, The washer is the only thing i have on a maint contract, things like TV's and VCR's are reliable enough, what i would like to know is, am i making a mistake buying a Hotpoint WD640 Washer Dryer,
Would i be better with a washer?
Anyone have any experiences or thoughts?

Iona_Penny

Hi there and welcome.

Due to lack of space in my kitchen I have a washer dryer. It's a Hotpoint WD21 and quite old ( prob. at least 8 years I guess) For me it has been brilliant although I use the dryer option infrequently( I just like the option of having it for urgent stuff) and you must remember that you can only dry half a washed load at a time.

In the time I have had mine it stopped spinning and needed a new set of 'brushes' and the door catch broke. Both these parts we ordered from Hotpoint and both came to under £10 inc. postage so if you are quite handy it was easy to fit both of these.

I was given a tip by an engineer that using only liquid soap powder (does that make sense?!) stopped the pipes getting clogged up and although we live in a hard water area I have never had any problems. As for washing as well as a washer only I think you will find it is people who have never had one who say this and I think it is just fine although I never over fill which is nothing to do with it being a WD just a theory I have in general.

I will definitely go for another washer dryer in the future. My only thought is do yo need a maintenance contract? The whole thing is guaranteed for one year and the parts for 5 - could you not stash the money away and just pay if required? Surely a 2005 model will be even more reliable than mine?

Hope this helps you make a decision.

Pink.

Hi David,

Welcome to mse.

These older threads may help:

Washer drier advice needed !!

Washer Dryers

jobbingmusician

My husband used to be a domestic appliance engineer. He has told me...

NEVER GET A WASHER DRYER, THEY ARE MORE TROUBLE THAN THEY'RE WORTH!!!

This is very annoying as we have a miniscule kitchen and can't fit a dryer in, but he sticks to his guns to such an extent that he is thinking of putting a dryer in his workshop.

So, from a VERY expert tradesman

WASHER/DRYER = Bad

WASHER PLUS DRYER = Good

david_james_2

Thanks everyone,
Checked out the links Pink-winged, opinion is about 50-50, i know washer dryers are less reliable, but we have a maint contract at the mo, so carrying on in a year or so on the Washer-Dryer is not really a prob, the crunch is we have a lack of space, and both of us work, Have heard that Hotpoints maint contracts are OK,
Iona_Penny,
changed the brushes on a previous Hotpoint, not this one, motor is positioned well,
take the top off and its there!
unplug M/C, disconnect each brush, one wired connector, unclip and they slide out, fingers get covered in the black dust from the wearing brushes, i used to take the motor off every other brush change, and gave the area around the brushes and good clean down with a aerosol can of solvent electrical cleaner, to get rid of the black dust which can conduct electricity, think thats whats happened with our present Hotpoint, a short circuit in the motor causing a circuit board to blow.
Use the solvent cleaner outside in a well ventilated area, with gloves, and away from your face.
Thanks again everyone!

grumbler

Have a read of this thread:

Washing Machine Filter

I don't know, but probably washer-dryer has the same drawback.

coolbreezes

Always had separates until split from hubby but kitchen I have now is compact. I bought a Hotpoint WD with great trepidation and have to say its brilliant. Mine is the Hotpoint wd72 great results for washing and good for drying . If you have space I agree by all means have 2 machines but new washer dryers are pretty good. I am old fashioned though and hang washing on line whenever possible, nothing to beat that fresh smell. I have 2 boys though who get in a real mess in winter and could not manage without the facility of a dryer. Cant handle my home looking like a laundry.