Sooner or later, it will go "bang"!

too many towels....mines starting to squeak as its turns.......

My washing machine caused a neighbour incident of massive proportions when I moved into my first floor flat. The machine was very noisy, and after one cycle my downstairs neighbour kicked up a tremendous fuss.
I apologised abjectly, bought flowers for her and made a cake. I immediately replaced the machine with the quietest one that was available, but three years on she's still not pleased with me and continues to make unpleasant comments.
Maybe I will go to the launderette in future!

I got oil all over my clothes from using my old machine after the bearings started going.

Friend’s dishwasher burst into flames recently! Luckily a neighbour saved the day. These white appliances need attention!

Our Hotpoint dryer has been getting noisier and last week made such a racket I turned it off in mid dry and decided it was time for a new one. We bought it in 1986 so can't complain but in order to remove it we'll have to empty and move a large upright freezer. That I will complain about.

Hate to tell you Phoenix but two weeks ago, when washing a towel load, the machine got very noisy, moved around (!)
Made a bang! Noise, then gave up completely.
Out of extended warranty, seven years old and used a lot, so we decided to buy another one.This time we will keep paying for the extended warranty.

Earlier this year my 9 year old Hotpoint almost set on fire. Thankfully I was at home and was aware something didn't sound quite right as it was starting to spin. A few minutes later I went in and turned it off and wondered what the strange mist was in the door - when I opened it acrid smoke poured out. The drum had seized up. I dread to think what would have happened if I'd not been here as it clearly was only minutes away from catching fire. Thankfully it was near the back door so I was able to let the smoke out after unplugging it but my husband could still smell it when he came in from work that night.

We dragged it out and down the steps into the garden and had to get a new one delivered the next day.

I moved into my flat in 2011 and inherited the washing machine.It is a Bosch and has worked perfectly well ever since. For about 6 months it has made a horrendous noise when spinning and I got a mechanic from Bosch to look at it this week. He said the machine was 15 years old, there was nothing wrong with it, he adjusted the feet and said he would order new feet for it. I didn't pay for the call out as I have Domestic & General Insurance and this covers the washing machine, tumble dryer and fridge freezer and will cover the feet and the call out to fit them. Before I moved into the flat my fitted kitchen and appliances (Neff) were 22 years old all working perfectly, dishwasher, ceramic hob, oven/microwave, washing machine, fridge freezer and all in pristine condition, but it was a bit embarrassing when prospective buyers said your kitchen is beautiful when did you have it fitted?!!!.
So Phoenix you might just need your washing machine's feet adjusted or try putting something under the machine to even it out if it just happens with towels. Good Luck anyway!

I was advised long ago to get a Meile - even though they are expensive, they last a very long time if looked after properly. My last one finally gave up after 15 years and the repair man said that if I'd used the descaler (as it says in the instructions but I didn't really take on board) it would probably have gone on for several more years. I replaced it with a Meile which gets descaled regularly! And it has a maintenence programme, which you run without any clothes in or detergent - so I do that too. I hope the machine will last as long as I do!

On Jaycee5 hope all will be ok.

GreenGran78 how lovely!

Greciangirl I think (as someone said upthread) so many appliances seem to be designed to have a very short life these days, and have obsolescence built in!

I had my oven cleaned recently as a present for Mr P and the chap that did it seemed amazed that it was still working, seeing as it was installed in 2005!!!

Honestly, are we all supposed to expect appliances to only last about 5 years, and budget for replacing them?

My washing machine is also around eight years old (Candy). I pay Insurance of £8.00 per month, which some would consider expensive, I know (per year). It gives me the peace of mind that I can make a telephone call in the event of a problem, and often have the repairman come out the next day, with nothing extra to pay. If a problem happens at the weekend, then yes, I would have to wait until Monday and perhaps Tuesday for the repair man - but I think that this system is best for me. In the event that the machine cannot be repaired, I will get a new one through the Insurance Policy.

We have had a Miele washer for 13 years which has never needed any attention, but now sometimes sounds bit noisy on spin. I would definitely buy another one when this one gives up the ghost if we can ever prise the machine out of the very tight space it is lodged in!

It's awful to be so short of cash that replacement of a domestic item is a major disaster, but so good to hear how kind people can be when times are hard grannyactivist and GreenGran. An act of kindness ripples out I'm sure and is often repaid over and over.

