Washing Machine Recommendations Please.

[saintpeter48]

I am looking to buy a new washing machine and I need any advice on makes, models and where is the best/cheapest place to get one.
I need a standard size machine with high speed spin and not too fussed on number of programmes.
Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.

[gingejbee]

You may find that specifying your budget will get you more relevant replies, because washers are available from less than two hundred to well over a thousand pounds. I could recommend my Miele, but it was the best part of a grand (excellent machine with full 10-year warranty).

[Ric.ror]

I cannot really make any specific recommends but what I would say is that I have never found an expensive machine to be any better than a cheaper one
IMO

[gingejbee]

Re Ric.'s reply...if you look at the performance tests in Which?, cheapo machines NEVER do very well....some are so bad that they are labelled "Which Don't Buys".

[MargoTester]

Have a look at ao.com. We have used them a couple of times and they are very good. Free delivery too.

[Togo]

http://ao.com/best/washing-machines
Have a look at this site stpete, and decide what you want out of a machine in terms of load capacity, spin rate, colour of machine etc. You cant go wrong having a wander around your local Currys store. Remember that most modern machines are cold fill only(not all) and most of the detergents on the market take advantage of this, being suitable for 30degree washes or thereabouts. If you like to do a boil was for towels and bedding bear this in mind. I would add that whatever you choose don't use the aweful liquid sachets in your new machine. The silicone sachet does not break down and leaves the most vile black sludge residue throughout the machine. When we ran a cleaning programme with a cleaning product and switched back to powder or tablet form detergent, the issue was sorted.

[AliceTickband]

one piece of advice would give you is not to get an all-singing all-dancing one..........too many unnecessary bits and bobs to go wrong. I had one once...........Now I only use a basic one-2 spin speeds, various wash programmes.

[thugulike]

I changed my washer last year and bought a John Lewis own brand. It wasn't the cheapest but I can opt to do a 20 minute wash which is cheap and very good, then if I want a faster spin I can the do a 15 minute fast spin. I used to have to wait almost 3 hours for this on my old machine. Just imagine the electricity costs I am saving

[jennyjoan]

saint peter - my heartbreak was finding out mine was digital. - drove me nuts. but my cousin got (sorry don't know make) my 93 aunt basic one and she loves it. If it is basic then you go for manual. my last machine was manual and I loved it - in fact it lasted me12 years and was still going only I decided to get a new one because I was getting a new kitchen.

[ummmm]

I bought an Indesit last year and it's been through 3 sets of drum paddles so avoid them.

[Bazile]

We have had a BOSCH now for many many years .

The only ' problem ' that we have had with it ( touch wood ) is having to change the brushes - and that was for wear - like brake pads on your car

[knittynora]

I made the mistake of buying a Hoover machine that won't spin if the load is unbalanced(special technology that supposedly stops strain on the drum). Works great with a full load but won't spin at all with a small load. Everything out dripping. No use to me whatsoever as I tend to do more small loads.

[katerich48]

I have a John lewis own brand (like Thugulike) I wanted an AEG like my old one but in the new range the dimensions were bigger - however the man at JL told me the JLewis machines were made by AEG so I went with that and have been perfectly happy ever since - nice short wash extra spin etc etc.,