How long should a washing machine last?

My eleven year old Hotpoint recently became very noisy. Other than that we had not had any problems with it so we replaced it with another Hotpoint. If I want the 1600 spin though, a wash takes over three hours! I used to get up in the morning, do a couple of washes and hang the washing out in the garden. I have to do the washing the night before now.

I have only had one Hotpoint washing machine and I would never have another. It was so noisy, a high pitched whine, which I was assured was normal and by the time I got rid of it, after only 5 years, the fascia panel had 11 cracks in it.

DH is an engineer and insisted that its replacement should be manufactured in South Korea or Germany, not just badged with a brand name but made, heaven alone knows where. I now have a Samsung. It is so quiet, I can hardly hear it and when it finishes the wash it sings me a happy little tune

I've used Maytag commercial machines in Youth Hostels, it always amuses me how they manage perfectly well with just a few programs instead of the dozens of gimmicks you find on consumer machines.

30 years ago when i needed a new washing machine, i remembered the ones that I had seen with friends in USA. Not digital but mechanical. These took far less time to do a wash. So I hunted and hunted and eventually found one in Harrods. The make is MAYTAG, and although it cost twice as much as the average washer/dryer at that time I has been worth every penny. (Over the years I have probably recouped much of that cost in electricity.) I often do a wash every other day and it has never let me down, it is just as effective on Rugby kits as it is on baby clothes.

My washing machine repairer told me to buy the cheapest biological - MUST BE BIOLOGICAL - washing powder and every couple of months or so do the hottest wash possible with it. No clothes in it (no spin). Works a treat, never had a smelly machine since. Don't need fancy machine cleaning products.

My last one lasted 15 years, the previous one 12 years, both Hotpoint.

Mine is just over 10 years old , found out it had a ten year whirlpool warranty as it was due to run out and they wanted me to pay a yearly fee. I have never had an engineer out. I declined offer, I will take my chance washer owes me nothing, it was a special offer when I bought it.

I have found that my washing machines rarely last more than 5 years. When DCs were home I would do about 14 washes a week, but now it is about 6. THe engineer told me I "washed too much",which is why the macines didn't last long. we also live in a very hard warter area, hardest in the country I think, which b...rs up the machine!

I'm so envious with those of you whose machines last 10/20 years!

My Bosch washing machine is well over 10 years old, and never needed a service call from an engineer.

Strong and sturdy, it was expensive to buy, but the best washing machine I have ever owned.

My last machine - CANDY - was going strong at 14 years old when I moved house and freecycled it. Last I heard it was still ok. I almost always wash at 30 degrees. Didn't realise it is detrimental. Someone told me you should allow the machine to cool between washes. May be an old wives tale ...

I only found out my washing machine HAD a filter after a previous post on GN. Never cleaned it out before. It was quite a revelation. Now I do it regularly. I always run a cleaning programme with Service Engineer every couple of months - dishwasher too. makes a big difference.
I work on abut 5-8 years of life but now the filter is getting some attention maybe this one will last longer.

My Zanussi was bought in 2000 and has been fine until this week when it wet the carpet. I have cleaned the filter and am hoping it won't leak again tomorrow when I do the washing. If it does I will replace it as I don't think it owes me anything - it was reduced when I bought it!

The only washing machines that are really built to last and designed for at least 20-25 years use are Miele machines (mine is already over 10 years old and is like new). They are more expensive to buy in the first place but the build quality and components are very strong. You have to decide what it is you want. An expensive machine that will keep going for years or to buy cheaper products more often.

A washing machine engineer once gave me these tips for keeping a machine running well and for preventing the build up of 'sludge' which leads to a smelly machine and corrodes the metal components.

1. Do not use liquid detergents, use powder and avoid regular use of low temperature wash cycles. (May not be so 'green' but best for dxtending the life of a washing machine).
2. Run a 60º wash once a month (e.g. for towels, tea towels)
3. Run a 90º wash once a quarter with soda crystals.
4. Regularly clean removable parts like the detergent dispenser and filter.

All domestic white appliances have a design life of 10 years. Generally spare parts are available for 10 years.

Obviously there is an enormous variation written into this. DH managed to source spare parts for a 20 year old cooker, but it wasn't easy. Manufacturers also price spares to make it not worth while to repair appliances so that consumers decide on replacement instead.

When the heating element on my dishwasher went and I found a replacement element cost about £100, which sounded excessive for such a simple part. I did a bit of research and discovered that, generally, replacement elements were priced at a third of the cost of a new appliance. There was no relationship between the size/power of different heating element, only between the element and the price of the new appliance. With the cost of fitting, a new element cost half the price of a new appliance to replace, so most people replaced the appliance.

Strangely enough I'm sitting here waiting for delivery of my new machine this morning. The thermostat had got stuck on my old one a Bosch which was five years old. I was told it was cheaper to replace and as I never spend loads on machines I have done so with a new Hotpoint at £250 . I only ever use a few programmes so no point in me having one you can programme Trident with.

I agree Indinana all major bills come at once- sod's law!

Nelliem our last washing machine was a Zanussi and it lasted for nearly 20 years, finally giving up the ghost a couple of months ago. We still have the Zanussi dishwasher, bought at the same time, which is in constant use and has never needed repairing. Of course, it'll break down now, obviously

My last Indesit machine must have been about 22 when it finally rattled itself to a stop. I bought another Indesit to replace it. I hope it last as long.

I inherited my parents Zannusi washing machine when we cleared their house in 2003. This machine was bought in 1999.
We had the bearings replaced about 2/3 yrs ago and it finally died around Christmas. That was about 16yrs in all.

(That and the Bosch dishwasher which was 14yrs old broke down and had to be replaced in late December 2015. ) An expensive white goods fest!

If it's still working perfectly don't send it to the tip! Put it on freecycle and someone else can use it.

We inherited my MILs top loading Bosch in 2003. She had used it for about 5 years, it spent another 5-6 years sitting in the garage. We then plumbed it in to replace our broken machine. It is still going strong and washing beautifully.

Unfortunately it will not fit in when we move, so will be going to the tip.

x

I have a Bosch,about 5 years old it is,ok at the moment,but I rent it,and when it goes wrong I get a brand new one,but all well ..touch wood x

I've got a Bosch, it's into it's 14th year now, I've never had to have a call out........touch wood!

My last one (a Candy) worked fine for over 20 years, then just gave up the ghost. Replaced it with a Bosch one but I don't like it nearly as much.

I would think so. Some last longer but I think that is not a bad innings. Could you get somebody to look at it without it costing you a fortune before you fork out? I also use a washing machine cleaner which gets rid of limescale etc. My machine looks and smells fresher afterwards. Try to hang on until the July sales unless you see a good bargain.