My present washing machine is approximate 8years old, I think.
During that time, my partner has changed the heating element three times. They seem to burn out pretty quickly and they are always coated with limescale.
If he wasn’t able to do the odd repairs himself we would have had to spend a lot on call outs.
Funnily enough, went to the tip today, and whilst queuing up to go in, we were looking at all the washing machines that had been dumped. We both said that probably a lot of those machines could have been repaired. So many people just throw them out for no good reason. It’s a shame.

It's always something isn't it? I want to replace my dryer because it is too big (one of those 'what was I thinking' purchases) but I can't justifying replacing it.
I am sitting with the damp smell of wet plaster and cement as my water tank overflowed today, which I discovered when my downstairs neighbour knocked on my door. It was flooding into their bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. Their daughter recently redecorated their flat after about 10 years so obviously they are upset.
The plumber came quickly and was very nice and efficient. It was the ballcock but the one he replaced it with didn't work so he was here for a while. Now I just hope that it dries without going smelly and that downstairs isn't damaged too much. The husband is about 92 and not too well so we were all really stressed.
Now I've just gone a bit limp.

I have never, thank heavens, been in such dire straits as you mentioned, but bringing up five children on one wage meant that money was always tight.
One day there was a knock on the door. Outside stood a neighbour with a box full of meat. She had won a 'trolley-dash' around a local supermarket, and was busy distributing a lot of the spoils to people who needed a helping hand.
I was so grateful, but she said that it was giving her immense pleasure to share her good luck. I have never forgotten her kindness, and we are still friends and neighbours many years later. I try to follow her example, when I can.
Good luck with your machine. I hope that it keeps on working until you can afford another.

grannyactivist I too have reason to be truly grateful for the kindness of "strangers"

Phoenix I well remember the days when the loss of my washing machine was an epic disaster. It was the first Christmas after my husband had left me with two youngsters and a baby (in the days of real terry nappies). I had, literally, no money as the benefits system was very different then and I was pretty clueless about claiming. My wedding and engagement rings had already been sold and I just had no idea how we were going to muddle through.

And then: a brand new washing machine was delivered to my house, paid for by I know not who. The minister from my local church brought me the first of many food parcels and at the bottom was an envelope (again, the first of many) with some cash. A friend from church took my girls shopping to M&S for winter coats and to Clarks for new winter shoes.

It was the best of times and the worst of times, but I have never forgotten how it felt not to have enough money for things that so many people take for granted - and shall forever be grateful to all the people (most of whom remained anonymous) who kept us going with practical gifts as well as compassionate support.

Hello again!

Yes, I suppose it has done pretty well, being about 14 years old!

It's actually a combined washer / tumble dryer, Hotpoint.

As mentioned it has had the odd repair, mainly replacing the door catch and the odd switch.

I asked Appliance John what he thought of various models, for when I do have to replace it, and mentioned Miele. He was of the opinion that although they are generally good, replacement parts are very expensive.

I am not going to say how old my machine is as it may hear and decide it's had enough. Whispering quietly it's going very well. Moved house with me 10 years ago and it was 7 then.

Keep an eye on cheap offers in the papers and when the sales come round. You should be able to find a reasonably priced replacement.

We opted when we moved in here for a cheap model, energy efficient and water saving from a DIY store instead of buying one of the well-know brands at nearly three times the price.

It is better than any machine I have ever had before, so perhaps you can find a cheap model that is just as good.

phoenix have you checked to make sure there is nothing caught in the filter (you can apparently google how to do it just type in machine type and clean filter). Last time DS did mine it yielded 2 hair grips, a 20p, a couple of screws and some insulating tape (and I thought I always emptied pockets). Might be worth a try.

Wow phoenix, you're lucky! They're really only designed to last about five years on average.

Some machines seem to work longer than others and it does not always depend on times used. A consumer group has suggested that each machine should be fitted with a meter informing how many times it had been used, (car mileage) so that we could be better informed of durability of a make, the next time we have to choose.

Just do not leave it on if you are not in the house. This was a problem we had with our last machine, I put it on and we took the dog out for a walk. When we came back the plug had burnt and blew out our electrics, we were lucky the house hadn't gone on fire.

If it goes completely it may pour oil over your washing. Had this happen and it doesn't come out!