Nasty Appliance

Thanks, Trish I will have a look.

Hi Merlot, just watching a programme on iplayer, and there was a commercial on about washing machines at Curry's. It was quite quick but there was one for £249.00 saving £150.00, 9kilos, free recycling. I think I caught it all, but it may pay to have another look at their site.

Curry's had one, Trish but I don't know about delivery etc. I'll have to keep looking.

Hi Merlotgran ~ no, I'm afraid not. Being on my own, I just needed a cheap and cheerful one. I did check the machines out at Comet, and they had some large capacity ones there, at quite a decent price. Two models were on sale, saving £120.00, but I can't remember what make, but I did recognize the brand. The only problem with Comet is that they charge for delivery, installation and recycling, adding on about £40.00

Is it big enough to take a king size duvet, Trish? I'll be looking for a new washing machine next month but need one with a large capacity.

Hi Ladies ~ final up-date [I hope]!!! Ordered a new washing machine being delivered on Monday. Quite a good deal from Homebase ~ Indesit, £219.00 including free delivery, installation and taking the monster away [actually, I say free, but it's most probably tagged onto the purchase price]. So, like AlieOxon said, fingers crossed. In fact, I would appreciate it if you all crossed everything for me ~ fingers, legs, eyes and anything else you can think of!! I am glad I started this link, as I have learned quite a bit about soap powder, conditioner etc. Till the next time, cheers

I have rinsed sheets this way too!

In the 50s my dad was working on river pollution because of detergent use (remember the froth then anyone?) and he said then that people were told to use too much by the makers. I think that is still happening.

I use half the recommended amount of soap since I read Ruth Goodwin online about washing (after the Victorian Farm) - she said she now just does the stains and not use soap in the wash...I can't quite do that, but reduced my soap use a lot. Saves money.

But even that has been collecting SOMEWHERE in this machine. So if the machine lasts out (and I just found the original papers and I got it in the year 2000!) I will watch it carefully for any soap dripping out and keep an eye on the space under the drawer..............
Keeping my fingers crossed, as when it spins it is now making a noise like an underground train coming into the station!

AlieOxon glad it's sorted. My sheet wash was 'frothy' again so they went on again without soap. I hung them on the line(BIG mistake!). FIVE heavy showers later I brought them in and spun them. Result, no froth AND they smell really fresh.
P.S. I always use the minimum 'dosage' as recommended on the container, and we have hard water.

A follow-up! I had to run it through two more quick washes, without soap, before the froth went - but I do feel it's cleaner now!

And thank you folks for discussing this, and making me realise I had a problem and stop being in denial about it!

Another up-date ~ been on the phone with hotpoint customer service [three transfers] after waiting about 20 minutes with the message thank you for your time and patience [what patience!] I put the phone down. Called again about an hour later, explained my water problem to a young man who came on immediately, and right off, he said your water hose is squashed ~ hope he meant the washer's and not mine

I've got froth.
I've been thinking my clothes were coming out soapy.
I got the drawer out and cleaned it (as much as would come off as a lot of it is lime scale) and scooped the wet soap out and cleaned the drawer socket. Decided to run it without soap to wash it out - and guess what, I have still got froth.
Well if it isn't gone, I will just keep on washing it out until it has!

I think the soap has been collecting somewhere else inside!

My Miele became smelly, I e-mailed customer services and they told me to set it to a max (95 deg) wash and to use a bio powder and repeat this. It didn't work! The local (lovely, helpful lady) repair shop advised that 30/40 deg washes cause a build up and liquid detergents promote this too. She said a very weak bleach solution would help as running an empty machine with powder would cause too much 'froth' (word-finding difficulties, me not her!) She also said it is necessary to run a good hot wash on a weekly basis.
So much for trying to economise/ be environmentally aware!

But ordinary thin household bleach is the same stuff and much much cheaper!

I am reminded of the story from my first husband's family. Their gran used to wipe the sunday joint over with Milton before cooking it.
What on earth was that supposed to achieve when joint was then cooked at a high temperature? All surface bacteria were doomed.
Maybe it made the meat taste faintly of chlorine, which discouraged greed.
Now i come to think about it the part of my washing machine that the powder etc goes into is a slimy mess. Would any of you like to come round and clean it. If I leave it long enough DH will I suppose...

Re Milton.

I use Boots sterilising fluid. Yes it is for baby euipment but brilliant for tea cup stains, food steamer stacking shelves etc., It is a bleach so be very careful to rinse well and watch clothes. Cheaper than Milton though.

Cleaning the filter solves problems on some washing-machines. First find the filter. They are usually (surprise) very low down/very hard to undo/do up again/liable to flood kitchen floor. However, sometimes having a clean filter encourages the machine to buck its ideas up.

Annobel ~ you have a point there. Funny, I haven't heard from her for a week since giving it to me

I use conditioner too - for the same reason as Bags, stops clothes clinging to you and makes them feel softer

I use conditioner for 'plastic' fabrics like fleece (which our soap and water sufficient forebears didn't have) because it gets too staticky (!) and hard otherwise. I prefer natural fibres but fleece does have its uses, and it dries quickly so can be useful in a damp climate.

Who gave this machine to you, Trish? Friend or foe?

Joan ~ I had the same problem with the vacuum I had; while thinking which one to buy next, I bought a Bissell Carpet Mate from Argos for £9.99, and what a little gem it is.

Oh dear, Trish Sounds as if it really is on its last legs! Can't think of anything useful to say, but here's my shoulder to cry on. Or - better

UP-DATE - Hi Everyone. I cleaned out the drawer so it looked brand new with my spoon and toothbrush [not the ones I use personally]! and a few naughty words. When the guy came to plumb it in for me the day before our messaging, he put a short cycle on then left me to it. I couldn't open the blooming thing ~ the button on the door is the size of a 10 pence piece, so with the mop handle managed it. Finally, so I thought, I could do some laundry. Shoved some towels in and blow me, there was a gallon of water [slight exaggeration] sitting there grinning at me. After trying all the spin cycles, it is still there. I really don't think it is worth getting someone out to fix it ~ should have bought my favourite Indesit.

I think the thick conditioner is meant to be watered down. I never use it for towels these days, realising that it stops them drying you properly [which sort of defeats the object of using them!].

I do sometimes use dryer balls in the tumble drier which cut the amount of static in synthetics without the use of chemicals.