New front loading washing machine - Standouts or ones to avoid?

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jonathan18

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#3027726 27-Jan-2023 08:17

For those interested, the recommended dishwashers in Consumer's test are from the following brands:

Bosch - 83

Miele - 82

Miele - 81

Bosch - 80

Electrolux - 80

F&P - 75

F&P - 74

Note, this includes both top and front loaders but, unsurprisingly, all the above are front loaders. Also, those are the only models included from Miele, Bosch and Electrolux (ie, they've potentially only tested a small part of their range, but the ones they have tested have performed well).

FWIW, we're totally happy with our Bosch front loader. Have had occasional times when stuff in the filter (usually things left in our kids' clothes pockets) has been difficult to retrieve, but love the machine generally and would be likely to buy the same brand again. Just like with other appliances like dishwashers, Miele models may often rank as high or higher (or have features that some love) but I'd find it difficult to justify the price premium one pays for this. (Eg, of the top two models, the cost of the second-placed Miele is nearly twice that of the first-ranked Bosch.)

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bener

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#3027736 27-Jan-2023 08:58

scuwp:

Only a few months in, but so far happy with our choice. Transitioning from a top loader to a front loader has taken a bit though. Quite different in the way they are used, and figuring out how to keep the towels from turning into cardboard.

We've got a Miele which is excellent, and uses way less water than the top loader. How did you get around this? Ours turns anything soft (towels, socks, trackpants etc.) into carboard like you mentioned. A bit of time in the dryer sorts it but would rather not run the dryer.

jonathan18

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#3027744 27-Jan-2023 09:11

bener:

Ours turns anything soft (towels, socks, trackpants etc.) into carboard like you mentioned. A bit of time in the dryer sorts it but would rather not run the dryer.

From the digging around I did when we transitioned from a top loader to a front loader, the tips to avoid this (and we generally only have the problem with towels) are things like -

* use a slower spin speed (I think the logic is that front loaders spin so fast the fibres are matted together)

* temp set to 30-40 degrees

* use less detergent

* use an additional rinse cycle

* never use fabric softener

* use a dryer, as you mention

I do all of these things other than using the dryer (I'm not keen on dryers, but have tried it and did find even putting it on the low temp setting helps); the towels are still not as soft as using a front loader, but we find they're totally acceptable, especially after the first usage. Also, having done these things from day one we've never ended up with towels like others I know, where they're closer to a product designed to exfoliate rather than dry oneself!

scuwp

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#3027783 27-Jan-2023 10:25

bener:

scuwp:

Only a few months in, but so far happy with our choice. Transitioning from a top loader to a front loader has taken a bit though. Quite different in the way they are used, and figuring out how to keep the towels from turning into cardboard.

We've got a Miele which is excellent, and uses way less water than the top loader. How did you get around this? Ours turns anything soft (towels, socks, trackpants etc.) into carboard like you mentioned. A bit of time in the dryer sorts it but would rather not run the dryer.

Pretty much what @jonathan18 said above. Slower spin speed, and finishing off a few minutes in the dryer are the main things. So many people have told us to NEVER use fabric softener in a front loader.

The towels still feel different, but we are use to it now, and I would have to say we think they actually do a better job of drying (yourself) when used. So that's something.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

allio

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#3027787 27-Jan-2023 10:29

I took Consumer's advice when I bought around 6 years ago and got a direct drive LG. It's happily done 3-4 loads per week ever since, never had an issue. Liked it so much I got another LG when it came time to replace the dryer.

When I bought the only negative reviews mentioned damage to clothes. Has never once happened to me.

FineWine

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Nurse (R)

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#3027801 27-Jan-2023 11:33

Since buying our Samsung 9.5Kg Front Load Washing Machine WW95T754DBT and Samsung 9.0Kg Heat Pump Dryer model DV90T7440BT, the weather has been such that we have been constantly using the dryer.

We do use less water, less detergent and fabric softener and the biggie is LESS POWER.

Our washing is always dry and feels very nice, except once which was my fault as I did not fluff up/loosen up the sheets. They were not tangled but you just need to open them up prior to loading into dryer.

We use the Cotton setting on the dryer for sheets, now, as the Bedding setting is too gentle and does not dry them well. So with the bedding setting and the weight AI technology is for heavy bedding not for sheets.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

Quinny

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#3027837 27-Jan-2023 13:02

Very happy ith the AEG I got. Super expensive and got the matching AEG heat pump dryer the year after but

- 5-year Warranty

- app tells me the washing cycle is done

- great reviews

- quiet

- self-clean mode

- 10kg model, so takes a king-size duvet

- 20 minute 3kg mode

Had three years now and am very happy with it.

MartinGZ

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#3027923 27-Jan-2023 15:35

Too late for the OP, but we used to have a Bosch, but moved to LG 4 years ago when replacement parts, when I could find them, got too expensive. Proabaly had the Bosch for 10-15 years. Main problem was the water valves kept burning out - replaced twice.

Had to pull the LG apart last week to find a missing sunglass lens - pays to check shirt pocket BEFORE washing, not after. Once I figured out how to get in, I was pleasantly suprised by the good design. All the main parts easy to remove and replace, although I did have to make a spring expander for the door seal in order to get the seal clip back on. Only negative was the filter drain (for when you remove and clean the strainer) where the small drain hose kinked and wouldn't drain. Now modified so it shouldn't kink.

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